Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[D'oh]

It is a Kubota diesel . I won at $6500 and was able to pick it up. It is only a 3 hour drive to FT Worth for me, but if you let google give you directions on the way back it can turn in to a 5 hour drive. I actually got the BS20 and a BS12 ($1800). It was a timed auction and when it got down to less than a min they bid it up to my max of $6500 and I panicked and put in a low ball on the BS12 thinking I was about to be out bid. I ended up winning both. So now I am trying to sell the BS12 on FB and maybe make a bit so total package ends up a bit cheaper for me.

Good Job, the BS 12 will pay for your Trip.

I kind of wish I would have opt'd for the Open Station 1.8 ton Diesel, rather than the 2.5T Gas MP46. But up here, the Diesel's bring More Money than the Heavier Gas.

It would just be lighter to transport and less Thinking involved about Glass Breaking.

 

[flix2032]

So far I am loving this machine. Been on it all day for the past few days. The bucket seems well built to be but since I do not have much of a reference I have a few pix here of it. The mechanical thumb on the other hand is pretty big and while the way it came it straddled the cylinder when it was fully curled in. But after using it I have managed to bend both tines in and have hit the cylinder guard. I recall earlier in this thread it was discussed about putting in some bracing to prevent the tines from bending. I guess I should have done that before I got to work. Once I figure out how to bend them back out I will weld in some bracing.

One question I have that I have not seen the answer to is what is the 3rd hose on drive motors?

Here are a few more photos.

 

[dfkrug]

One question I have that I have not seen the answer to is what is the 3rd hose on drive motors?

That is a "case drain".

The bucket is very different from those that come with the 1-ton-sh minis. I can see tooth holders with replaceable, possibly forged, teeth. The carcass looks thicker. How thick is the side plate?

I am curious about your sprocket drive motors. No wheel braking is a serious flaw in most of our Chinese minis. Take a photo of the outside of the drive sprocket.

 

[mike69440]

I am curious why not import a good used full size excavator from China, like a late model Komatsu, or other well established brand, etc.? Real nice looking machines in the 12 ton range can be had for under $50K US, about 1/3 of a US machine? I wonder what shipping and import fees and rules are? Got to be something, as otherwise, this would be quite common.

 

[newbury]

I am curious why not import a good used full size excavator from China, like a late model Komatsu, or other well established brand, etc.? Real nice looking machines in the 12 ton range can be had for under $50K US, about 1/3 of a US machine? I wonder what shipping and import fees and rules are? Got to be something, as otherwise, this would be quite common.

One thing would be transportation. I bet a lot of us would like a 12 ton machine, but can't transport it legally. And excavators, unlike tractors, rarely travel quickly, especially road travel.

 

[flix2032]

That is a "case drain".

The bucket is very different from those that come with the 1-ton-sh minis. I can see tooth holders with replaceable, possibly forged, teeth. The carcass looks thicker. How thick is the side plate?

I am curious about your sprocket drive motors. No wheel braking is a serious flaw in most of our Chinese minis. Take a photo of the outside of the drive sprocket.

Once the rain cuts out I will go get some measurements and photos.

 

[LouNY]

I am curious why not import a good used full size excavator from China, like a late model Komatsu, or other well established brand, etc.? Real nice looking machines in the 12 ton range can be had for under $50K US, about 1/3 of a US machine? I wonder what shipping and import fees and rules are? Got to be something, as otherwise, this would be quite common.

They would be just like the older "grey" market tractors that were imported. Lack of parts availability and documentation. And then depending upon the age they would have to have met the emission and safety standards in effect at the time for this country.

 

[kenmac]

They would be just like the older "grey" market tractors that were imported. Lack of parts availability and documentation. And then depending upon the age they would have to have met the emission and safety standards in effect at the time for this country.

I agree, parts and some type of support may be a problem when a problem occurs. When / if I need a part for my Takeuchi, I just drive down to the dealer and pick it up.
If something major were to happen, I can load it up and haul it to their shop for them to repair, or have them come here to repair if It won't load.

There's a lot that can go wrong on these machines . Drive motors, etc, .. Mine has several solenoid switches . On a Chinese brand, where would one purchase things like this ?

 

[flix2032]

That is a "case drain".

The bucket is very different from those that come with the 1-ton-sh minis. I can see tooth holders with replaceable, possibly forged, teeth. The carcass looks thicker. How thick is the side plate?

I am curious about your sprocket drive motors. No wheel braking is a serious flaw in most of our Chinese minis. Take a photo of the outside of the drive sprocket.

Here is a photo of the drive sprocket.

 

[dfkrug]

Here is a photo of the drive sprocket.

Looks like the usual gearoler-type wheel motor. No wheel braking action.

I will bet you do have hyd oil filtration and cooling.