Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[MattB4]

Hello everyone. Joined up your Forum after finding this Thread.

I just ordered a Typhon Terror 1-ton mini excavator with B&S gas engine off Ebay from Machinery Asia. I offered $6000 for it and the price was accepted. This includes delivery to my residence in Arkansas. It looks to be a month or more before I see it. I have a fair amount of experience in owning operating heavy equipment and I know that this little thing is going to be more a toy for me in my old age than a serious machine.

Quite a few posts from people in this Thread giving their experience and knowledge. I appreciate it.

One thing I am contemplating is picking up a ripper tooth for possible easier stump removal. Does anyone have one and how has it worked out? Another attachment I may or may not add is a thumb. I had a 3 pt backhoe that had a mechanical thumb and I found it to have no utility. That was due to the real short boom length and the fact that having it on restricted regular digging operation.

I read with interest the ideas about adding in hydraulic filter units and oil coolers. This may be something I do once I see if the machine could use them.

Edit: Ye gods! Just got a call from the shipper that they are picking up the excavator in California today and might have it to me by Sunday. I was shocked to say the least. The fellow says he can unload it for me if I have some gas on hand. (I do) plus as I told him I have a big skid steer with forks if necessary. Now I am all jazzed up.

 

[dfkrug]

The pump has a laser etched label which I'll attach here. I have yet to find product spec sheet.

I see TIANJIN XINGZOU Hydraulic Machine Co, LTD, (TJY). I imagine the pump volumes are in the product code, PGP51053SLP.

Since I do not find anything on the web about that co, asking the maker is what I have done for specs. Sure would be nice to find out who that is.

Is there any sort of maker plate on the unit?

 

[Aaron-BC]

Matt, Congratulations on the new machine, I hope it serves you well! Don't be surprised, though, if your HE experience does not translate well to the 1T

One thing I am contemplating is picking up a ripper tooth for possible easier stump removal. Does anyone have one and how has it worked out? Another attachment I may or may not add is a thumb. I had a 3 pt backhoe that had a mechanical thumb and I found it to have no utility. That was due to the real short boom length and the fact that having it on restricted regular digging operation.

IF you are handy and have the welder, building your own ripper would be a straight forward project. I'm Building one for my own 1T along with a trenching bucket. Finding someone local to build one may not prove any cheaper than sourcing one from Asia though. A Hydraulic Thumb was a necessary option for me and my plans. I'm using it almost everytime I run the machine right now as I'm doing a lot of brushing. I agree that a mechanical thumb, particularly on a BH would be far less useful, but once you get used to the geometry you can make it work. Is your new machine already plumbed for the thumb?

Aaron.

 

[Aaron-BC]

Is there any sort of maker plate on the unit?

Not that I can see. On the bright side, I finally got a manual from CAEL. Have not had a chance to look through it well, but it does have tech drawings and specs. Fingers Crossed.

EDIT- I sat down and looked at the manual that was sent to me today... It is wrong. Someone simply added a photo of my unit to the manual for a different machine... Not a great look for CAEL!

 

[dfkrug]

One thing I am contemplating is picking up a ripper tooth for possible easier stump removal. Does anyone have one and how has it worked out? Another attachment I may or may not add is a thumb.

Welcome aboard, Matt.

I did post my experiences with the ripper tooth above. I love it, and it is one of the truly useful attachments.

As for an hyd thumb, once you have used them, you gotta have it. Also posted above.

BTW, this is a very serious tool, requiring different skills than operating bigger excavators.

 

[MattB4]

Thanks for the welcome. Must have jumped by your experience with the ripper tooth Dfkrug. I have not read the entire Thread yet just those posts from this year (and a few at the beginning).

I expect it will be a bit of a learning experience but if I could run that little 3pt backhoe off my MF-GC2300 that I did for a few years before I converted it to run off a skid steer (sold it early last year) I hope I can learn this baby ex. My goal is to go slow. The first project I have for it is to dig some drain field lines for my septic tank, The old lines (I put them in 25 years ago) are failing.

I do have a welder but it would be hard to match the $300 price for an already built one, Aaron-BC. Especially since it has free shipping to my location. Though if I did build one I think I would try for a saw tooth type design for ripping roots. Yes the machine is plumbed for a Thumb and comes with the mount welded to boom. I am getting a quick attach with the machine so that should be nice.

 

[dfkrug]

There are now some US-based sellers offering 1-2-ton Chinese excavator parts and attachments. I see the ripper tooth for $400 or even more. That is nearly 10x more than they cost, FOB Qingdao. I think my net cost was something like $90. Already sold my spare ripper tooth.

If ordering directly (or via Alibaba or MadeInChina.com) from the maker or reseller in China, parts and attachments are a fantastic deal from most of the sources.

 

[MattB4]

A common but annoying practice.

Even on eBay auctions, the reserve is secret, but you know when it is met and the item will sell. For conventional auctions, looking at the "prices realized" list of a past auction is key to what things will actually sell for. Listing the final bid without saying if the item sold is useless.

Some auction houses have no reserve, or more honest reporting. Ritchie Bros claims to have no reserve, but you can not see the results of a past auction without an account.

I think the best way for an auction to be run is with no reserve. Just start the bidding at the minimum price the seller will take.

I follow a few online auction sites and it became obvious that those companies listing brand new attachments and equipment from China had secret reserve prices. I even complained once to the Auction co. rep that called me during the last few minutes of a Auction to encourage bidding about it.

Regardless of what they might say about no hidden reserve they play games with last second automatic bids to ensure that items do not sell if the price is low.

 

[MattB4]

My Baby Ex showed up this afternoon. Just got done getting it off the truck and down the road 1/4 mile to my garage. The crate it was shipped in had a lot of damage at the top thanks to heavy winds and the shipping straps the trucker had used for tie down. Being a thin wood crate there was no good spot versus a open pallet machine.

Still all in all I am happy to get it and amazed that I could get it from Thursday order last week, from California, to my place here in NW Arkansas. I was also pleased to see a hydraulic thumb versus a mechanical or none which I thought the ad was for. (It just said thumb clip).

Some in the crate pictures until I can unbox it in the coming days.

 

[dfkrug]

The crate it was shipped in had a lot of damage at the top thanks to heavy winds and the shipping straps the trucker had used for tie down.

Glad you got it.

Some of the crate damage may be due to Customs/TSA inspection at the port, too.

Looks like your crate was all-wood. No steel frame underneath like mine came in.