People who say it won't work or last are the same people who don't understand machinery to the core components.. Welded steel, hydraulic components, gas engine.. not much to go wrong and what does can more than likely be fixed by a competent human being.
I have one, a bit bigger (1,2t) and it is great. No need to call someone to do the work around the house as I can do it all on my own! Totally worth it.
I also have a M.E from China....But had it upgraded with a Kubota diesel engine and a widened track base for more stability (which can very easily be undone for them tight jobs).....AWESOME machine....Daily use for hours...About 1500 hrs by now with minimal cost.
You might not see it, but here's a tip for pulling out stumps, put the teeth of the bucket behind them, then curl the bucket in, push the stick out and lower the boom, what happens is you'll use the bucket as a lever and basically pushing the back into the ground causing the teeth to come up. We use this in demolition to pull out stuff that's ridiculously big or strong and it's insane what kind of force you can create like this
Have a Machpro MP-15 with roughly 50 hours on it so far, bought the accessory pack, "$1500 well spent", had 8", ripper, rake 30" sand bucket, post hole digger with 10 and 16" screws, gripper and the fast change attachment. Went and bought a $450 cyckle bar attachment several weeks later. Made a home built attachment to work with the quick attachment to rotate the cyckle bar to go verticle close to the cab, works outstandingly for trimming hedges. All and all I have a grand total investment of just under $8K. So far the only issue with the Excavator has been a gas tank banjo fitting issue, simple remove 4 Allen Screws and you are there. Oil changes are not bad at all, but checking the oil is a real pain. Installed a rear camara, removed the brail backup issue, along with a level gauge, total investment $15.00 as bought on ebay. Am working on installing a engine bay cooling fan, cab can get warm, however in the winter it makes it real cozy. If you can do simple maintenance, they are a great buy and the hydraulic controls take some time to work in.
I actually owned the bigger Magnatrac (MH5000) with the loader and hoe, before I got my 1.5 tonne Landscape Buddy (Chinese excavator). Without a doubt, the excavator is the better machine. I have a Kubota diesel in mine as well as hydraulic thumb, a ripper tooth, 3 buckets, swing boom, pilot controls, and a power auger. I ordered it last spring and got it last summer. The grand total including all the accessories, freight to the west coast of Canada, taxes, brokerage, etc. was about $12,500 USD. I have used it to clear and excavate a carport site, auger holes for concrete anchors, dig out stumps, clean out unwanted pond vegetation, and dig drainage ditches. It is a lot fun too!
Hi David, how did you find importing this machine to the west coast? I would like to get some more info, if I can chat with you. I am located in Vancouver. Thanks
Why do you need/want a swing boom if the house pivots? I understand it on a backhoe, but not an excavator. Seems like it would make the boom weaker and loose rigidity at the bucket due to slop in all the extra pivot points adding up.
@@bf19881988 well there ya go. Machine seems good enough and good enough is good enough where as perfect usually cost too much, takes too long and is a pain in the ass.
Good option to use around the house in the hills. I'd use it to build motocross and mountain bike tracks, clearing and cleaning branches to prep an area for a shed, and maintaining roads to lay gravel.
Scale and use. This is not a commercial use machine, sure. But for bigger home / reno use, small contractor use, etc., this is a pretty easy short term solution for smaller jobs. I'm an electrician, trenching by hand or sub contract is way too expensive. Love the video, but hey, the best way to show up your detractors is not with a middle finger, but just with results !!
Something like a Kubota BX23 would be a better choice for small land owner than the Magnatrack , as it does mowing and all sorts of 3 point hitch attachments. A small mini excavator plus a sub compact or compact class tractor makes the most sense.
I love my BX25! Closing in on 900 hours, no problems. Run a blower, mower, tiller and box blade as well. Plus Kubota is always offering 0% financing on them.
I’ve got a 1023e that does a lot of great work. The Chinese mini-x look like lots of fun though. I’d probably buy a cheap mini x vs a backhoe attachment for my subcompact.
They are some cool little excavators and have their place or else they wouldn’t be produced anyway, im loving the fact they have nearly 0 safeties to fault and leave you sitting but as you said….it weeds out the stupid ones that need warnings on laundry soap😂
Same setup we had and used the dump trailer to haul the mini x But I am going to downgrade to a 1 ton Chinese machine with a 10 hp diesel this week will post updates
I bought one and have over 300 hours now and im keeping removing loose bolts and putting on lock tight on them bolts, major bolts too, all the bolts that holts the sprocket on, all bolts that holds the house on the frame, all 4 bolts for the swing motor, 2 hydraulic lines from rubbing, bucket pins has more play in it than it should be, tracks are easy to fall off if not level ground….. oh and the key switch as the water just goes in it wen it rains and ruins them quick! right now i have a wiring issue, starts with the key if i remove the coil wire, dead if i reconnect it Get ready, you have some work to do on it soon
300hrs ÷ 8 hrs rental time per rental × $1,000 reach rental = $37,500. And that's still a lot cheaper than what you're going to pay renting it. I don't think I would put 300 hrs on it in my lifetime. If you're using it for your career, probably better to go with a name brand. Maybe. But definitely better than renting one if you need it for a week!!
