Buying The Cheapest Excavator I Could Find. How Bad Is It?

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  • Опубліковано 9 гру 2022
  • Buying a 2001 Hitachi EX120 with 3600 Hours on it. Weighs between 26 and 30 thousand LBs

КОМЕНТАРІ • 146

  • @IndependenceIron
    @IndependenceIron Рік тому +31

    Thats an absolute steal. Been looking for another excavator myself. That thing would fetch 25 pretty easy where i am located in midwest. Just saw a Tak145 with 13k hours which is crazy for a mini sell for 22k. A Ex 120 with only 3600 hrs and you paid less than $1/hr is insanity. You better go buy some lottery tickets after being lucky enough to score that deal.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +5

      I definitely agree, I was thinking around 25k is what it’s realistically worth as well. That being said it’s too good of a deal to ever sell it. It’s proof that’s it’s not about what you know, but who you know

    • @rangeandi
      @rangeandi Рік тому +1

      Paid 34k for one last year with 9k hours no thumb either

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +1

      @@rangeandi honestly worth every penny if you need it all the time, I don’t know if I would have got it at market value just due to the fact I didn’t really need one this size

    • @rangeandi
      @rangeandi Рік тому

      @@nathanchurchill used it for a few months this year. Have it sold once the job is done for 40k 🤷‍♂️

    • @patrickjordan7670
      @patrickjordan7670 8 місяців тому

      A bargain of a machine I a zaxis 120_5 hitachi someone painted that machine it was originally orange its either a 03 to 06 year machine very reliable I wouldn't trust them hours on that age machine you can get a heavy equipment mechanic to plug in to it and get the through hours with them Hours that machine should be fast on the hydraulics and as for the engine there bullet pruf. A very popular machine here in Ireland and no problem getting parts for them a great investment good luck with it👍

  • @davemiller3027
    @davemiller3027 Рік тому +20

    Dam I love to find a machine at that price. I could really clean up my ranch with it.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +7

      Proof that deals like that are definitely out there, few and far between but possible, I was blown away myself

    • @vanderumd11
      @vanderumd11 Рік тому +1

      Rent one for a week and get busy

  • @repairfreak
    @repairfreak Рік тому +2

    Wow, what a deal! Even someone like me could even afford that. Very impressed. I also would love to find a deal like that too. Enjoy my friend! Thanks for the video

  • @super6954
    @super6954 Рік тому +5

    Nice find I wish there was something like that round me in Canada for less than 25-30K I got offered a mile of rail bed gravel for less than 15K locally. I think I can sell it but it's got to be dug and hauled that kills the deal if I can't do most of it myself. My buddy priced in his machine to even stock pile it at nearly $21K Canadian for 2 weeks with a driver. Then I need a big dump trailer or 2 on top, but I think I can hire them for 2 weeks to pull with big 4wd farm tractors . Thanks for the video, Take care.

  • @In2investing
    @In2investing Рік тому +9

    Smoking deal, those Hitachi EX 100-120s seem to all run hot, many operators keep the engine bay door open to help with cooling.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +3

      That’s a really good idea! The temps I’ve been recording are still hovering around 190 F, thermostat cycles flawlessly as well. Maybe during the summer is when the problems will begin to show up, the radiator does seem like it would clog fairly easily

  • @KiotiTractorNL
    @KiotiTractorNL Рік тому +1

    great deal love it look forward to more videos of this machine

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Much appreciated! Working on some maintenance videos as well as jobs that we are currently working on. Thanks for the support

  • @Lee-At-Green-Pheonix-Rc
    @Lee-At-Green-Pheonix-Rc Рік тому +4

    Looks like a solid medium machine it will make u more than it cost the undercarriage looks in good shape too u got a sweet deal on that I've seen some go for x3 as much ready for the scrap yard too

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +3

      I’ve gotten a few offers from friends to buy it and I don’t think I will ever sell it any time soon. It can sit 28 days a month and still make money

  • @keaka560
    @keaka560 Рік тому

    Thanks. Also very informative video.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      I appreciate it, I am making more videos of the excavator now that are going more in depth as to what needs to be done and maintenance

