Is A Cheap Chinese Mini Skid Steer Worth the Risk?

[@dmiroy]

Looking forward to this comparison test! Thx for your videos.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

You're welcome. I’m glad you enjoy them.

[@USMC-Sniper-0137]

I have the TYPHON STOMP and just love it! Very similar to yours. I removed EVERY sticker except the STOMP on the sides and replaced TYPHON with a custom large 8" X 10" TONKA sticker I found on ebay!!!!!!

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Haha that’s awesome. I put Tonka stickers on my mini excavators. Maybe I should add some to these machines as well. Lol.

[@marathonjohnb]

I have the Landhero HY380 and added two 1" thick steel plates (one on each side of the operator) which gave me an extra 310 lbs., plus the weight of the operator for a total of 490 lbs. of counter-balance. Now a lot less tipping.

[@urcindys]

Can't wait to see the 1000, I looked at something similar, was called an mh950, had a Perkins diesel, tri pump, hi flo + standard flow . Was $16,900. Was well built nice machine but the deal breaker for me was no float position on loader and when backing up you had to " cross steer" I probably could have gotten used to that but no float was not an option , so I found a Toro tx1000 in nice shape for around the same price. I do own a Chinese mini x by ground hog that I am very happy with. Excellent content please keep videos coming, very informative Bob

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. I just looked up the mh950 and it looks like a nice machine. I’m excited to get the v1000 and use the float function as well!

[@johnnydeng3488]

I heard from a friend that some of these Chinese mini skid might have track setup too tight, check and loose them a bit might help

[@OurLifeInTrees]

@MikeFestiva just did a video about the tracks being too tight on his machine.

[@johnnydeng3488]

@@OurLifeInTrees really appreciate the info

[@tvh300]

We could use a video about sourcing parts for these machines.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s a good idea. My other machine I just call Derette, this one…. Need to find parts.

[@dankelsey4004]

I'm guessing that lever under the choke is a fuel shut off.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Yup. Looks like that’s it. Thanks.

[@johndarraugh3817]

Since i haven't seen anyone else suggest it. The best way that i have found to fuel my machine (ysrt-14) is with a battery operated transfer pump from harbor freight. They are maybe, $10-$12 plus a couple d batteries. But that's the most convenient way i have found.

[@harryfatcat]

I'm no geometry wiz but I wonder if counterweight is 1 for 1 in this case or does it multiply somehow based on where the weight is?

[@Snailmailtrucker]

*Want to add years to your engine ?* *Before you turn the key on to start the engine up... With the key off... Pull the Hand Starter Cord a few times with the Choke turned on to get oil and gas flowing throughout the engine.* *The Cold Start will be much Less Stressful to the Engine !*

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Good tip! Thank you.

[@douglasframpton7154]

I really enjoyed your jokes!

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I'm glad you found my humor entertaining!

[@juliandone15]

I've been looking for a mini skidsteer for a while..... to load pigshit on the farm. Anything is better than a shovel at my age! I was impressed by your Derette 450, and now Dean sends me videos almost every day. The V1000 looks like a decent piece of kit but the 450 is more my size

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I love my 450. When my v1000 comes in a few weeks, I’ll be able to do some side by side comparisons with them. Anything is better than a shovel!! lol

[@BrightthgirB]

@36:55 Very nice video! Im a bit confused. In one in your previous videos, you stated the green maching was 18k & in this one you're saying 8k. Could you please update on the pricing for the green machine?

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks. Sure. It was $6300 plus $2200 shipping to Oklahoma. Then my 8 attachments were $6k and $2k for shipping. I used credit card so Alibaba charged me a 2.9% CC fee. Basically $18k for both crates and everything I got.

[@joshkuper6817]

I bought the same one but a 380, not the 360 but it looks the same EXACT. I changed out the oil but I can’t see a hydraulic fluid nut/bolt/nipple to drain out the old Chinese hydraulic fluid, is scifining out the hydraulic fluid the only option on this model?

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Nice. Is the 380 a better machine than the 360? bought a transfer pump and used that on one of my other machines. That should work fine on this as well. Slow and time consuming, but it would work.

[@philliparnold3]

We need to see the v1000

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Me too!!! It’s supposed to arrive at the port in Los Angeles January 8th. Not sure how long it will take the truck to come to OKC, but I’m super impatient!! lol.

[@philliparnold3]

@@OurLifeInTrees . I have been emailing Dean and waiting to see an honest review and not just some video with factory workers demo-ing on site before I buy. Can't wait to see your reaction and how it works for you.

[@bobearl7859]

You don't even need that key to get in there to your radiator just take the four top screw bolts out and you can take the hinges off

[@OurLifeInTrees]

It’s so fancy and cool. Kidding. It’s unlocked now.

[@matdooley]

Good on you . hope its lucky for ya .

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks!

[@tomd864]

I'm gonna assume you've never shut the fuel off on your small mini excavator lol. That was the fuel shut off. ETA: I like it, would be handy to have around for a small property owner. Also that was the operating weight not machine weight.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Hahaha that makes sense. Yes I have shut off the fuel. I can’t see the fuel shut off. Ok my 1 ton, I have to reach my hand down and blindly feel for a switch to turn it off. So that’s what it looks like!! Haha

[@ryanhansen8312]

I own this same machine. I hate it... Controls are jerky as F. I rent toro dingos when I work for other people on big job, this thing is only good for minimal stuff. If you are used to standard controls of bobcat, toro or kubota etc, you will hate re learning similar looking setup, yet completely different functions, especially if you have long term muscle memory.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I keep doing the wrong control because it opposite my Derette mini skid. It’s tippy, obnoxiously loud, uncomfortable, and slower than a snail. BUT! If you don’t have one, and don’t want to buy a tractor, this is a great homeowners tool. I’d rather have it than nothing. But will never choose to use this when I have my other machines.