@diftoyota That's my point I don't have $37000 worth of work around my property, so I'm going to do what I need to long before the bolts start loosening. So, Whatever problems occur 300 hours I will have definitely saved money by just buying it rather than renting it.
You gonna ask what are the main components, if they adopted will made components then go ahead no matter what was the country make it , if it has cummins kubota isuzu etcs engine and kawazaki hydraulic pump or any other good brand then go ahead
Keep us updated on it long term. I'm really thinking about one for around our farm. I'd probably get a groundhog just for ease of purchase but basically the same thing.
Owner of a 2022 Groundhog ZH20D, the worse to happen so far was the tracks needed constant snugging up till around 75 hours. Over 100 hours when l parked it for the winter. Had l waited till 2023 models were out l would have gone with the ZH25D with it's longer reach and higher dump plus updated hydraulics hook ups. And the Groundhogs come in different colors. 😀
I have a Groundhog KH14G. I only have 10hrs on it, but I love it. Super powerful for its size. All the bolts need tightening and get yourself some blue locktite. I had two o-rings that had to be replaced because they were put in pinched, but all little minor break in pains. Other than that it's a nice homeowner piece of equipment.
the only thing about these that NEVER GETS SAID. These machines dont have parking brake function. meaning if you point the tracks downhill, you are going downhill. Commercial brand excavators are not like this. Now i know there is some fancy term for whatever this hydraulic thing is called...im no expert. This is just a difference i noticed between my machine and one of these china machines. It can be unsafe if you are not aware of it, or expect it to act like a micro yanmar or kubota that everyone is so hot to compare these too
I’m glad I don’t have to pick either of these cheap options…. I have a kubota M59. I do however really enjoy seeing these little things doing some work and getting tested out
regardless of your budget, its nice to see all of the market options. most people don't have it as good as us. Its nice to be in a position that im able to educate potential buyers working with this budget!
How is getting normal wear parts? I guess as long as parts are readily available it's a good way to get your foot in the door with a piece of equipment.
Have you gotten any different size buckets for it yet? If so, where did you get it? Id like to get an 8” but am waiting for some positive feedback about vendors.
If it was complete garbage they would not be able to sell it in China....or anywhere for that matter. I have bought some Chinese products from Alibaba. To be honest I have had mixed results. Full disclosure ,using 20/20 hindsight I find that when I have been disappointed I was expecting far too much for the dollar spent....at the end of the day you get what you pay for. That said even when I have been disappointed I have been able to make it work Good vids so far. Keep us posted
Is that a magnatrack in the background? Nice….. I like the idea of those little Chinese excavators, that’s the right price point for what’s being done with it.
Honestly nowadays if you buy Chinese stuffs, you get more than you pay for. Keep that in mind, a lot of "American" brands are actually made in China in whole or in parts. Some people can't get out of their bubbles. Good for you guys keep your mind open. The costs of machineries make huge differences for small businesses. That's why I completely get lost in the logic of a trade war.
i've had dreams about these mini excavators ever since i got to drive a 14 ton cat excavator :D i hate digging holes. but to do it in a machine is a wet dream for me :D
I've got a Ford 120 and a Magnatrac. The Magnatrac is really just a fun toy. The grandkids destroy my yard with it when they come over. I fix it when they leave with the Ford and a Gannon. I seriously am looking at the mini ex for the next purchase. Torn on size. Small is inexpensive and easy to transport. Larger would be faster to use but far more costly for the limited usage.
Great vid, I'm sold, I need one of these rigs for my small place, I've about 14 acres. I'm curious, what type of attachments are available for these things if any? Thanks a lot.
We paid more paid 11500. Time you pay taxs.that the price you can get at groundhog. Or may pay less The only problem I have had is the left track. It has come off 3 or 4 times. So make sure to tighten them really snug. Mine is a ht10B. I did buy some new attachments. I'm going to be doing some videos on the new stuff soon. I have had a few close calls my self. You have to just be safe
I am looking at buying one. I have a project thats 60 hours of work to put on this thing right after i buy it. Current math is after 150 hours, it will have paid for itself. Most if what id be using it for is digging in soft ground so as long as i dont have to sink a ton of money into it befor 200 hours, i think this is a decent investment
This excavator doesn't work at all. It sells for 2,000 dollars in China! All the garbage parts are piled up! The action is like a patient with cerebral thrombosis. Constant oil leakage, screw loss, gear hydraulic pump life is only 200 hours! The life of structural parts is up to 300 hours! I am surrounded by middlemen who export to the United States! Cheating Americans!
So the machine has 9 work hours that have paid 1/4 of the cost of the unit. Unit has 100 hours on it, so the other 91 hours didn’t pay a dime? Great videos, thanks for the updates.
All of the others hours were testing it and personal use and just messing around. I never bought it to use for making money. Hence why I sold it to a friend
These little machines are not TOYS! I have a 1 ton mini from China for my 1 acre property and it never let's me down...changed my entire property and saved tens of thousands just buying the excavator instead of hiring a company to do the work!
We looked at the Chinese mini excavator on e-bay. $7500-$8000, 3000 lbs, mechanical thumb, RELIABLE Briggs and Stratton engine, but the digging depth is only 5' 4''. In North Dakota our water lines need to be 8' deep to meet code, so it wouldn't work for us.