  • @destro513
    @destro513 Рік тому +2

    So stoked for you. That is t just a deal. It's the deal of a lifetime. Nice grey market rig

  • @daddywoofdawg
    @daddywoofdawg Рік тому +9

    It's very possible that the Autozone temp gauge or sensor isn't right, maybe temp-wise just fine. I would change that right away and see if that fixes the issue.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +1

      I have a meat thermometer that I use for vent temps for hvac and to read radiator temps, I forgot to mention in the video that I left that in the top of the radiator with the cap off and it read pretty similar temps while the coolant was circulating, I’m definitely going to add a gauge cluster with better quality pieces and most likely a hydraulic fluid temperature as well

  • @chipps1066
    @chipps1066 Рік тому +1

    Amazed you got it bought for that especially at Deere.Hell it will pay for itself on the first job.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Already has! Definitely the find of a lifetime for me and I’m hopeful to find more deals like this in the future

  • @joewong6662
    @joewong6662 Рік тому +1

    Have the radiator checked for blockages

  • @robertgonzalez8419
    @robertgonzalez8419 Рік тому

    And that my friend is a smoking deal may the Lord bless you love to find something like that

  • @rangeandi
    @rangeandi Рік тому

    Solid! This is basically a John Deere 120c, you got a deal on that!

  • @BouncingBaller
    @BouncingBaller Рік тому +7

    The AD said, a fully hydraulic thumb for Hitachi $3500.00 comes with a free excavator.

  • @51sicboy
    @51sicboy Рік тому

    You called it, SMOKIN DEAL!

  • @JBFromOZ
    @JBFromOZ 11 місяців тому

    Pretty awesome! I just paid $6500 for my Poclain 115 20T excavator

  • @nigelstevens3627
    @nigelstevens3627 Рік тому

    great music....

  • @nicksnextproject535
    @nicksnextproject535 Рік тому +1

    Looks like a great deal.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Has been so far, even if it breaks down tomorrow I really can’t complain, thanks for stopping by!

  • @Bungoonafarm
    @Bungoonafarm Рік тому +3

    When you opened the radiator door did you notice all the dirt and debris in the radiator core or screen , this maybe your overheating issue because it’s far worse than you think usually just pressure wash it out

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +1

      Yes I pressure washed it out once I got around to cleaning the whole machine and it was noticeably dirty

  • @Sam-lk6eo
    @Sam-lk6eo Рік тому +2

    Could the coolant resevoir be the reason why it is overheating, Maybe it needs to have some low pressure in the system to cool properly, which it can't do ?

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      The cap that is on it is an 18 LB and I’ve never seen it pop the cap, but I’m putting a new Amazon reservoir on just in case

    • @Sam-lk6eo
      @Sam-lk6eo Рік тому

      @@nathanchurchillHi Nathan, Yeah just a thought, If the resevior has a whole in it, maybe it can't create enough pressure to blow the cap and push coolant around the system ? Good score with the Digger and cool if the new reseviour works, Too easy !.

  • @cal28kim
    @cal28kim Рік тому +3

    A few years back I used to operate a Hitachi ZX 140 W -6 wheeled excavator with a three piece boom. The cab was filled with those grey twiddle switch things for axle locks outriggers blade and multiple different travel settings!! On your walk round it looks like there's no safety pin in your quick hitch!! The back larger diameter hole probably should have a steel pin through with a bucket clip to hold the release mechanism from opening during use. As yours looks probably spring loaded. I've not used this type but safety pins were pretty much standard on this item so just check ✔️.

  • @jasonpearce1651
    @jasonpearce1651 10 місяців тому

    Where do you find one like that for 3,500

  • @dominicharte1549
    @dominicharte1549 Рік тому +1

    I’ve run those old 130s they all over heat on hot days, I keep the engine cover open

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Not a bad idea at all, thank you! I was also thinking about adding a secondary cooler as well

  • @danlivernoche3856
    @danlivernoche3856 Рік тому

    We have a grey machine also 2001 ex130-5 and we have no problem getting parts.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      That’s good to know, that was really one of my main concerns with it. Thank you!

