Chinese Mini-Ex Downhill Free-wheeling Solved - The Fix Is In. (New Drive Motors - With Holdback!!)

[@thebradleysoncatbirdhill6849]

Howard, this was a classic video!! I love how you took your time, remained positive, and had fun all along the way!!!

[@howardkettner]

Thanks John. It was a ton of fun. I've always found that the time fixing equipment is as rewarding as the time spent operating it.

[@ianduckworth8595]

Love your videos, don’t know much about mini diggers but with such a narrow track the engineer in me says ’heck No those machines where never meant to be driven crossways down a slope’ Please be careful 😊

[@howardkettner]

Huge thanks for tuning in . . . It definitely does have a narrow track, and your cautionary note is definitely a great reminder. What I love about a track excavator is that as long as one swings the house and extends the boom and bucket one can do a sideways traverse on some pretty incredible slopes - as long as the slope provides good track traction. One just has to remember that the boom and bucket need to be extended out as a counter balance, and need to stay that way until one turns 90-degrees to the slope again.

[@mcpiddler1135]

I'm glad you got the parts at no charge to you. They should reimburse you for the fittings as well.

[@howardkettner]

Huge thanks for tuning in and being part of this journey!

[@doingstuffdaily2732]

Love your Outlook! So optimistic, keep having fun!! Your positivity is sure too rub off on others. I know it did on me! Great video!

[@howardkettner]

Thanks for tuning in. Makes it all worthwhile

[@waynejanzen9346]

Nice how to video Howard. It was good of your supplier to send you replacement motors at no charge. I wish all the little Chinese excavators came with the counterbalance valve motors. As I mentioned I also found out the hard way they didn't. I'm worried someone will get hurt and that could lead to a ban on importing them.

[@howardkettner]

Huge thanks again for your assistance and advice along the way. A big help in creating a great outcome all around. Love that little mini-ex! It's getting a lot more use than I would have anticipated . . . All the very best Wayne!

[@Sweetchilliheat18]

This thing actually looks super fun to work on

[@howardkettner]

It is fun to run and fun to work on! Thanks for tuning in.

[@Doro01]

I just got a TE16 excavator from Huyaee (they are also the manufacturer of your excavator, just a different seller) and the excavator belt drive is without a brake - I informed the seller about the problem before buying and sent a link to your video. I will discuss it with the dealer and see how it goes. So the information that other excavators already have a brake is not true.

[@howardkettner]

Thanks for tuning in and commenting. On the 'other excavators' comment, I probably could have been a bit more clear. Cat, Hitachi, Kubota, etc (i.e. as opposed to the 'value' Chinese excavators) to the best of my knowledge come with drive motors with the holdback/brake feature.

[@bolerfett]

Great stuff, I've been waiting to see this adventure. I got one like it on order now, no cab, and can't wait to get it on my little hobby farm. I was advised, thanks to you, to order it with the break valves. Cheers

[@howardkettner]

So glad that this episode was helpful as you placed your order. Looking forward to hearing your impressions. Here's to you enjoying your purchase to the fullest! Thanks for being part of my journey!

[@garymonague2230]

Good video, I bought a 1.2 t from Tucker and am happy with the machine, for what it is. Tucker is great to deal with.

[@howardkettner]

Totally agree. Glad, but not surprised hearing that you had a good experience!

[@thejohnsonslife7626]

Hello I have a similar excavator with the same issue. Would you happen to know if the new drive motors have a different part # than the old one? Thank you for your time

[@howardkettner]

Great question. I searched and literally could not find an identifying part number to differentiate the two motors. My sense is that the innards are obviously different, but there are little if any outward differentiators - on mine at least. Thanks for tuning in.

[@chaleurphantom1]

Awesome video. Lots of detail on how these Chinese excavators are made and how they can be worked on. Overall, the Vote Excavator seems to be well made for the price? Bummer about the fittings. Its a common complaint about the availability of metric hydraulic fittings from what I understand. Good to know Tucker at Bullydog came through for you.

[@howardkettner]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you arrived at the same conclusion I have - that it is great value for the price. Cannot say enough positive about Tucker and Bully Dog. Thanks for tuning in . . .

[@mywildholm]

Way to go Howard! 💚 Love that little machine.... Hmmmm - we might need one of those

[@howardkettner]

So great to hear from you. I had a larger unit for awhile, but for me it was problematic. To financially justify a new one for what I do with it did not make sense. So I had a used one. It was solid enough, and only 3,500 hours but there was always a leaking hose, a starter issue or ?? when I went to use it. This little gem is perfect - - - for what I need. It seems that a property is always needing a trench, some holes dug, postholes, brush raking (I love that attachment for spring clean-up) etc, and it performs amazingly. Strong dealer support out of Vancouver. Here's hoping your spring is going well. All the very best. PS - nice work on your quickly growing subscriber community!

