Mini Excavator | Using the Auger for the 1st time
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มี.ค. 2022
- We use our Chinese mini excavator and the auger for the 1st time. Changing the 40cm bucket for the auger motor and fit the hydraulic lines. Test the auger in the workshop and then head out to the field to start digging fence posts.
Ian & Julie are building their tiny homestead and soon to be starting the biggest project of their lives - a Passive House Container Home which will be totally off grid.
Please subscribe to follow along with our story and also drop comments below if you have any ideas, questions or advice for us. Also click on the little bell for future updates and to help us grow - / @homesteadinguncontained
#miniexcavator #auger #excavator
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** GEAR WE USE **
NM-E10 Pro Mini Excavator - Shandong Nuoman Engineering Machinery Co.
Link to Alibaba Shop - nuomanm.en.alibaba.com/
Speak to Helen Shen, she helped me through everything. Thank you Helen :o)
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You may have already mentioned this in a different video - how much did you pay for the mini ex? I am very interested in getting one, havent decided between that and a Dingo - type machine.
Hi from 🇨🇦. Those controls are super sensitive..perhaps a fingertip touch as opposed to a grip might help ..the fingers and wrist have better motor control than shoulder and biceps..just touch the joysticks with the tips, and use finger instead of arm...🥂 At least until you get used to it.. another way I get used to the controls is to throttle down and play with it for a bit...doing light tasks...and throttle up according to load needs..just don't lug the diesel engine..you won't always need full throttle...Guage it accordingly ..and take advantage of the blade stabling..perhaps consider bolt on extension wings to widen it when needed...and when removing the auger from the hole, stop rotation first beforehand, it'll clear the hole better ..
87
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On some of the mini diggers like that there is a lever to make the tracks wider to make it more stable when you are digger we have them in the UK you can move the tracks in and out when in you can fit threw a door way.
Tiny machine but it sure beats the heck out of a shovel.
For sure, my last house build was 20 years ago.....this time, I am investing in tools to save the withering body 😂
@@HomesteadingUncontained 🤣🤣🤣
I'm just looking for a reason to get one. 🤣
I think the Mini Excavator Electric version will coming in 2 year 🤔
Just a tip, keep the blade down on the ground to help with stability as you dig...
Also this machines are great but very easy to tip over, always very careful with a low load/boom specially on uneven ground!
Great tools that save the back tremendously, I have a bobcat and I love it :)
I was brought up on a farm in the 1970’s these machine have come a long way since then, we used to run augers, and excavator buckets and front end shovels off a basic tractor, I am glad you are enjoy your new machine.
I was originally going to get a back hoe for the Kubota but it would have worked out a similar price to the min excavator and now I can use the tractor to shift the dirt around while the other digs. Thanks for watching.
I really like this,keep eyes on point for flaws, and reenforce early, like, welding aND tougher bolts and pins, hope you both enjoy for a long time.
I would recommend a quick connector for the 3rd hydraulics for two reasons. 1) ease of installing hoses. 2) Keep from loosing hydraulic oil. Also get the rubber covers to keep them from rusting when not in use.
Agreed best money spent
@@siriustraveler7083 Your welcome!
Losing too.
Absolutely right!! I did like that you tied the hose up, out of the way of the moving parts.
A quick release for the buckets and auger is money well spend to.
No more messing with hammering out pins every time you want to switch.
The controls of the machine will come by it's own when you use it.
Thanks for documenting some of the caveats with these Chinese machines.
That's a very lovely team work ever made to see in this world.
Fantastic job guys, you will soon be a pro with that machine in no time. I'm glad it works good. I kind of wish I got the full accessories package with mine, auger, breaker and many other buckets but like you said, the budget becomes crazy very quickly. Looking good though, will keep an eye out for the next upload 😁
Cheers Nick 👍. First proper job tomorrow at my son’s house, digging a test hole for his septic tank.
