Chinese Mini Excavator - Why I chose this model and 1st impressions
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- We bought an AGT LH12R one ton mini excavator, as is and sight unseen, through an online auction. My first real opportunity to check it out this low cost Chinese machine was the morning after we brought it home. I had seen this model before, in person, during inspection at a different auction, so I had already identified 4 key features that this model has, which influenced my decision to bid on this make and model versus the many other brands and styles available at the auctions. In this video I’ll show you these features. You’ll also get to come along on my first walk around inspection, to see the surprises, and hear my first impressions of the machine.
Thanks to @RiverForged on IG for help with the thumbnails!
00:00 - Start
00:09 - My first real opportunity to look it over
01:07 - Features that influenced my choice of this model
01:49 - Minor shipping damage found
02:42 - Hydraulic lines are shielded
04:08 - What is hiding under the floor mat?
06:28 - Engine compartment allows easy access
07:15 - Details of what I paid at auction for this unit
08:20 - The number one feature that sold me on this model
09:04 - My thoughts on the quality of Chinese equipment
09:27 - Check the oil
09:49 - Counter weight
10:08 - Not so easy to refill the fuel tank
10:39 - Work light and fan control
11:09 - Loose nuts and bolts
12:42 - Grease fittings
13:05 - A surprise in the included tool box
15:46 - Final thoughts on the purchase - Навчання та стиль
That model is about $5199 + Tax at dealers where I am from. You got a good deal on it. I noticed that most of the machines our dealers have, each have at least one cosmetic dent or scrape from shipping. I'm sure the pacific isn't very gentle on shipping containers LOL. Very nice video and I hope you enjoy the machine! It is better than using a shovel!
Yes, I used the dealer price plus tax to determine my max bid at the auction. I had to be patient, but after being outbid on several other units, I finally won this auction at less than my max bid. I'm quite happy with the unit so far. We'll have to see if I end up regretting buying it in a way that includes no warranty.
I added a couple extensions to the travel levers and let me tell you with the extra 4 inches made the travel a lot smoother. Even ordered a couple excavator travel lever handles look good and makes it a lot smoother to travel.
I will definitely look into that. Thanks!
I have the exact one and i love mine
I'm glad to hear that! Me, too!
You should be able to find an angled fuel filler adapter you can attach to the top of that tank to clear the hood and give you an easier fill.
I'm definitely shopping for something like that. For now, I am filling a 1.5 gallon red plastic can from my larger can. That is small enough to then reach in and pour without spilling it. Pretty awkward.
You got a very good deal IMO. It has a lot of features my H12 doesn't as you saw at the auction site. I was taking a break and letting mine cool as I type this. Hope you get many years of good service from it. I like the color as well.
Thanks for the comments. Fortunately, most of these beneficial features can be added to an H12, and possibly other models, with a reasonable amount of effort and expense. Thanks for watching. Stay safe!
Been watching vids, and this looks like a very upgraded model. have not bought one yet. A couple of other things I noticed: The blade support looks heavier supports than others. The boom pivots are pins instead of big bolts., the ROPS bars look more substantial. There is a simple screen type filter INSIDE of the hydraulic tank, but the way the cooler is plumbed it is easier to add a real hydraulic filter in line.
A couple of simple mods I have seen were some heat shielding between the motor and fuel tank to keep the fuel from boiling, and adding a short pipe to the exhaust to extrude through the back cover to get the exhaust completely out of the compartment also helps cooling.
Also pretty much every nut on them needs some tightening, especially the nuts that hold the motors that turn the 'house'. Some also had drive motors that would freewheel on a slope but was a different model.
One question, do you tighten you tracks by turning a screw, or are they tightened by adding grease to a ram fitting? I have seen videos that had both.
The track tension is adjusted by screws on the model. That's actually the subject of this week's video. Thanks for those other potential issues you've pointed out. I'll check those areas on mine to see what I can get ahead of.
