Thinking about a Mini-X ... ?

[Shawn T. W.]

Yeah, I've read of some of your chinese cursed adventures ... but ... your "retired" aren't you?

I ain't got time for field repairs from shoddy work ... Bad enough when it's from my own abuse!

Hit a rock at speed ... Splashed the windshield washer fluid all over me too that it was filled with!

All fixed!

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Make sure you get a good one. I know you read up on my used Kubota mower!

 

[D&D]

What are "pilot controls"?

I've read that some machines have the choice of excavator or backhoe control, and that at a flip of a switch or valve it's somehow a different use of the controls? How does that work?

With pilot controls, the sticks get a low pressure oil which is sent to various valves to tell them when to open/close. This allows for easier operator movements and more precise control without placing an “order of operations” on the activity.

Some machines offer switchable controls, “backhoe pattern” or “excavator pattern”
ISO mode (most common) uses the left stick for swing/stick and right for boom/bucket, while SAE (traditional backhoe) swaps the stick and boom controls.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Thanks!

I was just reading up on that stuff ... I think for my situation it seems the ISO "excavator mode" is what I'd want to operate with . . . As quite often now I'm trying to manipulate both the bucket curl, and pulling the dipper back, with the same stick at the same time ...

Even though I'm familiar with the SAE "BH mode" it will be different enough "environment" as in having controls to the side of the seat, instead of sticks in front ... That I can easily adjust ...

Should be easier than my switching tractors, which I'm getting use to now ... Massey Ferguson hydrostatic controls are two side by side pedals, and throttle is push forward to increase rpm ... Kubota has a "treadle pedal" and throttle is pull back to increase rpm ...

 

[Carl_NH]

Most of the Bobcat, Kubota, JD have a switch for ISO and SAE - and your Massey will be BH controls. You will not like going from one to the other.

 

[D&D]

I never had any instructions on bh use, I did read the manual but most things like you mentioned were not discussed ...

There is a pretty good book out there. Maybe your library has a copy

Operating techniques for the tractor loader backhoe Paperback By Gary J. Ober

Looking for Operating Techniques for the Tractor - Loader - Backhoe? Shop now on buildersbook.com at best prices. Fast and secure shipping.

www.buildersbook.com

 

[D&D]

Would something this size also be able to run a "jackhammer" to bust up "rocks"?

Yes, would it meet expectations, I don’t know

Best Hydraulic Breaker for Mini Excavator (2026 Buyer's Guide)

Complete 2026 guide to buying the best hydraulic breaker for mini excavators. Learn sizing, flow rate compatibility, ROI metrics, and moil vs chisel bit selection.

www.huilianmachine.com

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Unfortunately at this time, and my schedule, I'm rarely in town when they would be open ... Do you think it's worth $50?

Would that knowledge transfer to an excavator?

Right now, my thought is if I get a Mini-X the get to know it ... If it's as great as everyone says it is ... To maybe see If I can convert some of my BH attachments to the Mini-X, then trade my TLB for a slightly bigger TL ...

 

[Shawn T. W.]

The brochure for the Deere 17D (which is the closest to me now) says they take a "breaker" aka "jack hammer" are they gonna shake my teeth loose! I currently have carpal tunnel in both wrists ...

One of the things I like about the 17D is it does have some tail swing, which for my my purposes of digging out in the open seems like a better digger and stability platform, plus it seems to have the option if additional counter balance, and a slightly longer arm option too which the closest to me one also has ...

I'm not sure how to interpret this hydraulic flow capacity stuff ... Is it saying that the pistons on the arms are getting 5.1 GPM per stick? The tracks get 3.3 GPM? And the breaker (or post hole digger) would have the 8.4 GPM?

Looks like it weighs about 4K without an operator in the seat ...

What would be the most likely "wear items" on one with say 2000 hours?

 

[Carl_NH]

Usually the gear pump runs the pilot controls, slew motor, blade, and the piston pumps direct the flow via valves to run the dipper, boom, and bucket, hammer etc.

The aux flow, is for like a hammer will use a portion of the pumps output too, and normally when hammering you may apply downpressure, but your not using other functions.

Wear items are pins and bushings in the bucket linkage mostly - they aren't too bad to replace - really depends on the operator and how it was treated. Running a hammer does create more wear just due to the nature of hammering.

 

[4570Man]

Thanks!

I was just reading up on that stuff ... I think for my situation it seems the ISO "excavator mode" is what I'd want to operate with . . . As quite often now I'm trying to manipulate both the bucket curl, and pulling the dipper back, with the same stick at the same time ...

Even though I'm familiar with the SAE "BH mode" it will be different enough "environment" as in having controls to the side of the seat, instead of sticks in front ... That I can easily adjust ...

Should be easier than my switching tractors, which I'm getting use to now ... Massey Ferguson hydrostatic controls are two side by side pedals, and throttle is push forward to increase rpm ... Kubota has a "treadle pedal" and throttle is pull back to increase rpm ...

I run my excavator on backhoe just because I owned backhoes first and learned on that. A lot of guys get heated about the control pattern but it makes zero difference. It’s completely operator preference.