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Yes I agree a comfortable seat on any piece of equipment makes a big difference if your going to spend a lot of time on it.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator less day long comfort more stability while operating.

I found it on eBay.

The main head quarters of Groundhog Equipment is in Middleburg PA. They have more than twenty dealerships now across the country. You can check out their website and TH-cam channel for more information. If you decide to buy directly from Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg PA be sure to ask about the Gardner's Groundhog's viewers appreciation Discount. Hope this helps.

If you contact Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg PA they should be able to fix you up with a manual on your model and provide you with an oil change kit or spark plugs. They could also provide service work if something happens that your not comfortable with repairing. You'll have to talk with them about their rates. Your Engine and the engine in my machine are the same model to the best of my knowledge so hopefully you can get some tips from my videos. Hope this helps.

I have a video on how to adjust your tracks.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator Yep, I saw that video on doing the adjustments. I was mostly concerned about manipulating the very heavy tracks around to get them on the machine. Also, where did you get your track tensioner?

@geolt3 The track tensioner is actually a heavy duty chain tensioner that I found on eBay. I used the long strap and hook from a ratchet strap to manually pull the tracks into place and to bring the two ends of the track together so the track tensioner could take over.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator Thanks for the info. I will start looking for a chain tensioner similar to what you found because I just ordered steel tracks for my ZH24D-2 ex and I will be putting them on by myself.

BTW, I am an IT guy so I learn all this stuff from videos like yours. So thank you for all the helpful videos.

They work ok for small jobs but if you plan on cutting all day nothing so far beats a gas saw in my opinion .

The Groundhog KH14G mini excavator I believe starts at$8,900 but you should call Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg PA to get an updated price on the log grapple.

Nice! Did you use your Gardner's Groundhog's viewers appreciation Discount? I know I could have saved you some money on this one.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator I would have but .... I'm up in Northern Michigan! So, I bought it from their dealer SWMI-Equipment in Schoolcraft, MI and picked it up. Delivery from PA was almost about $1600

@@geolt3 Well you'll have to keep me posted

@@geolt3 I've been looking at this same model for myself. Thanks for watching.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator I like the ZH24D-2 but the foot space is a little tight and I wish I had gotten the 2-speed option for the long driveway. Do you know if it is difficult to put in a 2-speed option on your own?

The seat is from a Gravely zero turn mower and the extensions are shifter extensions for a manual car. You can find these on eBay and Amazon.

Well I'm going to have to refer you to Nick Hackenberg at Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg PA. This mini is new to his brand and I haven't had the chance to put one to work. The manufacturers don't give any of those numbers but this mini excavator weighs 2200 pounds. So it should be comparable to the ones I've put to work in my videos. If you put steel tracks on it it should be comparable to my KH14G which I have many videos of it picking up logs but if you try to lift from the side like your explaining any one ton Mini Excavator would get tippy pretty quick. You should always lift heavy loads from the front with the blade down. Hope this helps.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator OK sounds good. Thank you.

No problem and glad I could help.

Well Groundhog Equipment says it will hold 4 Gallons. I use about 5 gallons of gas on a weekend job.

The excavator weighs 2100 pounds but I do not have the other weights you asked for.

Thank you

No I didn't get the retractable tracks but I would recommend them because they will definitely help keep the excavator more stable.

Sorry I haven't done one of those videos yet but thanks for the idea. I'll be sure to put that on my things to do.

Well I originally bought my first Groundhog because of having a back injury which caused many of the jobs around my property to be put on the back burner or they weren't being done at all. Buying the groundhog was definitely life changing for me and has turned hard work into leisure time. You'll definitely find yourself looking for work to do.

that is going to be my problem already planning on using containers and vertical towers to grow a small garden mainly potatoes, carrots, onions growing food in ground is not not happening going to make the containers waste high to keep from having to ben over

The thumb design is already being addressed and it will have a lay back thumb on future models. Thanks for watching.

It definitely helps cut through roots but it needs to be reinforced. I haven't modified mine yet.

Yes I agree.

I definitely agree that the light weight rake will bend easily but I have bought the heavy duty rake from Groundhog Equipment and haven't had any issues with it yet. I would definitely recommend buying the heavy duty attachments.

I haven't used the disc to disc up the ground. I'll have to get back to you about that.

Well it definitely disc's up the ground but I think on a mini excavator it's a little slow to get the job done. You would probably be better off using an ATV for this application. I definitely like how it makes the mini excavator more stable when picking the. heavier loads and then transporting them. I have a few ideas to improve on this function but it works for now.

