Chinese mini excavators. Anyone?

[whitexc]

Was shopping TLBs(tractor/loader/backhoe) for a while and while great and handy, man do they cost and have their limitations. I have access to a skid steer for moving material so I’ve shifted gears to searching for a mini x. The intended use is strictly homeowner with the occasional phone a friend as people learn you own one. I have some small drainage, landscape and hardscape projects to do. Yes it will be a toy.

I could (& have) search for (and pay $$ for) a clapped out big name unit and there is always a diamond in the rough to be had, just have to be there, then, with cash and the trailer.

To the question: has anyone purchased one of the import machines in the 1.5-2 ton range? I’d like a diesel (Kubota 902 or Yanmar) and closer to the 2 ton size. Rippa, Huayee, Typhon all seem to make decent stuff as I’m sure there are others out there. Pilot controls are a must, don’t necessarily need expanding tracks and fine with open cab (less to go wrong and currently only have a 7’ door so the canopy will have to come off to fit in the garage). Hydraulic thumb and auxiliary port for attachments would be handy.

Thoughts? TIA.

 

[Gren71]

Watching the thread

Ive been looking into a mini skid steer and adding a digging tool to the front. The inexpensive Chinese machines are definitely n my radar!

 

[Crusty old shellback]

I found a Yanmar SA 424 with bucket, belly mower and back hoe. Was 10 years old and only had 125 hrs on it. Took a trailer and cash and walked away with it for $14500.
Like you said a diamond in the rough.
I have just over 3 acres on a hill side.
Have used it to cut into the hill side to expand the usable yard. Moved some big boulders with it to stack as a retaining wall. Keep my drainage ditch cleared and mow at least 2 acres with it. I've put over 300 hours on it in the 2 years I've owned it.
Great investment.
In my research, I found that yanmar makes tractors and mowers for a bunch of other brands.

They are out there to be had, just have to look.

 

[Sponge60]

Since it is a "toy", rent vs own?

 

[whitexc]

I found a Yanmar SA 424 with bucket, belly mower and back hoe. Was 10 years old and only had 125 hrs on it. Took a trailer and cash and walked away with it for $14500.
Like you said a diamond in the rough.
I have just over 3 acres on a hill side.
Have used it to cut into the hill side to expand the usable yard. Moved some big boulders with it to stack as a retaining wall. Keep my drainage ditch cleared and mow at least 2 acres with it. I've put over 300 hours on it in the 2 years I've owned it.
Great investment.
In my research, I found that yanmar makes tractors and mowers for a bunch of other brands.

They are out there to be had, just have to look.

View attachment 94920

That is an absolute score and Yanmar makes very nice equipment. Plus it’s red…..not green or orange lol. Bonus!


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[whitexc]

Since it is a "toy", rent vs own?

I have rented equipment and it ends up being the better part of $600 for a weekend give or take and you have to cram as much work as you can in that time period. I’m over those days and I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it lol. I’m looking to own.


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[Gren71]

I have rented equipment and it ends up being the better part of $600 for a weekend give or take and you have to cram as much work as you can in that time period. I’m over those days and I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it lol. I’m looking to own.


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this is exactly what I have found. Renting equipment more than twice will end up costing nearly as much as some of the inexpensive Chinese equipment. And usually that rental fee doesn’t even include delivery/pick up if you don’t already happen to have a trailer capable of handling whatever equipment you are renting.

For example I looked at renting a small excavator and it would have ended up being $1200 for two days plus the delivery charge.

To the original question here are two screen grabs of eBay, just for Price referencing. There are still delivery charges associated with some of those machine machines so if you look through eBay pay close attention to the notes.

You can also often find these at equipment auctions, at least that’s what I’ve been told. Still waiting for my pole barn to be finished so I have a place to store the equipment once I get it

I know you can’t always just go by what you see on YouTube videos but I have seen just a ridiculous volume of positive reviews for the inexpensive equipment

 

[whitexc]

this is exactly what I have found. Renting equipment more than twice will end up costing nearly as much as some of the inexpensive Chinese equipment. And usually that rental fee doesn’t even include delivery/pick up if you don’t already happen to have a trailer capable of handling whatever equipment you are renting.

For example I looked at renting a small excavator and it would have ended up being $1200 for two days plus the delivery charge.

To the original question here are two screen grabs of eBay, just for Price referencing. There are still delivery charges associated with some of those machine machines so if you look through eBay pay close attention to the notes.

You can also often find these at equipment auctions, at least that’s what I’ve been told. Still waiting for my pole barn to be finished so I have a place to store the equipment once I get it

I know you can’t always just go by what you see on YouTube videos but I have seen just a ridiculous volume of positive reviews for the inexpensive equipment

View attachment 94924

View attachment 94925

Yeah great prices but you have to be willing to tinker and you have to realize going in not to expect Cat quality for $3500. That said some of the budget machines share body panels with brand name equipment and also have their powertrain. I can fix/maintain so long as the guts are good. For the price I’m willing to do just that.

I do wish I could convince myself to get a gas model just for the pricing alone. It seems as soon as you go diesel the prices start around $8k. I wouldn’t even mind driving to fetch one for the right price.


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