Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[jodieadair]

I added a cushion valve to my swing motor. It still needs adjusting but so far it is a vast improvement over the sudden stops.
This is shown at full throttle with full stops.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=416010310948249

 

[dfkrug]

I added a cushion valve to my swing motor.

Where did you install it? Looks like you have some excess play in the house ring/pinion gears.

Can you reach the foot controls?

 

[jodieadair]

Where did you install it? Looks like you have some excess play in the house ring/pinion gears.

Can you reach the foot controls?

I installed a bracket above the hyadraulic pump, the 15 models have a lot of empty space. I have yet to see one of these machines without play in the swing gears. When it's off you can move it a few inches back and forth. And yes, I can reach the pedals. I just turned twelve.

 

[Fixastuff]

I have yet to see one of these machines without play in the swing gears. When it's off you can move it a few inches back and forth. A

Even name brand machines are like that.

 

[dfkrug]

I installed a bracket above the hyadraulic pump, the 15 models have a lot of empty space. I have yet to see one of these machines without play in the swing gears. When it's off you can move it a few inches back and forth. And yes, I can reach the pedals. I just turned twelve.

Where did you install it in the hydraulic system? Add a tee and 2 hoses for each RV? Got pix of the RV you used?

I don't have that kind of slop in the ring/pinion gears on my XN08.

 

[jodieadair]

Where did you install it in the hydraulic system? Add a tee and 2 hoses for each RV? Got pix of the RV you used?

I don't have that kind of slop in the ring/pinion gears on my XN08.

I just put it before the swivel motor, no tee needed. The old hoses in one side and 2 new hoses back out to the motor. Here is the model for the RV DCRV45-06N. And you must not have a real Chinese mini if you ain't got that slop. It may be an effect of the cushion valve, I didn't adjust it much to find the optimal setting.

 

[jaylast]

DCRV45-06N

Very cool I wouldn't have had the exp to begin to try.

It does look like it works great, but did it slow the rpm at all (of house)? From the vid I'm guessing it's about 5 or 6 rpm now and I was thinking 8 or 9 might be stock?

This swing motor came tight, but sure aint after about 27gal gas.
Including arm slop I bet it's up to 5 inches now with bucket full out.
New motor to swap in now and a cushion valve seems like a nice addition.
(gonna disassemble old motor to find the slop).

___________________
On that HT 15, was it verified if you have 1 or 2 speed pump?

 

[jodieadair]

Very cool I wouldn't have had the exp to begin to try.

It does look like it works great, but did it slow the rpm at all (of house)? From the vid I'm guessing it's about 5 or 6 rpm now and I was thinking 8 or 9 might be stock?

This swing motor came tight, but sure aint after about 27gal gas.
Including arm slop I bet it's up to 5 inches now with bucket full out.
New motor to swap in now and a cushion valve seems like a nice addition.
(gonna disassemble old motor to find the slop).

___________________
On that HT 15, was it verified if you have 1 or 2 speed pump?

The rpm can be increased with valve adjustment, I just have not adjusted it yet.

 

[MattB4]

I would not be surprised that coming EPA rules will make these little excavators unavailable for import in the near future. They stopped imports in the past until they shoe horned in the B&S gas (Already iffy in CA who wants to eliminate all small gas engines) and now the small Kubota diesels.

 

[jodieadair]

I would not be surprised that coming EPA rules will make these little excavators unavailable for import in the near future. They stopped imports in the past until they shoe horned in the B&S gas (Already iffy in CA who wants to eliminate all small gas engines) and now the small Kubota diesels.

You are right, at least we won't have kill switches on all new cars starting in 2026.......right????

 

[dfkrug]

...in CA who wants to eliminate all small gas engines...

Here in CA, the new CARB regs have been enacted last month, at least partially, to stop the sales of new gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment. I don't know if that applies to standalone engines, or generators, or other large equipment. Lots still to be settled.