There is a feature on my TH-cam comments page to translate comments in a foreign language but I didn't know TH-cam was translating my videos if this is what you mean. Good to know And Thanks for watching.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator drága barátom a markoló gép csipegető 360 fokban forgatóra gondoltam. Európából Magyarországról írok. Itt nem igazán elérhetőek ezek a munka eszközök.

There is an Amazon link in the video description.

That's for the atv disc if anyone was interested in trying one

@zsoltviczan9643 sorry but I'm having a problem with goggle not translating your last message.

I'll take some close up pictures tomorrow and post them in the community chat on my channel. Hope this helps.

Just a heads-up I posted those pictures in the community chat of how I mounted the lever to the pedal. Hope it helps. Feel free to make improvements and share what you did. Thanks for watching!

Well I've used every grapple attachment Groundhog Equipment has offered so far and I have used the thumb with a bucket, rake, and ripper to move logs and firewood. The log grapples have the ability to grab larger logs and hold them longer giving you the ability to cut them into firewood at waist height. You can move smaller logs with the thumb but it will not usually hold on as well with these little one ton Mini Excavators. If you want a good alternative to buying a log grapple you should think about using a thumb and ripper. The ripper is definitely one of the best multi purpose attachments allowing you to move logs, dig stumps, pick rocks, rip up pavement and so on. The heavy duty rake would be another idea to use with the thumb. You can see all of these attachments in action in my other videos. Hope this is some help and thanks for watching.

Ya it happens 😂

To be honest I don't really have a use for it other than needing the extra hydraulic functions for my rotating log grapple. It's a feature that is needed when your digging in tight locations like between two houses. If your on the fence about it just think about all the attachments you might purchase with that money. It a feature that a contractor might find useful from job to job.

I bought the one for the Kubota bx23 for my Groundhog but I had to run a 1 inch drill through the new ripper for my pins to fit. It's a pretty cool ripper but I've managed to bend mine four times now. They aren't made thick enough. I would recommend just buying a heavy duty ripper which is a multi purpose tool. You can rip up roots and then turn around and rip up pavement. After that you could pick up logs and move rocks with it. You'll damage the BXPANDED ripper if you try to use it for all that. Hope this helps.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator thanks for the helpful info. Keep the videos coming

Glad I could help. Thanks for watching.

I prefer gas chainsaws especially if I'm going to be cutting all day but the electric one is nice for quick jobs. The main down fall of the electric saw is the battery. They take to long to charge, very expensive to replace and just like every other electric tool the battery will be obsolete in a few years. I've got gas saws that are thirty years old and still run. Just my opinion though.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator That makes a lot of sense!

This attachment will not work with the standard log grapples offered by Groundhog Equipment. Groundhog does offer a rotating log grapple which you can see in some of my other videos though. Hope this helps.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator TY/, Just trying to save $ as I decide what to buy with a new 14 series mini. BTW, if you had only $12K for a mini-ex to partially clear some wooded acreage with sand and clay soil and make some trails, remove some stumps, what series, model, options and attachments would you buy?

@geolt3 Well with a 12 thousand dollar budget I would definitely look at the Groundhog BH14G-2. Which you can see in many of my videos. These normally start at $8,900 but go on sale a couple times a year leaving you some left over money for attachments, taxes ,and shipping. You'll get a 16 inch bucket and a hydraulic thumb that comes standard with the excavator. I would recommend buying a heavy duty ripper as your first multi purpose attachment. I've used my ripper to rip out stumps and roots. I've also used the ripper to break up old pavement, pick rocks, and move logs when used with the thumb. I would also recommend getting the internal and external counter weight package with it . This should keep you within your budget especially if you get one on sale. The KH14G and BH14G standard units have similar performance but already have the counter weight. These two machines are normally a little more money. The BH14G pro is going to eat up your budget pretty quickly and I would recommend waiting tilll it went on sale usually in December if you decided on it. The ZH12G is going to be your cheapest option but it is about 100 pounds lighter than the 14 series and I don't believe Groundhog Equipment offers any counter weight packages for it currently. Just my opinion. Hope it helps

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator Wow! Thanks for that awesome reply. I've been watching everyone's videos and reading thru all the GroundHog and dealer websites. What about the tracks? You mentioned that you like the steel tracks in one of your videos. If I am doing all of this in the woods, should I put that as a priority?

@@geolt3Well the the steel tracks are definitely the better way to go in the woods in my opinion but that being said I've been using rubber tracks on my BH14G-2 since I bought it. I'm just more cautious about skid steering over roots and rocks with it. Knock on wood I haven't thrown a track on it yet. The steel tracks definitely have better traction in mud which I noticed when pulling logs.

