Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[D'oh]

I am not sure why you are following this thread then? But I guess we will have to wait for someone that has both to Pipe In,

 

[dfkrug]

I absolutely would buy the used Tackuchi over the China excavator.

I sure love Takeuchis, but all used machines need to be inspected. Years ago, I decided no more beaters for me. I have fixed more than my share of sloppy pivots and worn out drivetrains.

I went to inspect a 2007 Kubota B26 TLB last month for a friend. It had only 274hr on it, but it was in sad sad shape. He bought a much nicer L47 for twice as much.

 

[D'oh]

I get the whole This

VS This

But I also get what it takes to keep them both working

 

[JoshT1604]

I'm going to say up front I haven't and probably won't read all 90 pages of this thread, but I've got some questions about tthese little units that I think y'all can probabvly answer.

So I'm looking for a 1-2 ton mini excavator to do some work on our personal property. arouind our hunting property, and to (slowly) dig up a bunch of pine stumps on my own land. Buying American is best, but they've priced themselves out of being an option. Even used they are 15K+ and those would need a lot of work. I also considered a 3 point attachment to use with our LS3032, but we decided that want a dedicated excavator rather than putting that strain on the tractor.

I'm seeing chinese excavators advertised on FB Marketplace for 5k-10k which is definitely the price range we're looking for. Need something that isn;t too heavy for our trucks and trailers. I've got a 2000 F-250 diesel and dad's got a 2021 F-150, both are rated around the 14K lb load range, and our trailers are rated at 7K lbs. I think most 1-2 ton units will fall within that range.
Locally I'm seeing the following and some notes from the listing:
2023 AGT QH12 listed at $5500 (cash OTD)

• Mechanical Thumb
• 13.5 B&S

2023 Nuoman 1 ton - $8500

• Hydraulic Thumb
• Quick hitch (???)
• 13.5 B&S
• Cylinder Guards
• HD pump with XL Tank

Diggit EM15 - ??? (on equipment auction site) / $9000 (FB Marketplace)

• 13.5 B&S
• Pictures do not show a thumb at all
• Like the control setup better

I'd like to have hydraulic thumb and some other acessories, like a grapple and and rake, but the overall build quality on the AGT and DIGGIT look much better in pictures. How/where would one go about buying these acessories if they purchased a local unit that did not include them?

I'm also considering the import option from the China site. I'm totally clueless about process and scared that, after added fees, I'll get stuck paying out the a$$ for something that isn't worth it (speaking subjectively). I have watched a video by "Jake Bell" (@jakebell1947) on youtube on importing one of these, and intend to go back and read the beginning parts of this thread. The primary "manufacturer" I'm considering from that site is Rippa, the same youtuber has one of these and the build quality looks good. I'd like diesel but can't stomach what I'm hearing about an upcharge for it. Also worried that shipping costs will make these out to be not such a good deal. No rush on getting one if I go this route.

Of what I've looked at I like the appearance of the Diggit and Rippa best, followed by the AGT. The auction for the Diggits (there are two) are on December 2nd. I've never done an auction like this (or any auction outside eBay bids if those count), but it appears that I can bid online. I'm not quite ready to purchase, but if the price is good enough I'm not against it either.

What should be considered upper limit for bidding on the Diggit EM15? How would one go about purchasing a hydraulic thumb, grapple, and other acessories for these machines?

Suddenly I can't recall half the quewstions I wanted to ask about these mini excavators, but atleast I've started asking. When/If I remember more I'll post them up.

 

[dfkrug]

I'm going to say up front I haven't and probably won't read all 90 pages of this thread, but I've got some questions about tthese little units that I think y'all can probabvly answer.

That's a long first post. Welcome to TBN.

I know this thread has a lot of pages now, but within lie many answers to your Qs about these small Chinese excavators. If the length seem daunting, skim it with emphasis on the early parts. Also use the search utility within the thread. If you did, for example, you could quickly see the posts about the Diggit EM15.