@@HomesteadingUncontained I hope your going to take your camera with you. Remember, if its not recorded it didn't happen 😆
It might be cheaper to invest in welding gear and fabricate them yourself. Andrew Camarata makes buckets all the time and I've seen several auger builds. A breaker would be a challenge from scratch but you could adapt a hand-operated jackhammer.
Rocks are the bane of every auger going to dig a hole in the ground. Really glad to see this machine has this attachment and it is a real human saver. Our backs and muscles work enough just moving us around never mind abusing them to do work like digging and lifting heavy things.
exactly, my shins are black and blue from my hand auger when it twists around and knocks me flying.
I bought the same thing of Facebook for twenty one dollars three years ago can't wait for it to get here!!!
I have to finish using it before I send it.😂
Haha, I got it....
A little advice for smooth operation. Try to use two hydraulics at the same time. If you only move one cylinder at a time it's too much force. If you use two it cuts the jerkiness. Try to move the boom and the jib at the same time.
that makes sense, lots to practise.
agree
What a great tip
Jib. He's not on a crane bro! Dipper, and stick!
@@timfagan816 Jib may have been wrong depending on where you live but a dipper? Its boom and stick if you want to really be proper.
Quality entertainment !. Thanks again👍
Very handy for small homestead jobs..
And my house buidl👍
Got the mini excavator (2 ton) and just ordered a ripper for taking out stumps. The auger is next on the list. I love this machine!!
Did you get it from the same company - they are coming out to visit us in a few weeks.
Enjoyed watching!
Thank you - more to come for sure 👍🏻
i love the little mini digger. my brother and I rent one just that size to dig water and sewer lines for rep,acement in town where clearances are tight. Just a little suggestion that ay or may not help Ramp up the engine RPM's so it will work more efficiently when you dig or drill holes. You may find that helpful. Have fun!
Cheers Peter - I have been running it for 4 months now and it seems to be going well. I up the revs to a sweet spot that the machine likes. It is a great addition to the build site. Thanks for commenting. 👍🏻
For the issue with the machine lifting, put your blade end opposite the force and lower it. It helps substantially. Good luck.
feeling sweet to watching this couple doing stuff like that at this age
not bad for 75 🤪
@@HomesteadingUncontained no way, no way, looks under 65
This video is so detailed!！！
As someone in the construction industry, I love to see new people getting used to the productivity of equipment. Most people underestimate how much they could get done with a little mechanical assistance. Good for you two. I didn't see any other videos that show where you bought this auger. I have a bobcat 418 and am very interested in adding this to my attachments list. Did you share that somewhere and I missed it?
Thanks Jon, I bought the auger with the machine so from Nuoman in China - it was an extra $380 and we will be using it a lot this summer as we have plenty of fencing to do.
Looks like you know what you're doing Ian. Practice makes perfect my friend. Just be safe.
I dug a trench yesterday and it was the first time I felt comfortable and it came naturally...just hope it carries on 😀
Lovely couple
Well done! Keep practising with the digger and create a maintenance schedule for it too.
Will do, ex navy so love a maintenance schedule. 😃
Small but as long as it does the job, thanks for your valuable information.
Thanks for watching - it will do my build for sure and that was the reason to buy it. If it last longer then that is a bonus.
Hi, great mini excavator, did you know that the blade when pushed down will lift the tracks up and will act like stabilizing feet, which you see on cranes etc. Also a little tip, if you raise the blade before driving off your trailer, it won't dig into the ground. Hope you have lots of good use with it. Thanks for sharing videos, cheers
Thanks Phil - the blade does not raise to high. I have had a look to see if it can be modified. But I have practiced a lot getting it of the trailer and no dig in :)
Keep the widest bucket on when you go down trailer let the machine rest on the bucket on the way down (bucket on ground smooth side on ground) you can lift machine so scrapper won't dig you in.
