Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[dfkrug]

I've got about 45 hours on my mini now and my only complaint is retightening every bolt before use.

Which bolts are loosening? I don't have that problem at all.

As for buckets, even a 20-incher is going to experience high torques with such a thin carcass. And they only have 25mm main pivot pins. Sadly, most of the makers do not mask off the pivot holes when they paint them, so they need to be sanded out for the pins to go in.

Glad you got he heat issue managed, Fredrik.

 

[Fredrik]

Which bolts are loosening? I don't have that problem at all.

Last week the bolts holding the ring gear in place got so loose that the upper section almost came loose from the track assembly.

 

[MattB4]

It is rather interesting how alike but different some of these 1-tons are. I am noticing several things as I review other peoples models vs mine. I have not found any loose bolts with the exception of a seat bolt had come free during shipping. Perhaps with more run time (only at 7.5hrs) it will become noticeable.

 

[dfkrug]

Last week the bolts holding the ring gear in place got so loose that the upper section almost came loose from the track assembly.

Wow, never heard of that in my 5+ years of involvement with Chinese minis. I have hands-on with units made in 6 different factories; 5 if you exclude Sany.

I will go check mine. Thanks for posting.

 

[scsever]

Hi all,
I'm a new member today. I found the forum after extensive searching for a solution to my AGT ignition problem. Besides the mini excavator I have a Bobcat tractor loader with a tiller, tooth box scraper, rake, and PTO chipper. For lawn work I have a Hustler Raptor SD-60, Cub LT 1046, and a National 84".
So, back to my ignition issue. I purchased the AGT H12 this summer in an auction, image attached showing mine on the left. The electric start did not work when I went to pick it up, fortunately they have a recoil start. I got some of my initial projects done and decided it was time to work on the ignition switch, it's an Xoingda with 6 solder terminals. What I believe is the solenoid wire was rusted off the switch and I could see there was no hope of repairing it. I ordered one off ebay and wired it exactly the same as the old one, it will turn over, but won't start, I've confirmed that I don't have a spark at the plug. I realize after reading all 67 pages in this thread that I should really replace the ignition switch, but for now I'd just like to move it our of the way of my overhead shop door.
Lights work, starter cranks, but no spark. It's the Briggs XR 13.5, I've tried disconnecting the oil level sensor. I noticed there are two wires going into the engine case, I believe one is for the ignition coil (ground to kill?) there's another wire along with it that was never connected, not sure what that is. That's one's in the bundle of my other image attached.
I apologize in advance for my lengthy first post.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Steve

 

[MattB4]

Not sure if I can help but B&S engines kill by grounding out the spark. You having no spark would indicate that the contact from the ignition switch in On that opens the grounding wire is not happening.

 

[dfkrug]

I got some of my initial projects done and decided it was time to work on the ignition switch, it's an Xoingda with 6 solder terminals. What I believe is the solenoid wire was rusted off the switch and I could see there was no hope of repairing it. I ordered one off ebay and wired it exactly the same as the old one, it will turn over, but won't start, I've confirmed that I don't have a spark at the plug. I realize after reading all 67 pages in this thread that I should really replace the ignition switch, but for now I'd just like to move it our of the way of my overhead shop door.

Welcome to TBN, Steve

If you go back to page 160 of this long thread, I have posted my replacement wiring diagram.

I don't know what they are using for an ignition switch in your unit, but the replacements I have used in the 3 units I have rewired has the logic of a riding mower switch. You will need to figure out the logic of your switch and trace the wiring to see why the ignition seems to be grounded when you are trying to run the starter motor.

Update:
The switches I used were STENS 430-706 ($20), which is a 5-terminal riding mower ignition switch. I see the AgroTK website sells replacement switches ($45!) that are only 4-terminal units.

 

[scsever]

Looks like I've got a bad ignition coil. According to my research, although not directly from B&S, the coil resistance should be 2K-5K, mine was 11.6K. I ordered a new coil and the Sterns switch from Amazon. I hope my coil diagnosis is correct.
It's going to be a few days, but I'll reply when I get it back together.

Thanks guys.

