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  1. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    He has a simple double pole single throw switch and since there is no ground path for the LED current, It will not light when the switch is in the closed position. It depends on the load to provide a ground path for the 10-20 milliamps that it takes to light the LED. That's why I think it's...
  2. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    Using your existing switch and having it illuminate when turned on requires another terminal that you don't have and a wire connected to ground for the LED current. Maybe the easiest, although not the cheapest, way to accomplish this is to just get a different switch. I quickly found one on...
  3. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    Yes, the frost line is around 4 feet here. It will freeze and move some but the key is to excavate the black dirt and organic material then add 4-6 inches of class 5 and compact it as you go. Then screed 1 inch of bedding sand and lay pavers. I also do not use polymeric sand for the joints as...
  4. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    Thanks, that is some very good info. Mine looks the same only it's branded as a Miva VA15. I would love to get a part number for the return filter inside the reservoir. I do plan to change it to an external spin on in the future but that may be at the same time I install a new lower output...
  5. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    It was about 1/4" short of clearing when turned around and no way would it fit with the new flow control valve installed. You can see that cut off support post in the picture, it used to be as long as the unmodified one. To make it fit after flipping the cylinder around, I cut the hardline...
  6. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    The way they welded the hardline to the boom cylinder makes it tough to turn around. I hear you though, so far I have just been careful but I may add a cylinder guard like the on my backhoe. I have added thermometers for hydraulic temp and engine compartment temp, I'm running it with the rear...
  7. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    Looks like a nice mod. Anything to smooth these machines out and minimize stress is a good thing. I finally headed to the lake place and did some serious digging with mine, it worked great except I thought the boom was awful jerky so I added this flow control valve to try to smooth it out...
  8. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    I ordered and installed the oil drain hose. I'm pretty happy with it I guess. I plan to keep it stowed inside the machine and feed it temporarily through a hole that was drilled in the rear bumper when it's time to change oil. Hopefully it will be less messy this way.
  9. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    Reading your previous post , I did not realize that it applied to the B&S engine as well as the RATO. Thanks for the info.
  10. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    I ordered that hose from Amazon and it did not fit the Briggs 420cc. The size is too large and they don't appear to be pipe threads since there is a gasket on the flat surface of the plug. Do you know the actual threads of the plug? I still have my break in oil in so I don't want to take the...
  11. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    I was working on the mini this morning in the garage and I lost all house rotation and stick movement. All other functions were normal. Another symptom was that the left joystick was hard to move and seemed to have pressure on it in all directions even when the machine was off. After staring at...
  12. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    I did check the oil level, it was about in he middle of the stick and I bought a couple of jugs of 15w50 Mobil 1 that I plan to use after break in. At least in the summer. What type and how much oil for my lawn mower? | Briggs & Stratton I think your 25 hour interval is one I'll follow as well...
  13. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    I really have not faced up to the heat issue yet, I'm waiting until I head to the lake to really put some time on it and see how bad it is. I do like quiet though, and being able to open that rear door easily is a plus for me but cooler operation may be more important than that. I read that...
  14. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    I noticed the exhaust was blasting against the rear door of the mini due to the muffler outlet being short and not aligned with the cutout in the rear door. This was causing extra heat buildup and unwanted noise in the engine compartment. It has the BS 420cc A piece of 1in galvanized pipe was...
  15. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    It seems like a good idea to have that filter. I'm thinking or replacing the Chinese housing with one with from Grainger (or similar) which is about the same physical size but has 1/2 ports. I could even tee in a pressure gauge on the filter output port to monitor pilot pressure. The filter...
  16. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    Don't get me wrong, I really love the mini ex and I the more I tear into it and understand how it works, the more I like it. It certainly has fit and finish issues with bolt hole alignment and cover fitment, but overall, its built well and I think they are really an incredible value, especially...
  17. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    I just got the machine and only have about 1 hour on so I definitely don't see the big picture and I am not yet a proficient operator. As soon as I get some hydraulic adapters for the new thumb (M16X1.5 Male O-Ring to M14X1.5 Female) and the weather dries up a bit, I will be heading north to my...
  18. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    Thanks dfkrug. Great thread, I have started reading every post since the beginning and I'm about half way through and I have already learned a lot! I think my pilot circuit filter is on the pressure side and I took a few pics but I have not opened that up yet. I read in an earlier post that...
  19. JohnnyB24

    Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

    I just joined the forum. I just picked up a Miva VA15 which looks like the Diggit EM15 to me. Paid $6700 with a hydraulic thumb and a 24in tilting bucket. I am working on adapting and mounting the thumb as it was for a different brand, it says LANTY on it. I'm mostly just trying to figure out...
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