Chinese Mini Skid Steer Review, First Service & Regrets (CRT-23)

[@kylequinn1963]

I've got the same machine, paid $5,500 Canadian (taxes/fees included). I've got 50 ish hours on mine, using it commercially and so far its made me over 5 grand. The machine isn't perfect but it's certainly not bad for the price. Add some reinforcement to the tilt cylinder bracket cross member, I broke mine with the pallet forks and a massive bucket I use for mine. Add some counter weights and you'll get well over 1200 lbs lift capacity, the travel speed isn't that bad honestly, I use mine all day long on jobsites and it's fine, not that different from an MT85. I set my track tension so that it sags 3/8 inch at the middle most roller, no issues with tracks coming off since I set them. I'll be doing a few upgrades to mine over the course of the winter, better fuel filter system, inline hydraulic filter, adjusting hydraulic pressure at the valve bodies, finding a way to make the rollers take grease easily, adding a couple hundred pounds of counter weights to the back etc. For me, the thing was worth every damn penny I paid for it. I got the standard bucket, massive 4 ft bucket off a full size skid steer, brand new kubota pallet forks and an auger with 3 bits plus the machine for $8k all in. Not too bad considering a bobcat MT100 is over 50 grand here.

[@offgrid101]

@@kylequinn1963 hey, thanks for the alternate point of view and the hope of a light at the end of the tunnel! I’m going to give it an honest shot before giving up on it. 👍

[@dodgeme1986truck]

Been seeing alot of those machines with failures where the hull bends at the drive motors causing it to throw track fix is to reinforce the frame where the drive motors are some versions (track assembly and idlers being removable on some of these) you remove the track assemblies and add a 1/2inch reinforcing plate both inside and out, tapping and installing thread sets or helicoils in the motor mount holes in all 3reinforcing plates

[@dodgeme1986truck]

I would recommend adding an oil filter relocation kit to put the filter in an easier position to service you can also add a secondary oil cooler as well since the stock oil cooler has been found to be lacking on those engines

[@joshuaslawncarellc]

For the record, you should start the engine and let it idle for 10 or 15 minutes until the engine oil gets hot. Then it'll actually flow out pretty quick, and you should also take the cap off first. That way, there's not like a like an airlock that keeps the oil from wanting to leave. Theoretically, there should be a crankcase ventilation that keeps that from happening. But you know how the world is. You never know what you get.

[@darrensimpson9662]

Great video. Thanks for sharing Steve!

[@vulpinemac]

Mulcher and snow blower would be my first two attachments for this. I get fallen trees multiple times per year on my property that I would prefer to just grind down, and a long driveway that needs snow clearing after a nor'easter. The bucket could see some use, but not nearly as much.

[@fastshapes3dsigns290]

Great video, please keep them coming 👍🏼👍🏼

[@hessdominguez170]

The oil pan was made for this thing 😂😂 ❤. Waiting on my 1.3 ton mini ex to come from china. Shipped out last week hopefully it’ll arrive by the end of the month Edit: 7:23 damn it really should just come with one in the “tool set”. I’m sure there made in china too lol

[@offgrid101]

@@hessdominguez170 haha 100%, I was shocked how perfect that drain pan fit. Everyone with this machine needs it.

[@offgrid101]

Thanks for watching! Here are the links I promised: Oil drain pan: a.co/d/dbwvPz5 Oil filter: a.co/d/dVg4s4g

[@JohnVance]

What do y’all think about one of these for a little hobby farm in rural MN? Need to plow a 500-ft driveway

[@offgrid101]

@@JohnVance haven’t used it yet, but not sure I’d recommend it for that. It’s pretty slow moving and probably wouldn’t be any fun standing out in the cold for hours on this. A bobcat will move twice as fast, carry a bigger plow, and has a seat and a heater.

[@jeffheld3971]

I just saw someone in a FB group discussing the same hydraulic issue.

[@offgrid101]

@@jeffheld3971 might’ve been me? 😁

[@Mr.BodyByFisher]

Wondering why AGT put the tracks on backwards. Mines were backwards along with many others I see

[@offgrid101]

@@Mr.BodyByFisher yeah, it’s weird, but I’m also mostly going to be back dragging a land plane with this, so I’ll probably keep them backwards for now.