Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[D'oh]

My LCT 420cc motor has only one charge coil, so charging current is very limited. I installed a small 12V-1amp chassis fan, which has a small draw, but does not move a lot of air.

The main cooling is done by the flywheel fan, and that was ducted to the outside in the original 1-cyl Koop and ChangChai diesels. I used the same ducting for my gasoline engine conversion. None of the Chinese makers seem to do that with the Briggs. Just as they don't upgrade the electrical system to gas from diesel.

Oh yeah, the B&S 420 and Honda GX390 both have 2 charge coils, according to specs and in the ones I have opened up. Not on all engines, of course. Your B&S may indeed have 2, so may be good for running a 7A fan. You can check with an ammeter.

420 B&S has a 10A Charge Coil/Alt, so a 80W 12V like found on Amazon will work or an Marine Blower Fan, would ease Ducting.



not sure on the Honda

 

[dfkrug]

420 B&S has a 10A Charge Coil/Alt, so a 80W 12V like found on Amazon will work or an Marine Blower Fan, would ease Ducting.

not sure on the Honda

There are tons of options if buying a Honda thumper new. I recently repurposed a Honda GX340 from a generator and took the charge coils out. They seem to be exactly like those used in the GX clones like the LCT. B&S engines may use different kind of stator for their thumpers.

When I take out my LCT engine, perhaps to upgrade the hyd pump, I will put in the Honda charge coils. So far, the engine has worked great, at nearing 150 hours. I would love to have 10A charge current.

 

[Dragnet]

420 B&S has a 10A Charge Coil/Alt....

I did find this in the product literature for the XR2100 (420) "3A & 10A alternator Red housing"

Why 3amp and 10amp? Anyone know?

Source: https://www.briggsandstratton.com/c.../BS_Engine_XR Engine Specs Brochure_v3_TN.pdf

 

[D'oh]

10A Electric Start. 3A Pull Start.

Electric Start would also show the Rectifier (charge circuit)

 

[jeffromano1]

Interesting look forward to learning more. This morning I did a search for "mini excavator" on Alibaba, there were >50k entries. How did you decide which one to buy?

Dig through the reviews - not only of the specific product - but also the SELLER! It will take you quite a while to narrow it down. Do not be afraid to have a direct conversation with the sellers when you are able to narrow it down to the finalists, they may even negotiate pricing.

 

[TimberFarm]

I am right in this hot and heavy the past few weeks looking for 3.5 ton machine. Probably will be pulling the trigger in the next week or there abouts.

One thing I found out is there are a lot of companies that say they are the factory, but they are not. Limited number of actual factories and the others are what is referred to as "Traders" or what we would call a Dealer. They buy from the same factory and then put their various names and paint colors on the machines. I found this out by contacting another actual factory and asked why they were more expensive than "X" or "Y". The guy told me X and Y were actually the same thing built by Jiahe. I took a close look at the phots sent by X and Y and realized they were the photos of Jiahe's factory.

Big manufacturer is a company Jiahe. They actually are the factory and I found out they were building for a few other popular names. They have decided to get in the direct sale game themselves.

 

[dfkrug]

10A Electric Start. 3A Pull Start.

Electric Start would also show the Rectifier (charge circuit)

That makes sense. Was curious myself.

I think my LCT 420 engine is only rated 3A charge, and that's with electric start.

If using one of these gas motors, you can get more longevity if you dismount the rectifier/regulator from the side of the engine, and affix it to the firewall. I also do this with the starter relay. Vibration and heat is a killer.

BTW, the starter solenoid used for the 1-cyl diesels, installed by the factories in China is much larger than what you get with an aftermarket gas engine, and it is mounted remotely. I use it instead of the solenoid that came with my LCT engine.

 

[dfkrug]

One thing I found out is there are a lot of companies that say they are the factory, but they are not. Limited number of actual factories and the others are what is referred to as "Traders" or what we would call a Dealer.

That is true. Some factories do not have the personnel to handle sales, so need to use dealers.

My first deal was with a factory, and I used the Alibaba email system. My salesperson wanted to call and/or use WeChat. Don't do that.

Sellers will often paint the units they sell in color(s) you choose, and put a special serial # plate on the unit that you specify. At no extra charge.

 

[TimberFarm]

That is true. Some factories do not have the personnel to handle sales, so need to use dealers.

My first deal was with a factory, and I used the Alibaba email system. My salesperson wanted to call and/or use WeChat. Don't do that.

Sellers will often paint the units they sell in color(s) you choose, and put a special serial # plate on the unit that you specify. At no extra charge.

Yeah, I have no idea what the weChat, WhatsAp, etc is. They all ask that. I tell them no. Email me.
Another thing to watch with some of these Traders is they will send a photo of a machine that does not match the specs they list. All I could think is somebody thinks they are getting that machine in the picture and then they get one that is completely different. This is common with the older style tail machines and newer style zero tail machines.
I plan on using AliBaba when it is time to send money based on reading your writeup when you ordered your machine.

