Chinese digger recommendations

[dfkrug]

The machine made it here at 6:30 in the morning.

Nice. I like the blue paint job.

Your ATV looks new, too. What brand is that?

 

[nogaltractorguy]

Nice. I like the blue paint job.

Your ATV looks new, too. What brand is that?

The ATV is a CFMoto CForce 500. Bought new in 2020. Mostly sitting outside rain or shine. I am quite happy with it, and it has held up. I'm about to order a third garage/carport for the new camper, new mini ex, park my '92 Wrangler YJ, tractor and store all my attachments and machinery (log splitter, mulcher, push trimmer, cement mixer, etc. I got too much stuff.

 

[Carl_NH]

NoGal - very nice machine! I like the way they ran all the hoses and a spare set to be able to run higher flow too - that's a very nice addition.

The hose protection and fit and finish look good too. Hope you get some time to test it out once it warms up - next month

Thanks for the pics, and would like to hear your first impressions once you get some time with it.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

I’ll update. First I want to go over it to check for loose bolts nuts hoses etc.

I guess my first report is that FC Construction Machinery is legit. Not going to lie, I was somewhat worried I may get scammed. Luke called me a few times and even FaceTime. David was very diligent answering questions until I paid, then ghosted me. Before that I asked about possibly switching to the R22 after the R18 cab wasn’t available. When I contacted him about two weeks ago he told me $21,500 delivered. So two days ago I asked what was the best price and he responded with $24,500. I guess he thought I wasn’t being serious or he didn’t want to continue entertaining me.

 

[FullMetalBucket]

Well, I made the leap. Went to a new RIPPA dealer in MA and bought a R15 open station. It was on sale so I figure why wait until spring. They are going through it and do an initial service for free. Not sure when I’ll pick it up. Will have to go up north and dig out my trailer.

Pretty psyched to put this thing to work in the spring.

 

[Carl_NH]

Congratulations on your new machine! It's too cold to dig or play outside for at least a month and we still have nearly 2' snow here on the coast.

Was this from the dealer in Tewksbury or a different new dealer? I see the R15 is just about $12K now - decent price for that machine! Was the R18 an option and what are those going for now?

 

[FullMetalBucket]

I did get it from the Tewksbury dealer. Vic, one of the owners is a super nice guy. Not sure about the R18 price or availability, I was looking at the R10/R15 options and price range. Am glad I went with the R15 over the R10. R10 is only single pump and has remote controls, not true hydraulic at the sticks. I was surprised how sturdy the pilot controls felt. I was expecting them to feel flimsy.


My property is up in Carroll county NH so now I have to go dig my trailer out. I’m sure there’s probably a few feet of snow. There was a good foot a month ago when I went up and that was before the last storm.

 

[workinonit]

I have pics of my new Kylin KN28 but the pics are too large and won't post. This site is the only forum I'm on that I have issues with posting pics.

 

[Carl_NH]

I have pics of my new Kylin KN28 but the pics are too large and won't post. This site is the only forum I'm on that I have issues with posting pics.

If you're using an iPhone or similar - email them to yourself - my email asks do you want to reduce the size from 5MB to like 1MB - or go into the properties and reduce them.

 

[workinonit]

Thanks. That worked. Here are the Chinese baby digger pics. This ended up costing me around 10K after I paid buyers premium. I got the quick attach and a grapple as well.

 

[D'oh]

NT18K Made it to the Cabin, the JF12 Sold yesterday.

The guy is going to Portage it into a small lake by Snowmobile

 

[Carl_NH]

D-oh, strap should go around boom minus cylinder as bumps in transport = bent.. is this one a diesel?

Also not clear about your FF12 - a guy is going to take (or portage) the FF12 mini ex across a lake to an island via a snowmobile on a sled?

 

[D'oh]

D-oh, strap should go around boom minus cylinder as bumps in transport = bent.. is this one a diesel?

Also not clear about your FF12 - a guy is going to take (or portage) the FF12 mini ex across a lake to an island via a snowmobile on a sled?

Yes, he is going to tow it by snowmobile to a remote lake. Good Size for that. Kind of like towing this one 12 miles across the ice.

Missed the strap, it is because the Boom slowly drops on the trailer, Forgot to remove it for the trip. Yes this one has a 722 Kubota

 

[FullMetalBucket]

Brought the Mini up north last weekend since I was finally able to get my trailer out. Spent some time getting used to how to operate an excavator. First task was going around the field and digging out the rocks I keep hitting with the JD mower. Pulled out around 15 of these little buggers

 

[Carl_NH]

Good deal - yes we like to grow rocks in NH! How are you liking your R15 so far? It's a two speed drive yes? Does it have the display like the R18?

 

[FullMetalBucket]

Good deal - yes we like to grow rocks in NH! How are you liking your R15 so far? It's a two speed drive yes? Does it have the display like the R18?

It has 2 speeds, slow and slower . There is a display, though not sure if it’s the same as he R18.

One thing I have to get used to is all the directional motions with the boom vs my T25 just up and down and curl basically.

Also the controls take a lighter touch. With the T25, the hydraulics move the same speed no matter how fast you crank the joystick. On the RIPPA, If you just crank a joystick all the way in a direction, the hydraulics move faster than easing them. So it can be very smooth or not depending on how you work the controls.

I am liking it and looking forward to getting better at operating it. I’ve only got like 2 hours seat time. It’s a little too tall to fit in my shack where I keep the T25 so I’m going to see about either buying a shipping container or building a mini pole style garage for it. Don’t want it sitting outside in the elements.

 

[DavidD]

It has 2 speeds, slow and slower . There is a display, though not sure if it’s the same as he R18.

One thing I have to get used to is all the directional motions with the boom vs my T25 just up and down and curl basically.

Also the controls take a lighter touch. With the T25, the hydraulics move the same speed no matter how fast you crank the joystick. On the RIPPA, If you just crank a joystick all the way in a direction, the hydraulics move faster than easing them. So it can be very smooth or not depending on how you work the controls.

I am liking it and looking forward to getting better at operating it. I’ve only got like 2 hours seat time. It’s a little too tall to fit in my shack where I keep the T25 so I’m going to see about either buying a shipping container or building a mini pole style garage for it. Don’t want it sitting outside in the elements.

I have about 60 hours on my rippa r15 now and it’s been a great little machine. These are pilot operated so I lowered my pilot pressure and it made it way less “touchy” but maintained full hydraulic pressure when you move controls further. I’m considering raising pilot pressure back up now that I’ve had more seat time on it but I’m not sure of any advantages

 

[dfkrug]

These are pilot operated so I lowered my pilot pressure and it made it way less “touchy” but maintained full hydraulic pressure when you move controls further.

Several folks have reported doing what you did to get smoother action. I have yet to hear about any info provided from any maker on what the pilot pressure should be and where the test port to put the gauge is. The only one I have adjusted was without using any pressure gauge. I suspect about 500psi is a good target, based on what some small name-brand minis use.