I'm so glad it works well for you. I'm concerned with getting on some website, ordering from china, and waiting for it to arrive. Not to mention finding a shipping depot to pick it up at.
@@khrisyeet8022 For the price last year l didn't even try to haggle. Due to supply train issues there was a delivery problem at the time and l wanted the machine more than l wanted the deposit back. When my transport guy got to my place with it Nick had more than sweetened the pot as a Thank You. He's a good guy in my eye is what will l tell you. You can try to haggle the price but remember he has already upgraded the machines with hydraulic thumb and a better engine plus a few other goodies. Good luck and enjoy. If l could afford an updated machine today l wouldn't hesitate to call him.
Tools are aimed at and used in two areas of life. One with the DIYer and one with a tradesman. The DIYer often has all the time in the world, not doing major jobs etc.. and such equipment like this Chiense digger is great from them. Even tools out of Aldi etc.. But the tradesman needs tools that last, but more importantly, gets the job done quickly, safely, and neatly. Time is money and work is often priced per square metre, linear metre etc.. so your profit comes from speed. So the tools a tradesman uses cost an awful lot more than the DIY tools.
These machines are fine but you very quickly reach their limitations, their actions are erratic and in the wrong hands, lethal. Far better to double the weight, up to 2 ton, two or more hydraulic pumps and a three cylinder engine. You can easily transport on trailer and with maintenance last far longer. Prepare to be disappointed if you expect long life coupled with hard work. Chinese machines are getting much better and subject to politics, they’re her for a while. Once a major part fails however, you are stumped and to get it shipped from China will cost a great deal. Try to buy from a registered and approved dealer with parts backup. Fir instance we waited three months for a thumb attachment. If you’re in the business to make money, don’t go for a Chinese manufactured 1 ton, single cylinder, single hydraulic pump excavator. For occasional or light 13:50 use they are perfect.
I would just use my lawnmower to pull the trailer. I have a little dumper rigged up using an old wheelbarrow with no wheels or handles inside a little trailer. It's saved me from using 5 gallon buckets to haul dirt
Had to dig a trench in dry hard clay and the machine didn’t have the weight in it to dig. Rented a ditch witch and even it had a hard time digging the clay. Even harder time than the time I ditched witched through sandstone.
my brother pushes snow with his mini 1.2 excavator using a home built snow bucket. also has a front attached bush hog shredder , snow blower and tiller. just drive in reverse when tilling. almost forgot , the mower that attaches to the digger arm. many other home built attachment. use your imagination. 👍✌✌👌
The few times in life I rented something like this the fees were reasonable. But these days they charge a fortune and have all sorts of extra fees and $100 delivery fee for the 4 mile drive. Thinking about just buying Chinese and taking my sweet time on my landscaping and sell it afterwards.
Yeah people put down these china made machines but they do stand up well for its price. I have contractors bugging me left right and center on when I'm going to have my mini ex's for rent or sale .
i got those same lights on my bobcat. took an extra one and mounted it to a dewalt "power wheels" 20v battery adapter. makes a bad ass little portable work light!!
Yeah I've only got 20 hours on mine but they're pretty hard hours on a job site. Just like you said it's not the machine to run day in and day out but they're very strong for their size
it must be Agt, this brand use fake Briggs&Stratton engine,and declares fake low value with custom,that's why it goes to auctions at low prices. You will see often problems with the engine.
I believe they have their place but I have cleared land by hand faster than that little excavator, with that being said if you are not wanting to labor so much and operate machinery to save your back (understandably) I can see taking your time and working as desired. From a get it done standpoint a bush hog or I think a skid steer would have been a better option. Still I enjoyed your video informative.
You should tell your buddy to get a four foot section of one inch C channel, and four long bolt. Taking fifteen to thirty minutes to pop the seat off cut the C channel to the length of the seat rails mark the hole on both C channel drill through over size the one side so the bolt goes through and the head sits inside the channel then mark for a second set of hole a inch to inch an half from the mounting holes and install the c channel with the channel out so a wrench can slip on the bolt heads. With the one inch space under the seat he shouldn't feel the engine heat any more. Or very little.
My cat track loader with the grapple bucket would have finished this faster without the time lapse. 😆 just kidding I think it's great you can find value with the Chinese mini
@@ashleighelizabeth5916 I’ve seen them in NorCal, SoCal, Chicago, NJ, and Florida. Just bought mine brand new for $3800 after taxes and fees. Bidadoo auction on eBay, no reserve.
perhaps you want too little from this unit? it's assembled from standard subassemblies, there's nothing in it that can't be reinforced with a welder, and the engine, from the sound of it, is a Lifan at 13hp (probably), and its big brothers easily run thousands of hours on floating all-terrain vehicles with hydraulic body buckling. So why should 100 hours with long pauses be surprising?
Well you get all the negative Nancys on these videos in the comment section swearing it's going to break in a couple of hours of use so that's why CCs are making vids like this one.