  • @mmaiorano3
    @mmaiorano3 Рік тому +1

    You stole that thing. Amazing deal. Worth well beyond on that I think, even with a few issues

  • @Insulators
    @Insulators Рік тому

    That’s a crazy deal

  • @play4dayzproductions347
    @play4dayzproductions347 Рік тому

    What a steal! You lucky dog

  • @GrizztheForkliftMechanic
    @GrizztheForkliftMechanic Рік тому

    What a steal! It’s as good as free. Almost just throwing you the keys

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      That’s what I’m saying! Pretty damn good deal, thanks for watching

  • @ferguson20diesel49
    @ferguson20diesel49 Рік тому +1

    That's is a z-axis dash 1. Not ex series. 7 roller undercarriage. Sold as zx120 or ZX 130. Plate should be near bottom of that leaky ram. Also you don't need to take ram off to repair it. Bang top pin across and let ram swing down. Replace seals that way. I've a lot of hours put up in a ZX 130 dash 1. They can run hot on a hot day here in ireland. Always have. Always have to keep radiators blew out.

    • @ferguson20diesel49
      @ferguson20diesel49 Рік тому

      Btw 40k dollars is just stupid for an engine. If theres people giving that for engine over there. I'm going move to the us. Become a Hitachi dealer or something.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      This is why UA-cam is awesome! I really appreciate the info especially since I don’t know much about these machines. I’m going to start looking into the ram here soon while it’s the wintertime so we will see how it goes. Certainly a learning curve

  • @mountainmike1685
    @mountainmike1685 Рік тому +1

    Hard to believe $3500.00 that would sell for $35000.00 around here or just about anywhere.

  • @keaka560
    @keaka560 Рік тому

    Did I miss it? Why did you get it for only 3500 for 3000Hrs? I'm look for a pre-owned mini and not to many less than 25K for 3000 hrs work

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      The local John Deere dealership was convinced it had a cracked head and told the owners that it would be $30-40k to fix it, so far there are no signs of a cracked head or overheating

  • @jtsokiehobbyandadventures6666
    @jtsokiehobbyandadventures6666 Рік тому +1

    Blow out radiator with air then wash out. For 3500.can do a lot repair. You have to remember a business be better to buy a new machine and take tax right off rather then tieing up several thousand in this machine.
    There's the old term. One man trash is another man's treasure.

  • @alanragsdale9220
    @alanragsdale9220 Рік тому +1

    You might have hydraulic bypass issues when hot. Check with Hydraulic specialist. Not John Deere Dealership!!!

  • @gordonagent7037
    @gordonagent7037 9 місяців тому

    Looks like a good machine, only thing I could suggest is that you weld some grousers on those flat plate feet she’s got, especially when you will be ,working on uneven sites, probably clay, chances of slipping when walking her or taking a bite are pretty high and believe me that’s a ride you don’t want. Pretty sure you will lick her into place.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  9 місяців тому

      It’s a triple groused with bolt on rubber pads, when we are in mud now I take off every other, or every third pad. It’s the best of both worlds

  • @jayirving6996
    @jayirving6996 Рік тому

    !$3500... lucky bastard! nice machine!!!!

  • @plumber802
    @plumber802 Рік тому

    I gave you a thumbs up for the vintage porn melodies at the beginning of the video. Oh and because you got a shamokin' deal on the excavator.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Gotta love the classics….even if they had too much hair

  • @markescartin1915
    @markescartin1915 Рік тому

    Sounds like runs good! Flip it or keep it?

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +1

      Definitely keeping it! It’s irreplaceable for the price!

    • @markescartin1915
      @markescartin1915 Рік тому

      @@nathanchurchill Just a thought You could purchase a "ripper" AND tear the hell out of stumps?

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      We have been using it for grading and are currently demoing a swim club with it. We demo homes and some fuels mitigation, I have a dozer ripper laying around that would be cool to weld on to a coupler for this machine

  • @sabbie7
    @sabbie7 Рік тому +1

    $3500?! Holy cow that’s cheap and it runs!