Thanks for this, I'm about to buy the same auger so really useful to see it working. I may even take the digger and auger to my french place too to do some work there 👍👍
It is useful, just used it for our field gates, just make sure to put the hoses on the right way for the foot pedal (I didn't)
Well done guys..try loading the digger backwards so that it doesnt scrape the ground..iam inspired.
haha yes, I know, I ploughed up a mound and then drove on top of it. I will get it right in the end. Cheers. 👍🏻
Well, it does the job! That’s all that really matters! Congrats on a good tool!
Cheers and exactly right. I am using it all the time now and it has saved me so much money in rentals and saved my aging back 😀
Just a little hint on augering, a bit of water in the hole will help turn the dirt into a glue which will lift the stones out stuck to the auger.
Great video guys, keep it up.
We are coming up to the fencing project and now we have plenty of water we will try this - thanks for the tip 👍🏻
Top video, really interested to see how the "Cheap Chinese" as you put it, holds up. Seen them on the internet and always wondered if they would be any good. Also you are far too organised with those shelves in the garage 😀
Must have.
Great video. I would love to have this nice unit. Love your channel. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers Phil, thanks for taking the time to watch. 😀
you 2 are AWESOME !!
the little excavator makes working fun ; - )
It saves the back and big jobs become little.
Great job mate what a great little machine just what you needed luv the end of the video 😂😂😂😂🇦🇺
Thanks John, we try and have a laugh 😂
Was fun watching this, especially as we live near Miélan and I've been down that road many a time to vists my mate who lives in Ore. I'm jealous of your mini digger as I have a mare to redesign and I want to put swales on my land. But I think I'll have to hire one for now. But... there comes a point when it's actually more economical to buy and it looks like you have just the right one for the job(s)! Great stuff, bon courage and will come back and watch more of your adventures!
Cheers François - it is going great and working it hard on our new build just up the road. We know Ore well so if you are passing by.
Congratulations on following your dreams!! Best of luck
Thank you 😀
You have a lovely spirited partner. great little machine thanks for sharing
Thank you for watching 👍🏻
A bit of time you become an expert 👍😎
I love hearing her laughter.
I keep mistaking her for the chickens 🐓 🤣
I BOUGHT ONE LAST YEAR .. WORKS WELL .BUT YES ITS JERKY I RUN MINE SLOW SPEED TO CONTROL IT BETTER ... I DID TRY CHANGING GREESE FITTINGS BUT SOME BROKE OFF WHEN DIGGING DEEP OR PULLING TREE ROOTS PUT THE FLAT TYPE BACK IN LOWER CLERANCE .. AGAIN GREAT MACHINE FOR THE PRICE
Yes, I am still getting the feel and found the lower revs makes it more controllable. I have changed the lower grease nipples back to the flat ones as I realised afterwords, these are going down the hole too. Cheers for watching.
Legend buddy, thanks!
No problem 👍 Happy Christmas
first view...what a lovely couple.
Beatiful family
Thank you and thank you for watching.
เยี่ยมค่ะ
looks like pretty handy equipment. your daughter is great help too!
hahaha - Julie will love that. Thanks for watching
Ottimo lavoro 👏 👏
grazie 👍🏻
Awesome machine,good luck with it. From somerset,massachusetts
Thank you - really appreciated.
BRAVO👋👋👋👋👋👋 from algeria
Merci 👍🏻
I see everybody's already suggested the quick release. I would also go further to say use zip ties put one on one side and two on the other so that way you can always hook it up the same way. It's not a huge thing but once you get into muscle memory it's nice
just put the quick releases male and female on opposite to each other so you can't hook it up backwards
@@dave9940 I've tried that. It kind of sucks because if you borrow an attachment usually they got the male sides on the attachment. So then you got to dig around for another fitting.
Nice job !!!! keep up the work
Thanks for watching - lots more to come 😀
That grease zerk you mentioned at 3:25 I would recommend leaving it as is. If you put a normal zerk in, it could get broken off when digging. It's most likely to be rubbed against a ditch wall.
