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Going to look at Hitachi EX120-3 excavator

K

Keith Merrell

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Mar 29, 2020
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Cottonwood, AZ
Hello everyone,

I am taking a look at an excavator this week that is out of state. What do I look for other than all the normal stuff like pins bushings engine hydraulics swing motor etc? It has a hydraulic thumb and my big question is can it run a hammer if it has a thumb? The machine is priced at $35,000 and has 4600 hours. Looks very nice.
 
Tones

Tones

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Ubique
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Ex land clearing contractor, part-time retired
To run a hammer the oil return has to go to the tank and not through the control valve. All thats required is a hose from the tank to the boom base, 2 gate valves and fittings. When operating the hammer remove the hoses from the thumb and couple to the hammer, turn on and off the appropriate gate valves and you're good to go
 
K

Keith Merrell

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Cottonwood, AZ
So one of the lines going to the thumb can be used as a supply, but a new line to the tank must be plumbed in as a return? Am I understanding you correctly?
 
Tones

Tones

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Keith Merrell said:
So one of the lines going to the thumb can be used as a supply, but a new line to the tank must be plumbed in as a return? Am I understanding you correctly?
Click to expand...
By fitting a T to existing return line and and having it return to tank works. Each gate valve is fitted to the T so oil can be diverted either to the tank for hammer work or through the current system for the thumb and is done by closing one valve and opening the other. Both lines for the thumb maybe good enough for a hammer depending on it's size.
 
skyking1

skyking1

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I will take some good pictures of all my fittings and the dedicated return line @Tones mentioned. My JD 120 will be similar enough to be useful.
I had the return kit and valves added when I worked there about 15 years ago for a hoe pack.
 
K

Keith Merrell

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Mar 29, 2020
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Location
Cottonwood, AZ
This machine is also set up for excavator controls, not backhoe like I run on everything I own. How easy is that to change without a pattern changer? As I recall, its a matter of switching hoses, and just knowing which ones to switch.
 
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Keith Merrell

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Mar 29, 2020
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Location
Cottonwood, AZ
Got the machine for $32,000. Just need to figure out transport now. The excavator was very well kept and the pins and bushings were nice and tight. The coupler had a little slack though, nothing I can’t shim and weld though.
 
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Welder Dave

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It seems to be missing a bunch of decals but looks pretty clean with no damage from swinging into things. I don't know if I'd mess with changing the control pattern. Circuits may have different relief valve settings, hoses or steel lines may not fit, etc. It could be a bit of a nightmare.
 
Tones

Tones

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Learn to operate it with the current pattern. It's surprising how many different types of machines run that pattern including skidsteer loaders and wheel loaders. :D
 
Tags

Tags

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You just need to switch around the pilot lines, so it wouldn’t affect any circuit relieves or anything like that, it’s just a matter of switching four lines I believe. Look up the member Uffex , I think he has some information on it, he’s incredibly helpful.
 
K

Keith Merrell

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Mar 29, 2020
Messages
237
Location
Cottonwood, AZ
6A5E8AC2-2D10-419B-8CAC-1AA313AE90EA.jpeg
Excavator was delivered this Sunday. Real excited for it. Been so busy haven’t had the time to go through it yet or even play with it a little. First thing to do will be to change the control pattern from cat to Deere controls.
 
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