[@ΓιωργοςΒολανης-ζ6γ]

Good evening, very interesting and helpful video how many tons is your excavator.I also have a one ton mini digger and I have the same problem and the dealer in Greece tells me that the problem is not solved

[@howardkettner]

Thanks for tuning in. Mine is a 1.8 tonne (european ton) which is 2.0 North American Ton. There should be replacement motors with the holdback feature available from the manufacturer. My sense - and I might be wrong, is that the motors are not brand specific, but rather are easily available generic mini-x motors. It appears that most of the manufacturers are less "manufacturers", and more "assemblers" - not unlike some other industries.. If anyone has a better perspective and info, I'm all ears.

[@ΓιωργοςΒολανης-ζ6γ]

@@howardkettner Thank you very much for the information and for answering my problem

[@ΓιωργοςΒολανης-ζ6γ]

@@howardkettner I would like to contact you for additional information, please give me your email

[@howardkettner]

@@ΓιωργοςΒολανης-ζ6γ Feel welcome to comment or ask questions here . . .

[@dinomite_diggers3453]

Well the re enactment was a bit boring Howard, way more exciting when you were free wheeling down the slope at about 30mph. I bet you were excited when you pulled the track lever back and the sprocket started turning backwards, that really would be a buzz. It's very good that your suppliers came up with a solution and didn't charge you for it, but do you think they would have if you hadn't posted the issue on KZbin? My place is quite rocky and I've lost a track several times but definitely getting quicker at getting them back on. The last two times I have managed to screw around and drive back into the track without leaving the seat. If if comes of with the tension still on, why shouldn't it go back on with the same tension? Another happy video with a good result. Cheers you two.

[@howardkettner]

Always great to hear from you. For sure - the machine is much more boring and predictable these days now that the driver motors have the downhill holdback feature. Love your idea about driving back into the track. Me-thinks my reflexes are slow and I somehow manage to blow the track completely off most times before stopping. haha That rocky ground will definitely do it! I had a neighbour that was doing some work for me before I got my first excavator and he was an expert at doing jump turns: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoaWcpygibmagJY Less ground disturbance and fewer 'thrown' tracks on a rocky surface . . . It's also a great technique for spinning the machine off of a ditch . . .kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJOai2aYa69paas

[@wendellhill4549]

Hello, Howard! EXCELLENT video! Thank you! For clarification, I am the proud new owner of an AGT LS15R mini excavator. My first trip down a hill, IT ALSO FREE-WHEELED! As a new operator, it gave me a pretty good pucker-up! Are you saying it isn't supposed to do that? That your company gave you replacement drive motors? And they new ones have "counterbalance" valves? Thanks for the info, and please forgive the noobie questions. :)

[@howardkettner]

Wow! Glad you and the machine didn't get hurt in the downhill freewheel experience. Definitely don't need any coffee to keep you from feeling sleepy after that.😬 As far as I know, all of the major brands (John Deere, Cat, Komatsu, Kubota, etc. etc.) all have drive motors with a holdback feature. While I'm not a workplace safety expert, my sense is that a unit without a holdback feature would not be allowed on a construction site as it would be a danger to the operator and other workers. Having operated a range of equipment with hydrostatic drive, I was shocked when my original drive motors freewheeled. I had a great conversation with the distributor - who was equally unaware of the issue. Apparently, the manufacturer of my machine has the holdback feature as an option. Who knew? So it was no problem for them to ship me drive motors with the holdback feature. I can now work any slope and up to where the tracks will slip before the drive motors freewheel. Problem solved 100% and peace of mind restored. Here's hoping that you're able to resolve the issue equally quickly and completely.

[@Dustball460]

Hi Howard, thanks for making this video. Would you be able to share the part number on the part label of those new wheel motors?

[@howardkettner]

Glad to do that. The tag reads as follows: Hydraulic Orbit Motor Product No. BMK6-390 Production No. 20230607NA Hope this helps. Thanks for tuning in.

[@Dustball460]

@@howardkettner Excellent, thank you! Are there any part numbers stamped on the valve block on top of the motor? I wonder if that block was added onto the motor itself.

[@howardkettner]

@@Dustball460 It would appear that the block was added to the motor itself - and therefore we might speculate that it is the block that contains the magic that provides the holdback feature for downhill situations. I thoroughly checked the block and could not locate any numbering or other identifying codes or otherwise. Sorry.

