Yesterday, 10:16 PM
Recently, we visited a large equipment distribution hub in Changping District, Beijing, where we interviewed Mr. Xu, a machine owner who has been operating various types of construction equipment for several years. This hub, which includes nearly 100 pieces of equipment such as excavators, loaders, and cranes, is one of the largest in the area. Mr. Xu has owned multiple machines, including a Hitachi 60 mini excavator, a Takeuchi TB150C mini excavator, and the main machine of focus, a Doosan DX225LC-7 large excavator, which he uses most frequently.
Purchase Information
Mr. Xu is originally from Shandong and bought his Doosan DX225LC-7 excavator through a financing plan in 2009 from Beijing Wabao, a dealer that no longer handles Doosan products. The dealership rights were later transferred to Beijing Dongfang Jianyin. The excavator was purchased through a three-year installment plan, and it accumulated over 9,000 hours of operation. The total repayment amounted to 980,000 RMB, and the vehicle has now been fully paid off.
Operator Information
Mr. Xu employs three operators, including his son, with two additional drivers hired externally. Each operator earns between 4,000 to 5,000 RMB per month. Mr. Xu himself rarely operates the machines and mainly focuses on acquiring work and managing accounts.
Equipment and Work Conditions
The Doosan DX225LC-7 has been primarily used for landscaping, municipal projects, and demolition work in the suburbs of Beijing. Specific tasks include trench management, municipal pipeline excavation, villa foundation digging, and low-rise building demolition. Out of the 9,000 hours on this machine, over 1,500 hours were spent using a hydraulic breaker, with the rest dedicated to earthmoving.
According to Mr. Xu, the typical construction rates in Beijing are as follows:
Work Efficiency and Fuel Consumption
Work Efficiency
Mr. Xu expressed satisfaction with the machine’s overall work efficiency. He noted that it performs on par with foreign-brand excavators working on the same site. The machine's efficiency remains consistent across a variety of tasks, especially during earthmoving work.
Fuel Consumption
In terms of fuel consumption, Mr. Xu pointed out that the Doosan DX225LC-7 is relatively fuel-efficient compared to other brands. The fuel cost per shift is approximately 800–900 RMB (when operating at 6–7 throttle settings). In comparison, a Hitachi 60 mini excavator consumes around 250–260 RMB per shift, and the Takeuchi TB150C mini excavator consumes around 200 RMB per shift.
Product Performance and Issues Encountered
1. Engine Problems
When Mr. Xu purchased the Doosan DX225LC-7, he received one of the first units from the DX series. Within 2,000 hours, the engine developed serious issues, including oil leakage and blue smoke. After reporting the issue to the manufacturer, they agreed to replace the engine free of charge, though Mr. Xu had to pay for shipping (5,500 RMB). After the engine replacement, the machine did not experience any similar issues. Mr. Xu was satisfied with the manufacturer’s handling of the situation, despite the inconvenience. He also mentioned that five other customers in the area experienced similar engine issues and had their engines replaced under the same recall program.
2. Hydraulic System
The hydraulic system has been stable and has not caused any significant problems during operation. The digging, swing, and travel speeds are all standard, though they are not as fast as a SANY machine with 5,000 hours of usage working on the same site.
3. Work Equipment
Due to the extensive use of the hydraulic breaker (1,500 hours), the boom of the Doosan DX225LC-7 has developed some cracks, with visible welding marks. However, Mr. Xu is not overly concerned about this issue. He humorously stated that had the machine only been used for earthmoving tasks, the boom would not have cracked even after tens of thousands of hours of operation. He believes that the overall structural strength of the Doosan machine is excellent, particularly when compared to SANY machines on the same job site, which showed more wear and decreased efficiency after similar use with a hydraulic breaker.
After-Sales Service
Mr. Xu expressed satisfaction with the after-sales service provided by the manufacturer. Since he owns multiple Doosan machines and is considered a key customer, the service response time and quality have been excellent. When issues arise, Mr. Xu contacts the manufacturer directly, who then assigns local dealers to carry out the necessary service work. He has not noticed any drop in service quality, even with changes in dealers.
Parts and Maintenance
Mr. Xu mentioned that after the warranty period of 2,000 hours or one year (whichever comes first), he no longer uses original parts for most components except the three filters (air filter, oil filter, and fuel filter). For other parts like bucket teeth, oil hoses, and hydraulic pipes, he sources them from local machinery markets or part suppliers. While he acknowledges that the original parts are more expensive, he believes they provide better guarantees for the machine’s longevity and performance.
Summary
After nearly 10,000 hours of operation, the Doosan DX225LC-7 remains in good working condition. Mr. Xu plans to continue using the machine for another three to four years, aiming for around 15,000 hours before considering selling it. The machine has proven its reliability and work efficiency, and despite some initial issues with the engine, the manufacturer’s handling of the problem has left Mr. Xu satisfied. Overall, the DX225LC-7 continues to perform well, especially in demolition work with a hydraulic breaker, and Mr. Xu is optimistic about its future performance and profitability.