Yes, i have now done that, plus the 3 down the side of the bucket. Thanks for watching and the advice 👍
@@HomesteadingUncontained Another suggestion is I would use a hitch pin instead of a the bolt to attach the auger. Quicker and you don't have to carry a wrench. Plus get a shackle and chain to put on then you can use it to help put the posts in and save your backs. 😎
Nicely done. ☺
Thank you for watching 👍🏻
That wife she's a drama lol. I'm subscribing to these beautiful old couple's channel!
Nice video, Little word of advice never stick your fingers in any pinholes I’ve seen too many Accidents as an operator good luck with your projects 👍🏼
nice!!!
cheers 👍🏻
Last drilling scene so funny 😂 if aunty wud there then so much funny 😂😂👍
😀
A lot of construction equipment has a metal collar welded around grease fittings to protect them when digging and they do the same thing on the wheels to protect the valve stem. If that metal collar fills up with dirt then you could use a double female nipple welded around the valve stem or grease zerk and put a screw in plug in it. Then you will have to take that one plug out to grease that nipple instead of having to take out a plug and screw in a zerk fitting to grease, and reverse the process every time.
I will find a cap to put over them - or plug it up with grease. Will play around with it.
I have been trained to use an excavator these mini industrial machines are very capable esp with various attachments, to pass the course I had dig swimming pool size hole and then fill it in, pls enjoy your endeavours.
Thank you for watching and your comment, I have been practicing in a field jut digging holes and filling them in. Also loading and offloading onto the trailer too. It is getting there, but it will take a lot more practice to become "non laughable" 🤣
You should consider quick release hydraulic fittings.
Interesting. The only two things I have picked up on is that the scraper doesn't seem to have much raising height. On a slope the blade digs into the ground and the other being that the lever seems to get in the way of your right leg.
I have noticed this - I will check it out to see if I can modify it a little.
Good camera work. 👍
Thanks 👍
Try running the engine at lower revs.
With the blind hole, grind a few mil off your new tap. Good luck
KEB.
itz amazing ❤️ i also want this item to attached to my excavator ❤️😍👍
It will be coming out again soon - I have a gate to put in. 👍🏻
Nice video :) .
Bought one of these yesterday, being delivered to the farm tomorrow.
While inspecting it on the dealer's premises, I forgot to ask if the auger turns in both directions.
Your video answered that question nicely :) .
Hope it arrived safely - I am going to try fitting the auger the other way around so I can lift it better - it is trial and error with me at the moment - have fun with your new digger.
@@HomesteadingUncontained
Thanks kindly.
Yup, it arrived safely, and my first task was to lift a hefty metalworking lathe off my truck.
Needless to say, the little guy wanted to tip over, but he got the job done :) .
Looking forward to seeing if your experiments with the auger have paid off.
Finding a manual is not an easy process, but I was sent a PDF by the folks I bought this machine from.
Maybe there is a way I can send a copy to you?
@@CNCmachiningisfun can I ask how much it cost in China and then how much all up champ
@@michaelarabi5083
Imported to New Zealand, and sold by a local farming group, this little guy, along with all the fittings, cost me a mere $19,500.
It is the smallest little digger I have ever seen :) .
@@CNCmachiningisfun actually, 19500 is not bad at all. it is about 9000 dollors (can be cheaper) for the same one here in China.
Glad to see how it works through stony soil. That is what I am going to be dealing with.
I hit big rocks on my ground works - the very large ones I nibbled around them and pulled them free. It had no trouble at all doing the work.
Homesteader in ky. Only thing I'd of done differently is pulled the tractor bucket up next to the hole so I didn't have to pack the post. Then raise the bucket and it would of tilted right in the hole. I'd of tamped the dirt in the bottom with the post in to stabilize the post more, and also cut the post off flat at the bottom. Still a good job though. It'll hold.