Just my two cents here. I own a commercial excavation company, been doing so for 20 years. I operate 32 different types and sizes of equipment. In my trade, you learn very quickly three things, or you waste tons of time and money. 1) buy equipment that is as universal as budget will afford 2) buy equipment on track record and serviceability 3) operational safety is paramount. For any homeowner or small project contractor, I feel the two represented in this video are a waste of money, dangerous beyond belief and not meant for long service life’s. Goo luck sourcing parts or service. To substitute the two, one compact backhoe loader would run circles around the two and in resale, would cost little in the long run. My smallest piece of equipment is a Kubota B26, with a BH92 hoe attachment. For 12-16” trenching down to 4 feet, it works much faster than mini excavators. With its thumb, it is capable of lifting 2000 pounds. The loader has the quick attach bucket, so I can go from bucket to forks, grapple, pile driver or root take in minutes. I bought it used at auction for $18500 a year and a half ago. It’s worth 20-23 thousand today. Seriously consider the safety aspect as well. The b26 comes with a full ROPS cage, built to withstand a full upside rollover, along with a restraint lap belt that works. Its slope stability is better than a mini excavator. Do your research, don’t buy toys. In the end you’ll appreciate the difference.
Depends on the situation, buying used can be junk too. A quality machine is better in the long run ofcourse, but spending 30k and than have to pay the intrest rate it becomes to expensive if you dont use it enough hours per year. Than it is cheaper to dig manual. Or you get a chinese one, compared to an used quality one they are easy to repair, since they dont use any specialist part. A shitty car is better than nice shoes. Same goes for excavators and shovels.
You show me a human that can pick up 500 pounds and move it for 6 hours per day 5 days a week for less than 500 dollars per year for 5 years and ill hire them. I'm ordering one and the 360° log grapple. Fire wood is about to get easier.
People who say it won't work or last are the same people who don't understand machinery to the core components..
Welded steel, hydraulic components, gas engine.. not much to go wrong and what does can more than likely be fixed by a competent human being.
I have one, a bit bigger (1,2t) and it is great. No need to call someone to do the work around the house as I can do it all on my own! Totally worth it.
Hello friend, may I know the brand of your excavator?
@@郭晓东-b2t I am not sure but I think it is NTS.
I also have a M.E from China....But had it upgraded with a Kubota diesel engine and a widened track base for more stability (which can very easily be undone for them tight jobs).....AWESOME machine....Daily use for hours...About 1500 hrs by now with minimal cost.
Thanks for sharing, I'm thinking of getting AGT mini excavator
Could you point a fellow in the right direction for wide
Widening the tracks?
@@tristenpreston6443I’d like to know too!
You might not see it, but here's a tip for pulling out stumps, put the teeth of the bucket behind them, then curl the bucket in, push the stick out and lower the boom, what happens is you'll use the bucket as a lever and basically pushing the back into the ground causing the teeth to come up. We use this in demolition to pull out stuff that's ridiculously big or strong and it's insane what kind of force you can create like this
Spot on mate , as I started reading this I was thinking to myself we do this exact thing in demo work lol
I have literally only dozens of hours behind heavy machines and I have found this out. I feel for folks that don't have the innate mechanical aptitude
That insane force also go back to the machine. If the hydraulic piston is extended, so only a small part of it is inside the cylinder, it can bend.
Have a Machpro MP-15 with roughly 50 hours on it so far, bought the accessory pack, "$1500 well spent", had 8", ripper, rake 30" sand bucket, post hole digger with 10 and 16" screws, gripper and the fast change attachment. Went and bought a $450 cyckle bar attachment several weeks later. Made a home built attachment to work with the quick attachment to rotate the cyckle bar to go verticle close to the cab, works outstandingly for trimming hedges. All and all I have a grand total investment of just under $8K. So far the only issue with the Excavator has been a gas tank banjo fitting issue, simple remove 4 Allen Screws and you are there. Oil changes are not bad at all, but checking the oil is a real pain. Installed a rear camara, removed the brail backup issue, along with a level gauge, total investment $15.00 as bought on ebay. Am working on installing a engine bay cooling fan, cab can get warm, however in the winter it makes it real cozy. If you can do simple maintenance, they are a great buy and the hydraulic controls take some time to work in.
I actually owned the bigger Magnatrac (MH5000) with the loader and hoe, before I got my 1.5 tonne Landscape Buddy (Chinese excavator). Without a doubt, the excavator is the better machine. I have a Kubota diesel in mine as well as hydraulic thumb, a ripper tooth, 3 buckets, swing boom, pilot controls, and a power auger. I ordered it last spring and got it last summer. The grand total including all the accessories, freight to the west coast of Canada, taxes, brokerage, etc. was about $12,500 USD. I have used it to clear and excavate a carport site, auger holes for concrete anchors, dig out stumps, clean out unwanted pond vegetation, and dig drainage ditches. It is a lot fun too!
Hi David, how did you find importing this machine to the west coast? I would like to get some more info, if I can chat with you. I am located in Vancouver. Thanks
@@jamesy8613 Sure, no problem. Message me on Facebook and we can exchange phone numbers.
Which supplier did you purchase from?
Why do you need/want a swing boom if the house pivots? I understand it on a backhoe, but not an excavator. Seems like it would make the boom weaker and loose rigidity at the bucket due to slop in all the extra pivot points adding up.
With that price i can buy 2nd hand excavator. Komatsu pc200-8 from china
I have the same unit. Kept over heating when run hard on hot days.
I installed a 12" rad fan on the right hand side.
Did it help?
It did, yes
@@bf19881988 well there ya go. Machine seems good enough and good enough is good enough where as perfect usually cost too much, takes too long and is a pain in the ass.
