My buddy is an electrician and bought one of these Chinese excavators last fall for $12,000 with the hydraulic thumb and 3 attachments along with the quick connect option, so he can switch attachments quickly. It only digs 5'6" deep, but the reason he bought it is when he is trenching in wire with the ditch witch he will run into rocks sometimes. The excavator digs out the rocks and will save his body for many more years of work. He loves this machine! He could have bought the $7,500 model but he wanted all the attachments. He bought the post hole digger, spare bucket that is wider and a rake for tearing out brush.
I've had my QH12 over a year and love it. I added a 24" tilt bucket. I'm almost done doing my own hydraulic thumb conversion with bypass valves. I also did a hinge and latch mod on the rear panel. Plus a fan for cooling. Better lights and and oil drain valve and hose. So cool to hear you have that many hours on yours.
When the engine gives up you can replace with a HarborFrieght unit like B&M Excavating did. Plus his is a lot easier on the ears and more power. Good video.
I am very happy to see our country's production of small excavators are loved by so many people, our company has produced and exported small excavators for 20 years, there are also interested in small excavator friends can find me to understand the machine, will give you a satisfactory answer!
I've taken mine (ff-12) down at least a 30 degree slope if not steeper and it went fine. I just dragged the bucket on the ground in front of me on the way down and then pushed with the boom on the way back up going backwards.
Nice! I have the same impression of quality on mine. They have gotten a bit less expensive, mine was, after Ritchie auction fees, in July, in Alberta Canada, around 2250$ USD (of around 80 for sale, nobody likes to hear they paid more, just info for other viewers on current pricing), so the value is certainly there now. I put a cooling fan on the one side, but you guys seem to be fine after so much use and not having one! I think the exhaust outlet is like 1.5, I was looking to see if I could add an additional muffler as the engine is pretty loud, thanks for the review!
@@fastlanetechnologies2512 Ritchie Bros here in Alberta, you can check auction stats online with a free account, check Edmonton\Lethbridge Alberta\Prairies for this past summer.
I just picked up one of these to dig out a few holes around the property, hope it’s capable of doing so. I was nervous with my purchase but this video gave me some confidence, thanks!
You said the guage was filled with salt water. I’m guessing that happened on the ship during transport. Does that not ruin the engine or any of the electrical parts?
visualize all of the time saved NOT having to pick up and drop off the machine for a 100 rental cycles . Think about all of the times you raced to make rental drop off time and the times that you were late and had to pay for an extra day.
Great review! I was hoping you could direct me to the hardware you used to make the hinged back. I agree it's a pain in the butt to take out all those bolts. Thanks again!
Where can I get one of this.??? That language my work in your country..but Def don't work on an English speaking site....but the word your looking for is. (These) geez...
Ive had $500 Chinese compactors that vibrated apart over a summer. Awful quality, but use it for a summer & done. I did not expect to hear these excavators are adequate but you guys tried it & say they are more than decent.
Love the video and the positive site to saving a few bucks on a machine. I’ve been selling name brand excavators for many many moons and I always wonder on these things but honestly don’t see the business case. Have you done the math on productivity? I can tell by your video the machine is quite slow in comparison and I’m sure your ears are ringing. But it gets the job done… Example - 6 hour job, 30% efficiency is 2 hours. 2 hours per day by your 100 day math would be 200 hours. How many additional digs can you do with 200 hours? Is that 4 weeks of projects? 5? Your payback on a productive machine could be achieved in less than one year. 10k vs 30k - 20k / 1-3 or 4 small jobs in an extra week. Productivity over cheap all day long! Good luck! BTW if I hired you to do my landscaping and you showed up with that thing that was basically the equivalent to a champion generator at a campsite… you better be the cheapest guy in town. (I think you get the picture I’m just painting it.)
I have a QH12R that I got from the Richie Bros Auction for $4k. They're selling even cheaper now. Flow control valves on the 2 hydraulics on boom closest to seat stops all the jerkyness. When I got mine it was like a bucking bronco but now its smoothhhh. R on model stands for Rato engine which means predator engine from Harbor Freight. Hydraulic motor can be found at tractor supply and hydraulic hoses anywhere they sell them. Best thing I have ever bought for my property. Next is a skid steer with forestry mulcher so I can clear my land. Thanks for the video.