Note that these machines are not for everyone. You need to be a bit handy, or have access to someone who is.

 

[jaylast]

So I'm looking for a 1-2 ton mini excavator to do some work on our personal property

Decent 2tons are 2x - 4x the price of a 1ton.
I don't think > 3000lbs will be nice with briggs so you are 3x to 4k for 2ton . . . Best 2t price I've seen about 14k total DDP. With some options and attachments you're going toward 20k.
Your budget and models listed = one ton.

Personally imo 'diggit' has been the best value at auction. Can import total DDP for <7k most cases. . . you can decide the value at auction. Yes you'll pay up for attachments locally or will have to order from china.

I recommend opening convo with rippa (ndi322) leking (kv13plus(=diggit)) and nuoman (nm-em15 iirc). All decent machines with pilot and load sense dbl pump. Iirc Leking had the largest footprint length/width. Ltmg and Leite get worthy mention.
Get at least two quotes with importers ("fowards") that will quote total DDP import (to your door, or to be picked up). All above companies have contacts for at least one 'forward'. I can also recommend 'transworld import' in ohio, re:stephanie had reasonable price, experience, and good communication.
With an idea of total price delivered (DDP) you can compare machine pricing in simple terms of FOB among manu's. Look up and understand the terms if considering import.

Best combo of value and capability presently I think is import or auction the 2000 - 2200lb pilot models. . . Possibly even add diesel to import for <10k total.
Also, AGT will finally have a competing pilot (and diesel) model jan/feb for sale in states for ~14k I understand. Typhon is a worthy mention also for US sales. If import is not an interest.

 

[MattB4]

I'm going to say up front I haven't and probably won't read all 90 pages of this thread, but I've got some questions about tthese little units that I think y'all can probabvly answer.

So I'm looking for a 1-2 ton mini excavator to do some work on our personal property. arouind our hunting property, and to (slowly) dig up a bunch of pine stumps on my own land. ...

There are many importer/resellers of the Chinese minis now. You can find them off Ebay, various Auction listings and dedicated importers such as Kymron and Ground hog. This last year it seems that Agrotk (AGT) has pretty much dominated the auction machines. They do sell direct and ship from Chicago on their own dedicated web site.

Spend some time watching the videos that others have posted on the Internet about their experience with owning one. Read Threads like this one.

Digging up tree stumps is not an easy task depending on size of stump and soil conditions. Ideally you want a pretty powerful machine to do that.

One machine I think might be a good buy but have no experience with (I own the Typhon X 1-ton (1000kg)) is the Typhon XVIII (1800kg) with Kubota diesel I see listed on Ebay for around $13K with free delivery.

 

[TimberFarm]

If you are wanting small, look into the smallest you can get with an EPA compliant diesel.
Otherwise, there is a lot of different small gas models. It seems the newest models have the improvements on them. The sellers in China seem to be taking notice on what buyers want. That's what I would look for. The older ones you need to add all your own cooling to them, hydraulic thumbs, etc.

 

[TimberFarm]

On another note, it seems buying directly from China has less risk than China consigning to auctions here in the US.
On the Chinese Excavator FaceBook page I am on, one of the sellers, I think it might be AGT, sent 10 containers of minis and equipment to L and L Auctions in TN. Now L and L isn't paying them for them and blowing them off.
Disgraceful. I hope L and L gets slammed.

 

[Fredrik]

On another note, it seems buying directly from China has less risk than China consigning to auctions here in the US.
On the Chinese Excavator FaceBook page I am on, one of the sellers, I think it might be AGT, sent 10 containers of minis and equipment to L and L Auctions in TN. Now L and L isn't paying them for them and blowing them off.
Disgraceful. I hope L and L gets slammed.

I have an AGT KAT12 . Timber, this has noting to do L and L but for anyone interested in my experience with an auction bought mini, go to the thread called " Agrotk excavators : Does anyone have one ?