Well to be honest this model was undergoing research and development when I approached Nick about making this video. The Pro in this video uses the same engine as the one's in my Groundhog KH14G and BH14G-2. Nick was still working the bugs out of the Pro with hydraulic and heat issues but that was awhile ago. If your on the fence about which to buy just head over to Groundhog in Middleburg PA and test one out. I've never seen a kymron in PA so I don't really have a way to compare the two. To be honest with kymron being a prior Groundhog dealer your probably going to get a comparable machine but because kymron is further away from a port their prices are going to be higher with most of their machines . I would recommend going to your closest dealer either way for parts and dealer support. Both Groundhog and Kymron offer comparable warranties and it really comes down to which you like the most. Hope this helps.

Well to be honest I already have a quick attach but it doesn't fit all of my attachments. You also loose some breakout force that I've noticed when Im using my ripper to tear up roots. I think a quick attach would be more handy on a larger Excavator where the attachments are heavier and harder to manhandle. Just my opinion though. Some owners are very happy with their quick attach.

eBay & Amazon sale them !

This is a Groundhog KH14G which I purchased from Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg PA. Give them a call and they should be able to fix you up with a log grapple for your machine.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator Noted. Thank you

Glad I could help.

Thanks

The steel tracks aren't very hard to get on but I would give yourself at least an hour to install them . I have a video showing how I did it. Hope the video gives you some ideas on the tools you will need ahead of time. Let me know how you make out putting them on.

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator Thank you

Glad I could help.

The steel tracks use the same tension adjustment as the rubber ones do and they both need adjusted as they wear in. The steel tracks seem to not need it as often though. I do keep my steel tracks on the looser side to help with the ride over rough terrain but I haven't had any issues with them coming off like the rubber ones.

Currently I only have the internal counter weights that Groundhog installed. I have the external weight but haven't installed it I believe it uses longer bolts in the back using existing holes but the ones towards the front will need drilled and tapped. If you call Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg PA they can get you what you need

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator Thanks!

@victoriabaldwin9340 Glad I could help.

Yes I still have the dumper but I'm coming up short on video ideas for it

@@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator I understand lol been there done that too

Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!

Glad you liked it and thanks for watching.

Well thanks for watching. Did you by chance buy it from Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg PA? If you did by chance did you ask for your Gardner's Groundhog's viewers appreciation Discount?

Hey check out my video of my Groundhog BH14G-2 with a rotating log grapple. I left Amazon links in the description so you could find what you need. I believe your drive sticks are a little different than what I have on my machines but if you verify your threads where your knobs screw on you should be able to find what you need on Amazon. These are shifter extensions for a manual shift car and they normally come with an assortment of adapters to fit your threads on your Groundhog.

These are $6,900 at Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg Pennsylvania plus shipping. Im not sure if they will ship to international buyers but it can't hurt to call them for a quote. Thanks for watching and don't forget to ask for your Gardner's Groundhog's viewers appreciation Discount when you place your order. Thanks Again. Remember to check out Groundhog Equipment's website to see all they have to offer.

I talked with Nick Hackenberg the owner of Groundhog Equipment and he said he would load the machine on the truck but you'll be responsible for the shipping. Nick says he has a contact for you to help you get it shipped . I would give them a call to get a quote and information on the contact to help you with shipping. Don't forget to ask about your Gardner's Groundhog's viewers appreciation Discount at the time of purchase. Thanks for watching.

I'm jealous! What did that tree shear cost ya and where did you buy it if you don't mind me asking! Very Cool!

the tree sheer was about 4500 cad and then a little extra for the custom mount. I gauged my machine at 2600 psi for the auxiliary output and this tree sheer is rated for 3000 so its pretty close to the perfect size. that gives it the ability to cut down 6" diameter trees! @@gardnersgroundhogminiexcavator

@R94GC Wow 6 inch tree's! That's pretty impressive. I'll have to look into them . Thanks for sharing!

Well that is going to very depending on how much you purchase. You'll definitely get a bigger discount on a 12,000 pound Mini Excavator than you will on a 1 ton Mini Excavator because of the cost difference and then you'll also have the discount on attachments. The best thing you could do is decide what you want to buy and have Groundhog Equipment in Middleburg PA give you a quote. Make sure you ask for the discount. You should be pretty happy with it. Let me know how you make out. Talk with Diana. She is the sales manager at Groundhog Equipment keeping track of these sales for me. You could also talk with Nick Hackenberg which is the owner of Groundhog Equipment. You shouldn't be disappointed. Thanks for watching.

I agree using the Groundhog to lift the wood to waist height is definitely easier on my back and is definitely a game changer if you have a back injury. Thanks for watching