“Terror” Chinese excavator

[Carl_NH]

Pretty much the same as the Terror XVIII I have but with a cab - they are built by Hightop in China. The cab models are pretty small or cramped for most people. They run well but are not the most refined machines - basic gear pumps (not rotary piston variable displacement which are smoother) and basic controls - not load sensing, no expandable tracks etc. But you get what you pay for..

The RIppa brand have a similar R15 then an R18 which are 2-5K more and you get a more refined machine with expanding tracks, piston/ dual pumps and more when you spend a little more.

 

[ML88]

Thanks Carl NH any opinion on what kind of engine oil and hydraulic oil these machines like

 

[Carl_NH]

Get the Tractor Supply ISO 46 $50 for 5 gallons - these take 5 Gallons, and I use the Diesel Rotella 15-40 Oil in my Kubota tractor so I will use in this Kubota engine too.

What's in there isn't bad - I changed mine at 10 hours (once I got all the mods done) just last weekend.
Here's a list of things I have done.
- Added 10U Hyd Oil Return Filter and Fittings $175
- Added Drive motor protection and chain hooks, receiver hitch $150
- Added Tiny Tach Tachometer and hour meter (mine didn’t have a tach) $100
- Welded / Added gussets to thumb – it's weak $20
- Replaced tracks with 230MM 9” W x71MM x 41MM Turf Tracks – the 180MM 7” wide tore up the
grass a lot and the 9” wide, smoother ride better weight dist etc, $350
- Modified the foot thumb control with an Aluminum pedal – the OEM stuck up to high and was a pain to operate $50
- Added sound insulation to top and inside covers – the newer machines have this standard now
- Overall spent $1K getting it to what I consider a decent machine

Sum and substance, buy the right machine the first time with these features and more already installed (or not necessary). Then things you cannot easily change or alter are the two speed drives, rotary piston hyd pumps, load sensing etc.

Change out your grease zerks - they are M8 but I just got a mix of metric sizes and angles on Amazon for $8.

 

[TexTrctr]

I bought a Typhon Terror XIX in January with the 902 Kubota engine and I agree with everything Carl says. Mine was manufactured by Vote and I would assign mine a fit and finish score a little higher at about an 8. I only have about 5 hours on it but everything seems to work well and relatively smoothly. My only issue, so far (and except for my inexperience with X controls), is it is SLOW when tracking! I think this is true of all the 1.0 to 2.0 ton units that don't have true 2-speed capability.
BTW, I got mine delivered to my door and unloaded for about 10 grand, which I felt was a heck of a deal. Can't help but wonder where the tariff stuff will take these prices to.

 

[ML88]

Perfect, thanks for all the info I'm expecting my delivery at the end of the month. Already payed for mine not sure if the teriffs are going to effect me will see

 

[ML88]

Just found out my Typhon terror fell through. Anybody had any experience with Kamranmotors they have a mini that's similar to the Typhon is was looking at

 

[Carl_NH]

Kamran/5Star get a good rep on all the posts I have seen for fast delivery and a good deal and machines. You should expect to get a Hightop machine with the Kubota 902 engine and maybe other new updates too,

Kamran/5Star have a warehouse and deliver quickly, especially if you are in central US - meaning 5-600 mi from the Chicago area.

If you want a more advanced machine and have the $, I would suggest the RIppa R15 Pro, or better the R18 Pro with the multiple piston pumps, load sensing hydraulics, and real two speed drive motors, The Rippa pro series are as close to "commercial" machines like Kubota, Yanmar etc. There are many US sellers of these machines - GA, WA, MA etc, depending on your location.

 

[TexTrctr]

Bummer on the Terror falling through. If you don't mind me asking what happened? Did it have anything to do with uncertainty in pricing with what's going on? I can't imagine how these guys know what to sell their products for right now.
Again, I agree with Carl on the Rippa. Based on the specs I have seen, and if I had done a little more research late last year, I would have put up another 4 or 5 grand to get the 2 speeds, expandable tracks and better hydraulics. I really like my Terror but the other features would have been really nice for the money.
And...I recently found out that Rippa has a warehouse 3.5 hours from me in Houston! Might have reduced the cost associated with shipping to pick it up there and trailer home.
Their website: RIPPA opens new warehouse in the US - Chinese Mini Excavator-Loader-Rippa Forklift-Rippa Group says they also have other warehouses in Virginia, Chicago and LA.

 

[ML88]

Found out Wednesday that my order was going to be another 8 weeks out due to tariff disruption. Chris from Typhon offered me a refund witch I accepted, haven't seen the refund yet but Chris has kept communication with me so hopefully this week.

I have an offer from kamran for $12,8 with free shipping that seems to be the same machine as the 2 ton Terror that I was getting.
Prior to offer I was told $200 to ship to Massachusetts witch seems reasonable.

The rippa seems like something I'll check into though. I have a budget of around $15
So will see. You think there's dealers in the MA area?

 

[Carl_NH]

Here's a dealer in Ohio has the R18Pro at $16K which has much better features than the R15 Pro Rippa R18 Mini Excavator W/ Open Cab! 1.8 Ton! Only $325 A Month! - Lawn Mowers for Sale & Mower Repair Services - GSA Equipment

Then look up Robert Lee Ray in Albany Georgia - he is also a reputable dealer for Rippa