Mini/Micro digger cheap chinese okay

[Smallfry]

That's me!

Was at the Edenbridge and Oxted show today, there is a Buffalo stand there. Stuff looks well finished. They didn't have the larger digger there though, as no stock. The guy was busy, but he was fairly big, and said he could use the machine with no problem.
They are based near Maidstone apparently. I got a brochure, but it does not include the larger digger.

 

[Onoff]

Was at the Edenbridge and Oxted show today, there is a Buffalo stand there. Stuff looks well finished. They didn't have the larger digger there though, as no stock. The guy was busy, but he was fairly big, and said he could use the machine with no problem.
They are based near Maidstone apparently. I got a brochure, but it does not include the larger digger.

I tried to go and see him at East Farleigh where they're based yesterday. Rang around 1.30pm and he said it wasn't convenient as they were getting ready for the show

I might get there this coming Tuesday.

 

[Smallfry]

I tried to go and see him at East Farleigh where they're based yesterday. Rang around 1.30pm and he said it wasn't convenient as they were getting ready for the show

I might get there this coming Tuesday.

The showroom is at Parkwood, I assume on the industrial estate, and his yard is at Coxheath. I am at the show again tomorrow, as I am sure they will be, so they will be packing up and moving all the machines afterwards, so he may not be ready or available on Tuesday, so check first.

 

[Porkypine]

Against my advice a bloke I used to do jobs for bought a Chinese tractor, smallish type thing, I hated to say 'I told you so' but in under 10 years of lightish use the main shaft in the gearbox snapped ( it was a s'hite design too with another shaft running inside it ! ) Try to get a replacement, Forget it.. the dealer didn't want to know, and all enquiries confirm the parts simply unobtainable. Net result the whole shebang was scrap.
Bear in mind you can still get parts for a Fordson designed in 1917 !

 

[addjunkie]

Against my advice a bloke I used to do jobs for bought a Chinese tractor, smallish type thing, I hated to say 'I told you so' but in under 10 years of lightish use the main shaft in the gearbox snapped ( it was a s'hite design too with another shaft running inside it ! ) Try to get a replacement, Forget it.. the dealer didn't want to know, and all enquiries confirm the parts simply unobtainable. Net result the whole shebang was scrap.
Bear in mind you can still get parts for a Fordson designed in 1917 !

While I dont disagree with you, Chinese made, diggers, tractors, cars, motorcycles have come on leaps and bounds in the last 10 years.

 

[Onoff]

I'm being advised by an ethnic Chinese design engineer I've known for years. He's reading between the lines for me.

Been looking at Hengwang, Womi Machinery etc

Got a quote from Rippa for an R319. €6288 DDP as in to my door so approx £5451.5.

€4388 excavator
+€1900 DDP shipping
_____________________
€6288

R319 Pro
1.Machine operating weight (kg) 1050
2.Bucket capacity (m³) 0.014
3.Walking speed
4.Low/High Speed (Km/h) 0-1.5
5.Maximum digging radius (mm) 3225
6.Maximum digging depth (mm) 1813
7.Maximum digging height (mm) 3050
8.Maximum unloading height (mm) 2269
9.Maximum deflection angle (°) 121
10.Track extension range (mm) 900-1200
11.Engine brand Kubota
12.Engine model D722 (EPA4/Euro V)
13.Fuel form diesel fuel
14.Fuel grade No. 0/-10
15.Theoretical fuel consumption (L/h) 1.1-1.5

Has 360⁰ rotation and 121⁰ boom swing.

Quote says "including tax". Not clear if that means they'll pay the VAT. Don't want to get caught on that!

 

[RichardM]

DDP = delivered duty paid which would include vat and all import duties.

Delivered Duty Paid - Incoterms Explained

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Can be used for any transport mode, or where there is more than one transport mode. The seller is responsible for arranging carriage and delivering the goods at the named place, cleared for import and all applicable taxes and duties paid (e.g. VAT, GST) Risk transfers...

www.incotermsexplained.com

 

[Beanwood]

I'm being advised by an ethnic Chinese design engineer I've known for years. He's reading between the lines for me.

Been looking at Hengwang, Womi Machinery etc

Got a quote from Rippa for an R319. €6288 DDP as in to my door so approx £5451.5.

€4388 excavator
+€1900 DDP shipping
_____________________
€6288

R319 Pro
1.Machine operating weight (kg) 1050
2.Bucket capacity (m³) 0.014
3.Walking speed
4.Low/High Speed (Km/h) 0-1.5
5.Maximum digging radius (mm) 3225
6.Maximum digging depth (mm) 1813
7.Maximum digging height (mm) 3050
8.Maximum unloading height (mm) 2269
9.Maximum deflection angle (°) 121
10.Track extension range (mm) 900-1200
11.Engine brand Kubota
12.Engine model D722 (EPA4/Euro V)
13.Fuel form diesel fuel
14.Fuel grade No. 0/-10
15.Theoretical fuel consumption (L/h) 1.1-1.5

Has 360⁰ rotation and 121⁰ boom swing.

Quote says "including tax". Not clear if that means they'll pay the VAT. Don't want to get caught on that!

View attachment 510168

£5k +VAT is what several 1.5ish ton excavators sold for recently at the farm auction. One at least was VERY tired...

 

[Onoff]

 

[Smallfry]

What about warranty repairs and parts ?

 

[reb78]

What about warranty repairs and parts ?

Says parts only for one year in the small print above, but I had the same question about parts availability.

 

[Onoff]

Says parts only for one year in the small print above, but I had the same question about parts availability.

The question really should be the availability of parts in the future.

 

[reb78]

The question really should be the availability of parts in the future.

True.

 

[Blobber]

I have to say I can see the appeal buying something new, it's ok buying used but by the time they get to that sort of price they are unserviced, non maintained knackers that you spend more time fixing

 

[Agrismith]

I have to say I can see the appeal buying something new, it's ok buying used but by the time they get to that sort of price they are unserviced, non maintained knackers that you spend more time fixing

Watch some of the you tube vids on the Chinese gear and it seems they are often about the same out the box. Simple things like lack of bushings, spindles for track rollers being a bolt through thin steel plate and excessive heat build up are not long term design features.

 

[Smallfry]

The question really should be the availability of parts in the future.

This is what would bother me. They say parts warranty for one year, but if there is no UK agent, where will they come from, and how long will it take.

One assumes there will be no labour paid, and what is special tools are required. All this is "what ifs" and it probably will not go wrong in the warranty period, but what if it does, and what about after ?

 

[addjunkie]

I have to say I can see the appeal buying something new, it's ok buying used but by the time they get to that sort of price they are unserviced, non maintained knackers that you spend more time fixing

I like new, not newish as you dont know how abused newish is. New with dealer network and warranty, I just cant justify the cost of a new digger, or even a newish one. Ill persevere with my 2008 case Ive had for 10 years.

 

[Porkypine]

The question really should be the availability of parts in the future.

That was the problem with the approx 10 year old tractor, a crucial part gearbox unobtainable anywhere = a vehicle in otherwise good condition was literally scrap

 

[Dapph2]

That was the problem with the approx 10 year old tractor, a crucial part gearbox unobtainable anywhere = a vehicle in otherwise good condition was literally scrap

Bespoke made parts in such cases are not that expensive these days of UK CNC machinery .

 

[Porkypine]

Bespoke made parts in such cases are not that expensive these days of UK CNC machinery .

I think they looked at that kind of idea but seems it wasn't viable, plus I didn't want to get involved so let 'em get on with it, they flogged it cheap for parts I believe