And, nothing about the used markets. Sounds like the State will just stop retailers from selling you gas lawnmowers, or other garden equipment.

Oh yeah, one of the local HD stores has tons of battery-powered lawn/garden tools, but no gasoline tools. I was just there. Creepy.

 

[2manyrocks]

Pick and shovel work isn't fun.

 

[dfkrug]

I just put it before the swivel motor, no tee needed. The old hoses in one side and 2 new hoses back out to the motor. Here is the model for the RV DCRV45-06N.

Oh, you mean a dual crossover RV. I was thinking individual shock-RVs, but they drain to the tank. Yours is a Summit DCRV45-06N, which seems to be preset at the factory to 1300psi, with a max setting of 2600. Looks like that would work, and be a simpler installation. I would probably set mine to just over system pressure (2400psi in my case).

Do you have plan to measure the pressure you get with each setting?

Those photos from Facebook of damage to the motor and ring/pinion gears make me want to put one in, too.

 

[jodieadair]

Oh, you mean a dual crossover RV. I was thinking individual shock-RVs, but they drain to the tank. Yours is a Summit DCRV45-06N, which seems to be preset at the factory to 1300psi, with a max setting of 2600. Looks like that would work, and be a simpler installation. I would probably set mine to just over system pressure (2400psi in my case).

Do you have plan to measure the pressure you get with each setting?

Those photos from Facebook of damage to the motor and ring/pinion gears make me want to put one in, too.

Yes I do plan to measure pressure at different settings. I have turned it up a bit from the setting in the video. I now get much better speed swiveling than in the video and still maintain a great deal more control when coming to a stop than I did without the valve. The photos of damaged parts certainly helped in the decision but lets be honest, we just like working on these things.

 

[LittleBill21]

Yes I do plan to measure pressure at different settings. I have turned it up a bit from the setting in the video. I now get much better speed swiveling than in the video and still maintain a great deal more control when coming to a stop than I did without the valve. The photos of damaged parts certainly helped in the decision but lets be honest, we just like working on these things.

so how do these work? they use springs? and bypass into the opposing side till the springs clamp shut?

 

[jodieadair]

so how do these work? they use springs? and bypass into the opposing side till the springs clamp shut?

Here is a video explaining.

 

[D'oh]

Pick and shovel work isn't fun.

I helped dig a Whole Basement under my Sister's House. I am done shoveling!

Then once we got off of Digging on our Bellies, Standing up, through a 1' layer of Clay, we got to Mix and Shovel Cement into 2, 8' Forms/Night

 

[Rich B1]

I have been planning on adding a crossover relief to my QH12 since I got it. I was surprised the motor doesn’t have some sort of port reliefs. The pics of broken bits on FB makes me more determined to make the change.

You May find best settings for the reliefs will be below system relief settings.

 

[dfkrug]

Yes I do plan to measure pressure at different settings. I have turned it up a bit from the setting in the video. I now get much better speed swiveling than in the video and still maintain a great deal more control when coming to a stop than I did without the valve. The photos of damaged parts certainly helped in the decision but lets be honest, we just like working on these things.

Well, the factory setting of 1300psi is way too low, as you found out.

I suspect that without some cushioning, it is inevitable that the ring/pinion or motor shaft/mount will get hammered to death. Maybe after 200 or 300 hours. Who knows? Maybe those posted failures were on units with way more that the 150 hours I have. Nevertheless, I want to protect from that problem.

Also, sloppy fitment between the ring/pinion gears would contribute to the hammering effect. The fitment on my machine seems to be tighter than yours and others'. And it IS built in China.

Measuring the shock-RV pressure after adjustment is not straight forward. The last time I bought a single crossover RV from Hydraforce, I was able to specify the RV at the factory to the 2000psi I needed. How do you propose to measure your new pressure setting?

 

[dfkrug]

You May find best settings for the reliefs will be below system relief settings.

Maybe, but if you set the shock-RVs to lower than system pressure, you will not be able to utilize full system pressure when the valve is actuated.