[@jcadult101]

Nice review. Somewhere I saw someone mention those flip--up platforms risk folding up and taking off some toes if you're not careful.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Yeah, when you go down a ramp or drop off something it can flip up and hit your toes. I did that when I first bought my green Derette machine.

[@lwwarren]

It tips because YOU are the counter weight! I've added two 45lb weights on each side of mine to add up to another 180lbs of counter weight. Made moving my 10k lb trailer much safer and easier!

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s a great idea. What did you use to make them? Steel plates?

[@jtsokiehobbyandadventures6666]

Where are you located in Oklahoma

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Not far from you. I’m near thunderbird.

[@jtsokiehobbyandadventures6666]

@@OurLifeInTrees i would like to compare the bigger mini excavator to this agt see what big difference. I live in seminole myself

[@JonRhea-jv8ni]

I got the eg360 mini skid with 2 pump, thinking about selling tot a getting the crt23 for the 3 pump to run the brush hog and trencher. But after your videos the derettes look pretty interesting

[@briansmith2849]

For correct labels and durability and some customer service just go to your local dealer.And pay 10x more.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Hahaha. Yup! You are very correct!

[@KUBBI7488]

sorry to say that but its wasting of money to buy one of those ! Derette is a WINNER !

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I get so many comments about people who say they bought a $3k-&4k machine and I paid too much. Now I’ll have a comparison video of the cheapy, a 460 and a v1000. Muhahaha. No. They are NOT the same. lol

[@fullthrottle2656]

Still want to see if the attachments fit on a Toro Dingo??? Do a Video with your attachments hooking up on one so we can actually see they do.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I plan to. I just need time. The dingo is an hour away from me and I haven’t had a free weekend in weeks and weeks. I should have a free day on the weekend to go at the end of January or in February. Adulting is NOT always fun…. Sigh…

[@fullthrottle2656]

​@@OurLifeInTrees sounds good, thanks.👍

[@jwg9338]

The tipsiness is inherit to all mini skids, until you get in the very large (think mid-size sit-in class) stand-on skid steers from domestic manufacturers.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s true. Yet my DRT450 is much less tippy than this one and the V1000 I can coming soon is even heavier and less tippy again. But all of them are much more tippy than a big ole skid for sure.

[@snowgorilla9789]

I see bolt on or weld on counter weights making it way safer and usefull. At that price you can imagine jobs for it.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Oh yeah for sure. For that price, why wouldn’t everyone have one?

[@APlusBrandon]

When does your v-1000 come?

[@OurLifeInTrees]

It arrives in LA on January 8th. So maybe January late or February.

[@APlusBrandon]

@ awesome. Mine finally just shipped coming to Canada. I’m guessing late Feb I’ll get it.

[@bobearl7859]

I can tell you that's not a 5-gallon fuel tank

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Looks like a gallon or two to me, but hey! I can’t even get to the dang tank, so what do I know? Haha

[@Steven7216-u9y]

La première chose que je ferais avec un truc pareil c'est de percer les axes et mettre des graisseurs là où il n'y en a pas car ça peut vite se dégrader.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s a good idea.

[@getfixd2498]

Fuel shutoff on the carb.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks. That makes sense. I should have known that. lol

[@Original_SJB]

Can you do a video on removing a tree, root, and all with your mini stuff.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I plan to do that. I have one dead tree and plan to use a chainsaw, grapple, stump grinder, and bucket. I have been waiting for my new v1000 mini skid to come in.

[@Chesney46]

If you are just going to use these machines around your property that’s all you need no need to pay more

[@OurLifeInTrees]

For most people, I agree. The three pump unit lets me run a brush cutter, stump grinder, trencher, mulcher, tiller, etc and that’s awesome too.

[@SCDeerAddict]

So your con is stickers? Lol cmon man, I am not sure what people expect from a sub 4k machine, these are literally an engine, hydraulic pump and hoses, off the shelf parts, you can build these out any way you really want from shelf items in the states, I plan to buy a few that don't run and do a custom build

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That would be cool to build your own. I like that idea! Yeah the stickers I found really funny. Figured I would add some humor to the video. I don’t really care about the stickers, but do enjoy some silly humor. lol.

[@thegarbagegladiators4735]

Dude, How the heck can you keep buying all of this equipment bro?? wtf do you do for a living? lol. I can't even afford Just ONE right now. hahaha. Jesus. You must be doing something right.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Credit union, then credit card, now KZbin money I have been saving. This cheap one is my first paid in full machine. lol It’s funny, I drive cash cars and live fairly frugal, but am in debt on these machines. The machines make KZbin dollars doing reviews and it keeps going up the more videos and machines i review!

[@thegarbagegladiators4735]

@OurLifeInTrees well keep it up. I see improvements every video.

[@thegarbagegladiators4735]

@OurLifeInTrees well keep it up. I see improvements every video.

[@timsigmond8984]

Hard to believe its that cheap.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I know right? It’s crazy.

[@kennethrobinson1672]

I got one Agt 23 industrial, i think my carb is stopped up ,it run 10min and just cut off

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Aww that stinks. At least the carbs are easy to work on.

[@cyumadbrosummit3534]

There are some decent looking electric articulating wheel loaders to had from China, hard to determine what the overall cost is from China with shipping and duties though.Theres a guy who does Ebike videos who seem to be flipping Chinese loaders for 100% profit markup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX2ygpt7otKMrZo