Agrotk excavators: Does anyone have one? Opinions/comments/critiques?

[dfkrug]

After seeing a video with the frame broken at the cyl mounting area, I have been a little concerned about that area. I did not see a good way to reinforce the frame on my baby digger.

I did not see that video, and I am always looking. Thx for posting that. I wonder how it failed, 2y ago. Looks like it pulled out from too-thin box tubing. And that bent part underneath? I don't even know what that is. Welds look good, as they do on my machine.

I am not concerned, as that is an easy fix if it fails. And I would make it thicker there. Note that some of these small minis have their blades much farther out front. When in doubt, beef it up.

 

[dfkrug]

I would enjoy taking one down to the frame. Is that a crazy idea?

Not at all. I am set up with a crane and a mechanic's pit in my workshop to take off the house on one of these minis. That's the only major system I have not yet been into on mine (house rotation bearing, motor, and distribution valve).

Looks like fun.

 

[MattB4]

Looking at the broken off push blade mounts it would appear that the operator of the machine may have been over loading it. Hydraulics can exert amazing force. The blade down helps prevent excavator tipping while digging but all that force is than put on the link between blade and machine. Even large excavator have cracked the steel of their boom frames during operation.

It does highlight why it doing a blade extension or upping system hydraulic pressure could lead to issues.

Thought it was interesting that there was several of the Agrotk 1-tonners on Auction in Idaho yesterday that went in the $2K range and one that sold at $1980 after buyers premium. If real someone has lost a chunk of change Auctioning them.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Looking at the broken off push blade mounts it would appear that the operator of the machine may have been over loading it. Hydraulics can exert amazing force. The blade down helps prevent excavator tipping while digging but all that force is than put on the link between blade and machine. Even large excavator have cracked the steel of their boom frames during operation.

It does highlight why it doing a blade extension or upping system hydraulic pressure could lead to issues.

Thought it was interesting that there was several of the Agrotk 1-tonners on Auction in Idaho yesterday that went in the $2K range and one that sold at $1980 after buyers premium. If real someone has lost a chunk of change Auctioning them.

the guy that broke the blade mount did a repair that looked good enough to me. He broke it again soon after the repair.
i will try to find pic or vid.

 

[oldrustysteel]

While using the babyhoe today I had a thought that needs the experts consideration.we have some trails are about 1.5 miles long one way and lots of cross trails. The baby ex is painfully slow and has no place to put tools or saw, has, oil etc. I saw a post where dfkrug installed a wheel motor guard on his baby ex. He did a great job and I knew that is something I wanted to do to mine. I think I will add a small hitch so I can pull a small trailer for tools and stuff. Will the wheel motors complain about the extra WORK? Is this a bad idea? It would be so easy to do on my machine. Zoom in on wheel motors and you can see that they are almost asking for a mod.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Not at all. I am set up with a crane and a mechanic's pit in my workshop to take off the house on one of these minis. That's the only major system I have not yet been into on mine (house rotation bearing, motor, and distribution valve).

Looks like fun.

Hey dfkrug, Is there an easy way to tell if my house bearing and gear is getting grease? i cant see the gear or bearing and so i cant confirm the two grease lines are really sending grease where it belongs. i remember seeing a pic in your thread and you could see your gear. did you remove a cover or guard? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and ideas on here. You and Matt and Jaylast and others are a huge help to us newbies.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Looking at the broken off push blade mounts it would appear that the operator of the machine may have been over loading it. Hydraulics can exert amazing force. The blade down helps prevent excavator tipping while digging but all that force is than put on the link between blade and machine. Even large excavator have cracked the steel of their boom frames during operation.

It does highlight why it doing a blade extension or upping system hydraulic pressure could lead to issues.

Thought it was interesting that there was several of the Agrotk 1-tonners on Auction in Idaho yesterday that went in the $2K range and one that sold at $1980 after buyers premium. If real someone has lost a chunk of change Auctioning them.

here is the pic of the repair and it failed. is the weld on top not good enough?

 

[dfkrug]

here is the pic of the repair and it failed. is the weld on top not good enough?

I watched his repair video. I am surprised he broke it. He was using a MIG welder, and the welds clearly did not hold up.

I wonder what he is doing when these break. He says he is on a job site.

If that cross-beam is thin enough to flex, metal fatigue is almost inevitable. I will keep my eye out for any cracks.

 

[dfkrug]

Hey dfkrug, Is there an easy way to tell if my house bearing and gear is getting grease? i cant see the gear or bearing and so i cant confirm the two grease lines are really sending grease where it belongs. i remember seeing a pic in your thread and you could see your gear. did you remove a cover or guard?

On my machine, the ring gear is not fully covered, so I can see part of it. To grease it, you have to fill the 2 hoses with grease before any gets to the gears. I sprayed some aerosol grease directly on the gear. I also had to cut away some of the house body to access the 2 zerks. Clearance was poor.

Good you are checking that.

 

[dfkrug]

I saw a post where dfkrug installed a wheel motor guard on his baby ex. He did a great job and I knew that is something I wanted to do to mine. I think I will add a small hitch so I can pull a small trailer for tools and stuff. Will the wheel motors complain about the extra WORK? Is this a bad idea? It would be so easy to do on my machine. Zoom in on wheel motors and you can see that they are almost asking for a mod.

The wheel motors already get the oil Really Hot. Making them work even harder may not be the best choice. My motor protection bracket only helps with rolling rocks, but I have a big problem with that. It is connected with only 2 bolts, so it will pivot if you stand on it. No easy way I can see to make it stronger.

A small trailer may be the best way to go it you have to drive your mini-X more than a half mile or so.