UHI UME 12P Mini Excavator - NEW Model Available Now!  

Thanks Andrew. I agree about the extra money. I am not convinced either way at the moment. I do like however the easier access for servicing. Thank you for watching. Cheers Dave.

G'day DD. Unfortunately I didn't get to try it out. There was a truck waiting to pick it up and get it delivered, so time was limited. I did hear it running and see it move out of the warehouse. Controls seemed a little sensitive, not so much on the track controls but on the slew control it looked not as smooth. Could just be the case of getting used to the controls over time. Cheers Dave

Yes it is bit strange that the foot controls on the earlier model have gone. Would make it very difficult to use the auger drive on the new models as you would need 3 arms!

Hey Sean. Yes I hear you. I have been trying to get another machine to test for the last few months but it has gone very quiet from UHI. I know they have grown a lot since the first videos and every time I call or email I haven't had much luck getting through. Cheers Dave

are you saying you got an xn12-9 for 17k by asking for no auger?

Thanks Luke. Let me know how the machine goes. If used everyday is it for commercial use? I have had mine for just on one year and still not a drama - but it does get little use!

When the video was done that particular digger had the D902. I can only go on the spec sheets from UHI and from what the dealer tells me. Yes you can look up the specs for a D902 engine and find different horsepower figures in different applications. The D902 can make 24.8 hp at a rated 3600 rpm. Most digger specs sheets show HP at operating revs of about 2200 rpm. I probably operate my digger at less revs than that. I have checked the UHI website just now and it shows the latest model of the UME12P as coming with the Kubota D722 engine (not the D902). If you have ordered one I would get confirmation on what the engine will be. When I bought my digger 2 years ago the dealer told me they didn't know what engine configuration would be in the machines until they arrived, as the factory would change from Yanmar to Kubota (and different engine specs) depending on what was available at the time from Japan. And the HP on the small digger is almost irrelevant because the performance is governed by the size of the hydraulic pump. My older UME12 is rated at 24 litres/min and I see the UME12P is rated at 17 litres/min. I did ask for confirmation on this and was told it was the same as the older model but the spec sheet was wrong. So maybe also wrong for the HP stated for the engine? The larger XU20 machine does have a D902 engine but it has the larger 57 litres/min pump which gives it more operating 'power'. Hope this helps. Cheers Dave.

I would think a more powerful motor would allow you to run at lower rpm without losing the power yet increasing the smoothness of operation. I have a mini skid steer with the Kubota D1105 24.8 hp motor and I find running it around 1800 rpm makes the machine easier to operate. If I need the power I’ll increase the rpm but 90% of the time it’s not necessary.

All of the small UHI machines are single pump. There is some confusion also in how much volume they pump. The spec sheet says 17 litres a minute for the 1.2 machine but the sales people say it's 24. I think even the 2.0 tonne machine is single pump where if you buy the same machine from XCMG it is dual pump. Cheers Dave.

Yes thanks for that Dave. I don't know if you could tell by looking under the cover in the video with the hydraulic lines running up to the controls? I had a look at some pictures of the Rhino on google and not sure if it is the latest model but the top cover tilts back not forward and the roof support frame comes from the front and not the rear on the UHI. Also noticed that the Kubota engine is in opposite to the UHI. The radiator side on the Rhino is on the RHS.

yes, these are hydraulic sticks. Move more easily and have less slack but more cheap hoses to change and more parts to wear out. For home user I don't know if it's reasonable. For every day use you want these to save your hands

I use red lithium grease, any decent name brand NLGI-2 spec. I like the reds because I find it easy to see when it's squeezing out of the joints clean.

I use a CASTROL AGRI grease which just about covers everything I need to lube up on my place. Others will comment also on what they use I am sure. Thanks for the comment.

I think you would have to talk with the dealer or if ordering direct then have it installed by the factory. The newer model from this one shown has a mechanical thumb and would think future models will eventually have hydraulic. But they are built to a price remember. Cheers Dave.

I have a new one that came with my UME12. Not sure if it is the same but will see if it has any number on markings on it. Cheers Dave.