 

[dfkrug]

I plan on using AliBaba when it is time to send money based on reading your writeup when you ordered your machine.

A lot has changed with these Chinese machines. Alibaba is still a good way to go if you can tolerate the import process.

There are many units now in the US, and some are over 3T. I see the Agrotk minis can be purchased and shipped from Chicago, and the directly-sold or auction prices in the US seem quite good. There is another TBN thread about the Agrotk brand.

 

[TimberFarm]

All the China 3.5 ton machines here in the US have been going for $35-40,000 and these aren't what I would call the top shelf brands like XCMG, Sany, or Sunward. For them, being they have US dealerships, add $15-20,000.

 

[D'oh]

A lot has changed with these Chinese machines. Alibaba is still a good way to go if you can tolerate the import process.

There are many units now in the US, and some are over 3T. I see the Agrotk minis can be purchased and shipped from Chicago, and the directly-sold or auction prices in the US seem quite good. There is another TBN thread about the Agrotk brand.

Kind of the way I went. Already Imported albeit for a Price, I also lucked out for shipping.

I found mine on a local Ad (Craigs List kinda deal). The seller had moved 3 from Auction, 900 miles closer to me, he also payed the Tax. He planned on selling 2 of them and keeping 1 for himself. He even brought is to within 100 miles of my home, where I met him.

I figure from Alibaba price list (in China) to my door, Many Hands captured $4000

 

[dfkrug]

There are so many sellers in the US now, it has been hard keeping track.

When I first got interested 5y ago, there were 2 listings on eBay for the 1-ton minis by US sellers who had not imported them yet. They hoped to make a sale and then have the unit shipped directly to the buyer from China to the US. That model did not work, and neither of those folks who listed made a sale that way.

Now, you can find multiple US-based eBay sellers who already imported the machines and want to sell and ship to US buyers. There are the 1T units for $7500, shipped, and even a smaller one for $5200. If sold, it is hard to imagine that the seller does not take a loss, even if they imported full containers.

Unfortunately, there is little technical info on what is currently for sale in the US. The B&S gas engines are most common, but little is said about hyd oil filtration or cooling, for example.

Don't buy one if you are not handy!

 

[TimberFarm]

There was an auction CT about two weeks ago with a couple of the mini's. Sold for less than $4000. They usually bring $6500-7500 and occasionally higher.
Somebody took a hit on those two.
But the auctions all across the country are still getting these new as consignments dozens at a time. AgroTk seems to be the big consigner followed by Vicsic and MM.
Go on the big auction sites every week and you will see 30-50 AgroTk's listed.
There is a local auction house near me and they have an auction coming up and they have maybe a dozen along with dozens of AgroTk attachments and other Chinese attachments.

 

[dfkrug]

We tried selling one of the black minis at a regular equipment auction in Sacramento. Did not get what we wanted with no reserve. That place, sadly, allows secret reserves that often result in no sale. But the auction results only show the last bid, not whether the unit sold or not.

Then the unsuccessful seller sometimes leaves the unit for the next month's auction. You can tell when the serial number is posted, or it has unusual markings.

 

[TimberFarm]

Interesting that you bring up the secret reserve.
I have been watching auctions closely for the past couple months and have seen a couple items that were at auction and I would have assumed they were sold, and then they are back up a month later.
I figured it was because of a deadbeat bidder who did not bother to pay once they won and walked away.
Good to know.

 

[dfkrug]

Interesting that you bring up the secret reserve.

A common but annoying practice.

Even on eBay auctions, the reserve is secret, but you know when it is met and the item will sell. For conventional auctions, looking at the "prices realized" list of a past auction is key to what things will actually sell for. Listing the final bid without saying if the item sold is useless.

Some auction houses have no reserve, or more honest reporting. Ritchie Bros claims to have no reserve, but you can not see the results of a past auction without an account.

I think the best way for an auction to be run is with no reserve. Just start the bidding at the minimum price the seller will take.

 

[TimberFarm]

Speaking of annoying auction. There was an auction yesterday and I figured to bid on a Sany machine. As soon as it came up I got the first bid on and they immediately cancelled the auction. Just called them this morning and the auctioneer says that the owner sold it on his own. Told him it was pretty underhanded to do that. He said normally they stop advertising "For Sale" 2 weeks before the auction but they pulled a fast one on this.
Wasted my time sitting waiting for it to come up.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Here's some Sany info, Sanys have a long warranty on them, but IF you buy a Sany from an auction, it voids the factory warranty!

SR

 

[TimberFarm]

Hmmm. I called their headquarters in GA and they told me it didn't matter who bought it from where as long as it was in the time limits it was warranted.

Kind of moot point now. That auction was my last attempt at getting an excavator at auction. I had a deal set up with China and just wired the downpayment for one.