Buying the CHEAPEST Chinese mini excavator on facebook marketplace 

I extended my exhaust out past the body and angled down & warped with exhaust pipe insulation, I’ve never been close to hitting it on anything. I as you did ,removed the back access plate. I also added reflecting insulation metal taped in under the set plate. No more hot seat.

Man I love watching you having so much fun. So many red powered big boy toys. You just pick which one, which day, and let the good times roll. Now how awesome is that!!!

It's always such a pleasure to watch someone who has the confidence to make his own additions/parts to a machine like this one, not to mention seeing the easy troubleshooting when something goes wrong. To echo a number of posters below, great job! Thanks for a very entertaining and educational video.

Subbed, looks like an interesting channel, just up my alley. Let me confirm about the Chinese mini excavator, I bought one with the controllers upfront, and if I get another it will be the type you have, mine has come in handy and saved me hours of hard work (after getting used to its stability) but it has caused me plenty of back pain because of the controls placement. Another must do is break it in properly and change filters after each season or by hours used. I don’t use mine that often and have changed filters oil etc twice. Track tension must be maintained,seasonally or drastic temp changes. It’s been difficult for me to pin track tension down tho, thrown a track or two due to conditions, I have found that on deep loose sand, I will throw a track if I make a turn, every time. Mine is a manual track tensioner too. Prefer it also. I also bought a backup set of tracks, not used them yet. Getting tracks back on by yourself,like I have to, I put on an aftermarket hydraulic thumb with some mods to make it work, must have also. I have not flipped my bucket teeth, yet, may not ,seems to do just fine as is. I would have to do some grinding to fit properly.

From time I’ve spent around excavation the engine cover probably does more for dust protection than impact protection. If there’s low dust while you’re running the machine I wouldn’t worry about it.

Do yourself a favor and put some anti seize on your track adjusters. I’d even put it on and run the nut back and fourth to get some under that nut!

Great demonstration and fair evaluation. You are also resourceful and looked like nothing stopped you, no whining, and got straight to fixing and finishing the job. We need more of you in America. Best wishes.

Nice job! Great job showing the preparation of getting ready for first use and showing some samples of what it can do.

Great Video, learned a lot about these little machines.

Kool video 👍 from your editing, the music, the commentary, everything 😁your clearly the mini Andrew Camarata channel 😋

Congrats on getting ur new Mini Excavator. it will do fine around the home.

3 min into this I just want to say that your doggo is the goodest boy

Seriously the guy that told you about the teeth being reversed was correct. with them on right it reaches further reaches to the fullest extent away from the machine and grabs the material and digs the material out of the way of the bucket. If your bucket was not designed the way the American bigger ones are. It looks right too just they have to be a pretty good morning service to keep both teeth and not likely teeth but the bucket parts and the bolts from breaking. Good luck

A suggestion on tying it down on the trailer. besides the chain across the front blade, you should also square up the bucket to centerline and chain down the bucket to prevent the arm from swinging. Also, the tie down in back should be two chains going back to the corners of the trailer, rather than one chain centered. You can check your state DOT site for their specific requirements. Better safe than sorry... Beside that, I loved the video review!

How cute this machine really is! a real helper for working people.And the same time a real toy for people who love it.

Great idea to add that hour meter right off the bat! Congrats on the new machine. We recently got a new mini-ex too and have made a couple videos about it. It's amazing the work that these things can do! I can't believe I didn't save up and buy one years ago.

Btw $8k thru $12k it’s a good price range. Just south of you my friend, our counties border each other via I-79… at most, 40 minutes. I like Timer you rigged up with the Spark Plug. 😊 My friend’s farm has too many stumps. I have sent him your video. Thumbs Up 😊 Cheers, Vince

Thank you for the review. I've been looking at a machine like this for my small farm tasks.

Great content, I busted out laughing when you walked into your shop, opened tool box draw, and with calibrated eye-ball; grabbed an exact sized pin. What actually made me laugh was your comment...."Well look a there" as the pivot pin fit exactly "Hoarding" it's never let me down!" Thanks for sharing your experience with your equipment.