Exactly right - we are cutting the posts flat and tamping them in. Will be finishing off the project in a few weeks when this temperature drops a little. (105ºf today)
Awesome💋💋💋
Thanks for watching 👍🏻
G-day from Australia. I was going to buy one of these but in the end I have decided to go one model up to a 1.5T unit with a 3 cylinder Kubota engine. A lot less noise and smoke. Everything else about it is slightly more robust than the 1T unit and it has a swing boom. However there is a big difference in the operation. It is not so jerky and 60% more power delivered more smoothly via a better pump with a higher flow rate and pressure. The draw back is that it is a bunch more money we didn't budget for and it also exceeds the load rating of the ramp on my trailer.
I had just assumed that mine will come with hydraulic quick release lines. If it comes like yours then I think I'll change the fittings.
The bigger machine is so much better and I did have some options 2nd hand here (although still big money) but I have to transport it to the build site and I only have a 1.3tonne trailer so I had to go for the smaller model - jealous though, as I do like the 1.5 tonne.....😉
@@HomesteadingUncontained Yes I had it all worked out with the 1T machine and my 2T tandem trailer. With the 1.5T machine I'll have to rent a trailer to get it onsite.
Your'e a cute couple. Cheers from the States.
Thank you 👍🏻
That cow at 12:17 looks like it might have a hoof abscess. Love the excavator content though!
Not our cows but the the farmers are pretty experienced. Same family since 1600. You should see the sheep 😳
"That was easy" enjoy it while it's new :) You'll be using a drift and sledgehammer eventually.
Yes there are special bolts available to save the gearbox. that auger works just fine. posts will go in very quick.
Thank you - I am about to starting putting a bunch of them in on the new property.
Suggestion keep your front push blade all the way up while not in use. It will dig in less. Looks good.🐻🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thanks - I need to figure out how to get it higher, seems too low.
If you have a lot of posts to install such an energy saver. I am coming round to the idea of one of these 😁 Hiring is a bind and the cost will be quickly recovered. 👌
That was our thinking - we have at least 4 years of work on the house and land and this will easily pay for itself - I will be gentle with it and make sure I look after it - renting would cost €250 a day so 1 month and it is covered. Thanks for the comments. 👍🏻
@@HomesteadingUncontained We are planning to be just along from you in central Portugal. Farm purchase in progress! A question if I may. Although you saved by collecting from the port did you find a shipping agent who could for a price collect and deliver to you? I don't have a suitable trailer and it is probably not worth buying a decent one just for one journey. I will probably have to buy something eventually but for a long trail across you need something trustworthy 🤣
You might want to invest in a few shear bolts & nuts for the auger.
Yes, agree - I have these on my tractor and they seem to go quite often when I pull off to fast. ☹️
Thanks very much.
No problem Gian. Thank you for watching. 👍🏻
Can’t get over the noise the starter makes. Sounds like 1990’s era riding lawn mower starter.
And then the puff of smoke when it gets going....🤣
Must have been a game changer when this tool was invented
It is helping us out for sure 👍🏻
See if you can get quick disconnect couplers for the hydraulic hoses?
That is one thing on the list. But it is rare I put this auger on for short periods of time. But Tree Change Farmer did a video on his mini ex where he changes them to quick release. 👍🏻
They’re living the dream…
Sort of - still working the day job. a few more years yet.
Nice couple u are
Nice car behind the machine
haha, yes. Julie's Renault 4L and my little Renault 4CV (rally prepared)
Молодцы, классно бурит трактор!
Cheers 👍🏻
If you have a throttle control just slow it down a bit and itll be less jerky till you get used to the speed.
Just for giggles and grins have you ever 'panned' some of that rocky material to see if there are any shiny surprises?
We have the river close by but it runs a little fast here.
If you keep your blade on the ground behind you when drilling holes you will get better digging force in harder ground. I think your auger drive is on back to front, the hose fittings usually go toward the machine.
Cheers David - you are absolutely right. I have changed this around for the next time.