I think they have put the filler inside again. You have to flip the seat and top cover forward. There is a sight glass on the RHS that you can't see from the operator position. Not sure if the new display electronic panel also shows fuel level.

Thanks Dave for all the videos

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bHkxNMaGp2I.html

There is a new 1.8t model that I haven't looked at yet but pretty sure it has the side controls. The 2.0t is a better built unit the same as XCMG and is much better in a lot of ways. The 1.5t machine has just been upgraded also to side controls. Hoping to get back to UHI next month for some updates. Cheers Dave.

Would be great to do a side by side comparison. There is a RU-vid comparison with a US buyer of a Chinese mini digger who hires a name brand machine and goes through a series of tasks to find out which is better. It was an interesting result!.

There's still a huge difference between Chinese and Japanese made excavators. I'd be buying Chinese first to help build up some income and then upgrade to a well designed Japanese machine for the smooth control operation.

@@dinosshed Japanese excavators have better hydraulic pumps? How much would the equivalent Kubota excavator cost? This UMI costs around $20k with the attachments. I guess a Kubota excavator of this size would cost around $35k and the attachments would push the price over $40k.

@@kdegraa yeah, they have far better hydraulic system's, not just the pumps. Go and use a proper machine for a week and then jump on your UME/Rhinoceros and you will see the difference between cheap and value.

The better of the Chinese ones are certainly improving in stages as they get more involvement in our market but I do think they would gain significant benefit from some sort of owner/operator feedback program because there seem to be aspects of each model that let them down and many would be easily fixed. Simple things like no pedal control for the auxilliary are oversights that simply should not escape pre-production review, unless of course it has rocker button control on one of the joysticks in which case I apologise. UME12 is a bit of an orphan size if you're trying to compare with Kubota. At the moment on the Australian Kubota market you go from K008-3 which is just under 1000kgs (forward controls and about 30k with three buckets) and then jump to around 1800kgs with kx018 and U17 (pilot controls and a LOT more dough). The other thing is the attachments included with the Chinese ones, if you need auger and grabs then you're going to spend an extra four to eight grand to outfit your kubota with those. Comparisons between Rhinoceros/UME and Kubota are fun to write about when based on quality, longevity and ease of operation but the reality is that most people buying the Rhinoceros/UME ones do not have the option of buying the Kubota instead of the Chinese because of the price difference. Most people who end up buying the Chinese ones adapt themselves to operate them quite effectively and efficiently.

Exactly right. Now with my older machine I can run the auger via the foot control and still operate the boom and the slew on the hand controls. If you look at the photos on the web site of the new model UME15 (the next model up) you can see a better set up with just the track controls in front and two foot controls , one either side. For me this is the next machine I would go for rather than upgrade to the UME12P. Cheers Dave.

@@TreeChangeFarmer this is typically the mistakes importers who don't actually use these machines make. When importing from China you need to be in the factory to see these oversights of new models so you don't import a shipping container full of shit. Having the bigger engine is also a terrible idea, it won't ever see enough load from such a small hydraulic system and will cause glazing of the bores. Having the lockout lever on the floor is a great way of going arse over tit whilst snapping that off. Short tracks with rounded edge rollers are guaranteed to walk the tracks off etc. 20k is a lot of money for something inferior.

I have a UME12P - the auger is driver from a button on the pilot controls. In the video here Alex is mistaken and confuses the track width lever and the auger button.

@@kirkyatras8333 Ohhh that is very good then!

UHI do make a 1.2 tonne EV only machine. Cost is $17000 AUD. Details on the UHI website. Cheers Dave.

Rhino ks12-9

Hello Gabrielle. You can do the service yourself if confident. I was told that if you service the machine yourself it doesn't effect the warranty - but you can check first. Not much different from changing the oil and filter on a car. There is a hole on the bottom of the digger that lines up with the drain plug on the engine. Filter is behind the front cover where the oil dipstick inspection is. Remove the bolts and the panel comes off. For a first service thats about it. Lube the pins and do a nut and bolt check. Mechanics can charge about $95+ and hour. Cheers Dave