Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[dfkrug]

If you haven't installed the extension for hydro tank, could you possibly get the dimensions for me? I bought an AGT L12 last week delivered in Ohio. A few days later I lost all hydraulic pressure when going down the ramp on my trailer. Hyd fluid was full, so I looked at the suction line on the tank. It is on the end at the lowest point possible. looks like a design flaw, and your post confirmed it. Thanks.

Welcome to TBN, OLDRUSTY

Pix of the problem and its solution would be interesting.

 

[dfkrug]

a hammer it would expedite wear on machine alot. If really needed one I'd prob be looking at a roller.

I have tried the hammer, and tho it works, I would not use it on a machine this small and light. Most pins are only 25mm. I have seen what breakers do to skidsteers, and they have pins twice as big.

As for a sheep's foot roller for compacting, that is how they do it with bigger excavators and backhoes, but our tiny machines have too little weight to be effective at that kind of compaction, IMO.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The numbers are viscosity of the oil

32 - cold weather

46 - normal weather

68 - high temperture, think steel mill applications

32- Michigan

46- Kentucky

68- Oklahoma

90W-120 - Texas (just kidding, it's gear oil)

 

[oldrustysteel]

Welcome to TBN, OLDRUSTY

Pix of the problem and its solution would be interesting.

Thanks for the welcome! I will get pics and try to upload soon, I am having difficulty navigating the sight. BTW thanks for the very informative posts you and others have contributed on the China diggers. Good info is gonna make a huge difference as we try to improve these little machines.

 

[diabeticpilot]

If you haven't installed the extension for hydro tank, could you possibly get the dimensions for me? I bought an AGT L12 last week delivered in Ohio. A few days later I lost all hydraulic pressure when going down the ramp on my trailer. Hyd fluid was full, so I looked at the suction line on the tank. It is on the end at the lowest point possible. looks like a design flaw, and your post confirmed it. Thanks.

I had the exact same issue! Driving it off the pallate and down the ramp caused it to stall out. I had to rock it back and forth to get hydraulic pressure again and then got the bucket down to keep it level as I drove it off. Left some marks on the driveway but got it off.

The extender is 19cm long and 4cm wide. It is threaded M on one end and F on the other so it can sit in-between the inlet and the filter.

EDIT: it is 19 CM long and 4 CM wide. Not mm!

 

[oldrustysteel]

I had the exact same issue! Driving it off the pallate and down the ramp caused it to stall out. I had to rock it back and forth to get hydraulic pressure again and then got the bucket down to keep it level as I drove it off. Left some marks on the driveway but got it off.

The extender is 19mm long and 4mm wide. It is threaded M on one end and F on the other so it can sit in-between the inlet and the filter.

Thanks! I don't know if they would send me one or not, I bought my L12 from a private seller w .2 hrs on it. I read somewhere about someone asking the manufacturer about parts or something and they claimed they never made it.

I will try an email to them but I am not optimistic. thanks for your help!!

 

[Fredrik]

So I've got a ? for anyone who might know. Can pilot operated controls be switched from ISO Ex to SAE Hoe controls? Ive narrowed down the companies to import from but all their controls are ISO. I'd like to have SAE since I'm switching back and forth all the time . Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jaylast]

Yeah man, (at least with pilot controls I've seen up to 2ton) it's same as with non-pilot controls, you can just switch the hoses around that go from valve stack to the cylinders.

The control side of valve stack (whether mechanical or pilot actuated) remains in place.

The pilot controls are just valving/hydro added to main valve stack in leu of the mechanical levers.

 

[Fredrik]

I've switched non pilot hoses easy peasy. Was wondering if pilots were the same. Thanks J.

 

[jaylast]

I don't know if they would send me one or not

Are you aware of 'chinese mini excavators' FB group(s)?
There is alot of info on there about the L12 issue and fix.
There are some US posters that may have or can get the part also. Danni Zou or George Zou I think, check it out.

The adapter thingy below

 

[oldrustysteel]

Are you aware of 'chinese mini excavators' FB group(s)?
There is alot of info on there about the L12 issue and fix.
There are some US posters that may have or can get the part also. Danni Zou or George Zou I think, check it out.

The adapter thingy below

i did not know about it. I will check out. thanks!! I was thinking about doing a post about the pros and cons of the L12 and the improvements I am doing. is there enough interest in these little machines?

 

[dfkrug]

I was thinking about doing a post about the pros and cons of the L12 and the improvements I am doing. is there enough interest in these little machines?

Since yours is an AGROTK, you can post on the TBN thread about that brand, or on Utube or FB. I have not seen the FB posts since my FB acct does not work. Most of the Utube posts seem to be auction sites sales postings. Many many AGROTKs now in the US and Canada.

 

[Fredrik]

Does any one have any experience or knowledge of Shangdong Youda Machinery Manufacturing Co? Short hand is - SDYD? They have quoted a 2-ton machine with lots of customization by me ,with attachments. at DDU $11,000. 2 year warranty on all parts of machine. I can post all my add ons if any one wants to know.