Good option to use around the house in the hills. I'd use it to build motocross and mountain bike tracks, clearing and cleaning branches to prep an area for a shed, and maintaining roads to lay gravel.
I bought one for my Pizza shop to make dough .
@@holdurhorse9149 thats a hell of a gimmick that I would travel to see, let me get a large cheese pizza.
Scale and use. This is not a commercial use machine, sure. But for bigger home / reno use, small contractor use, etc., this is a pretty easy short term solution for smaller jobs. I'm an electrician, trenching by hand or sub contract is way too expensive. Love the video, but hey, the best way to show up your detractors is not with a middle finger, but just with results !!
Something like a Kubota BX23 would be a better choice for small land owner than the Magnatrack , as it does mowing and all sorts of 3 point hitch attachments. A small mini excavator plus a sub compact or compact class tractor makes the most sense.
I certainly don't disagree! there's just something about a small track machine that brings me joy
There's something about keeping the 30grand in your account as well
Bx23s you could buy like 3 of these little excavators lol
I love my BX25! Closing in on 900 hours, no problems. Run a blower, mower, tiller and box blade as well. Plus Kubota is always offering 0% financing on them.
I’ve got a 1023e that does a lot of great work. The Chinese mini-x look like lots of fun though. I’d probably buy a cheap mini x vs a backhoe attachment for my subcompact.
They are some cool little excavators and have their place or else they wouldn’t be produced anyway, im loving the fact they have nearly 0 safeties to fault and leave you sitting but as you said….it weeds out the stupid ones that need warnings on laundry soap😂
Mini excavator and dump trailer are the best combo IMO. I have a takeuchi tb035 and abu 14k dump trailer and it's the perfect combo for me.
Same setup we had and used the dump trailer to haul the mini x
But I am going to downgrade to a 1 ton Chinese machine with a 10 hp diesel this week will post updates
I'm looking at getting a Chinese mini-ex this spring. Mostly to use on my recreational property, make some trails, etc.
😂Baby, hello
I bought one and have over 300 hours now and im keeping removing loose bolts and putting on lock tight on them bolts, major bolts too, all the bolts that holts the sprocket on, all bolts that holds the house on the frame, all 4 bolts for the swing motor, 2 hydraulic lines from rubbing, bucket pins has more play in it than it should be, tracks are easy to fall off if not level ground….. oh and the key switch as the water just goes in it wen it rains and ruins them quick! right now i have a wiring issue, starts with the key if i remove the coil wire, dead if i reconnect it
Get ready, you have some work to do on it soon
Why don't you post a video for it?
300hrs ÷ 8 hrs rental time per rental × $1,000 reach rental = $37,500.
And that's still a lot cheaper than what you're going to pay renting it. I don't think I would put 300 hrs on it in my lifetime. If you're using it for your career, probably better to go with a name brand. Maybe. But definitely better than renting one if you need it for a week!!
@@geyang7126 i do on my channel
@@ItsAllApsyop you really have 37,500$ worth of work around your property? I told my wife the same story 😅
@diftoyota That's my point I don't have $37000 worth of work around my property, so I'm going to do what I need to long before the bolts start loosening. So, Whatever problems occur 300 hours I will have definitely saved money by just buying it rather than renting it.
I built a large clip on front blade for my minix to push snow, grade, move gravel around. It's slow but pushed a 4 foot 4wheeler plow just fine.
How about a mini Chinese dozer? We certainly could find something cheaper than the magnatrack
You gonna ask what are the main components, if they adopted will made components then go ahead no matter what was the country make it , if it has cummins kubota isuzu etcs engine and kawazaki hydraulic pump or any other good brand then go ahead
Keep us updated on it long term. I'm really thinking about one for around our farm. I'd probably get a groundhog just for ease of purchase but basically the same thing.
Owner of a 2022 Groundhog ZH20D, the worse to happen so far was the tracks needed constant snugging up till around 75 hours. Over 100 hours when l parked it for the winter. Had l waited till 2023 models were out l would have gone with the ZH25D with it's longer reach and higher dump plus updated hydraulics hook ups. And the Groundhogs come in different colors. 😀
Groundhog is what I would look at. You can call and talk to someone. That's who I call when I need information or parts for mine.
I have a Groundhog KH14G. I only have 10hrs on it, but I love it. Super powerful for its size. All the bolts need tightening and get yourself some blue locktite. I had two o-rings that had to be replaced because they were put in pinched, but all little minor break in pains. Other than that it's a nice homeowner piece of equipment.
the only thing about these that NEVER GETS SAID. These machines dont have parking brake function. meaning if you point the tracks downhill, you are going downhill. Commercial brand excavators are not like this. Now i know there is some fancy term for whatever this hydraulic thing is called...im no expert. This is just a difference i noticed between my machine and one of these china machines. It can be unsafe if you are not aware of it, or expect it to act like a micro yanmar or kubota that everyone is so hot to compare these too
It’s exactly the same thing, it’s just rebranded
You think it can pull 2500 pounds trailer around the yard ? Would be good for moving it in tight spaces thanks
Yes, absolutely
where do you or would you get the repairing parts for this excavator?
