I have one of these and picked it at auction for $3410 including buyers premium. Yah quirky and odd plus takes off like a bat out of heck. It’s gotten 40+ hrs of use already and works awesome after you take care of the heat problem. Reversing frequently results is painful to the calves. I added a 12” fan under the operators seat to force the heat out the back. No more heat problem plus noticed the hydraulic fluid runs cooler. Had to replace the hydraulic fluid after noticing metal shavings in the tank. Mods so far have been added grease fittings, 12” fan and replaced the sheet metal screws with rivet nuts. Edges on canopy supports are extremely sharp. Have an oil cooler but there’s no easy location that I see to add one so that’ll be next. We used it for moving several units of mulch and was fantastic. Initially thought I wasted a ton of money but no more. Learning curve for someone who’s never used any kind of machine like this wasn’t bad. I’m happy with it so far. Show me something comparable at this price point.
I made a small skidsteer...I found it stalled a lot at end range of hydraulics...just had to lower reliefs (didn't need all that pressure for lifting etc)...just thought that might help...love your channel.
That thing would 100% more user friendly with hydro-static drive. Would give you the ability to run fixed throttle position. Currently building a similar machine using an old Twister as the base.
If one of these could take attachments and buckets like a mini skid steer, that'd be super useful especially moving trailers and stuff around or pallet forks.
It would require the skidsteer plate and I’m hoping it’s close enough that I can fabricate it myself to make it work as this seems more appealing to be than the stand on skidsteers
I'm relocating the ignition to the dash right now for my neighbor. I went on amazon and found a longer choke cable and hand lever cable to run under the floor plate up to the dash. Waiting on it to be delivered now.
I think ina few years these machines could really take off if they made some changes. 1. Offer a diesel option. 2. Switch to hydrolic drive motors, that gets rid of the clutch and speed issues. Also you could then lower the machine down more. Switch to a skid steer style attachment plate. And add aux hydrolics. Of they could also find a way to add a second set of tires like a Ventrac but I guess a knock off version. That would really give people a lot of options. You could plow snow, load trucks, move pallets, mow brush. Etc. with it. If that was around a 10k price tag I think you'd have a winner.
Wonder if a group could get together like in New England, and each order there own spec and combine shipping into NJ. That way you could order a quick attach, 3rd valve, grapple, diesel etc and it would still be less then 4k
If you turn down that pulley,it would be pretty small,for grip....I reduced mine and had to put a tensioner on it to wrap the belt further round the pulley so it would not slip (was a double also)
I agree with @AA, Welded diff won’t work.. I have a John Deere 640 D’s and they have a lever to step on , to lock up the diff’s in a straight line .. But don’t forget to unlock before turning .. they cannot turn correctly without an open diff , since your steering is in the middle of the unit .. not on the axle like a car
Looks like it should have been hydraulic drive. I would also see if I could modify it to turn sharper. The diffs look like they are small automotive like a samurai. Look for build tags on them they might have a number that can be looked up to find out what they are. lockers might be available.
i have a old 371 bobcat, just re built it again from 20 years back, it is a 1978 ish machine, works good but small. gets the job done tho. also on this machine you have, there is a video out of a guy building one almost the same, so that was probably the prototype of this machine you have. tons of bugs to work out yet. being on a gov it would take care of stalling issues, set it forget it. it is way too fast, but my old 371 is way too slow unless at the work sight it is ideal. some day i hope to re fit a v twin in it, but, as is now ol preadator motor will not bust anyting in the belly of this old bobcat.
Just a suggestion instead of pins use grade 8 bolts and nuts keeps things tight and keeps things from spreading apart and bendig pieces. Also ajust the idle screw
welded diffs wont steer very good our big old skidders locked up and it dont steer worth a dam. a small pulley dont grab a belt very good and you could end up having lots of belt slip. shorter belts to a jack shaft to a chain drive to the clutch would be a lot of work but i think yield better results. i want one of these to play with
I just got one of these and the clutch won’t fully engage. I tried adjusting the linkage and much as it would go but still have sticking issues. I can jam it into gear but that’s certainly not right. Help! Anyone know the fix??
It has 3 major flaws. It needs a mini skid attachment plate and auxiliary hydraulics and then you have something a little more versatile. Also needs lower gearing.
I have one of these and picked it at auction for $3410 including buyers premium. Yah quirky and odd plus takes off like a bat out of heck. It’s gotten 40+ hrs of use already and works awesome after you take care of the heat problem. Reversing frequently results is painful to the calves. I added a 12” fan under the operators seat to force the heat out the back. No more heat problem plus noticed the hydraulic fluid runs cooler. Had to replace the hydraulic fluid after noticing metal shavings in the tank. Mods so far have been added grease fittings, 12” fan and replaced the sheet metal screws with rivet nuts. Edges on canopy supports are extremely sharp. Have an oil cooler but there’s no easy location that I see to add one so that’ll be next. We used it for moving several units of mulch and was fantastic. Initially thought I wasted a ton of money but no more. Learning curve for someone who’s never used any kind of machine like this wasn’t bad. I’m happy with it so far. Show me something comparable at this price point.
which auction should i look for? website or address pls?
Thanks for doing this! Also thanks for your service. 🇺🇸
I made a small skidsteer...I found it stalled a lot at end range of hydraulics...just had to lower reliefs (didn't need all that pressure for lifting etc)...just thought that might help...love your channel.
3rd gear is absolutely hilarious!
That thing would 100% more user friendly with hydro-static drive. Would give you the ability to run fixed throttle position.
Currently building a similar machine using an old Twister as the base.