 

[MattB4]

I looked them up on Alibaba and no red flags jumped out at me. However without knowing all the options/modifications you are wanting it is hard to tell if importing a 2-ton yourself is a better option than not simply buying a US sourced Typhon 2-ton from Machinery Asia on Ebay for $13K w/free shipping.

If nothing else you might try talking to some of the US importers from searching through Ebay listings and see what you can come up with.

 

[Fredrik]

Thanks Matt Ive looked up Typhon 2 Ton but it lacked some things i wanted . I'll look again, thx. I specced 2 speed travel, Telescoping tracks, no tail swing , arm swing, SAE controls, D902 Engine, Hydraulic oil cooler, 2 third function out lets on boom. 22 gpm pump rotary, + 1 piston pump. Tilt 800mm bucket, Hyd quikcoupler w/ rotary function, log grapple and 16" and "24 buckets. Whew.

 

[MattB4]

Based on your machine changes and additional attachments if you can get it for $11K shipped to the US it looks like a great deal. Looking forward to seeing images of it and your experience with it once you get it.

 

[dfkrug]

Does any one have any experience or knowledge of Shangdong Youda Machinery Manufacturing Co? Short hand is - SDYD? They have quoted a 2-ton machine with lots of customization by me ,with attachments. at DDU $11,000. 2 year warranty on all parts of machine. I can post all my add ons if any one wants to know.

If you have the patience to DIY import, go for it. You get a warranty that will get you parts at least. You get a great deal on accessories and spare parts. Nice to know if they are a factory or just a reseller. Also, if you have a good email contact who answers all Qs, that should give you confidence. And, if using Alibaba, the Trade Assurance is not expensive and can get you some peace-of-mind.

Hopefully, their 2T units have the better buckets.

Are you near a port?

 

[Fredrik]

Sadly the buckets look like the cheapo's. Yep to using Ali Trade Assurance. Price was DDU, Shipping Door to door -duties, taxes unpaid.Trying to calculate duties and taxes plus other fees is giving me fits. I know the HTS code is 8429.52.10 and i still can't figure it out. I think they are a factory because they wold get back to me instantly as I made changes, but who knows. They may be across the street from the factory.

 

[jaylast]

AE controls, D902 Engine, Hydraulic oil cooler, 2 third function out lets on boom. 22 gpm pump rotary, + 1 piston pump. Tilt 800mm bucket, Hyd quikcoupler w/ rotary function, log grapple and 16" and "24 buckets. Whew.

Awesome. 25% cost of goods should be duty, plus like 50 and change random fee. The code doesn't matter as much (for cost) as origin/ship from china (for US anyway)
I reasoned with shipper I wanted to pay just one party, so from ddu they quoted ddp and charged addtional 80.
Well worth . . . . IF outcome is as expected!!!

14 to 15k for that setup is by far best price I've seen for zero tail 2T including upgraded valve stack/pump setup. Great choices on attachments too, the 360 hydro coupler and tilt bucket I want to see in action for sure!!!

I would love to learn more specifics about the pumps/valves used. Leking, Ltmg, and Rippa were higher priced and they didn't share anything other than hydro flow (100lpm rexroth was best of the 3 from Leking). But ya know dam well there is literature somewhere on the parts even if untranslated.
I assume perhaps the stack is split with multiple inputs and reliefs like the 'real' diggers are.
I wonder also the specifics of control for boom swing, blade, telescope, and aux1 and 2 control. Probably there will be some pilots and/or solenoids for most or all.

 

[MattB4]

Thanks Matt Ive looked up Typhon 2 Ton but it lacked some things i wanted . I'll look again, thx. I specced 2 speed travel, Telescoping tracks, no tail swing , arm swing, SAE controls, D902 Engine, Hydraulic oil cooler, 2 third function out lets on boom. 22 gpm pump rotary, + 1 piston pump. Tilt 800mm bucket, Hyd quikcoupler w/ rotary function, log grapple and 16" and "24 buckets. Whew.

Looking through your additions the things that seem uncommon on the Chinese mini's is the two speed travel, SAE controls and the high gpm pump. I was looking through various machines yesterday and I spotted a 2.5 ton (2500KG) one from USA Excavator (Typhon X2 Storm*) that has many of the features (not near the amount of attachments you are ordering) but has a Tier 4 25HP Perkins diesel as a power plant. Not all that cheap at ~$20k. Does make me wonder if the D902 you have mentioned is importable. You really have to be careful about that.

*TYPHON TERROR X2 Mini Excavator 2.5 Ton Digger 25HP EPA Diesel Perkins Engine | eBay

ETA: Don't know why I never looked but Typhon has their own website and direct sale versus Ebay sellers (though Ebay price may be better) Home - TYPHON, your machinery supplier No much spare parts listed just 25mm bucket pins but finding those elsewhere is no easy task.