Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[dfkrug]

I have now heard of three Chinese factories making, or about to make these 1-ton mini-excavators using CARB/EPA gas engines:

Shandong Loongsheen plans to use a Honda-clone 420cc unit just like my LCT. Jining Oking Tec Co has embraced the Briggs & Stratton XR2100 420cc engine. And Shandong Hightop has just decided to incorporate the B&S unit as well.

The Briggs 2100 is very similar to the LCT engine I am using, and I suspect it is also made in a Chinese factory, under the auspices of Briggs. US-based LCT (Liquid Combustion Technology) acquired the assets of Tecumseh years ago, and has one or more plants in China.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Wow, they run these with about 7-8 hp.....

Is that enough?

 

[fried1765]

Clearance issues. They are used where zerts would get knocked off. Like door hinges where the snubber or guide arm would hit the zerts when the door is closed and the parts nest on each other. Or flight controls where the part the fitting is on (in?) moves under another part.
hugs, Brandi

"zerts" ?????
What are "zerts" ?????

 

[aczlan]

"zerts" ?????
What are "zerts" ?????

Grease Fittings, aka Grease Zerks.

Aaron Z

 

[MossRoad]

Grease Fittings, aka Grease Zerks.

Aaron Z

That was the name of my 3rd album.

 

[dfkrug]

Wow, they run these with about 7-8 hp.....

Is that enough?

These 420cc OHV engines are rated about 13-16 hp at 3000-3600 RPM. For comparison,
the 500cc Changchai and Koop 1-cyl diesels are rated at about 12hp at about 3000 RPM. I have no
experience with those diesels, but 3000 RPM is pretty fast for a CI engine, and I suspect that
they are run slower than that because they make usable torque at lower RPM vs. the gas. Note
that the 700cc 3-cyl diesels in the Cat and Kubota both make only a little over 10hp, and I suspect
they are rated at 2500 RPM or less. Plenty of power, apparently.

The hyd pump is a bit too large on these Chinese machines (6.8cc), which makes them somewhat
jerky and hard to control. I am going to downsize to something like 5.5cc/rev.

 

[bindian]

Grease Fittings, aka Grease Zerks.

Aaron Z

Yep.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Blstr88]

I didnt read every page of this thread but Im glad to see you had a good experience.

I'm looking for a new hydraulic pump for my Takeuchi TB145...I was quoted $4750 from a vendor here in the US but I found what I believe to be a direct replacement on Alibaba for $1600/shipped!

I'm nervous about buying such an expensive/complex part from a Chinese distributor...but that $3000+ savings is very tempting! I guess the stigma of chinese "junk" and "knock-offs" is just hard to get over. The seller sent me numerous pictures...it appears right, but who knows? Could be some chinese knock-off that lasts 100-hours and blows up. Is it worth the risk?

 

[dfkrug]

I'm nervous about buying such an expensive/complex part from a Chinese distributor...but that $3000+ savings is very tempting! I guess the stigma of chinese "junk" and "knock-offs" is just hard to get over.

Yes, caveat emptor. Note that your $2000 cell phone is probably made in China.

Remember that with Alibaba you have "Trade Assurance", which is an escrow service that requires receipt and approval of your goods before the seller is paid. Both good and lousy stuff comes from China, but, with diligence, you may be able to find the good stuff.

As for your Takeuchi pump, that must be a variable piston pump, and I am surprised if there is a Chinese maker, as they usually use high-end hydraulic components from Europe, Japan, or the US. Or, is the seller getting a part from Japan, directly?

BTW, I am working with a partner here in CA to import 6 more of these minis, this time with EPA-certified B&S gas engines. And a 25% tariff.

 

[Blstr88]

Yes, the one they showed me in the photos is a Rexroth pump, made in Japan. At least that's what's stamped on the tag.

With this "trade assurance", if I receive the pump and it's not what I bought, does alibaba refund the money?

Very cool about the mini-ex's! Are you planning to just resell them and pocket some $?

 

[dfkrug]

With this "trade assurance", if I receive the pump and it's not what I bought, does alibaba refund the money?

That is how it is supposed to work. Not every seller on Alibaba uses Trade Assurance, which is free to the buyer. I probably would have used Alibaba sooner if I had known about this escrow service. Alibaba has also recently stepped up to provide international container shipping service, including freight-forwarding, customs brokerage, etc.

 

[dfkrug]

Are you planning to just resell them and pocket some $?

I am providing the tech support, consulting, docs, training, and China-interface. The other guy I am working with will be selling them at his site in San Jose. They are going to be all black, with some modifications.

 

[bindian]

I'm looking for a new hydraulic pump for my Takeuchi TB145

Why new? I would find a rebuild shop that does tons of pump rebuilds. They are out there. We are blessed to have a rebuild hyd. shop within 15 minutes of my house. They are a Mom and Pop shop.
hugs, Brandi

 

[ericm979]

I am providing the tech support, consulting, docs, training, and China-interface. The other guy I am working with will be selling them at his site in San Jose. They are going to be all black, with some modifications.

I'm really interested to see how this progresses.

 

[dfkrug]

Well, our six new units arrived Friday, and there are a number of significant improvements:

> Briggs & Stratton 420 cc XR2100 EPA-approved engine installed. The motor was imported from Wisconsin to Shandong, then installed at the factory.
> there is now return filtration in the hydraulic system, with spin-on filter
> instead of bolt-on weights, there is an external casting that provides ballast in the rear.
> access to the engine bay now features a hinged door
> the coupling between the hydraulic pump and engine is now a Lovejoy-style coupler, instead of a splined coupler
> we specced all black paint for ease of patching up shipping rash, user damage, and other changes
> the floormat is an improved rubber material
> there is a cupholder and cellphone holder (yay!)
> Alibaba helped out a lot this time with freight-forwarding, customs brokerage, logistics, etc. It was considerably easier that what I went thru in 2018. We found our own local shipper to pick up the container at the Port of Oakland, and bring it to San Jose.

We also got many spares, plus a hydraulic PHD and breaker to try out.

 

[dfkrug]

Here is one of the improvements: a cast steel formed ballast weight that is externally attached to the rear. The XN08 had three heavy plates, bolted internally behind the engine. I do not know which weighs more. This is a very light mini that could use more ballast, IMO.

 

[Blstr88]

Awesome! What will you guys be selling them for?

 

[MossRoad]

Any updates?

 

[dfkrug]

Yeah, Moss, I just welded one of those Titan mechanical thumbs onto one of the minis yesterday. 18" long with 25mm pins. Very hefty unit.

More updates coming soon.

 

[dfkrug]

I prettified my electrical diagram, and posted it hoping the factories would do it correctly. The black ones we bought are not optimal, so they feature a master cutoff switch in addition to a starter key switch. Ugh.

With diesels, you kill the engine by shutting off the fuel. Mechanically, in the case of the ChangChai & Koop engines. For small Chonda engines you kill the engine by grounding out the ignition. So, logically, the starter switches on both types of engine are different. You also need switched power for the hour meter and lights.

I modified one unit with a new starter switch, and this electrical wiring.