It's on sale for...$6K (Nov 2024). I thought it was a joke and sent the listing to some friends. One of 'em sent me your video and...LO and behold, it seems like a solid investment. lol.
I bought one 2.5 years and was 11,500. Now you can buy same machine 5,000 to 6000. I have upgraded to pilot control and 16hp diesel. Its 39inch wide. I have bought with no warranty.
@NexGenLandscapes I've been watching videos and reviews of these for a few years. Unfortunately, where I am at its difficult to get them here, but recently I found a company near me who imports them. So I'll be buying very soon. At least I'll be able to go see it, check it, and test it. Anyway... My main concern is the engine. The Koop diesel is rather noisy, so wouldn't be a good option for me. Besides, I'm a Briggs & Stratton fan, and know their engines quite well. If noise is an issue, I'd imagine the petrol one is the better option. Thanks for the great review. 👍
We need to get rid of federal minimum wage then and people already complain it's too low. I really wish we could but we couldn't unless people wanna make less (they don't)
@@NexGenLandscapes I have a ff15 and i recently dug a hydro trench at a buddies and went right through his gravel driveway, definitely took longer but no issues!
Not only that, but you could rebuild that engine relatively very cheap compared to a diesel motor or something like that I mean, you could order engine off eBay and have it in two days and have it in your damn machine that’s nice
My buddy is an electrician and bought one of these Chinese excavators last fall for $12,000 with the hydraulic thumb and 3 attachments along with the quick connect option, so he can switch attachments quickly. It only digs 5'6" deep, but the reason he bought it is when he is trenching in wire with the ditch witch he will run into rocks sometimes. The excavator digs out the rocks and will save his body for many more years of work. He loves this machine! He could have bought the $7,500 model but he wanted all the attachments. He bought the post hole digger, spare bucket that is wider and a rake for tearing out brush.
Why didn’t he just use a pickaxe for the trench v
@@vangrijaaan efficiency 5 shovel would’ve worked just as good
@@vangrijaa That's called hard labour.
Electrician digging there own trench? I have never seen that before
@@LJStatuesyou don’t want to see it man. You have seen the messes they make inside a finished home😂 what do you think they do out in the wild
I've had my QH12 over a year and love it. I added a 24" tilt bucket. I'm almost done doing my own hydraulic thumb conversion with bypass valves. I also did a hinge and latch mod on the rear panel. Plus a fan for cooling. Better lights and and oil drain valve and hose. So cool to hear you have that many hours on yours.
When the engine gives up you can replace with a HarborFrieght unit like B&M Excavating did. Plus his is a lot easier on the ears and more power. Good video.
Thanks, and good idea! If we end up needing to do that we’ll cover it, our does sound like a lawn mower but it gives it character haha
I think these mini excavator would be better if the had 16 hp
@@jtsokiehobbyandadventures6666 not needed. The 13.5 hp is already overrated for the pressure and flow these have.
Exactly!!! I would attempt and shoehorn a small 2 cylinder yanmar or kubota diesel in it😂
id use the predator brand get way way more horsepower hahhaa their basically racing lawnmower motors
Do you think the roof bars will hold up well in case of a rollover? Regards.
Thank you for the long-term review!
Thanks for watching! Hope it helped
I am very happy to see our country's production of small excavators are loved by so many people, our company has produced and exported small excavators for 20 years, there are also interested in small excavator friends can find me to understand the machine, will give you a satisfactory answer!
i've seen other excavators cut a driveway. can that one handle cutting a driveway?
The guy in green treat the machine gently...one mandatory rule to keep those in shape..
These will be the honda quads of excavators in 30yrs
Nowadays,you don’t use anything more than 10 years
Great review from a small channel! Keep it up!
Can it climb up and down steep slope , say 2 horizontal to 1 vertical ?
I've taken mine (ff-12) down at least a 30 degree slope if not steeper and it went fine. I just dragged the bucket on the ground in front of me on the way down and then pushed with the boom on the way back up going backwards.
