Yuchai Mini Excavator Buyers Guide
Why Yuchai ?
Mini excavator terminology explained
Pilot Controls
Pilot controls use oil pressure via hand and and foot controllers to activate the main control valve that divert oil into the hydraulic cylinders to make them move. They are much easier to move than controls directly connected to the main valve therefore providing a softer feel
when operating a mini excavator with much less operator fatigue.
Swing Boom
A swing boom on a mini excavator allows the operator to move the boom to the left and right while keeping the upper structure in the same place. It helps the operator dig around objects, dig on angles and when used in conjunction with the slew function it places the bucket to outer edge of the tracks and lets the operator dig close to fences and walls
Hammer/Auger or Bi-Directional Piping
Hammer / Auger piping is an additional hydraulic function that is built into the mini excavator used to operate hydraulic attachments such as rock hammers, auger drives and hydraulic grabs.
2 Speed
A mini excavator with 2 speed means that the motors used to drive the tracks has dual speeds that can be switched between high and low. 2 speed mini excavators are quicker to move around job sites
Zero Tail Swing
When a mini excavator is described as having Zero Tail Swing it refers to the design of the upper structure in relation to the underneath track frame. Zero Tail Swing means the rear or back of the excavator does not protrude past the outer edge of the tracks. The benefit is that when working in tight areas the operator knows they can swing or slew the machine left and right knowing the rear wont hit anything.
Expanding Tracks
Mini excavators with expanding tracks means that the width of the under carriage can be varied or expanded in and out. This is particularly useful for mini excavators trying to gain access to properties through narrow gates and paths. Once the machine is through the narrow gap the tracks can be expanded out again to gain extra stability for digging.
Buckets
Buckets come is many different shaped and sizes but generally there are 2 main types of buckets used on a mini excavator. GP or General Purpose buckets are used for digging, they are fitted with teeth and are good at breaking up hard ground. The 2 main sizes buckets used on mini excavators are 300mm wide for trenching and 450mm wide for footings.
Mud buckets are usually much wider than GP buckets and don’t have teeth fitted to the cutting edge. They are excellent for scraping and smoothing the ground and for moving larger volumes of loose material.
Tilting Mud buckets have hydraulic rams built into the bucket which allows the operator to “tilt” the bucket left and right. The best example of using a tilting mud bucket is being able to dig perfectly horizontal when the excavator is leaning on a angle. They are usually
connected the bi-directional piping with quick connect couplers.
Quick Connectors
Hydraulic Quick connectors are simple and easy way of connecting 2 hydraulic lines together without using tools. Opposing fittings are pushed together to making a secure and leak free join. It is very common to use quick connectors on hydraulic attachments you want to connect to your mini excavator’s bi-directional piping
Hitch Options
Frequently Asked Questions
All Yuchai excavators are backed by a 4yr/4000hr warranty with local spare parts backup. Our huge inventory of spare parts means you get the part you need immediately and nationwide service agents are available to servicing and warranty repairs.
Yuchai excavators are simple and easy to service and do not require specialised tools or computers. Yuchai Australia have full workshop facilities to service your Yuchai mini excavator or, if more convenient, can be self maintained or maintained by third party mechanic and warranty remains intact.
Your first point of call is always contact the Yuchai Service Team if you have any sort of issue with you mini excavator. If we can’t get there we have service agents all over Australia we engage to get you running again as soon as possible.
The Yuchai operators and maintenance manual has a comprehensive servicing schedule which you need to follow to maintain your warranty and keep you mini excavator performing at its best. Regular greasing of the pins and bushes is a must and we highly recommend a battery powered grease gun.
Yuchai mini excavators come standard with 3 buckets and a spring 1/2 hitch for quick and easy bucket changes. These 3 buckets will allow you tackle most digging jobs straight away.
Rippers are a great addition for breaking up hard ground and auger drives make easy work of drilling holes for posts. We offer a full arrange to attachments such as hammers and rock grabs to compliment your Yuchai mini excavator
Within reason all excavators can do the same job it just comes down to a few decisions like time, space and logistics. How quick do you want to get a job done, how much space is available to work in and how are you going to transport your excavator is required.
Yuchai offers a huge range excavators for sale from 1.7ton through to 30ton. Our experienced sales team are available to help you choose the right mini excavator and attachments to suit your individual needs.
You can use just about any trailer to transport your mini excavator, just remember you will need ramps to load it into the trailer and tie down points to secure your machine in the trailer. Specialised excavator trailers offer the benefit of built in loading ramps, bucket placeholders, attachment holders and correctly positioned tie points to make securing the excavator quick and easy. We offer a full range of excavator plant trailers and tow away
package deals on all Yuchai mini excavators.
Yuchai mini excavators some standard with a spring 1/2 hitch for quick and easy bucket changes. You don’t need to remove any pins, simply pull a spring loaded lever to release the bucket and the next one clicks on by itself.
From January 2012, new national work health and safety legislation dictated that one does not need to obtain licenses to operate equipment that falls into the earthmoving or particular crane (EPC) machine classes.
You are however responsible for operating a mini excavator in a safe and competent manor and new or inexperienced operators should undertake formal training from an RTO before operating heavy machinery
In Queensland, it is illegal to drive a non-standard vehicle on the road without conditional registration. You may be fined if you don’t have registration and if the vehicle is involved in a crash, you may not be covered by insurance.