Real-World Use of the Hyundai R60-7 Excavator After 4,731 Hours

[MikePhua]

We recently spoke with a Hyundai R60-7 excavator owner, who has used the machine for 4,731 hours. In this article, we’ll share his insights into the machine's performance and how it has helped with his business operations.
Purchase Details
The owner of the Hyundai R60-7, Mr. Zhang, is from Xingtai, Hebei Province, and has been in the construction machinery industry for over six years. He has operated several excavators, including a Sunward SWE50 mini excavator, two used Komatsu PC56-7 machines, a Doosan DH150-7 wheeled excavator, and currently, the Hyundai R60-7.
In 2007, Zhang purchased the Sunward SWE50 for 270,000 RMB. Over the years, the machine had some minor issues, especially with the hydraulic oil pipes that showed signs of wear, and during hot summer months, he couldn’t use the air conditioning due to engine overheating. He sold it for 70,000 RMB last year.
After the Sunward machine, Zhang bought two used Komatsu PC56-7 excavators, both with 5,000 to 6,000 operating hours, at a price slightly above 200,000 RMB each (new cost: 360,000 RMB). He is still using the Komatsu machines and finds their performance satisfactory.
In 2011, Zhang bought his Hyundai R60-7 for 300,000 RMB. The dealer was Beijing Ruizhidao Engineering Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. He was drawn to Hyundai’s reputation for retaining value and made the purchase largely based on this feedback from friends.
Driver and Staff Details
Zhang employs two drivers: his son and a fellow villager. Both drivers are relatively young, and their salary is around 3,500 RMB per month (with 2 years of experience). Zhang provides food and lodging for his drivers, but with the growing business, he's planning to hire another full-time driver in the near future.
Equipment Usage and Work Conditions
Since purchasing the Hyundai R60-7 in 2011, it has accumulated 4,731 working hours. The machine mainly works on small local projects, including trench digging, land leveling, pipe installation, and landscaping. Although the machine comes equipped with a hydraulic breaker, it is rarely used and only comes into play when the ground is particularly hard.
Compared to the Komatsu PC56-7, Zhang notes that the Hyundai R60-7 is slightly slower but offers more power, which is especially noticeable when digging frozen soil in the winter months.
In Beijing, the going rate for 60-ton mini-excavators is approximately 800 RMB per day for regular work and 1,600 RMB per day with a breaker. After accounting for fuel and maintenance costs, Zhang sees a reasonable profit, bolstered by the work from his other two excavators, including the Komatsu machines and the Doosan DH150-7.
Work Efficiency and Fuel Consumption
Zhang is satisfied with the work efficiency of his Hyundai R60-7. The machine performs with balanced speed, moderate swing speeds, smooth movements, and high digging power.
The fuel consumption for the Hyundai R60-7 is about 180 RMB per workday. When working at full load, the fuel cost rises above 200 RMB, and the fuel tank (120L capacity) needs to be refilled every 3-4 days. This consumption is average for a machine of its size.
Performance and Issues

1. Engine:
   The Hyundai R60-7 is powered by a 39.5 kW Yanmar 4TNV94L engine. Zhang finds the engine to be both powerful and stable, with low noise levels. So far, the engine has not experienced any failures.
   
2. Hydraulic System:
   Zhang did encounter an issue with the hydraulic pipes. Three output hoses from the main pump developed leaks while still under warranty. After the dealer replaced the hoses, the problem persisted. Zhang then sourced new hydraulic hoses from a local repair shop, which solved the issue. These new hoses, totaling 1.8 meters in length, cost him only 175 RMB.
   
3. Other Issues:
   Zhang was particularly impressed with the air conditioning system of the Hyundai R60-7, which performs excellently in both heating and cooling. However, he reported that the horn had recently stopped working and was planning to fix it himself.
   

After-Sales Service
While there was a delay in resolving the hydraulic hose issue, Zhang is generally satisfied with the service from Beijing Ruizhidao. The response time for service requests ranges from 2 hours to half a working day, depending on proximity.
Parts and Maintenance
Beijing Ruizhidao offers free maintenance for the first two years or 3,000 hours, whichever comes first. After this, Zhang will be charged for labor. For now, Zhang is satisfied with the cost of parts, as the machine uses Hyundai-specific hydraulic oil, and each maintenance session consumes around 70 liters of oil (split across four 18-liter barrels).
Conclusion
Zhang’s experience with the Hyundai R60-7 after 4,731 hours of operation is a testament to the machine's reliability and strong performance. Although minor issues like hydraulic leaks arose, they were quickly addressed, and overall, the machine has met Zhang’s expectations for power, comfort, and efficiency. His feedback provides valuable insights for others looking to purchase a mini-excavator.