These things get hot, Too hot. I boiled the gas in mine. Installed 2 fans in the engine compartment and that cured the issue (for now)
I’m glad I don’t have to pick either of these cheap options…. I have a kubota M59. I do however really enjoy seeing these little things doing some work and getting tested out
regardless of your budget, its nice to see all of the market options. most people don't have it as good as us. Its nice to be in a position that im able to educate potential buyers working with this budget!
@@dig_it_starnes5222 your testing is very practical and there is definitely a place for these machines with certain people. Keep up the good work!!
Is there a snowblower attachment for this?
I am the rough in guy for plumbers around here. Awsome gig lol.
Just posted a video of me running one of these little excavators with the TMK150 tree sheer. Crazy how productive these things can be.
I love the fact it has no szfety features. I like old school ,achines with no frills
I found over the years, every tool has it's place, cheap or expensive. Cheap tools are great for low use, less than renting sometimes.
How is getting normal wear parts? I guess as long as parts are readily available it's a good way to get your foot in the door with a piece of equipment.
Have you gotten any different size buckets for it yet? If so, where did you get it? Id like to get an 8” but am waiting for some positive feedback about vendors.
If it was complete garbage they would not be able to sell it in China....or anywhere for that matter. I have bought some Chinese products from Alibaba. To be honest I have had mixed results. Full disclosure ,using 20/20 hindsight I find that when I have been disappointed I was expecting far too much for the dollar spent....at the end of the day you get what you pay for. That said even when I have been disappointed I have been able to make it work
Good vids so far. Keep us posted
Is that a magnatrack in the background? Nice…..
I like the idea of those little Chinese excavators, that’s the right price point for what’s being done with it.
Honestly nowadays if you buy Chinese stuffs, you get more than you pay for. Keep that in mind, a lot of "American" brands are actually made in China in whole or in parts. Some people can't get out of their bubbles. Good for you guys keep your mind open. The costs of machineries make huge differences for small businesses. That's why I completely get lost in the logic of a trade war.
I'd recommend buying a used mini backhoe like a Terramite.
Cheaper, built strong and can do way more work
I checked pricing; these min excavators cost $6,000 new and a used Terramite is in the $15,000 range.
What’s the deepest trench you could probably dig with one of those Chinese mini excavators?
On the first video he thought it would go down 6'.
I have an AGT 12 and it digs 56” deep
i've had dreams about these mini excavators ever since i got to drive a 14 ton cat excavator :D i hate digging holes. but to do it in a machine is a wet dream for me :D
I've got a Ford 120 and a Magnatrac. The Magnatrac is really just a fun toy. The grandkids destroy my yard with it when they come over. I fix it when they leave with the Ford and a Gannon.
I seriously am looking at the mini ex for the next purchase. Torn on size. Small is inexpensive and easy to transport. Larger would be faster to use but far more costly for the limited usage.
Great vid, I'm sold, I need one of these rigs for my small place, I've about 14 acres. I'm curious, what type of attachments are available for these things if any? Thanks a lot.
You think the bobcat e10 is a waste of money? I’d like to dig small trench across my place, and maybe put in some French drains
We paid more paid 11500. Time you pay taxs.that the price you can get at groundhog. Or may pay less The only problem I have had is the left track. It has come off 3 or 4 times. So make sure to tighten them really snug.
Mine is a ht10B. I did buy some new attachments. I'm going to be doing some videos on the new stuff soon.
I have had a few close calls my self. You have to just be safe
Can these run a vibratory hammer?
@A F are you talking a concreat breaker to hammer concreat. If so yes.
Sheeesh!! I bought mine with 2 attachments for 4k. But I live in cali near the coast so the shipping was only $500
@@jtsokiehobbyandadventures6666 driving pvc seawall sheet and pilings into mud/sand.
I have a video of me running a breaker hammer when I first got it on my channel.
Do you have trouble with the tracks coming off?
How much fuel does it go thru?
I am looking at buying one. I have a project thats 60 hours of work to put on this thing right after i buy it. Current math is after 150 hours, it will have paid for itself. Most if what id be using it for is digging in soft ground so as long as i dont have to sink a ton of money into it befor 200 hours, i think this is a decent investment
This excavator doesn't work at all. It sells for 2,000 dollars in China! All the garbage parts are piled up! The action is like a patient with cerebral thrombosis. Constant oil leakage, screw loss, gear hydraulic pump life is only 200 hours! The life of structural parts is up to 300 hours! I am surrounded by middlemen who export to the United States! Cheating Americans!
So the machine has 9 work hours that have paid 1/4 of the cost of the unit. Unit has 100 hours on it, so the other 91 hours didn’t pay a dime? Great videos, thanks for the updates.
All of the others hours were testing it and personal use and just messing around. I never bought it to use for making money. Hence why I sold it to a friend
The ROPS on these look useless, other than the small shield from perfectly vertical rain and sun. I'm not surprised it's removed.
Did you ever reset the bucket teeth you picked out in the first video??
These little machines are not TOYS! I have a 1 ton mini from China for my 1 acre property and it never let's me down...changed my entire property and saved tens of thousands just buying the excavator instead of hiring a company to do the work!
What brand/model is that chinese mini excavator?