Harbor Freight has a $12.99 pump to move gas from your five gallon container to fuel tank!. I use it to fuel my my side by side
Thanks. I might have to give that one a try to see if the hose is long enough.
I bought the same LH12R. Love it so far! The only problem I have is the left joystick that rotates the cab isn't calibrated correctly. Pushing the joystick slightly right quickly turns the cab right, but to turn left I have to shove the joystick as hard as I can to the left to get it to slowly rotate left. Do you know if there's a way to adjust that?
I'll keep an eye out for that problem and will post here if I run across a solution. So far, I have zero experience with such adjustments.
Also, I already bought a hydraulic oil filter to add to the unit, but during the hydraulic oil change I opened up the oil tank, and there is already a filter in there. Just FYI.
Cool! I suspected there might be, but I'm glad to hear you confirm it. I haven't dug in there yet.
I like your unit, especially the ease of access to the engine. However, I'm not sure I like the hydraulic lines hidden inside the boom. If ypu ever need to replace a line, it's going to be a chore to accomplish.
I've actually had my eyes on the H12 that you looked at. It's got a counter weight which many of these small excavators do not, plus I like the easy access to the hydraulic lines for maintenance. Yet, I don't like the fact that to work on the motor, or even to change oil, I'd have to remove panels. I guess it's a coin toss.
I'm only 25 miles from the North East Md Richie brothers site, and they've got a big auction coming up in August. I'm going to try for one, assuming I don't find one someplace else first.
Yes, they each have a few pros and cons, but none that I've seen yet that seem insurmountable. Good luck getting one at the August auction. That's cool that you're so close. We just did a 10 hour (each way) run down to the Nashville/Lebanon, TN Ritchie Bros yard to pick up a tilt bucket.
Anyone purchasing a tool from china take note. They use very very low grade oil in shipping these machines. It has to do with volatility that sensors may pick up on the ship. For that reason you are encouraged to change oil and filter BEFORE you dig the first scoop of dirt. Change the oil and filter again BEFORE the 10 hour mark. Many engines have been wiped out for not following these recommendations. Rato engines are sold thru harbor freight. You can get air filters from them, free shipping. Get several oil and Air filters if you have a rato (briggs clone) engine.
Thanks for the info!
What is the make and model of that unit? Looks pretty good, love that access to the engine
It is an AGT LH12R. I suppose I should have mentioned that somewhere 😅
@@thePFOchannel thanks much
Ritchies is buying them wholesale and selling them all over north America along with tons of other stuff.
Whatever is going on, I'm OK with it.
You and I bought the same unit, even the color, also at auction, and paid the exact same amount! I came out at $4,980 including fees and taxes. The auction house is 4 miles from my place, though. Caution: I bought a hydraulic thumb, but it does not fit. That 3 hole mount on the boom is different than all the other models, 50mm hole spacing vs 70mm. I will get a bracket made, should work ok. I am asking a favor: Mine was delivered with the track tensioner locking nuts missing and the tracks keep getting loose and coming off. Would you take one off and tell me size and thread type? I have done about 25 actual work hours over the weekends and it is pretty amazing. Changed oil and hydraulic oil and so far it has been a breeze. Good luck with yours.
Thanks for that warning about the hydraulic thumb. That'll save me some grief. I'll try to figure out what the thread size is for those track tensioners.
I took the side cover off my tracks and it seems mine is also lacking a lock nut on the track tensioners.
@@thePFOchannel Thanks! Maybe a pattern? There is another video channel about the L12, we should ask him as well. I guess I can measure the thread diameter, but the pitch on that rod look different than normal, but I don't know much about bolts.
I got a caliper in there enough to get a rough measurement. It looks like the closest thing is an M24x2.0 mm thread. I ordered a pack of those from Amazon, so I'll let you know if they fit.
@@thePFOchannel Did the lock nut fit, I just threw a track again, looking to pick up these if they worked.
Here is why these are on the auction yard,they bring in cheap attachments and excavators for fluff to get more people to buy over priced clapped out iron.
That is one theory. Thanks for watching!