Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[BigBlue1]

If the track tension is manual why is there a sticker that says "track tension device hydraulic cylinder pressure is high..."?

Rob

 

[dfkrug]

If the track tension is manual why is there a sticker that says "track tension device hydraulic cylinder pressure is high..."?

Yes, that and other labels make no sense. Larger machines from this machine's maker seem to have hydraulic adjusters.

 

[dfkrug]

To wrap this up, one might ask: what do buyers get for their $6500 or so, versus their $23K for an equivalent-sized mini-X from a known brand?

It is no secret that I am a fan of equipment from Kubota, so let me go back to the popular K008 excavator for comparison. There are 3 major features that make the XN08 far less expensive to make and sell: The K008 has hydraulically-adjustable track width, a side-swinging boom, and a TIER IV emissions-compliant 3-cyl diesel engine. In my opinion, not having these 3 features does not limit the XN08 capabilities in a significant way. And the lower price is very attractive.

Larger mini excavators from this same Chinese maker (e.g. the XN18) will have all these Kubota features and still be substantially less than the equivalent Kubota. They use Yanmar 3-cyl diesels, but I do not know their EPA status.

BTW, the quotation for the K008 includes an optional 16" bucket, which is $700. For the XN08, you will be more likely to pay $100-120.

In the future, I hope to add to this thread with other mods (hyd. thumb), repairs, and in-use experience notes. I invite any factory in China which makes these machines to copy at will anything I have done to make them more sellable in the US. Turnkey.

 

[dfkrug]

I meant to add that the efforts to modify this machine took less time than the importation process, and it was less aggravating. I did dodge one bullet: there is now a 25% tariff on this category of import from China (HS code 8429). I hope that does not last.

 

[California]

Earlier you mentioned you changed the controls from default excavator to backhoe configuration. Could you explain the difference? Thanks.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Great thread!

 

[MossRoad]

Earlier you mentioned you changed the controls from default excavator to backhoe configuration. Could you explain the difference? Thanks.

There's two different standard configurations for the joysticks and what functions they control.

 

[ada loongsheen]

Dear David
This should be a great work
Very kind of you to share with us the the whole process .
That will do me a great help .
Thanks

 

[California]

There's two different standard configurations for the joysticks and what functions they control.
View attachment 567752

Moss thanks.

 

[dfkrug]

Earlier you mentioned you changed the controls from default excavator to backhoe configuration. Could you explain the difference? Thanks.

MOSS has it, with a nice diagram.

ISO is what is sometimes referred to as "backhoe" style, while the SAE pattern is for excavators. I have many hours on my backhoe, and there is no way that I am gonna have 2 different configurations here. Note that excavators sometimes have a boom swing as well as a house rotation action. The simple XN08 has only the house spin, so I am using the swing function for that.

The change is easy: just swap 4 hoses. Some other machines even have a selector valve to make this change by just flipping a lever.