AX-12 | 13.5 HP B&S Engine Mini Excavator

After working through a few initial issues with technical support I'm happy with the capabilities of the excavator. It was easy to get in touch with support and they were very responsive.
I didn't see it mentioned, but one of the upgrades on this model is the addition of a cooler on the hydraulic fluid. I paid for forklift service. Note that the pallet doesn't have a lot of room for the forks. We needed some wood scraps to prop one side to get it off the flatbed. Also needed some 2*4s to set the crate on so the forks could be pulled out once it was on the ground. To open the crate I ran a circular saw around the top set at about 1" depth. After that I did the same on the heavy end. That allowed me to lift the rear hatch and check the oil before adding gas and driving it out of the crate. Then look around the floor inside...I found some hardware that had shaken off during transport. All nuts and washers for installing the canopy.
To install the canopy, attach the uprights to the excavator. Then remove the two metal bars from the 'roof' and attach them to the uprights. Last, attach the canopy to the bars. It needs to be done in this order to get to the back of the bolts so they can be tightened.
If you are adding a thumb...the directions I received showed valve and hose connection methods. This upgraded model has 3port diverter valves. To close them for attachment, the left one should be unchanged (line parallel to boom), and the right one should be turned 90 degrees so line is perpendicular. After hoses are connected, rotate both 90 degrees to open the correct ports.
To swap attachments...the nuts are very tight. The included large adjustable wrench isn't up to the task. I believe they are 32mm ... so I ordered a deep impact socket. Will update this review if the size is wrong.
I've done some digging, moved some logs and rocks, and lifted out some shrubs to transplant. All went well. Soil with lots of roots is a problem with the 16" bucket. I look forward to trying the ripper. Also, the front blade only lifts about 2.5". Where the front of the track touches the ground is about 15" back, so it doesn't take much to have the blade digging in even when you don't want it to. The only other issue I'd note is that the rubber tracks are knobby for traction. Turning on the lawn will really tear it up...so plan your trips around your property.

I really like almost everything about this machine. I checked out other mini excavators in this size range, and it’s clear that AHM put extra thought into fixing some reliability issues that other brands tend to have. Plus, the digging depth is 7 inches more than most others in this category.

Used to have an AGT HT-12, thought that was the bee's knees. But this? Whole different ballgame. Yeah, it's a bit pricier, but you get what you pay for. AGT's after-sales service sucks, but AHM's quick response helped resolve the issue. Plus, I really love how this machine has many detailed upgrades.

Alright, I'll give it to ya straight. This excavator is a beast for its size. Love how it handles, and man, does it save on gas! Only reason it's not getting 5 stars is 'cause the seat could use a bit more cushion for us bigger guys. But hey, maybe that's just my behind talkin'. Still, solid machine overall.

The power is more than sufficient for most jobs, and the fuel efficiency helps our bottom line. The thoughtful design, like the accessible maintenance ports, shows AHM really understands operators' need.