Grind out that ledge so the teeth fit flat. Looks like a nice little machine for the money. Dig a sewer line, get around a house or camp, get small stuff done. The engine is a HF replacement easy. I think this has a lot of use.

Someone else commented on the greasing of the slew bearing and rack. These are greased by the two zerks that are close together on the lower front of what I think is called the house. You need to slew the machine 90 degrees and repeat the greasing until you have done a complete 360 degrees. Can see you buying a bigger, say 2.5 to 3.5 ton machine, (what ever your trailer can safely transport) after a few hundred hours (ie a Kubota etc) and hanging onto this little machine for smaller tighter work and the portability.

Careful about adding twisting leverage to that little stick. A wider thumb will pick a log or such way off the balance point. Gotta keep in mind it is a little machine and work around that without overloading it.

I found a "Terror 3000" on Facebook marketplace for $5k. Came with a ton of attachments. Has hydrologic thumb, the port can be used to power other attachments like; auger, tilt bucket, jackhammer, ECT. This machine is basically the same as the one you have in this video only my machine is a orangeish red. I like that it has a very simple gas powered engine. My machine, much like yours, produces enough power for homestead work, small farm work, medium excavation chores, and has enough reach to dig approximately 8-9 ft down. (Not sure why you would need to dig 9 ft down? But it will). I have been using it nor for over 4 years and have not found a project that I couldn't handle.

as a Chinese products user I recommend to protect all threads not by loctite or similar locks but by a viscous grease. Their nut-to-bolt connections in non-big-trademark products are more vulnerable to rust than usual... IMHO

Also the best mod i made for this guy is a nice tall solid steele lever for the blade, i used an old mobile home tie down bit, cut off the blades of the bit, and the square end with square slot holes bolted to the old yanmar style foot operation once i removed the pedal. Grading made beautifully easy!!!

As someone who has zero experience, tons of ambition, and limited funds, your video was perfect for me. I am looking at a unit like yours tomorrow, and now I will have some knowledge upon which to make an informed purchasing decision. Thanks.

As you said it felt different and a bit shakey at first (to be expected, it doesn't have the weight to stabilize itself compared to bigger machines) but you were learning to work within its parameters. Same thing with its capabilities. Be thankful it can do more than you can by yourself but be aware it too has limitations. Working it that way you should get a long and useful life out of the excavator. Have fun. By the way, I like their zerk fittings. Nothing to knock off with the errant rock when digging deep.

This was a great video I’m thinking of getting one and you just made my day with this mini excavator. For what I need it for. Thank you

I love this video, and I’m already digging into FB to see if I can find one near me. Thanks for the video. Just subscribed

Watching your youtube channel is like that clip from malcom in the middle were the dad has to replace a lightbulb and then goes to get one then the shelf is messed up so then he tries to fix that and other things lead to him working on his car to fix it to go get a part and when the wife gets home she asks why he didnt replace the lightbulb and he yells IM WORKING ON IT! lmao love your vids

holy crap at the 31 minute mark where you are removing that tree stump, that is awesome, it’s doing a super job

I have a small kubota backhoe and the factory teeth actually split the end of the bucket like a clothespin with half going on the inside of the bucket and half on the outside; so i still have drag marks when trying to smooth the bottom of a trench. I've seen several reviews on the chinese machines is longevity.

I like the fact that you can remove the teeth and you have a smooth bucket for digging drainage ditches without having the need for another bucket

Thank you for this video! I am new to this and want this for my property. You taught a lot in this video and would love to learn more about things i need to do like you did when i get one. If I bought a trailer for this woukd a normal car trailer work?

Really enjoyed the video,shows a great deal what to expect,what it can and can't do,the noise level,the comfort level and how quickly you can get onto it if you just put in some time,may I ask what this one cost spected the way you got it...thanks,great video...

I'm glad to see that you unit has a hinged back panel.

