Today, 01:48 AM
On July 24, 2014, our editorial team visited the East Ba construction equipment market in Beijing to conduct user interviews. The weather was favorable, but many pieces of equipment were still parked along the roadsides, including small to medium-sized excavators, wheeled excavators, loaders, cranes, and other construction vehicles. During the visit, we had the opportunity to interview a local excavator owner, Mr. Jing, whose insights on the market and his Hyundai R60-7 excavator were invaluable.
Changing Market Conditions
Mr. Jing shared that the excavator market has seen a steady decline in recent years. From 2008 to 2012, the market was booming, but starting in 2013, things began to slow down. At his peak, Mr. Jing owned up to four machines, but due to the market downturn, he has gradually sold off some of his equipment. Currently, he only operates a Hitachi 50 mini-excavator and a Sunward 18 micro-excavator.
Equipment and Work Practices
Mr. Jing started his career in automotive repair and eventually transitioned to excavator repairs. After gaining experience and understanding the excavator market, he decided to enter the business full-time. Over the years, he has purchased a variety of machines, including Hyundai, Zhenyang, and Sunward. In 2011, he purchased the Hyundai R60-7 mini-excavator, which has become his primary working machine.
Initially, Mr. Jing did not know how to operate an excavator, so he hired skilled operators. While he has since learned to drive the machines, he still prefers to have professional drivers operate the equipment while he focuses on finding work and managing his business.
Decision to Purchase the Hyundai R60-7
Before purchasing the Hyundai R60-7, Mr. Jing considered several brands, including Komatsu, Hitachi, and Hyundai. After conducting extensive research, including speaking with industry colleagues and evaluating fuel consumption and long-term maintenance costs, Mr. Jing decided that Hyundai offered the best balance of price and performance. The Hyundai R60-7 was competitively priced compared to other brands, and the model’s good reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency sealed the deal.
Equipment Performance and Usage
- Work Conditions
Mr. Jing primarily uses his Hyundai R60-7 for urban side jobs, including tasks like urban landscaping, backfilling, and municipal projects. For these jobs, the mini-excavator is often required to break through concrete or asphalt surfaces, so he had the machine equipped with a breaker line and a hydraulic hammer. However, breaker work is not as frequent, and most of the time, the machine uses a bucket for earthwork.
- Work Efficiency
Although Mr. Jing mentioned that the Hyundai R60-7 is somewhat slower than comparable models from Komatsu and Hitachi—especially in terms of swing speed and boom lifting speed—he noted that this doesn’t present a significant issue during regular work. The machine performs well on its own, and while it might be slightly slower in comparison, it still handles tasks like breaking concrete effectively. The slower speed is especially noticeable when the Hyundai works alongside other machines, but it doesn't pose a major problem when the excavator operates solo.
- Fuel Consumption
As a machine primarily used for short jobs, fuel consumption can vary, depending on the nature of the work. When completing lighter tasks, such as leveling city landscaping areas, fuel consumption is minimal. On days when the machine is required to perform more intensive work, like breaking through tough soil or asphalt, fuel consumption increases. On average, Mr. Jing spends around 200 RMB per day on diesel fuel when the machine operates for eight hours. This is considered quite efficient when compared to similar machines in its class.
- Product Performance
At nearly 6,000 hours, Mr. Jing's Hyundai R60-7 has performed well with very few major issues. The main complaints involve the air conditioning and the skylight. The air conditioning system had problems early on, requiring the replacement of the compressor, and later, some oil pipes had to be changed. By the 3,000-hour mark, the air conditioning was malfunctioning again, so Mr. Jing decided to replace the compressor with a non-original part. Fortunately, this solution worked well.
The skylight, however, proved to be less than ideal in terms of sealing. It leaked during rain, which wasn’t a major issue given Beijing’s relatively dry climate. Nonetheless, it was an inconvenience that could be bothersome during heavy rainfall.
- Engine and Hydraulic Systems
In terms of engine performance and the hydraulic system, Mr. Jing expressed satisfaction. The engine hasn’t shown signs of burning oil or leaking fluids, and the machine’s hydraulic power remains strong, similar to when the machine was new. The hydraulic oil was changed once, but the main pumps, control valves, travel motors, and swing motors have all operated smoothly without requiring significant repairs.
Dealer and After-Sales Service
Mr. Jing purchased his Hyundai R60-7 through Beijing Rui Zhidao Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd., a Hyundai dealer in Beijing. The dealership provides after-sales service for the first 2,000 hours or one year. During the warranty period, the company proactively performs maintenance services. They contact Mr. Jing in advance to schedule service visits, ensuring that the machine is kept in good working condition.
After the warranty period, Mr. Jing opted to perform the maintenance himself, following the recommended maintenance intervals in the service manual. He buys original oils and hydraulic fluids, but for filters (such as air, oil, and fuel filters), he purchases aftermarket parts, which saves him a considerable amount of money.
Overall Evaluation and Future Plans
In conclusion, Mr. Jing expressed high satisfaction with his Hyundai R60-7 mini-excavator. He believes it is a reliable, cost-effective machine that offers good value for the money, especially considering its performance over 6,000 hours of operation. When asked about future purchases, Mr. Jing mentioned that, due to the current market downturn, he does not plan to purchase any new equipment in the near future. However, if the market improves, he would consider buying another Hyundai excavator.