Thanks
Certainly better than doing it by hand👍
Put some foil backed insulation under the seat to stop it from getting the seat hot. If you make it removable might be plus if used in cold weather
My trailer is a bit tall, so the ramps are steeper than a typical beaver tail. Maybe 30-40% grade. How steep can this safely climb?
I see them advertised at 30%
We looked at the Chinese mini excavator on e-bay. $7500-$8000, 3000 lbs, mechanical thumb, RELIABLE Briggs and Stratton engine, but the digging depth is only 5' 4''. In North Dakota our water lines need to be 8' deep to meet code, so it wouldn't work for us.
Right, because it wouldn't be worth benching the machine down 3 ft to hit your 8 ft depth
@@snicklefritzd3612 Idk about you guys, but in Australia I think its against the law to not bench a trench that is greater than 5ft in depth.
What's a ground rough....?
I'm so glad it works well for you. I'm concerned with getting on some website, ordering from china, and waiting for it to arrive. Not to mention finding a shipping depot to pick it up at.
Depending on where your located maybe check out Hackenburg Equipment. Nick is a pretty smart cookie.
@@normhowes2975 Thank you. I went on his site. He's not super far for me. I'm in Kentucky. Is the price firm or can you negotiate a little?
@@khrisyeet8022 For the price last year l didn't even try to haggle. Due to supply train issues there was a delivery problem at the time and l wanted the machine more than l wanted the deposit back. When my transport guy got to my place with it Nick had more than sweetened the pot as a Thank You.
He's a good guy in my eye is what will l tell you. You can try to haggle the price but remember he has already upgraded the machines with hydraulic thumb and a better engine plus a few other goodies. Good luck and enjoy. If l could afford an updated machine today l wouldn't hesitate to call him.
Tools are aimed at and used in two areas of life. One with the DIYer and one with a tradesman.
The DIYer often has all the time in the world, not doing major jobs etc.. and such equipment like this Chiense digger is great from them. Even tools out of Aldi etc..
But the tradesman needs tools that last, but more importantly, gets the job done quickly, safely, and neatly. Time is money and work is often priced per square metre, linear metre etc.. so your profit comes from speed. So the tools a tradesman uses cost an awful lot more than the DIY tools.
These machines are fine but you very quickly reach their limitations, their actions are erratic and in the wrong hands, lethal. Far better to double the weight, up to 2 ton, two or more hydraulic pumps and a three cylinder engine. You can easily transport on trailer and with maintenance last far longer. Prepare to be disappointed if you expect long life coupled with hard work. Chinese machines are getting much better and subject to politics, they’re her for a while. Once a major part fails however, you are stumped and to get it shipped from China will cost a great deal. Try to buy from a registered and approved dealer with parts backup. Fir instance we waited three months for a thumb attachment. If you’re in the business to make money, don’t go for a Chinese manufactured 1 ton, single cylinder, single hydraulic pump excavator. For occasional or light 13:50 use they are perfect.
A lawn mower sized dump trailer with a hitch on your blade would make the mini ex capable of moving some material over distance! That would be cool
I would just use my lawnmower to pull the trailer. I have a little dumper rigged up using an old wheelbarrow with no wheels or handles inside a little trailer. It's saved me from using 5 gallon buckets to haul dirt
Excavators, even named brand ones are not the best vehicles driving any great distance.
These are one of the best mini excavator for what you pay for them but if you need replacement parts check with groundhog mini excavators
" holding up a finger "🖕 is that it? Lmao great content bud keep it up.
How do you go about getting one of these machines
dieses video bekommt nen oscar!
How does it do with hard ground?
Had to dig a trench in dry hard clay and the machine didn’t have the weight in it to dig. Rented a ditch witch and even it had a hard time digging the clay. Even harder time than the time I ditched witched through sandstone.
my brother pushes snow with his mini 1.2 excavator using a home built snow bucket. also has a front attached bush hog shredder , snow blower and tiller. just drive in reverse when tilling. almost forgot , the mower that attaches to the digger arm. many other home built attachment. use your imagination. 👍✌✌👌
as a recent subscriber that found you via the youtube algorythm, just keep on pumping out these videos. I absolutely love em
Reminds me of when I was little , playing with Tonka’s
you can get a small (not mini) loader backhoe, a bit heavier, for a lower price than the magna, including 4 or 5 accessories lol
Where do you buy them at?
Can you show it action digging a trench?
Awesome 👍.....I want one....best dealer to acquire one from?
May I suggest a video on how to service these fine machines? Keep that Chinese running for a long time.
The few times in life I rented something like this the fees were reasonable. But these days they charge a fortune and have all sorts of extra fees and $100 delivery fee for the 4 mile drive. Thinking about just buying Chinese and taking my sweet time on my landscaping and sell it afterwards.
still goin strong?
Gimme 2 beers, a old f150 with a snow plow i coulda did it in 10mins
Yeah people put down these china made machines but they do stand up well for its price. I have contractors bugging me left right and center on when I'm going to have my mini ex's for rent or sale .
i got those same lights on my bobcat. took an extra one and mounted it to a dewalt "power wheels" 20v battery adapter. makes a bad ass little portable work light!!