[@thejohnsonslife7626]

Just seen this after post the same question apologize Thanks

[@rickcuerrier8986]

Hi Howard, still making modes on my Excavator. I am curious on how the steering is with the new drive motors. Tucker at bully dog is working with me to resolve an under power turning ability on my machine(I believe the next version that came out after yours) With tracks extended she does not turn unless in forward motion. So in short how is the steering with those new drives? It is very refreshing to watch your videos. I am Glad that Tucker at BullyDog works hard to make sure there is customer satisfaction.

[@howardkettner]

The steering is and always has been excellent. I can turn without moving forward. My tracks do not extend, so maybe that is part of the issue? Tucker does work hard to put things right for sure. Thanks as always for tuning in to the channel

[@danielelenarduzzi9888]

Howard, that's great news. Do you happen to have a number off of the motor and maybe one off of the brake valve?

[@howardkettner]

Sadly, no identifiers off of the motor. No badging. The holdback valve (my term - but probably not the technical term) is built into the motor. The only suggestion I can make is to reach out directly to Vote Machinery, or perhaps Bully Dog Equipment (Vancouver)

[@yonceydelatorre3802]

Why would grease tighten the track?

[@howardkettner]

To adjust the track tension, you can use a grease gun to pump grease into the grease fitting. This extends the piston inside the track tensioner tube mechanism, which is attached to the idler, pushing it forward. To reduce the tension, you can release grease from the fitting. Thanks for tuning in. PS - many 1950's and earlier track machines had a threaded track tensioner mechanism - but when the nut seized, it was pretty challenging to make the required adjustments.

[@337aii]

Do you know the reason why on my mini excavator the hydraulic motor of the drive has thrown off the ring on the shaft three times in a short time?

[@howardkettner]

Oh wow! That does not sound good! Definitely something serious going on there. Have not heard of that before. Now you've got me very curious. Would love to hear what the final diagnosis and fix is . . .

[@337aii]

I assume that there is some clearance to the housing bearing when it is under load

[@Travman785]

I might have missed it but is there a part number for that drive motor that doesn't freewheel...

[@howardkettner]

Ahhhh - putting a part number on would likely fly in the face of a 'lowest price' strategy. hahaha. I'm sure that the manufacturer (Vote Machinery) has a parts number but it does not appear on the housing . . ., or in the manual. I reference the manual facetiously. The machine is not accompanied by any sort of manual. haha.

[@Travman785]

Thank you! Just to clarify you got your motor that doesnt freewheel from vote machinery right?

[@howardkettner]

@@Travman785 yes - and I am now back home and took another look at the correct motor - the replacement motor and found that indeed there is a part number on it. Here it is: BMK6-390

[@howardkettner]

@@Travman785 And I just dug out the motor that DID freewheel and which I replaced and it is the same part number but with 4 alpha characters added BMK6-390-SHNA There is also what appears to be a date stamp: NO2023 0521

[@Travman785]

@@howardkettner you the man!

[@grofam9888]

Nice, thanks for the video 👍

[@howardkettner]

Thanks for tuning in and watching!

[@jmaxim80]

Smart move on getting the correct fittings, less chance of a leak, and you'll take all that unwanted tension off those hydraulic hoses.

[@howardkettner]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Fittings will be in later this week. I appreciate you tuning in and being part of my journey!

[@kentjohnson3071]

What are the blocks on top the new motors?

[@howardkettner]

Great question. Really just hose junction boxes if I'm reading the question correctly. Many thanks for tuning in.

[@kentjohnson3071]

@@howardkettner made me wonder if those were removed, would the original fittings fit?

[@Hoganbrosexc]

This video was so helpful

[@howardkettner]

Thank you for tuning in! Let me know if any additional questions.

[@johnf8877]

The issue with the Chinese made stuff is that the same “brand” changes sources of parts often and unfortunately don’t keep records of which serial number or manufacturing date had which parts. I am sure that they will improve with time; I remember seeing Kias and Hyundais in the early 80’s in Korea. They were basically previous generation Honda tooling and some Suzuki parts.

[@howardkettner]

I don't disagree. There are things about the machine that I would find super frustrating if I was working this as a production machine, but as a hobby farmer, it is a reliable practical time and back-saver at an affordable price - particularly if as it ages one is ok doing their own parts sourcing, maintenance and repair. Thanks for tuning in!

[@3MatthewWright3]

Go to school and pass grade 11 physics, and do it right so your not ending up with these results

[@howardkettner]

haha. Good point!

[@jasonmixon6818]

Howard my name is Jason and I’m a certified John Deere agricultural Mechanic in Louisiana . If you ever need anything with JD you can contact me. Just send me a message. you have great energy. THANK YOU for your inspirational positive Attitude ! This world can be negative negative negative!

[@howardkettner]

Oh man - I really appreciate your wonderful offer. Huge thanks for tuning in and being part of our journey.