Nice! I have the same impression of quality on mine. They have gotten a bit less expensive, mine was, after Ritchie auction fees, in July, in Alberta Canada, around 2250$ USD (of around 80 for sale, nobody likes to hear they paid more, just info for other viewers on current pricing), so the value is certainly there now. I put a cooling fan on the one side, but you guys seem to be fine after so much use and not having one! I think the exhaust outlet is like 1.5, I was looking to see if I could add an additional muffler as the engine is pretty loud, thanks for the review!
What auction? That’s a great price
@@fastlanetechnologies2512 Ritchie Bros here in Alberta, you can check auction stats online with a free account, check Edmonton\Lethbridge Alberta\Prairies for this past summer.
Great review. I like the way you guys quickly get to meat and potatoes and show us some of the unit and how it works. 👍
Keep at it guys, i enjoyed the video and looking to get one myself. Sending big love from the 🇬🇧
What type of brackets did you guys use for the engine cover ?? I recently bought one the engine access can be troublesome. Thank you.
Great video. Thanks. Did your come with a double hydraulic pump? I would love to see your review of mini skid steer. Cheers
Thank you! Unfortunately ours did not, and the skid steer video is uploading as we speak, so we'll see you soon!
I just picked up one of these to dig out a few holes around the property, hope it’s capable of doing so. I was nervous with my purchase but this video gave me some confidence, thanks!
Congrats, i’m glad we could help! If the blade is behind you while you dig, it makes you much more stable. Thanks for watching!
You said the guage was filled with salt water. I’m guessing that happened on the ship during transport. Does that not ruin the engine or any of the electrical parts?
Salt water so the gauge don't freeze?
visualize all of the time saved NOT having to pick up and drop off the machine for a 100 rental cycles .
Think about all of the times you raced to make rental drop off time and the times that you were late and had to pay for an extra day.
Excellent presentation! Best of luck!
Thanks for watching!
can you get the thumb attachment for it?
Yes you can, It can however be tricky to track down parts without a go-to manufacturer.
I have thumb attachment which is made in China
Great review! I was hoping you could direct me to the hardware you used to make the hinged back. I agree it's a pain in the butt to take out all those bolts. Thanks again!
That kind of hardware can be purchased at almost any hardware store.
Where did you purchase?
Facebook marketplace, for both of our chinese machines
I can make connection with you through youtube. I can give you excavators.
Where do you find your parts at?
I have, you can tell me your demand
This would be perfect for great depression side gigs
Where can I get one of this ?
Where can I get one of this.??? That language my work in your country..but Def don't work on an English speaking site....but the word your looking for is. (These) geez...
I have.
Just paid $4500 for mine 2 days ago, put it to work on a job today…… for the price, seems like a great deal
What company did you go with?
@ agt h12R
Ive had $500 Chinese compactors that vibrated apart over a summer. Awful quality, but use it for a summer & done. I did not expect to hear these excavators are adequate but you guys tried it & say they are more than decent.
My neighbor bought one for 4500$ after all auction taxes n fees. Love it.
I would recommend digging with the blade in the front and pressure downward for better stabilization.
Excuse me ☝️ You said salt water in the hour meter??
The editing was good.
well done , thanks guys !
Our pleasure, thanks for watching!
Love the video and the positive site to saving a few bucks on a machine. I’ve been selling name brand excavators for many many moons and I always wonder on these things but honestly don’t see the business case. Have you done the math on productivity? I can tell by your video the machine is quite slow in comparison and I’m sure your ears are ringing. But it gets the job done…
Example - 6 hour job, 30% efficiency is 2 hours. 2 hours per day by your 100 day math would be 200 hours. How many additional digs can you do with 200 hours? Is that 4 weeks of projects? 5? Your payback on a productive machine could be achieved in less than one year. 10k vs 30k - 20k / 1-3 or 4 small jobs in an extra week.
Productivity over cheap all day long! Good luck!
BTW if I hired you to do my landscaping and you showed up with that thing that was basically the equivalent to a champion generator at a campsite… you better be the cheapest guy in town. (I think you get the picture I’m just painting it.)
I have a QH12R that I got from the Richie Bros Auction for $4k. They're selling even cheaper now.
Flow control valves on the 2 hydraulics on boom closest to seat stops all the jerkyness. When I got mine it was like a bucking bronco but now its smoothhhh.
R on model stands for Rato engine which means predator engine from Harbor Freight.
