Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[oldrustysteel]

I guess the Briggs is one of the reasons I can afford to pay cash for a new excavator. Im sure a Kubota or Yanmar would add at least $3k to the price tag. I cant complain about the Briggs. It has done great so far at 15 hours. changed oil at 8 hours and will change every 25 hours now. Its crucial to change the oil in these engines without a filter and the extra heat that they are subject to. Without an oil filter, you can change the oil for less than $5. I do suggest a temp gauge and tach. Now I can set the throttle to the perfect rpm for the work I am doing. 2000 rpm works for me on almost anything I am doing. I can stall it at that speed but I rarely do. Much smoother with the bucket and boom at that speed.

 

[Fredrik]

Im sure a Kubota or Yanmar would add at least $3k to the price tag.

The 2-ton I'm going to have built will have the Kubota 902 in it. Extra cost was $1250.

 

[oldrustysteel]

The 2-ton I'm going to have built will have the Kubota 902 in it. Extra cost was $1250.

I really expected it to be a lot more than that. I would have paid that much more for Kubota or Yanmar. That would have made my total $7750. A good diesel should outlive 3 or 4 of these lil guys/

 

[jaylast]

Hey Fredrik, couldn't figure how to attach pdfs so just posting here.
Leking pricing fob unless noted:
kv13p. briggs, pilot, 1100kg. 4200$. (~6600 ddp)
kv18. add d722, 1200kg. 40lpm flow. 6800$
kv18p. 1500kg. Slightly larger tracks/base 7500$
kv18p. add 2 speed, d902, 8140$
Kv20. add yanmar 3TNV80F, 2 speed, rexroth 60lpm flow (piston). 12,200$. Would be about +4400 for DDP is my guess. No attachments!!!
The others like ltmg and leite were pretty comparable.
12k ddp sounds awesome. I would hazard a guess it might be closer spec'd in real life to leking kv18p?
Compare measurements, weights, hydro info?
Personally, I look 'gift horses' in the mouth hahah there aint no such thing as free.
As far as DDP, it's highly unlikely the would (or could) add any new change/charge once they've commited so I'd feel good about that with alibaba protection.


More reach and weight, faster travel, and diesel power would be nice but nah for now I'm sticking with this kv13 plus. The mods and adjustments have made it super usable and pretty dam capable.

kv20 rexroth pump 60lpm. Couldn't find a trace of it online though. Behind language barrier wall on WWW probably.

 

[dfkrug]

The 2-ton I'm going to have built will have the Kubota 902 in it. Extra cost was $1250.

Is that the D902, upgraded from the D722 engine? Upgrading from 1-cylinder (diesel or gasoline) would be more like $3k.

 

[jaylast]

Is that the D902

I checked and edited above. They had quoted me +2600 briggs to d722, but the d722 model also has tracks and superstructure that are larger/heavier iirc

 

[MattB4]

Matt - well the RB 3 Ton CFG / Shantui unit went for 20,500 - went up 5 K in last 5 minutes - needless to say I didnt get it. That wasn't a bad deal - but more than I wanted to outlay 0- would have been about $25K to my door with taxes fees and shipping.

I notice that the one on Auction time also went for just over $20K.

 

[Fredrik]

D and J........turns out it was too good to be true. 1.8 ton machine and could never get them to send me a Proforma Quote with all my specs listed. Kept getting Alibaba ordering notices. Finally was able to get in touch with a human at the Co. this morning. Told them " No Specy No Doughy" .Order soon vanished from my "Pending Orders" on Alibaba. I have other contacts. The search goes on.

 

[dfkrug]

For you guys and gals paying attention:

There is an explosion of new owners of these small Chinese excavators in the US, Canada, Europe, UK, Australia, etc. With that, many new problems, and many new Utube vids, too.

I just saw one (JT's Okie) where his slew motor lost a bolt and broke its supporting flange. Check those bolts for tightness. New owners really need to open up their new minis and do a thorough inspection.

Another new owner just posted when he discovered these machines will free-wheel when descending slopes. They do not have wheel brakes or planetary final drives. DANGER!

I have learned to live with the free-wheeling problem on my steep slopes, and I have written about it above. But makers should fix it. No name-brand unit has this problem.

Be careful!

 

[vancouver]

Not that I can see. On the bright side, I finally got a manual from CAEL. Have not had a chance to look through it well, but it does have tech drawings and specs. Fingers Crossed.

EDIT- I sat down and looked at the manual that was sent to me today... It is wrong. Someone simply added a photo of my unit to the manual for a different machine... Not a great look for CAEL!

List price is $10000. Can u say what discount you negotiated? I may buy the 3.5 ton from them. Thx.