We Bought TWO $2,000 Mini Excavators at Auction...Instant Regret

Today we tried something we see at every single auction now: the little Chinese mini excavators that keep flooding the market. We paid about $1,800 each (plus fees), brought them home, checked fluids, and quickly found out what “no instructions, no warranty” really means. One wouldn’t start, one had parts that didn’t match, and the whole “assembly required” experience got real in a hurry. Then we took the one running out into the mud to see if it could actually do anything useful—dig, push, and even pick up a surprisingly heavy log. We are NOT promoting these machines—just showing you what to expect if you buy one at auction. 0:00 It wouldn’t even start… 0:14 Why we bought the Chinese mini excavators 1:28 Cost breakdown: $1,800 + fees (why it’s tempting) 2:04 What a “real” mini costs (Deere vs cheap digger) 4:30 Fluids check: oil, gas, hydraulic—what they show up with 5:08 eBay prices vs auction reality (why prices are all over) 6:07 How these get into auctions (public bidding + fees) 7:24 No instructions, no warranty: what to check first 8:46 Features: hydraulic thumb, controls, cup holder, etc. 10:04 Giveaway details: machine/cart or $2,000 store credit 16:00 Starting contest: who gets theirs running first 17:37 Problem #1: dead battery / won’t start 23:07 Problem #2: mismatched parts (we’re already robbing parts) 25:32 Wiring + controls: “none of the colors match” 30:26 First drive test (reverse warning, speeds, sketch factor) 31:42 Mud test begins (bad conditions, no cage) 34:07 Sinking + recovery moments 38:14 Surprise: it actually pushes water/mud like a dozer 39:16 Can it lift? The log test 42:04 Honest verdict: impressed…with major caveats 47:36 Giveaway reminder + scam warning 49:36 Final thoughts: what $2,000 buys in 2025 To enter to win the mini excavator, tricycle cart, or $2000 USD of store credit send an email to giveaway@ccsurplus.com You must state your name, phone number and you YouTube or Patreon name. You have to be subscribed to enter. Giveaway will run till the end on January 2026. We will pick a winner and announce in the first week in February. You will be contacted by phone and you must speak to us directly. If it’s not an 812 area code phone number it’s not from us. Beware of scammers. Good luck!