Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[dfkrug]

First up is oil filter.

Oh, good, they have a hyd oil filter. On the return hose, or suction Hopefully the former. Also shows why they did not duct the flywheel fan to the outside, as they did with the ChangChai diesel thumper.

Or, is that what you did, since it came with no hyd filter?

 

[Fredrik]

Main cooling fan draws 6 amps and blows 1750 cfm, according to the maker.Not sure about the amps but it puts out alot of air.

 

[Fredrik]

Oh, good, they have a hyd oil filter. On the return hose, or suction Hopefully the former. Also shows why they did not duct the flywheel fan to the outside, as they did with the ChangChai diesel thumper.

Or, is that what you did, since it came with no hyd filter?

No oil filter. everything you see is my own handi work.

 

[Fredrik]

I wired everything on the left side.

.No other way to do it and keep things tidy.
Wired right off the alternator and put in switches for each fan.

 

[Fredrik]

Still going to cut some more openings for more air flow.

 

[Fredrik]

Almost forgot, I motored around on the mini for 15 mins this morn to see how hot I could get the oil. Track motors really heat up the goo. Never got above 35c. Feel pretty confident I've added a few more years of use to this mini.

 

[D'oh]

Heat is the Enemy for mine also, and mostly Travel Motor caused.

I got a lot of work done this weekend with the Mini Geisha, but there was many stops or drive through the Beach washing the track and cooling the oil.

So a Hydraulic Cooler is definitely in the future. I like your external mount Fredrick, however on my unit, I wouldn't be able to take the back Casing off if I mounted it there. Not much room inside either.

Hum, I just learnt that a Agrok QH12, is nearly Identical to my JF12 however, the QH12 is missing the Filter

 

[Dunacn]

Hose wrap installed. For anyone who needs an estimate, I used a total of 50 feet.View attachment 804609

What did you use for the wrap?

 

[Fredrik]

What did you use for the wrap?

It's called Safeplast na ,also called spiral hose wrap .
Sold on amazon by Safe-Spiral store ,25 bucks for 25 feet. Holds up well in the sun.I've used it before. Good stuff.

 

[Fredrik]

So a Hydraulic Cooler is definitely in the future. I like your external mount Fredrick, however on my unit, I wouldn't be able to take the back Casing off if I mounted it there. Not much room inside either.

It looks to me like the top of that panel behind the seat might work .
You need to find some hydraulic quik couplers , they are like air tool couplers but for hydraulics. Then disconnect cooler to remove panel.

 

[Dunacn]

It looks like some of the suppliers offer metal lines. I’m thinking that would help with heat disbursment.

 

[D'oh]

$8000 CAD+Fees and Tax was the price today for FF-Industrial FF-12's n Quebec, 12 went through the Auction., Alberta has a bunch going today also. But Alberta has already seen them @ Auction since around January.

 

[Rich B1]

It may be in this thread and I missed it, but what type of hydraulic fittings (BSPP, SAE, pipe, etc) and hose ends (JIC, ORFS, Pipe, etc.) do these machines use? Or is it some unknown Chi see fittings/hose ends?

 

[D'oh]

Metric O Ring Thread is all that I have been told. I am not sure the sizes yet though.

 

[dfkrug]

All hoses/fittings I have seen are metric O-ring, and several sizes are used. DiscountHydraulicHose has them.

A friend just picked up latest auction win just 2 days ago, a 2023 Diggit EM15 Chinese excavator, featuring B&S engine and PILOT controls. $5700 + fees and taxes, or about $6900.

This unit has 43" blade, no thumb, and totally different house. Same boom, dipper, bucket, and chassis. No spares, and seems to be no hydraulic filter or cooler. The house has a locked hinged door, and lots of vent holes. I will open it up when I go see it in a week or so.

Owner reports that it runs smoother than the previous units from Ouke. 25mm bolts are still being used for pins, but they are center-drilled for grease. They look vulnerable to me. 2-post ROPS and canopy look to be an improvement.