Purchase Information
Mr. Xu is originally from Shandong and bought his Doosan DX225LC-7 excavator through a financing plan in 2009 from Beijing Wabao, a dealer that no longer handles Doosan products. The dealership rights were later transferred to Beijing Dongfang Jianyin. The excavator was purchased through a three-year installment plan, and it accumulated over 9,000 hours of operation. The total repayment amounted to 980,000 RMB, and the vehicle has now been fully paid off.
Operator Information
Mr. Xu employs three operators, including his son, with two additional drivers hired externally. Each operator earns between 4,000 to 5,000 RMB per month. Mr. Xu himself rarely operates the machines and mainly focuses on acquiring work and managing accounts.
Equipment and Work Conditions
The Doosan DX225LC-7 has been primarily used for landscaping, municipal projects, and demolition work in the suburbs of Beijing. Specific tasks include trench management, municipal pipeline excavation, villa foundation digging, and low-rise building demolition. Out of the 9,000 hours on this machine, over 1,500 hours were spent using a hydraulic breaker, with the rest dedicated to earthmoving.
According to Mr. Xu, the typical construction rates in Beijing are as follows:
- Large excavators: 2,400 RMB per shift
- Large excavators with a breaker: 3,500–4,000 RMB per shift
- Small excavators: 800 RMB per shift
- Small excavators with a breaker: 1,400–1,600 RMB per shift
Work Efficiency and Fuel Consumption
Work Efficiency
Mr. Xu expressed satisfaction with the machine’s overall work efficiency. He noted that it performs on par with foreign-brand excavators working on the same site. The machine's efficiency remains consistent across a variety of tasks, especially during earthmoving work.
Fuel Consumption
In terms of fuel consumption, Mr. Xu pointed out that the Doosan DX225LC-7 is relatively fuel-efficient compared to other brands. The fuel cost per shift is approximately 800–900 RMB (when operating at 6–7 throttle settings). In comparison, a Hitachi 60 mini excavator consumes around 250–260 RMB per shift, and the Takeuchi TB150C mini excavator consumes around 200 RMB per shift.
Product Performance and Issues Encountered
1. Engine Problems
When Mr. Xu purchased the Doosan DX225LC-7, he received one of the first units from the DX series. Within 2,000 hours, the engine developed serious issues, including oil leakage and blue smoke. After reporting the issue to the manufacturer, they agreed to replace the engine free of charge, though Mr. Xu had to pay for shipping (5,500 RMB). After the engine replacement, the machine did not experience any similar issues. Mr. Xu was satisfied with the manufacturer’s handling of the situation, despite the inconvenience. He also mentioned that five other customers in the area experienced similar engine issues and had their engines replaced under the same recall program.
2. Hydraulic System
The hydraulic system has been stable and has not caused any significant problems during operation. The digging, swing, and travel speeds are all standard, though they are not as fast as a SANY machine with 5,000 hours of usage working on the same site.
3. Work Equipment
Due to the extensive use of the hydraulic breaker (1,500 hours), the boom of the Doosan DX225LC-7 has developed some cracks, with visible welding marks. However, Mr. Xu is not overly concerned about this issue. He humorously stated that had the machine only been used for earthmoving tasks, the boom would not have cracked even after tens of thousands of hours of operation. He believes that the overall structural strength of the Doosan machine is excellent, particularly when compared to SANY machines on the same job site, which showed more wear and decreased efficiency after similar use with a hydraulic breaker.
After-Sales Service
Mr. Xu expressed satisfaction with the after-sales service provided by the manufacturer. Since he owns multiple Doosan machines and is considered a key customer, the service response time and quality have been excellent. When issues arise, Mr. Xu contacts the manufacturer directly, who then assigns local dealers to carry out the necessary service work. He has not noticed any drop in service quality, even with changes in dealers.
Parts and Maintenance
Mr. Xu mentioned that after the warranty period of 2,000 hours or one year (whichever comes first), he no longer uses original parts for most components except the three filters (air filter, oil filter, and fuel filter). For other parts like bucket teeth, oil hoses, and hydraulic pipes, he sources them from local machinery markets or part suppliers. While he acknowledges that the original parts are more expensive, he believes they provide better guarantees for the machine’s longevity and performance.
Summary
After nearly 10,000 hours of operation, the Doosan DX225LC-7 remains in good working condition. Mr. Xu plans to continue using the machine for another three to four years, aiming for around 15,000 hours before considering selling it. The machine has proven its reliability and work efficiency, and despite some initial issues with the engine, the manufacturer’s handling of the problem has left Mr. Xu satisfied. Overall, the DX225LC-7 continues to perform well, especially in demolition work with a hydraulic breaker, and Mr. Xu is optimistic about its future performance and profitability.
