Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[MattB4]

The shipper said the damage happened when he was transporting it. As you note dfkrug it is all wood crating and no steel. So far from cursory inspection the Baby Ex looks unharmed. I am itching to uncrate it but this morning it is pouring down rain.

A question to those that have bought one of these, did you get a operators manual with parts list? I am only seeing a B&S engine manual (was in tool box). I will message the Seller about it but I am curious.

I see that it has a tip forward seat that gives access to the engine below. I do not see any hydraulic coolers or oil filters so that looks to be a modification for me. I did find a odd looking pipe screw on filter of some sort in the tool box. Have no idea where it might go. Chuckled over the grease in a plastic bag (I guess you pack the also included grease gun with it). I am including a photo of box and contents.

 

[MattB4]

Got a break in the rain and went ahead and got the Baby Ex unpacked. I moved it down under a carport I have to get it out of the rain. I have to go through the unit and put on the attachments and canopy but I am in no hurry with it because either being gosh awful hot or wet outdoors. Here's is some gratuitous photos for those interested.

 

[dfkrug]

A question to those that have bought one of these, did you get a operators manual with parts list? I am only seeing a B&S engine manual (was in tool box).

The only "manual" I got was generic. Nothing specific to my machine. Useless.

As for the spares you got, it is common to get replacement mesh suction filter, which not needed, and a spin-on diesel fuel filter, since these machines default to Koop or ChangChai 499cc diesel engines.

 

[MattB4]

Just got done getting the canopy mounted. Not an easy task since the holes in the tubing and the metal cap were not perfectly aligned. It required pushing, pulling to align, jam in the bolts and reach for the next one. I am glad it is a 4 post model though rather than the overhang style.


Edit: Mounted the hydraulic Thumb this afternoon. It bolted up easily and the supplied hydraulic lines seemed to fit without modification. Not quite ready to run things yet (I did move it initially under the car port off the shipping crate.) but close. Going to attach quick hitch tomorrow and check all fluids again and wire up the hour meter (It came with one wire disconnected probably to prevent a dead battery if somehow the disconnect switch got turned and left on).

ETA: The Seller got back to me with a link to download the manual. Not bad. Manual for TERROR X.pdf 48 pages.

 

[MattB4]

Well I was going to attach the quick hitch this morning but it is again poring down rain with lightning and thunder. I think the Weather gods are messing with me.

I do have question for those that have one of these mini Ex's, Does anyone know of a good aftermarket bucket maker? The one that comes with the machine, and others that can be bought, all seem to be rather poorly made. I notice that the factory installed one is even cheaper made than earlier types seen in marketing images. Just welded steel plate with no cutting edges and those bottom bolted on teeth.

Edit: I did my first mod by cutting out a bit of the back panel to allow an exhaust extention to be made. Not entirely sure if it is 1-1/4in. EMT or 1-1/2in (external measurement of what I used) cut 5 inches long painted with high temp black. With a porta bandsaw I notched so the the ends would expand to fit over the exhaust pipe stub and affixed it with a hose clamp. Seems fairly solidly attached to it. I than attached the supplied deflector from the tools box. The deflector I left shiny to help seeing it and to avoid hitting it accidentally.

 

[dfkrug]

The Seller got back to me with a link to download the manual.

That is the first manual I have seen that has anything specific. Seems to be a HighTop product.

Anyway, some crazy stuff in there:

Change the engine oil at 100h and the hyd oil at 1500h? Nuts.

No specs on pump.

Hyd diagram, but no pressure specs and info or test port or RV.

Diagrams of hyd components, but little info on wheel motors or pump. I do see the wheel motor volume: 60ci.

This is a start, but a long way to go.

 

[Aaron-BC]

A question to those that have bought one of these, did you get a operators manual with parts list? I am only seeing a B&S engine manual (was in tool box). I will message the Seller about it but I am curious.

I've mentioned above my missing manual. I contacted the seller and after asking a couple times they emailed me one. It was so bad that I was embarrassed for them! It was a word document that someone took a stab at making it look like it referred to my machine. There was a photo of my machine on the cover page, and the basic specs were close but that's about it. The Hydraulic Components listed did not match what I could plainly see... The hydraulic plumbing diagram was missing the entire pilot system and the Aux and Side Swing.... The electrical diagram? Well, someone had (poorly) pasted a diagram over the one existing in the manual, and it was still wrong in too many ways to list. The actual filename on the doc as sent gives a hint as it has HT10 right there in the name!

I have asked the seller to try again, explaining that I don't even need a "Manual" but rather just the spec sheets for the components installed. I suggested that their contact at the factory should be able to help with it, but I have little faith. We'll see.

 

[TimberFarm]

Got the word my machine is finished and they sent me a test run video.
Not sure how to attach it, but I will try.

It says the video does not have an "allowed extension" so it won't let me post it.

 

[Agitator]

My apologies - total newbie question. Thinking of picking up a 13.5HP gas-powered 1.5ton mini excavator. I'm on the Central Coast of California - San Luis Obispo area. I'm looking at one of the many that's available from local US stock via the interwebs... but I have no idea where I'd get the thing serviced, and none of the sellers I've found has a good answer for that question. Where do you take non-branded hydraulic equipment for routine maintenance and service? I'm mechanically inclined but a novice when it comes to dealing with hydraulic equipment (Covid-inspired career change from office work to farming a few years ago, so I'm on the very steep side of the learning curve).

 

[dfkrug]

I'm looking at one of the many that's available from local US stock via the interwebs... but I have no idea where I'd get the thing serviced, and none of the sellers I've found has a good answer for that question. Where do you take non-branded hydraulic equipment for routine maintenance and service?

Well, there is no good answer, and any seller should be honest about that.

The reason I started this thread is to help others if they take the plunge in getting one of these machines. Since you are in SLO, you are welcome to come by here and try mine out, and I can show you the basics, or even the "advanced class".

Your best bet is DIY, and these machines are very simple. Even if you blow up the engine, you can drop a new one in there for about $400 (parts). If you have a handyman (or woman), they should be able to help with oil changes, hose replacements, etc.