Hydraulic motor can be found at tractor supply and hydraulic hoses anywhere they sell them.
Best thing I have ever bought for my property.
Next is a skid steer with forestry mulcher so I can clear my land.
Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching! We agree it's a great purchase, and thank you for the tips :)
Where do you get flow control valves for something like this?
Thanks for the video,
Do you know where one could buy one of these?
Ive seen them on Craigslist for $5800
And facebook marketplace, all places like that are fine just be safe out there!
there are many excavators in China, you can contact me.
How the heck your boom pins and bushings are so tight when 99% of the chinese excavators are loose from factory??
It's on sale for...$6K (Nov 2024). I thought it was a joke and sent the listing to some friends. One of 'em sent me your video and...LO and behold, it seems like a solid investment. lol.
haha, this is great. 800 hours, not bad.
Yeah it's stood the test of time for sure!
Thank you for the review
I kept getting temu commercials about this for some reason
I bought one 2.5 years and was 11,500. Now you can buy same machine 5,000 to 6000. I have upgraded to pilot control and 16hp diesel. Its 39inch wide. I have bought with no warranty.
Thanks for watching, once this engine goes we plan to go with diesel as well!
@NexGenLandscapes
I've been watching videos and reviews of these for a few years. Unfortunately, where I am at its difficult to get them here, but recently I found a company near me who imports them. So I'll be buying very soon. At least I'll be able to go see it, check it, and test it.
Anyway... My main concern is the engine. The Koop diesel is rather noisy, so wouldn't be a good option for me. Besides, I'm a Briggs & Stratton fan, and know their engines quite well. If noise is an issue, I'd imagine the petrol one is the better option.
Thanks for the great review. 👍
@chrismalcomson2824 it is always choice and needs. What fits your needs best.
@@chrismalcomson2824 Ear plugs or muffs help. Oldtimers seem to ditch these things, not good.
Thanks for the review !!
Like and subscribe to see more.
Nooo! 😂
A thousand thumbs up. This is a much needed video for prospective buyers, so thank you for posting it!
Looks good!
Thanks for watching!
great landscapers, great machine
Get your Chinese excavator today before the war!
Very informative !!!!!
Glad you think so!
"I met her in a hospice." 😂
Do they come with a Title?
America needs to makevthe same for rhe same price
Child labors not legal never would happen
We need to get rid of federal minimum wage then and people already complain it's too low. I really wish we could but we couldn't unless people wanna make less (they don't)
I mean I paid mine 2000$. With shipping and costs it was 4500$
7 of these on an auction site. Currend bids average $350 ish. Ea With 1 day left. Im about to buy 3 of them and rent them out.
You think your going to buy them for 350..lol. trust me...there is a reserve price
did you buy any, and how much did you end up paying if you did?
@@oldcutlas7806 no. Some ended up going for more than retail ended up no real deals to be had
How about a video digging hard ground and not a pile of loose dirt?
Would it dig a trench down the middle of a hard packed gravel driveway....?
It's hard to say, sometimes they can struggle with compacted ground
@@NexGenLandscapes I have a ff15 and i recently dug a hydro trench at a buddies and went right through his gravel driveway, definitely took longer but no issues!
I have a agt qh12r I just dug a 200' trench 2' deep in hard gravel took 7hrs 6" trenching bucket slow going I'm impressed
I just bought one for $2250 CAD at an auction
Paint it white and put Bobcat stickers on it nobody will know the difference
That aint digging
This is $3500 factory price in china.
It doesn't look strong enough to take a stump out.
Moving a truck load of dirt isn't the same a s digging a trench in virgin dirt.
Can't help being suspicious with your review
These comments in here sound fake.
You look like Will Ferrell ,
Well that's an insult....😅
Where do you live that someone is going to give you a fine for running that without a seatbelt?
On a commercial job OSHA will.
@@josephwheeler1142 Does your lawn guy wear his seatbelt on his zero turn with the arops up?
No one cares
Not only that, but you could rebuild that engine relatively very cheap compared to a diesel motor or something like that I mean, you could order engine off eBay and have it in two days and have it in your damn machine that’s nice
Wow Ty Iam getting one
No good for posture unfortunately.
I kept getting temu commercials about this for some reason