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+--- Thread: SANY SY215C-8 Excavator 300-Hour User Report (/thread-5581.html)
SANY SY215C-8 Excavator 300-Hour User Report - MikePhua - 06-26-2025
I have been using my SANY SY215C-8 excavator for over 300 hours, and it’s been more than two months since I bought it. The heavy rain this month has led to frequent work stoppages, but that's typical during the off-season. Now, let me share my thoughts on the excavator.
Overall Performance
Overall, the machine has performed well. The working conditions here are not demanding, with soft soil, so the SANY SY215C-8 is more than capable. Many people say that SANY machines don’t have as much power, and even the sales staff mentioned this. While it’s true, selecting the right machine depends largely on the demands of your specific project.
Fuel Consumption
Regarding fuel efficiency, I personally feel the machine isn’t as fuel-efficient as expected. Compared to other brands in the same class, it may use a bit less fuel, but when compared to older models we’ve used, it’s not as fuel-efficient. Typically, I operate the machine at 1700 RPM, and the fuel consumption is around 90 liters, with diesel costing 6.2 CNY per liter. This particular machine was manufactured on July 13 (which is also my daughter’s birthday, haha). The power output of this batch is 129 kW, while earlier and later batches had 114 kW, which may explain the higher fuel consumption. When I asked the sales team about the higher power, they said it was to improve fuel efficiency, but after testing, the difference wasn’t significant, and the power was later adjusted back to 114 kW. It seems I got a bit of an experimental unit.
Advantages
- Speed: The speed is excellent. The machine is fast, and although there is some noise when starting and stopping the rotation, the overall operation is quite smooth, and the handling is good.
- Light Controls: The joysticks are very light, and after working for an entire day, I don’t feel fatigued.
Disadvantages
- Stability: The machine’s stability is lacking, especially when working on uneven ground. It shakes quite a bit in such conditions.
- Arm Descent Speed: The arm descends too quickly and lacks a smooth, controlled descent.
- Electrical Control Issues: There is no main power switch, and if you need to use the electrical system, you have to keep the display on. Additionally, the display’s brightness cannot be adjusted, which makes it uncomfortably bright at night.
- Locking Design: The door locks don’t have a second lock position, which makes operation a bit inconvenient.
Comparison and Conclusion
Given that this is a domestic excavator with only a few years in production, it still lags behind established brands in certain areas. However, SANY has made significant progress. When buying an excavator, the after-sales service is crucial, and SANY has done a great job in this regard. Whenever there’s an issue, the service team is quick to respond and resolve it.
In conclusion, the SANY SY215C-8 has made great strides in several areas. While it still has some shortcomings, it’s a significant improvement compared to previous domestic models. Looking ahead, I hope Chinese manufacturers will continue to focus on independent research and development and move from “Made in China” to “Created in China.”