Through this interview, we gained valuable insights into Mr. Jing’s experience with his Hyundai R60-7, as well as his views on the excavator market and the challenges faced by small business owners in the construction equipment industry.
Changing Market Conditions
Mr. Jing shared that the excavator market has seen a steady decline in recent years. From 2008 to 2012, the market was booming, but starting in 2013, things began to slow down. At his peak, Mr. Jing owned up to four machines, but due to the market downturn, he has gradually sold off some of his equipment. Currently, he only operates a Hitachi 50 mini-excavator and a Sunward 18 micro-excavator.
Equipment and Work Practices
Mr. Jing started his career in automotive repair and eventually transitioned to excavator repairs. After gaining experience and understanding the excavator market, he decided to enter the business full-time. Over the years, he has purchased a variety of machines, including Hyundai, Zhenyang, and Sunward. In 2011, he purchased the Hyundai R60-7 mini-excavator, which has become his primary working machine.
Initially, Mr. Jing did not know how to operate an excavator, so he hired skilled operators. While he has since learned to drive the machines, he still prefers to have professional drivers operate the equipment while he focuses on finding work and managing his business.
Decision to Purchase the Hyundai R60-7
Before purchasing the Hyundai R60-7, Mr. Jing considered several brands, including Komatsu, Hitachi, and Hyundai. After conducting extensive research, including speaking with industry colleagues and evaluating fuel consumption and long-term maintenance costs, Mr. Jing decided that Hyundai offered the best balance of price and performance. The Hyundai R60-7 was competitively priced compared to other brands, and the model’s good reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency sealed the deal.
Equipment Performance and Usage
- Work Conditions
Mr. Jing primarily uses his Hyundai R60-7 for urban side jobs, including tasks like urban landscaping, backfilling, and municipal projects. For these jobs, the mini-excavator is often required to break through concrete or asphalt surfaces, so he had the machine equipped with a breaker line and a hydraulic hammer. However, breaker work is not as frequent, and most of the time, the machine uses a bucket for earthwork.
- Work Efficiency
Although Mr. Jing mentioned that the Hyundai R60-7 is somewhat slower than comparable models from Komatsu and Hitachi—especially in terms of swing speed and boom lifting speed—he noted that this doesn’t present a significant issue during regular work. The machine performs well on its own, and while it might be slightly slower in comparison, it still handles tasks like breaking concrete effectively. The slower speed is especially noticeable when the Hyundai works alongside other machines, but it doesn't pose a major problem when the excavator operates solo.
- Fuel Consumption
As a machine primarily used for short jobs, fuel consumption can vary, depending on the nature of the work. When completing lighter tasks, such as leveling city landscaping areas, fuel consumption is minimal. On days when the machine is required to perform more intensive work, like breaking through tough soil or asphalt, fuel consumption increases. On average, Mr. Jing spends around 200 RMB per day on diesel fuel when the machine operates for eight hours. This is considered quite efficient when compared to similar machines in its class.
- Product Performance
At nearly 6,000 hours, Mr. Jing's Hyundai R60-7 has performed well with very few major issues. The main complaints involve the air conditioning and the skylight. The air conditioning system had problems early on, requiring the replacement of the compressor, and later, some oil pipes had to be changed. By the 3,000-hour mark, the air conditioning was malfunctioning again, so Mr. Jing decided to replace the compressor with a non-original part. Fortunately, this solution worked well.
The skylight, however, proved to be less than ideal in terms of sealing. It leaked during rain, which wasn’t a major issue given Beijing’s relatively dry climate. Nonetheless, it was an inconvenience that could be bothersome during heavy rainfall.
- Engine and Hydraulic Systems
In terms of engine performance and the hydraulic system, Mr. Jing expressed satisfaction. The engine hasn’t shown signs of burning oil or leaking fluids, and the machine’s hydraulic power remains strong, similar to when the machine was new. The hydraulic oil was changed once, but the main pumps, control valves, travel motors, and swing motors have all operated smoothly without requiring significant repairs.
Dealer and After-Sales Service
Mr. Jing purchased his Hyundai R60-7 through Beijing Rui Zhidao Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd., a Hyundai dealer in Beijing. The dealership provides after-sales service for the first 2,000 hours or one year. During the warranty period, the company proactively performs maintenance services. They contact Mr. Jing in advance to schedule service visits, ensuring that the machine is kept in good working condition.
After the warranty period, Mr. Jing opted to perform the maintenance himself, following the recommended maintenance intervals in the service manual. He buys original oils and hydraulic fluids, but for filters (such as air, oil, and fuel filters), he purchases aftermarket parts, which saves him a considerable amount of money.
Overall Evaluation and Future Plans
In conclusion, Mr. Jing expressed high satisfaction with his Hyundai R60-7 mini-excavator. He believes it is a reliable, cost-effective machine that offers good value for the money, especially considering its performance over 6,000 hours of operation. When asked about future purchases, Mr. Jing mentioned that, due to the current market downturn, he does not plan to purchase any new equipment in the near future. However, if the market improves, he would consider buying another Hyundai excavator.
Through this interview, we gained valuable insights into Mr. Jing’s experience with his Hyundai R60-7, as well as his views on the excavator market and the challenges faced by small business owners in the construction equipment industry.