Add a 12 volt fan to help cool under the seat
Yeah I've only got 20 hours on mine but they're pretty hard hours on a job site. Just like you said it's not the machine to run day in and day out but they're very strong for their size
It looks like a stop motion video with toys😂 6:22
reminded me of Chorlton and the Wheelies
One year later and this size chinese minis are selling new for less than $2,000 at the local auctions around here.
it must be Agt, this brand use fake Briggs&Stratton engine,and declares fake low value with custom,that's why it goes to auctions at low prices. You will see often problems with the engine.
do a video on the cheap chinese walk behinds and weather you can get attachments for it that are compatible
I have the mini x but orange, it's a tough little guy, very pleased 👍. Haven't seen a magnatrac with a backhoe before, very nice 🧐👍
We could use a little guy like that sometimes. Save some shovel work.
I believe they have their place but I have cleared land by hand faster than that little excavator, with that being said if you are not wanting to labor so much and operate machinery to save your back (understandably) I can see taking your time and working as desired. From a get it done standpoint a bush hog or I think a skid steer would have been a better option. Still I enjoyed your video informative.
A skid steer could clear that land into a pile in one minute.
Can it push over a tree?
I bring these 1 tons to Texas every month.10,500 gets one with Hydraulic thumb,Hydraulic oil cooler,extra 8" Utility bucket,quick change and Auger
I need one. where can I find a website or something?
Do you sell in TN?
@kyang I haven't been able to post personal info on here.Im not sure if it doesn't post because it not allowed
@kyang But here it is fcebok is Dirt pro
It's a matter of cost for small jobs and rare use it's amazing
My wife says “it looks like that guy is riding on a toilet” hahaha
You should tell your buddy to get a four foot section of one inch C channel, and four long bolt. Taking fifteen to thirty minutes to pop the seat off cut the C channel to the length of the seat rails mark the hole on both C channel drill through over size the one side so the bolt goes through and the head sits inside the channel then mark for a second set of hole a inch to inch an half from the mounting holes and install the c channel with the channel out so a wrench can slip on the bolt heads. With the one inch space under the seat he shouldn't feel the engine heat any more. Or very little.
My cat track loader with the grapple bucket would have finished this faster without the time lapse. 😆 just kidding I think it's great you can find value with the Chinese mini
Where did you buy this excavator?
You can find a 1 ton mini excavator for $5-6k all day now. Auctions they are going for $3-4k
Maybe where you live you can. Damn if you can where I live, I've looked.
@@ashleighelizabeth5916 I’ve seen them in NorCal, SoCal, Chicago, NJ, and Florida. Just bought mine brand new for $3800 after taxes and fees. Bidadoo auction on eBay, no reserve.
Good review guys..I was wondering if it was worth buying
Where do I get one from
I just bought one on eBay, won the auction at $3300 and after taxes and fees cost me $3800 out the door, new QH12R
where can i get one?
perhaps you want too little from this unit? it's assembled from standard subassemblies, there's nothing in it that can't be reinforced with a welder, and the engine, from the sound of it, is a Lifan at 13hp (probably), and its big brothers easily run thousands of hours on floating all-terrain vehicles with hydraulic body buckling. So why should 100 hours with long pauses be surprising?
Well you get all the negative Nancys on these videos in the comment section swearing it's going to break in a couple of hours of use so that's why CCs are making vids like this one.
I didn't hear whether you said you have a Diesel Engine in that little Excavator or not. To me, it's either Diesel powered or nothing.
Me and one guy can move 3 yards in 4 hours. Is this really quicker? Seems kinda slow. Not judging just thinking about buying
Be great for digging potatoes.
Just my two cents here. I own a commercial excavation company, been doing so for 20 years. I operate 32 different types and sizes of equipment. In my trade, you learn very quickly three things, or you waste tons of time and money. 1) buy equipment that is as universal as budget will afford 2) buy equipment on track record and serviceability 3) operational safety is paramount.
For any homeowner or small project contractor, I feel the two represented in this video are a waste of money, dangerous beyond belief and not meant for long service life’s. Goo luck sourcing parts or service.
To substitute the two, one compact backhoe loader would run circles around the two and in resale, would cost little in the long run. My smallest piece of equipment is a Kubota B26, with a BH92 hoe attachment. For 12-16” trenching down to 4 feet, it works much faster than mini excavators. With its thumb, it is capable of lifting 2000 pounds. The loader has the quick attach bucket, so I can go from bucket to forks, grapple, pile driver or root take in minutes. I bought it used at auction for $18500 a year and a half ago. It’s worth 20-23 thousand today.
Seriously consider the safety aspect as well. The b26 comes with a full ROPS cage, built to withstand a full upside rollover, along with a restraint lap belt that works. Its slope stability is better than a mini excavator.
Do your research, don’t buy toys. In the end you’ll appreciate the difference.
Depends on the situation, buying used can be junk too.
A quality machine is better in the long run ofcourse, but spending 30k and than have to pay the intrest rate it becomes to expensive if you dont use it enough hours per year.
Than it is cheaper to dig manual.
Or you get a chinese one, compared to an used quality one they are easy to repair, since they dont use any specialist part.
A shitty car is better than nice shoes.
Same goes for excavators and shovels.
Where can I buy one?
You show me a human that can pick up 500 pounds and move it for 6 hours per day 5 days a week for less than 500 dollars per year for 5 years and ill hire them. I'm ordering one and the 360° log grapple. Fire wood is about to get easier.
Gas engine?