Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[KB3]

Thank you. I did go through Alibaba and it is supposed to have an LCT engine. They offered a Briggs in some of their other models or an upgrade for a few thousand more of a Yanmar diesel. I though it was interesting they had different 1 ton models and wouldn't swap the gas engines between them. Especially after the lady selling it to me told me that all their 1 tons are the same they just change the shells and charge more for the newer shell.

I am getting just the one unit with ROPS, thumb, ripper tooth, debris rake, quick hitch, upgraded seat, 36", 14", and 7" buckets. I'm not positive if it has a the filter or cooler yet. The lady I worked with seemed to have good knowledge of their equipment, but never the specifics. Like what kind of fluids, filters, how many hours use between fluid changes, or capacities it has. When she finally did give me something it seemed as if she pulled it from a Kubota K008-3 manual. Everything she gave me matched it perfectly.

I will make sure to post more pictures when it arrives.

 

[dfkrug]

...it is supposed to have an LCT engine. They offered a Briggs in some of their other models or an upgrade for a few thousand more of a Yanmar diesel. I though it was interesting they had different 1 ton models and wouldn't swap the gas engines between them. Especially after the lady selling it to me told me that all their 1 tons are the same they just change the shells and charge more for the newer shell.

My LCT 420 engine (13-15hp, from DuroMax) still runs great, and it is almost identical to the Briggs XR2100 420cc unit in the Okings. The LCT costs about $350 in the US, and the B&S about $550. Honda supposedly now makes a 440 cc engine, but I do not see it for sale anywhere. I might have installed the Honda GX390 in my XN08, but it makes less power (about 12hp) and costs about $950.

I do not know if the LCTs are made as well internally, vs. the B&S. The B&S did come with more charge coil output. Parts seem identical.

The design of these units keeps improving. I don't hear much good about the 500cc 12hp diesels that normally get installed.

 

[KB3]

My LCT 420 engine (13-15hp, from DuroMax) still runs great, and it is almost identical to the Briggs XR2100 420cc unit in the Okings. The LCT costs about $350 in the US, and the B&S about $550. Honda supposedly now makes a 440 cc engine, but I do not see it for sale anywhere. I might have installed the Honda GX390 in my XN08, but it makes less power (about 12hp) and costs about $950.

I do not know if the LCTs are made as well internally, vs. the B&S. The B&S did come with more charge coil output. Parts seem identical.

The design of these units keeps improving. I don't hear much good about the 500cc 12hp diesels that normally get installed.

I kind of wanted the Briggs originally, but the more I read about the two engines it does seem they are basically the same. I'm not sure about the new LCT engines, but I know the 208cc on my Husqvarna tiller hasn't failed me yet and it's 10 years old. I tried to see if I could get an engine with an oil filter and they didn't have anything. So I figured if the hills kill this engine I'd look into a Honda or Kawasaki.

Does your xn08 seem to dig well in the clay? I'm on the east side of Ohio so I have that and few hills mainly to deal with.

 

[bindian]

I am getting just the one unit with ROPS, thumb, ripper tooth, debris rake, quick hitch, upgraded seat, 36", 14", and 7" buckets.

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I gotta ask............How does a machine that size handle a 36 inch bucket? Is the depth the size of a loaf of bread and just a clean out bucket?
hugs, Brandi

 

[KB3]

I gotta ask............How does a machine that size handle a 36 inch bucket? Is the depth the size of a loaf of bread and just a clean out bucket?
hugs, Brandi

Not sure yet how it will handle it. It is sold as a clean out bucket and that's all I planned on using it for. I can't imagine the excavator would dig very well with it. From the pictures I posted it doesn't seem to have the depth of the smaller buckets, but it's kind of hard to tell.

 

[bindian]

Not sure yet how it will handle it. It is sold as a clean out bucket and that's all I planned on using it for. I can't imagine the excavator would dig very well with it. From the pictures I posted it doesn't seem to have the depth of the smaller buckets, but it's kind of hard to tell.

I have rented a Bobcat E42 with a 30 or 36 inch cleanout bucket and if the ground is wet or moist, it would dig fine. It's edge was rounded.
My CAT's 48 inch cleanout bucket has a nice pointed edge and digs wet clay just fine also. But it all depends on the cu foot (would it be cu inches?) of the said bucket. Just looking at the bucket in the photo, it would seem the 36 inch one would be real shallow.

How much more was the diesel engine version? Never know when I will need a powered shovel for tight digs.
hugs, Brandi

 

[dfkrug]

I tried to see if I could get an engine with an oil filter and they didn't have anything. So I figured if the hills kill this engine I'd look into a Honda or Kawasaki.

Does your xn08 seem to dig well in the clay? I'm on the east side of Ohio so I have that and few hills mainly to deal with.

Even the Hondas (GX390) do not have pressure filtration and a replaceable oil filter. Seems virtually all thumpers have gone to splash lube only. They have proven reliable if you change the oil often and do not exceed 3600RPM. Maybe Kohler 1-cyls use a filter?

As for buckets, all of the OEM are the shallowest you will ever see. I plan to make a narrower and deeper bucket from my spare. I only use the 18" bucket, and the ripper tooth.

Digging is different with such light weight. I can rarely use the full force of the bkt and dipper due to the slopes I am on. I rarely get to dig on flat land, and I am overwhelmed with rocks in all areas. I use my thumb all the time.

 

[KB3]

I have rented a Bobcat E42 with a 30 or 36 inch cleanout bucket and if the ground is wet or moist, it would dig fine. It's edge was rounded.
My CAT's 48 inch cleanout bucket has a nice pointed edge and digs wet clay just fine also. But it all depends on the cu foot (would it be cu inches?) of the said bucket. Just looking at the bucket in the photo, it would seem the 36 inch one would be real shallow.

How much more was the diesel engine version? Never know when I will need a powered shovel for tight digs.
hugs, Brandi

I will definitely get measurements when I get it. I did see I had the wrong number. It is listed as an 800mm bucket so 31.4". As for the diesel price I can not find the exact quote. I do remember it being around a $3000 upgrade for the Yanmar.

 

[bindian]

I will definitely get measurements when I get it. I did see I had the wrong number. It is listed as an 800mm bucket so 31.4". As for the diesel price I can not find the exact quote. I do remember it being around a $3000 upgrade for the Yanmar.

I got a Yanmar 35hp diesel on my sawmill and love it.
hugs, Brandi

 

[KB3]

Even the Hondas (GX390) do not have pressure filtration and a replaceable oil filter. Seems virtually all thumpers have gone to splash lube only. They have proven reliable if you change the oil often and do not exceed 3600RPM. Maybe Kohler 1-cyls use a filter?

As for buckets, all of the OEM are the shallowest you will ever see. I plan to make a narrower and deeper bucket from my spare. I only use the 18" bucket, and the ripper tooth.

Digging is different with such light weight. I can rarely use the full force of the bkt and dipper due to the slopes I am on. I rarely get to dig on flat land, and I am overwhelmed with rocks in all areas. I use my thumb all the time.

I guess with any luck and maintenance I wont have to worry about swapping engines. I didn't realize the pressure filters were disappearing.

As for the attachments I kind of figured I'd be using mainly the same. Only reason I got so many of the attachments is because I couldn't get them to move much on price. They would keep offering attachments. Just couldn't get the auger and hammer thrown in. I figured if I like the excavator enough maybe later I'd order them.