 

[MattB4]

I notice that there is another price drop. They are now selling the Typhon (with hydraulic thumb) for $5750 plus free US delivery. Getting to be a race to the bottom amongst the importers. I would hate to be one of those folks/companies that imported earlier this year or last year for resale and are sitting with mini excavators that they are wanting $9-10k for.

Market saturation I guess.

 

[Fredrik]

Market saturation I guess.

Yep , looks like the bubble has burst . I'm waiting for the 2 tons to get below 8 grand and I"ll pull the trigger. Might not have to wait too long.

 

[Fredrik]

It is rather interesting how alike but different some of these 1-tons are. I am noticing several things as I review other peoples models vs mine. I have not found any loose bolts with the exception of a seat bolt had come free during shipping. Perhaps with more run time (only at 7.5hrs) it will become noticeable.

I have an Agrotech imported by Tiller-King. Bought at auction. Maybe mine was assembled on training day.

 

[scsever]

If anybody is shopping near SE Minnesota, or just curious what prices the mini excavators are bringing in this area, there's an auction today (9/02/2023). There's over 1k items listed, this link brings up a search for excavators. Hamilton Auction Company

 

[scsever]

Welcome to TBN, Steve

If you go back to page 160 of this long thread, I have posted my replacement wiring diagram.

I don't know what they are using for an ignition switch in your unit, but the replacements I have used in the 3 units I have rewired has the logic of a riding mower switch. You will need to figure out the logic of your switch and trace the wiring to see why the ignition seems to be grounded when you are trying to run the starter motor.

Update:
The switches I used were STENS 430-706 ($20), which is a 5-terminal riding mower ignition switch. I see the AgroTK website sells replacement switches ($45!) that are only 4-terminal units.

Just wanted to share that I got my excavator fixed. I put in the Stens 430-706 switch. I also replaced the ignition coil, however I'm skeptical of the information I found on Youtube about checking resistance of the coil. They say the resistance should be 2K-5K, my old one was 11.6K, the new one was 10.6K. That doesn't seem like enough difference to matter, and is way off from the range found online, but the new one sparks, and now it runs.

 

[MattB4]

As simple mod I wired an aluminum 1/8th (7X7) inch flat plate to the top of the muffler cage. It seems to do quite a bit for redirecting the heat away from the bottom of the operators seat. It along with a simple 80w 12vDC radiator fan bought from Amazon has made a big improvement.

 

[dfkrug]

There's over 1k items listed, this link brings up a search for excavators. Hamilton Auction Company

Wow, 14 of those 1-Ton Chinese excavators for auction at your local seller!

 

[Fredrik]

Wow, 14 of those 1-Ton Chinese excavators for auction at your local seller!

Looking at the photos tells me that these are rebadged clones; I suspect. I now know of 17 different named 1 tons that are mechanically lookalikes.I' m not sure as to why these are being dumped at auction. $4200 is half what Agrotech sells the same machine for. At this rate of dumpage I should be able to pick up a parts / spares machine for $2000- $2500 soon. Last year these auction machines were going for $8000 or more. With Chinas economy rapidly slowing , this might be a good time to have a really custom machine made for you to import. A few of the " Manufacturers" I've been in contact with about a 2.5 ton are actively racing each other to the bottom for my business. With the money I could save I could fly to China and watch them build it.

 

[Agitator]

I just ordered a 1.5ton machine from an eBay seller... and got the shipping notice that lists the weight as 2,075lbs. Given that I don't have a scale handy that reads over 3000 pounds, is there a convenient way to know that I am getting what I ordered?

 

[LouNY]

Once you get your machine and get it assembled and filled with fluids, load it on your trailer and drive to a set of certified scales and pay to have it weighed.

 

[Fixastuff]

I just ordered a 1.5ton machine from an eBay seller... and got the shipping notice that lists the weight as 2,075lbs. Given that I don't have a scale handy that reads over 3000 pounds, is there a convenient way to know that I am getting what I ordered?

Did they charge you by the pound?

 

[Agitator]

Did they charge you by the pound?

Honestly, they kind of did... the 1.5 ton units are significantly more money because they come with uprated hydraulics and the extra weight provides (or is alleged to provide) additional stability, which is kind of a thing for me because I'm going to be working a lot on sloping terrain.