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Now at 40 hours of run time and all I’ve done is change fluids

    • @sabbie7
      @sabbie7 Рік тому

      @@nathanchurchill amazing!

  • @TheHomePros6221
    @TheHomePros6221 Рік тому +1

    How in the hell would they sell that so cheap!! I’d go nuts to find one for that price

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Proof that deals are out there! Thanks for watching

  • @robertlishman3741
    @robertlishman3741 Рік тому +3

    You didn't buy it ,you stole it,it was a bargain.

  • @davidgillett5889
    @davidgillett5889 Рік тому

    I would get it serviced engine oil and diesel filters air filters don’t wait for something to go wrong any plant and machinery I buy that’s what I do before we use it service service every time good luck

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      I’ve changed every filter on the entire machine as well as every fluid including a hydraulic fluid flush, I posted a video about it on my channel and it made the machine much more responsive when warmed up

  • @rustrtal
    @rustrtal Рік тому

    Still running good for you?

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Yes it’s running well and have almost 40 hours of run time on it so far, have flushed every fluid as well and that helped the hydraulics with being sluggish

  • @deep6483
    @deep6483 Рік тому +1

    I operated a 30 tone Hitachi super it had a lot of hours and the radiator got shanked by reo bar due to a missing belly plate,it ran great but began to over heat now and again Wich blew the head gasket,WHY? Some wanker put the fan on backwards

  • @8978Marty
    @8978Marty Рік тому

    Looks like you got a good deal

  • @nooraldeen6259
    @nooraldeen6259 Рік тому

    I got a Hitachi zx 200 in really good shape for 14k$ and it work perfectly but iam sell it because there is not much work because it big for so many jobs

  • @befree322
    @befree322 Рік тому

    What size machine is it

  • @yota87truck
    @yota87truck Рік тому

    $3,500 sound like a SCORE!

  • @Olympic99
    @Olympic99 11 місяців тому

    you paid price of bucket for whole excavator !

  • @73DiamondReo
    @73DiamondReo Рік тому +1

    Thats insane for 3500! if it had been set on fire it would still bring more than that

  • @bionict-rex4326
    @bionict-rex4326 Рік тому +1

    It’s a grey market machine, which is why it’s all in Japanese.

  • @neelsswierstra4603
    @neelsswierstra4603 Рік тому

    You bought a real good machine at a bargain

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Agreed! Thanks for watching! Hopefully it keeps running strong

  • @HarrisPropertyMaintenance
    @HarrisPropertyMaintenance Рік тому

    I’m not sure how you managed to get that for that price but you flipping stole that

  • @AquaSourceLLC
    @AquaSourceLLC Рік тому

    Switch probably was for the pin grabber at one point

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +1

      Definitely a possibility, seems like a good quality toggle which makes me think it’s older

  • @alanragsdale9220
    @alanragsdale9220 Рік тому +1

    The John Deere Dealership from what You are saying isn't honest with customers. Bad 😞

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      To their defense, all dealerships have to play the safe side and if the engine truly was overheating with no external cause, that would lead to a concern for them. For all I know it might have a cracked head and it’s a ticking time bomb but I sure hope not 🤷🏼‍♂️

    • @Google-McGoogle
      @Google-McGoogle Рік тому +1

      That head could be repaired, no need for a new head. Find a good machine shop that does "one offs" and prototyping. I'm sure you can resource and find a machinist/mechanic to weld repair and re-machine the head. Get the intake and exhaust ports ground out for better flow, there is other tweaks you can do to keep your operation temps down while at full duty cycle. Great deal on the machine......