How heavy a rock do you think that you could pick up pinched between the thumb and bucket before it slips out? The rocks here are flat and rectangular 2’ by 3’ on average so there’d be nothing but friction to hold them.

I have a feeling that blown fuse was due to the loose screw at what looks like the starter motor. Hope you fixed the issue when tightening the loose screw!

I got my lil 1.5 T about a year and a half ago. I was aware of the things like loose bolts and whatnots. I also knew I wanted a diesel, so allocated extra for that. Best money spent, Kubota is the way to go. Great lil rig you got. Take care of it, should last a long time. Excavators are so useful. I would spend twice what I paid for such a neat machine

I like the way yours has a swing out engine door !

As time has went on you got much better at running it. What name brand is it?

You are certainly right about the controls, all machines are different in feel, just takes a few hours to smooth it out, then you never notice it.

Good vid mate, I enjoyed that, nothing like the satisfaction of building something yourself. Bob. UK

You operate the excavator decently for a beginner. I've been operating my mini excavators and skid steer loaders for a few decades now and rent the big equipment when needed. I can demo a typical size house and haul off in a day or two with a 30,000 pound excavator and two 14-15' bed dump trucks.

When you can't find your rake and are using the push broom you can flip the broom upside down to use the rigid part of the broom head so your bristles don't wear out as quick.

I have a 1.5 ton Groundhog with the diesel 20hp and have only put about 125 hours on it so far. Only issue to date was the tracks needed tightening a few times till around 75 hrs. I also changed the zerk fittings for convenience and ease of greasing. Many of the attachments from mine should fit yours. I bought the root ripper but I'm not 100% happy with it thus I need to build a different design that's not as wide.

Sure would like a review at 1000 / 2000 hrs! Gr8 Vid and Thank you for your time!! GOD Bless😇🙏👍

What is the model? do you have a link you can share where you bought it from? Price$?$?$? Thanks for the information!

I have one of these and payed only 9,400 no tax for it. Literally One of the best purchases of my life. I've used the bit larger bobcat EX for years on and off of my brothers, and this little em15 can take anything I throw at it. Just like the bobcat! Not a problem after months of daily use. I've welded on some extra supports here and there, and also put 200 or more lbs of counter weight to the back, as there is plenty of room for kubota tractor weights under the back cover. The weight increase made it much smoother in all manners of operation. I plan on eventually getting another one for jobs, and the original for the farm. Absolutely love this machine!

Love the video I wld like to have another machine that size mine is just a one ton unit

boom pins have no replaceable bushings on boom side? Cylinder eyes are easy fix but boom holes are pain to fix. With low grade steel these wear out fast

4:35....Dam!! I thought I was the only one who kept my spare hour meters in the spark plug storage bin🤣🤣

Ive run plenty of name brand machines, especially from rental places, that are super shaky. Just takes some getting used to, especially for fairly rough jobs like youre doing. You dont need the thread a needle precision

Since you're a welder. Flip that bottom edge over. Bolt the teeth back on where they fit. Use "Plough Bolts" and counter sink holes to fit plough bolts on bottom.

4:21 you need to turn the upper carriage 90 degrees and greese again, the repeat it to full revolution. Ringgear is so big that it wont get greesed in one position.

Usually the bolts to fasten the bucket teeth use elevator bolts that are recessed into cutting edge so they don't wear out on outside edge. The ends with nuts will wear with use.

I think I would have mounted the hour meter some place I could see it when I was running the machine. That way I'll be able to know how much gas it's using. Example if it runs 2 hours on a tank I would know to get ready to fill it up at 1 hour 45 min

What brand make or model is this?

looks to be an awesome machine for around the house, I'd like to have one myself

OK, love the vedio.... but you never mention the manufacture of the equiqment or the model, etc.... like if interested where can I find more information on this machine...maybe I did notsee it belowin teh cmments... what is the nmae, model I can take it from there. Thanks

Yeah, I’ve been looking at getting an excavator myself. What’s the name of that Excavator?

Seems like the zirt fitting sticks out around the buck too much and would break?

