Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[LittleBill21]

I used Alibaba for this transaction as this was my first import. I wanted to have their tradeassurance support.

what was your total cost?

 

[Kscessnadriver]

New here, I'm headed to Ritchie today to pick up one I won last week. Advertised as a Doway DY12, I think it's actually an Donway, but it doesn't really matter. I'm glad I saw the warning to pull the canopy prior to highway travel, that'll save me issues for sure. Having never driven an excavator, I'm sure it'll be a learning process to just get it loaded, but we will see.

 

[Rich B1]

My AGT had a steel canopy, so no problems during hauling home

 

[dfkrug]

My AGT had a steel canopy, so no problems during hauling home

The problems I and others encountered were with the steel canopy. The plastic ones just recently seen may not have this problem (metal fatigue from bending/vibrating).

 

[Kscessnadriver]

The problems I and others encountered were with the steel canopy. The plastic ones just recently seen may not have this problem (metal fatigue from bending/vibrating).

What actually broke on them? The canopy or the supports? I drug mine 4 hours home with it on today (simply because I wanted to beat the rain while loading), and it made it just fine. I was up to 65 MPH in moderate rain, so it did get a work out. For having never operated an excavator, I didn't find it too awful to get loaded onto an equipment trailer.

 

[dfkrug]

Wind gets under the steel canopies and vibrates the crap out of them. Does not help that some makers use really thin steel sheet, and the edges have quite a curve, which gives them extra lift.

I may have posted this photo here before. The tear in the steel is all the way across.

 

[Rich B1]

I looked at my canopy yesterday and it is fine after the ride home.

 

[jaylast]

Hey great thread!
I'm wondering what the consensus is about the original (and still very common) direct style controls VS newer style pumps with split/piloted boom controls?

It seems like the house designs with the joysticks beside seat are mostly going to be this newer design, and also give longer travel stick control in front (more finesse I assume). Also seems houses do come with more venting now and easier to add cooling as necessary.

OP I think you have used both control types? Wondering if it might be worth the extra$ for smoothness, weighted by another failure point (solenoids?)

I was considering the absolute cheapest models (5k-ish auction/agrotk) against whatever the next step up is like diggit. Or this 1 ton model I'm looking at from cn
Notice the venting and gusseted boom/stick w/ routed hoses along with the different control setup. Not sure if swing is standard.
As mentioned, spare parts and many attachments (bulk) are another benefits of import.
Hopefully they are ducting the gas motors now, but I could do that along with oil cooler as necessary. I get the feeling that asking for too much uncommon (to them) customization wouldn't work out too well lol.

 

[dfkrug]

OP I think you have used both control types? Wondering if it might be worth the extra$ for smoadjustable track wdthothness, weighted by another failure point (solenoids?)

I have used both, and the Diggit with servos is a better feel, and control is a bit better. It did not cost more, however. See above.

It only features one solenoid for safety.

Options are all available: diesel or gas engine, swing boom, adjustable track width, etc. Top priority is installing the correct starter switch that does not destroy the hour meter, then hyd return filtratrion.

I don't hear much good about the smaller Agrotks. I imagine the price should be dropping to $4K or so in the US, at auction sites. The next monthly auction in Sacramento has 44 new Chinese excavators at this time. I have not seen inside of any of the Agrotks yet.

 

[dfkrug]

BTW the Diggit EM15 I showed above had no hyd oil return filtration and no hour meter at all.