Yesterday, 06:17 PM
After seeing some photos of a friend’s well-maintained SANY excavator, I couldn't help but take a picture of mine too. Unfortunately, I've been so busy lately that I haven't gotten around to cleaning it—haha!
Initially, I was considering buying a second-hand machine for quicker returns, as I wasn’t very keen on choosing a domestic brand even if I bought new. However, my friends convinced me that SANY is actually a pretty good brand, with imported core components. Additionally, buying new and financing seemed easier than taking out a mortgage. Plus, starting fresh with a new machine meant I wouldn’t face any judgment when taking it to work. So, with some hesitation, I decided to go for SANY.
I picked up the excavator on September 3rd, and after over a month and nearly 300 hours of use, here’s what I think:
Build Quality
SANY is definitely one of the best domestic brands. After nearly 300 hours, I’ve had no quality issues at all. The overall build quality is solid, and the paintwork still looks great. One standout feature is the warranty period, which is 3000 hours—typically, other brands only offer 2000 hours.
After-Sales Service
I remember one friend mentioning that SANY’s after-sales service was overly focused on maintenance, even replacing too many parts during the first service. However, my experience has been quite the opposite. During my first and second services, they only replaced the engine oil, oil filter, and a small diesel filter. The price was a bit high, but it’s fine since they’re very responsive. Whenever I call, they’re quick to explain everything and address any concerns.
Operation
At first, the joysticks felt a bit light, and I had some trouble adjusting, but the coordination of the movements is quite smooth. As for the boom speed, one friend mentioned it was too fast, but coming from a Komatsu (ShenGao), I didn’t have much of an issue. That being said, SANY excavators are generally not as powerful as other brands. It’s better suited for pure earth-moving work. Stability is okay, but after ten years of experience operating machines, it wasn’t difficult for me to handle. I’ve even worked with the Komatsu 80 before, so this felt easy.
Fuel Consumption
The truth is, you can’t expect top performance without consuming fuel. With a 200-liter drum of diesel, a 20-ton excavator generally runs between 10 to 14 hours, depending on the working conditions and the operator’s style. For me, the fuel consumption on the SANY is typically over 14 liters per hour, because I mostly work on friend’s construction sites and sometimes push harder to meet deadlines. As a result, work hours vary and fuel usage fluctuates.
Black Smoke Emissions
SANY has stated that the engine warranty extends to 4000 hours, but I’ve noticed some black smoke during operations. Switching to the L (low) mode usually eliminates this issue. The reason for the black smoke is that the engine’s power and the hydraulic system are not perfectly matched, leading to insufficient power for certain tasks. This is why SANY machines are better suited for earth-moving tasks.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m satisfied with my SANY machine. Its performance seems solid for now, but the real test will be how it holds up after 3 years. Let’s wait and see what the future holds! Here's to the journey ahead!
Initially, I was considering buying a second-hand machine for quicker returns, as I wasn’t very keen on choosing a domestic brand even if I bought new. However, my friends convinced me that SANY is actually a pretty good brand, with imported core components. Additionally, buying new and financing seemed easier than taking out a mortgage. Plus, starting fresh with a new machine meant I wouldn’t face any judgment when taking it to work. So, with some hesitation, I decided to go for SANY.
I picked up the excavator on September 3rd, and after over a month and nearly 300 hours of use, here’s what I think:
Build Quality
SANY is definitely one of the best domestic brands. After nearly 300 hours, I’ve had no quality issues at all. The overall build quality is solid, and the paintwork still looks great. One standout feature is the warranty period, which is 3000 hours—typically, other brands only offer 2000 hours.
After-Sales Service
I remember one friend mentioning that SANY’s after-sales service was overly focused on maintenance, even replacing too many parts during the first service. However, my experience has been quite the opposite. During my first and second services, they only replaced the engine oil, oil filter, and a small diesel filter. The price was a bit high, but it’s fine since they’re very responsive. Whenever I call, they’re quick to explain everything and address any concerns.
Operation
At first, the joysticks felt a bit light, and I had some trouble adjusting, but the coordination of the movements is quite smooth. As for the boom speed, one friend mentioned it was too fast, but coming from a Komatsu (ShenGao), I didn’t have much of an issue. That being said, SANY excavators are generally not as powerful as other brands. It’s better suited for pure earth-moving work. Stability is okay, but after ten years of experience operating machines, it wasn’t difficult for me to handle. I’ve even worked with the Komatsu 80 before, so this felt easy.
Fuel Consumption
The truth is, you can’t expect top performance without consuming fuel. With a 200-liter drum of diesel, a 20-ton excavator generally runs between 10 to 14 hours, depending on the working conditions and the operator’s style. For me, the fuel consumption on the SANY is typically over 14 liters per hour, because I mostly work on friend’s construction sites and sometimes push harder to meet deadlines. As a result, work hours vary and fuel usage fluctuates.
Black Smoke Emissions
SANY has stated that the engine warranty extends to 4000 hours, but I’ve noticed some black smoke during operations. Switching to the L (low) mode usually eliminates this issue. The reason for the black smoke is that the engine’s power and the hydraulic system are not perfectly matched, leading to insufficient power for certain tasks. This is why SANY machines are better suited for earth-moving tasks.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m satisfied with my SANY machine. Its performance seems solid for now, but the real test will be how it holds up after 3 years. Let’s wait and see what the future holds! Here's to the journey ahead!