I have been following your project,very interesting! As to the owner's manual written in Chinese,you could scan it,and use the OCR feature included with many free PDF viewers to convert the document to a readable form that could be translated to English by translation freeware available online.
Cheers Mike - the company I bought it from emailed me over an English version (translated of course but at lest it is a start)
I've watched your first two videos with this machine. Is that s high as your blade goes? If not raise it higher when moving it especially when loading and unloading. The blade is to help keep it from pulling itself while digging and to grade when finished. Also you don't have to hang your boom out so far when loading or unloading
Unfortunately it is the highest it goes - I looked to see if I could modify it but other than putting in a smaller ram, I can't do much about it.
👌
👍👍👍
I like your videos. You have to buy a grapple. My CK2610 came with a bucket. I bought a box blade first. A grapple was the second piece I bought, it should have been the first.
I will look into the grapple and also a thumb - I will ask Nuoman as I am expecting another delivery from them soon and it has not been shipped yet.
@@HomesteadingUncontained I live in a fairly large city. Over a million people. I have a house on a little over an acre. I built a second house on the lot and was going to have to pay to have my old house torn down. I also had 3 huge trees down from storms. Including tractor and bucket, grapple and box blade, I have just under 22K in them. If I had paid someone for what I have done with my tractor, it would be well over 10K. I have had my tractor for less than a year. Without the grapple, I couldn't have done well over half the work. The grapple has paid for itself and much of my tractor in less than 6 months the way I look at it. I wish I had the patients to post some videos but I don't. Keep doing what you are doing. You provide a lot of information for people.
The issue with small machines, they are really twitchy! I've only run one small excavator and it was a 1.2t, the difference coming from larger machines is huge. I also think this might be a bit more jerky, but it cost a lot less too. Nice little machine!
Phew - I thought it was just me. Yes it is a little nervous when using the controls - I will get used to it though.
"farm life is very relaxing" --- a city boy
Many thanks for this demo, very helpful! Could you give us the link to buy the auger rotator itself? I have got a Yanmar SV08 (the smallest from Yanmar, 960 kg). I think this auger is suitable with it, despite the quickfix won’t be the same.
It is from Nuoman Engineering on Alibaba or you can go direct to the company. Ask for Helen and she will sort you out.
Suggestion when using logs for post de-bark them so they don't rot as fast.
Cheers Wayne - yes, that was just a tester. We will for the main fencing and maybe burn them a little too. Cheers for watching. 👍🏻
Grease will be something you have keep up on. Zerk grease fittings, will make it easy to do.
Yes, I even splashed out and bought a new grease gun....manual 😉
This may have been mentioned before but you can put stilts on the tailgate of your trailer to keep it from tipping down that way.
When the tailgate is down the stilts will be close to ground level so when you drive out it won't be lifting the back of your other tractor off the ground.
On flat ground, the way you have it will not make much difference. But if you try to unload on a hillside and that trailer is going to lift the back of the tractor and the whole thing's going to go rolling down the hill.
With those legs on the tailgate of the trailer it'll also make it possible to load and unload the trailer without being hooked up to another vehicle.
Or you could just put blocks behind the trailer wheels when you unload on a hillside.
I used to have a small trailer that had drop legs mounted at the back end of the frame. I just loosen the screws and drop the legs and tighten the screw to do the same thing so I can load and unload the trailer without having it hooked up to a truck.
I do have drop downs - I have mastered it now and put it on and off the trailer with no problem.
Get some sil-glide or similar when fitting o-rings to prevent failure during installation and removal. If they're compatible with petroleum products you can use some grease or petroleum jelly instead. ps that machine isn't nearly greasy enough =)
Cheers for commenting. I have greased it well since. I also use a silicone grease on o rings . Will be using the auger a lot very soon.
Have you thought about loading it the other way round so the blade comes off last and doesn’t dig up the lawn/ground or maybe put the bucket out front to keep it from digging in?
Can’t as the blade hits the ramp. But I have now mastered the on-loading & off-loading.