  • @ChunkyMonkaayyy
    @ChunkyMonkaayyy Рік тому

    $3500??!!! Wow!! It’s gotta be worth more than that in scrap. Geesh.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +1

      I paid 13 cents/lb and scrap is 10 cents/lb so not far off 😂

    • @ChunkyMonkaayyy
      @ChunkyMonkaayyy Рік тому

      @@nathanchurchill OMG you win!! Plus the YT content could even pay for it!! 🥇🏆

  • @BlakeMerckleTrucking
    @BlakeMerckleTrucking Рік тому +1

    If u get tired of it I'll give you ur money back for it 🤣

  • @alphonsotate2982
    @alphonsotate2982 Рік тому

    R😍😍😍😍😍eal nice

  • @Mad.Man.Marine
    @Mad.Man.Marine Рік тому

    3500!!! 😮. That is more then sort of a steal. That’s a ridiculous deal man!!! We’ll done for being smart enough to buy it. The parts alone on it are worth five times that

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      I don’t think I would call myself smart, just that I’m not dumb enough to say no to that

  • @williamreese2477
    @williamreese2477 Рік тому

    All the john derre machines are made by Hitachi. U got a deal.

  • @johndorazio3759
    @johndorazio3759 Рік тому

    What a deal you can put a brand new motor in that thing it wouldn't be anything at all

  • @johndeere4927
    @johndeere4927 Рік тому

    so cheap .. in England the quick hitch and bucket /grab is worth the money alone

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Even here it’s like that! California emissions make them worth slightly less but not by much

  • @perttikauppinen2353
    @perttikauppinen2353 3 місяці тому

    forced to comment as a European. I have driven many makes and models of excavators. ex and zx series Hitachi are the best. hydraulically, a 2001 model year machine is much more comfortable and more accurate than, for example, a 2017 model 317 CAT

  • @rc8rsracer1
    @rc8rsracer1 Рік тому

    3500 I'd buy it now and I have no need haha

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +1

      I didn’t think I had a need either, and yet here I am

  • @jacobbuckley8232
    @jacobbuckley8232 Рік тому

    Damn u got a deal for $3500

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      I know it’s pretty nuts, don’t find deals like that every day

  • @TheSynthnut
    @TheSynthnut Рік тому

    Bargain, even if it needs a bit of fettling.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Especially since repairs can sometimes be interesting

  • @DixieNormous1
    @DixieNormous1 Рік тому

    Smoking deal is today's market ‼️

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому +2

      Agreed, really no way to lose at that price

    • @DixieNormous1
      @DixieNormous1 Рік тому +1

      @@nathanchurchill $7500 would've been about right 😀 Bargain there ❗

  • @lotsofthc
    @lotsofthc Рік тому

    weighs roughly 26,000 lbs

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Without the thumb, quick coupler, glass guards, and rubber pads, you’d be right

    • @lotsofthc
      @lotsofthc Рік тому

      @@nathanchurchill oh that would add, ever gonna remove the rubber pads?

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      We have been doing a lot of dirt work with it and on steep terrain I’m going to take off every other pad

  • @ds6843
    @ds6843 Рік тому

    So you made a video to gloat about your 3500 purchase to make us all jealous... Haha

  • @royhindmarsh4087
    @royhindmarsh4087 Рік тому +1

    buy new water pump

  • @givemeabreak7273
    @givemeabreak7273 Рік тому

    you got it for nothing well done

  • @scottfoster2487
    @scottfoster2487 Рік тому

    You stole it at the price. That thumb was exstended by the looks of it. New thermosta and make sure radiator is clean and the fan is working. I think it s going to make lots of money for you.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      Already has easily turned a profit, it’s been working almost every day since picking it up, kind of crazy to think anyone would sell it for that

    • @scottfoster2487
      @scottfoster2487 Рік тому

      @@nathanchurchill Lucky Link Bely Komatsu and otherr use this same basic Japan built machine so parts can be eaily had. I ran a 1989 Lc2800II and blew hoses and a locla atou parts store made them . Love those Izuzu power plants since they are so wodely use parts and nothing compared to rebadged JD parts.

    • @nathanchurchill
      @nathanchurchill  Рік тому

      @@scottfoster2487 you make a great point I’ve been easily able to source parts that are common to break and have been able to find engine related parts at auto stores

  • @Duck_31
    @Duck_31 Рік тому +1

    24min of just talking, damn that was boring

  • @scubasteve2132
    @scubasteve2132 Рік тому

    wtf how?