If one of these could take attachments and buckets like a mini skid steer, that'd be super useful especially moving trailers and stuff around or pallet forks.
It would require the skidsteer plate and I’m hoping it’s close enough that I can fabricate it myself to make it work as this seems more appealing to be than the stand on skidsteers
I have worked with many engineers and never was there a pile of cocaine on the table LOL
You must have gotten there too late
Good informative Vid, thanks for Sharing!
I watched this review all the way through for its comedic value 😂
I'm relocating the ignition to the dash right now for my neighbor. I went on amazon and found a longer choke cable and hand lever cable to run under the floor plate up to the dash. Waiting on it to be delivered now.
I think ina few years these machines could really take off if they made some changes. 1. Offer a diesel option. 2. Switch to hydrolic drive motors, that gets rid of the clutch and speed issues. Also you could then lower the machine down more. Switch to a skid steer style attachment plate. And add aux hydrolics. Of they could also find a way to add a second set of tires like a Ventrac but I guess a knock off version. That would really give people a lot of options. You could plow snow, load trucks, move pallets, mow brush. Etc. with it. If that was around a 10k price tag I think you'd have a winner.
Wonder if a group could get together like in New England, and each order there own spec and combine shipping into NJ. That way you could order a quick attach, 3rd valve, grapple, diesel etc and it would still be less then 4k
If you turn down that pulley,it would be pretty small,for grip....I reduced mine and had to put a tensioner on it to wrap the belt further round the pulley so it would not slip (was a double also)
Do you mind revealing what diameter you took the pulley down to?
I agree with @AA,
Welded diff won’t work..
I have a John Deere 640 D’s and they have a lever to step on , to lock up the diff’s in a straight line ..
But don’t forget to unlock before turning .. they cannot turn correctly without an open diff , since your steering is in the middle of the unit .. not on the axle like a car
Brave man, I put mine in 2nd in my yard and that was scary enough on uneven ground....
Looks like it should have been hydraulic drive. I would also see if I could modify it to turn sharper. The diffs look like they are small automotive like a samurai. Look for build tags on them they might have a number that can be looked up to find out what they are. lockers might be available.
The 3rd gear is absolutly essential if you want to go to the Nürburgring.
i have a old 371 bobcat, just re built it again from 20 years back, it is a 1978 ish machine, works good but small. gets the job done tho. also on this machine you have, there is a video out of a guy building one almost the same, so that was probably the prototype of this machine you have. tons of bugs to work out yet. being on a gov it would take care of stalling issues, set it forget it. it is way too fast, but my old 371 is way too slow unless at the work sight it is ideal. some day i hope to re fit a v twin in it, but, as is now ol preadator motor will not bust anyting in the belly of this old bobcat.
2ND and 3RD would be for traveling empty.
better than a shovel
It there a grapple for it, auxiliary connections?
what's the lifting capacity? can you mount a mulcher on it?
LOL this is the best damn review ever!!!! Thanks!!!!
Sounds like it needs a lower gear. Or two. Good with forks if it was more controllable.
that 4 grove pully is not putting too much stress on the crank bearings?
Just a suggestion instead of pins use grade 8 bolts and nuts keeps things tight and keeps things from spreading apart and bendig pieces. Also ajust the idle screw
welded diffs wont steer very good our big old skidders locked up and it dont steer worth a dam. a small pulley dont grab a belt very good and you could end up having lots of belt slip. shorter belts to a jack shaft to a chain drive to the clutch would be a lot of work but i think yield better results. i want one of these to play with
Those engines are notorious for needing a fuel pump. From the factory they usually have a vacuum style fuel pump.
OR - you could increase the size of the driven gear from the engine to the drive train.
Need pallet forks and a rotating forestry mulcher. Make it happen 😊
Don't think it could power any type of forestry mulcher. You need a dedicated hydraulic pump at the least.
How much does it cost please?
Im tenpted to buy one to try thatv3rd gear!
Can u tell me all the fluids that go into it , just bought one dont want to add the wrong fluids, thank you so much
Wow that turning radius is horrible and then diffs aren't even locked.
Could you dig a patio with it?
Instead of 1/2 in plate in rear bumper water down the rear tires
I just got one of these and the clutch won’t fully engage. I tried adjusting the linkage and much as it would go but still have sticking issues. I can jam it into gear but that’s certainly not right. Help! Anyone know the fix??
All that rust under there and with the exhaust pipe will mean repainting or protecting those bottom components from salt.
Can you go larger with the driven pulley.
No wear bar on the bucket.
My 6.0L ford is in the shop...
These almost look usable for a tree service
Anyone happen to know what engine is in these (manufactured by)?
built by rato llc, they also build the predator engines
Briggs and Stratton
Trump would say Chi-na!😉
When will you have filter kits available for the h12 excavator again?
Thanksgiving
@@thegarageconnection Thanks
"Janky/ Jinky"😅😅 love the slang
It has 3 major flaws. It needs a mini skid attachment plate and auxiliary hydraulics and then you have something a little more versatile. Also needs lower gearing.
You can order these with a quick attach, almost no retailer did to keep cost down
@@johnm5467can you order the part to put on a quicktach?
also wouldnt hurt to install a cutting edge on the bucket
All those pesky “What Nots” and “Polly’s” 😂
Change the drive pully to bigger to change ya speed to slower it
nope, that will do the opposite, it will speed it up
@@DWinnie67 wouldn't making one smaller also change it
@@DWinnie67 wounder how a CVT drive would work
I think i stick with my tractor.
Nice tattoo Brother