06-26-2025, 12:07 AM
In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with "Excavator Man" Lao Tao. Lao Tao started his journey in the excavator business in 2005, beginning with a Shandong Huaxin agricultural wheeled excavator. Over the years, he has upgraded his equipment to include a SANY SY65C and a Caterpillar 305CR excavator. Lao Tao is also the village accountant and secretary, and after a busy day, he enjoys sharing his experiences on the forum. Today, we'll focus on his insights into the SANY SY65C mini excavator, which he frequently shares with fellow forum members.
Purchase Information
Lao Tao purchased his SANY SY65C excavator on November 19, 2008, from SANY Heavy Machinery's Anhui dealer, Hefei Xiangyuan Company. The total price was 370,000 CNY, and Lao Tao opted for a financing plan with a down payment of 109,000 CNY and a three-year repayment period. The package included 5,000 CNY worth of accessories. When choosing among various brands, including Komatsu PC60, Hitachi ZX60, Kubota KX161, and SANY SY65C, Lao Tao decided on the SANY model after test driving and observing the performance of SY65C in his local area. He was particularly impressed with the speed, fuel efficiency, and the reputation of the Hefei Xiangyuan dealership.
Working Conditions
Unlike some of the users from Beijing we’ve previously interviewed, Lao Tao’s excavator is mainly used in his hometown for projects like rural house foundation excavation, irrigation and water conservancy projects, and municipal construction. These tasks demand versatility, as the excavator needs to adapt to both heavy-duty and more intricate work.
Work Efficiency
The SANY SY65C has proven to be exceptionally efficient in daily tasks, such as grading, trenching, and loading. Lao Tao proudly notes that the machine works just as fast as many imported mini excavators, which has helped him accumulate a loyal customer base in his area.
Machine Performance & Issues
While the SY65C has generally performed well, Lao Tao mentioned a few minor issues that have been addressed over time:
Fuel Consumption
When operating the excavator, Lao Tao typically sets the throttle to 7 notches, resulting in a fuel consumption of approximately 4.2 liters per hour. He considers this fuel efficiency to be quite good compared to other mini excavators of the same class. Unlike many users who prefer to run the machine with lower throttle settings to save fuel, Lao Tao prefers using a higher throttle because he believes running an engine at low throttle for extended periods can cause damage. He compares it to driving a car in second or third gear for long stretches, which can cause engine strain.
After-Sales Service & Parts
Lao Tao has nothing but praise for the Hefei Xiangyuan dealership and their after-sales service. He describes them as responsive, enthusiastic, and reliable, a sentiment he has expressed in numerous posts on the forum. The dealership’s customer service, particularly during the SANY Service Tour event in June, has further reinforced his positive impression. Lao Tao consistently opts to purchase genuine SANY parts from the dealership to ensure the reliability and longevity of his excavator.
Suggestions for Improvement
When asked about any suggestions for improving the SY65C, Lao Tao mentioned that during his recent visit to Xiangyuan, he noticed that the new version of the SY65C had addressed many of the minor issues he had encountered with his current machine. This quick response to user feedback impressed him. Additionally, he is now considering purchasing a 5-ton excavator, with the SANY SY55 as his top choice.
Conclusion
From Lao Tao’s experience, the SANY SY65C is a highly reliable mini excavator with excellent fuel economy and work efficiency, comparable to imported brands. The after-sales service provided by the local dealership, Hefei Xiangyuan, stands out as a key factor contributing to Lao Tao’s satisfaction with the machine. Overall, the SY65C has proven to be a durable, cost-effective choice for a variety of construction tasks, and Lao Tao’s experiences offer valuable insights into the practical performance of this excavator. We will continue to follow Lao Tao's updates on the forum to provide the most authentic feedback for potential buyers.
Purchase Information
Lao Tao purchased his SANY SY65C excavator on November 19, 2008, from SANY Heavy Machinery's Anhui dealer, Hefei Xiangyuan Company. The total price was 370,000 CNY, and Lao Tao opted for a financing plan with a down payment of 109,000 CNY and a three-year repayment period. The package included 5,000 CNY worth of accessories. When choosing among various brands, including Komatsu PC60, Hitachi ZX60, Kubota KX161, and SANY SY65C, Lao Tao decided on the SANY model after test driving and observing the performance of SY65C in his local area. He was particularly impressed with the speed, fuel efficiency, and the reputation of the Hefei Xiangyuan dealership.
Working Conditions
Unlike some of the users from Beijing we’ve previously interviewed, Lao Tao’s excavator is mainly used in his hometown for projects like rural house foundation excavation, irrigation and water conservancy projects, and municipal construction. These tasks demand versatility, as the excavator needs to adapt to both heavy-duty and more intricate work.
Work Efficiency
The SANY SY65C has proven to be exceptionally efficient in daily tasks, such as grading, trenching, and loading. Lao Tao proudly notes that the machine works just as fast as many imported mini excavators, which has helped him accumulate a loyal customer base in his area.
Machine Performance & Issues
While the SY65C has generally performed well, Lao Tao mentioned a few minor issues that have been addressed over time:
- At 2,200 hours, one of the idler wheels was damaged. However, due to the busy workload, it wasn't immediately replaced, and it didn’t significantly affect machine performance, except for a louder noise when moving.
- The display screen was replaced for free by the dealer, likely due to a design issue.
- The fuel tank oil level sensor was replaced for free.
- The travel motor was also replaced at no charge.
Fuel Consumption
When operating the excavator, Lao Tao typically sets the throttle to 7 notches, resulting in a fuel consumption of approximately 4.2 liters per hour. He considers this fuel efficiency to be quite good compared to other mini excavators of the same class. Unlike many users who prefer to run the machine with lower throttle settings to save fuel, Lao Tao prefers using a higher throttle because he believes running an engine at low throttle for extended periods can cause damage. He compares it to driving a car in second or third gear for long stretches, which can cause engine strain.
After-Sales Service & Parts
Lao Tao has nothing but praise for the Hefei Xiangyuan dealership and their after-sales service. He describes them as responsive, enthusiastic, and reliable, a sentiment he has expressed in numerous posts on the forum. The dealership’s customer service, particularly during the SANY Service Tour event in June, has further reinforced his positive impression. Lao Tao consistently opts to purchase genuine SANY parts from the dealership to ensure the reliability and longevity of his excavator.
Suggestions for Improvement
When asked about any suggestions for improving the SY65C, Lao Tao mentioned that during his recent visit to Xiangyuan, he noticed that the new version of the SY65C had addressed many of the minor issues he had encountered with his current machine. This quick response to user feedback impressed him. Additionally, he is now considering purchasing a 5-ton excavator, with the SANY SY55 as his top choice.
Conclusion
From Lao Tao’s experience, the SANY SY65C is a highly reliable mini excavator with excellent fuel economy and work efficiency, comparable to imported brands. The after-sales service provided by the local dealership, Hefei Xiangyuan, stands out as a key factor contributing to Lao Tao’s satisfaction with the machine. Overall, the SY65C has proven to be a durable, cost-effective choice for a variety of construction tasks, and Lao Tao’s experiences offer valuable insights into the practical performance of this excavator. We will continue to follow Lao Tao's updates on the forum to provide the most authentic feedback for potential buyers.