BTW, the auction had 18 of the AgroTK 1-tons, and the range of top bids were $4900-5200. Dunno if they sold at those prices or had secret reserves. Looks like these small Chinese mini-Xs have reached saturation.

 

[Dunacn]

It may be in this thread and I missed it, but what type of hydraulic fittings (BSPP, SAE, pipe, etc) and hose ends (JIC, ORFS, Pipe, etc.) do these machines use? Or is it some unknown Chi see fittings/hose ends?

This is a pretty good video on adding quick connect fittings.

 

[Fredrik]

Looks like these small Chinese mini-Xs have reached saturation.

I agree. For those who already own one , bid on a few . keep your bid at about $2500 to $3000.

You might get lucky and get a whole "Spares" machine.

My question now is ,who is going to be the first importer of spares to service all these machines. Looks like a golden opportunity for some one with a wad of cash to invest.

I'd be willing to participate in a new venture. Any one else have thoughts on the subject?

dfkrug.......?

 

[D'oh]

All hoses/fittings I have seen are metric O-ring, and several sizes are used. DiscountHydraulicHose has them.

A friend just picked up latest auction win just 2 days ago, a 2023 Diggit EM15 Chinese excavator, featuring B&S engine and PILOT controls. $5700 + fees and taxes, or about $6900.

This unit has 43" blade, no thumb, and totally different house. Same boom, dipper, bucket, and chassis. No spares, and seems to be no hydraulic filter or cooler. The house has a locked hinged door, and lots of vent holes. I will open it up when I go see it in a week or so.

Owner reports that it runs smoother than the previous units from Ouke. 25mm bolts are still being used for pins, but they are center-drilled for grease. They look vulnerable to me. 2-post ROPS and canopy look to be an improvement.

BTW, the auction had 18 of the AgroTK 1-tons, and the range of top bids were $4900-5200. Dunno if they sold at those prices or had secret reserves. Looks like these small Chinese mini-Xs have reached saturation.

I have noticed that the Booms seem to come from one Manufacture, even though the rest of the machine may have it's own designs. Must be 1 Factory building the Booms.

I like the Stick Placement on the Digget, just looks like they are an after thought though. scabbed on.

My 2022 JF Industrial has the Drilled Bolt Design Pins. Not sure if it is better or worse, but time will tell. I do grease often because finding the Bolts might be a challenge.

Yes Western Canada seem saturated, Eastern Canada is just starting to get on board. That is why there is a $2000 difference at Yesterday's Sales. It would be interesting to record Serial Numbers (now that they have some, and just see if they reappear at later Auctions.


If I had to do it again, I think I would go for the L12. Cooler Included, needs a Filter though.

 

[dfkrug]

My question now is ,who is going to be the first importer of spares to service all these machines. Looks like a golden opportunity for some one with a wad of cash to invest.

That company in TX that imported all the AgroTK machines is a good candidate for a US-based source of parts, accessories, and advice. No importer that I have heard of has stepped up so far. Service will have to be local, and mostly DIY. I think that with a good knowledge base and simple construction, repairs will not be difficult.

Not for me. I am old and not interested in any job or business any more. The
technical side still interests me...that is why I started this thread. I still have a lot of spares here.....

 

[dfkrug]

I have noticed that the Booms seem to come from one Manufacture, even though the rest of the machine may have it's own designs. Must be 1 Factory building the Booms.

As I noted after I got my hands on my second unit, made by Ouke, the booms/dippers were identical, except that my XN08 was robot-welded, and the latter was manually-welded. Clearly the boom, dipper, buckets, and some chassis structure is a shared design, but I think the factories do a lot of manufacturing independently. They prob use the same DXF file to CNC-cut out the steel components and/or just a few (or one?) factory makes the cuts and distributes the parts to others.

Some factories clearly do more than others. I do think the steel structural components were mostly well-designed and well-fabricated.