Hi hi! Nice video! Any link to the product selling page? 😊

When installing zirk at 3:37 is the boom cracked or are they made that way

I would love to know where you bought that. All I can find are ads that say they are looking for dealer or need agent business and Customer.

What is the exact brand of the excavator? I've been checking them out and I like how yours has the joysticks on the armrests and all of the ones I see for sale are awkwardly out front and looks really uncomfortable

Have you found out any information on this machine. I have bought one to flip. I do plain on getting me one. What is the motor in then. Net says briggs. Logo says otherwise or as for looks. What is the cost on yours

I hope you didn’t chance the grease fittings, they put those in purpose, so they won’t stick out and break during digging.

What are you doing when you hang over the front of the machine? Is that just so you can see when you push?

good video. Not just another bashing video like other on faketube.

What brand is it? How much was it? I want it. What you’re saying about being able to replace parts easy is a huge plus for me.

excellent video.

The machine seems to work well. But no one has come up with the total costs as to date. how much was it all in? .

Super handy!

I would have welded washers on those pins to protect the grease fittings. Those will be a problem for you.

Camarata-esque Good content good vid!

Looking at side view. What if you flipped the bar and teeth as one piece, would that work better?

Nice vid ! im actually looking to purchase the same one from alibaba. what about the seat and confort? i rent a smaller 1t Chinese last summer but the seat was awfull!

Im gonna get one of these Chinese excavators but I have limited mehanic skills, do you think id be better off getting the Briggs and Stratton gas engine over the diesel Kubotaor Yanmar engines? Im guessing the diesel is pretty reliable but gonna cost more and be more complicated if it does need repair work.

I mean thanks for China made stuff, though we know a lot of the products are cheaply done, but they come in hand for the (working mans budget). One of my sones use to build and sell the gas engine kits for and installed them on Walmart sourced mountain bikes, and all he did as I was told was change out the fasteners to quality US made fasteners, and it solved some of the small issues he was having.

How much is this one and do you know how much more it is with a cab .

Thanks for the video, what is the part number and where did you get the grease fittings you used to replace the plugs? I bought a mini excavator and its coming Tuesday. I'd like to get the grease fittings and have them ready before it gets here.

And check your hydraulic fittings they may the loose also.

looking into those little gems myself for my cabin property, what brad is that?

Does anyone know what what name brand / model this excavator it is a copy of?

Thease typ on machean are not bad aslong as you do what your doing and tighten all lose points and as sead cant grease enough keep all pins from any excess wear huge diff alway buy the best deisel from one place that sells good fuel and oil and their not bad .

What size and brand is the excavator

Keep up good work

I'm sure you figured it out by now (three months later), that the cutting edge of the bucket is welded on upside down. The cut angle edge should be on top, flat edge on bottom. The teeth are cut incorrectly too. They were cut to fit the upside down cutting edge. Chinese companies skimp on R&D.

If the teeth of the thumb are proud of the body it works better for holding rocks and larger stuff. Otherwise you are forming a 'V' to try to grip materials. Works with some but having the teeth protruding works with logs and everything.

grinder time on the teeth. I do agree they designed it though the wrong way. That's not a big deal since this machine is a great bang for buck and you can always just use a shovel and grade/smooth the hole properly since this is not a daily use one.

What brand is that chinese excavator? I noticed the controls are just like a regular excavator. A lot of the chinese models like agt have the controls up front. Please tell me the brand. Thanks

Does anyone know what machine this is?

how much did you pay for it and where did you buy it?

I would never have a use for a machine like this unfortunately because It looks like a lot of fun but I still enjoyed the video and like the great comment..hoarding has never let me down. 😂

How much play does your slew have? I just bought one and when I push on the boom with it off the ground I have around 2" play. Wondering if its normal.

another guy i saw with a small machine with the chinesse grease zerks he change his over to regular ones, he never said but i would surmise they are metric zerk fittings.

Face forward, put blade down. You get maximum stability and maximum lifting force. You'll learn, the more you do with it.

So that hour meter just feels the energy going through the spark plug cable?

What model is that mini x