The thumb for sure the side swing meh is only necessary for very tight spots on an open field like that once you learn how to use the machine you don’t need it
It looks like pretty easy digging. You can keep your tracks parallel to the ditch, side swing your boom to the ditch and dig. Its a little bit more efficient. Congratulations on your new machine!
Thanks! That was my first thought, just drive parallel with ditch, use the swing to dig, but I was a chicken feeling the bucket pull the machine up a little on its side. I will probably do it that way when I get back on it, because constantly adjusting the parking spot was a pain.
Was reading the comments below and I am located a few hours North of you. Winter sure gets in the way of having fun! ZH20D owner myself. I didn't get the swing boom as I saw it as another wear point but now wish I had as you said in the video, hard to see bucket. Had I waited another year I would have gotten a few more standard upgrades. I'm still happy I got mine. You are going to have so much fun with yours.
just a tip lower rpms a touch, rest your forearms on your knees or arm rests and use your finger tips to operate . dont wrap your hands around controls, ( i know its cold and have heavy gloves) keep practicing good luck with the machine
For what they are, they are a good machine. They are all the same with a few options. I plan on getting one in a couple years when I get some land for retirement.
These things are like a lot of the ebikes I see, a dozen companies may be selling the same rig, just rebrand it, not a knock, just saying the only difference will be in the details.
HINT. 7:40 When digging out a ditch, run parallel to it with the tracks.. Then you only need to drive forward or back without tearing up the ground. In your case, swing Left and load, raise the boom, pull the arm back, swing Right, extend the arm and then unload. Drive forward and repeat.
Have you had to do any work to the engine, maintenance? I just received mine today and there was a few issues. The hydro cooler was hanging, the nut worked loose and was gone. Also one of the hydro lines under the foot plate was spitting fluid allover. Just noticed it after it was dropped off. It didnt lose much fluid but the box or whatever is under the foot cover was not even bolted down and I dont see where it could be. Its a heavy block with a few lines going into it and maybe a filter or something on the end of it. Overall it has been good otherwise.
Wow, I didn’t have anything like that. Mine seemed very very hot while operating. I mean way too hot. I unbolted the back engine cover and now use the machine without it. That helped.
@oxford821 Yes, they get hot, even with the cooler I could smell hot fluids. It was over 90 outside yesterday, and I worked it for about 2 hours, and it nearly gave me a heat stroke. Had to try the new toy out though, might use it on the cooler days. I started the process of getting that back cover off, but the batterys on the right side and blocking those bolts. I think im removing the right bolts, there was 2 bolts on each 4 sides holding the back plate on. They installed my hydro cooler on the right side. Overall the machine is pretty good, I should have gotten the extra weight added. The thing is very tippy with the larger 32 inch bucket and even just using the standard.
@oxford821 Yes, I got like 4 off before giving up last night. I might do a solution after I get the last few bolts out. Im not going through that process again to install them back. Tough little machine, took out a pretty big cedar stump yesterday. I did have to cut the massive roots but it got it and moved it. I think it was at its limit with the weight of it. I might have to remove the grease zerk for the side swing because it wont take grease. One of the boom zerks broke off in my Ryobi electric grease gun. The grease gun fitting is terrible on that gun, and I swapped it out.
@oxford821 Ill be putting it to work though, alot to do and move around with it. Was using the 32inch smooth bucket to spread some number 3 stone yesterday and it did a decent job. Waiting on my tractor, found a dealer trade in XJ2025 LS for 12,700 with under 100 hours. Ive got alot of work for these things. Sure beats taking care of 5.33 acres by hand.
Yes, I’m learning that the hard way. It feels a little sketchy when swinging the boom around and the machine isn’t level. I haven’t had the throttle all the way up yet, it really screams.
I bought a japanese mini excavator 15yrs ago & i still have it & it now has 2500hrs on it. Resealed 2 hyd cyls on & replace the 2 speed relay in the 15yrs ive had it. See how ya go. Get back to us in a coupla yrs.
@@oxford821 title says "bought a mini Chinese excavator." Except Groundhog is designed, engineered, and built in Pennsylvania, USA... not a Chinese excavator.
That's awesome! It's a good thing you got the side swing boom and hydraulic thumb. They are both so handy!
Thanks, I hope to do a bunch of projects with this!
The thumb for sure the side swing meh is only necessary for very tight spots on an open field like that once you learn how to use the machine you don’t need it
It looks like pretty easy digging. You can keep your tracks parallel to the ditch, side swing your boom to the ditch and dig. Its a little bit more efficient. Congratulations on your new machine!
Thanks! That was my first thought, just drive parallel with ditch, use the swing to dig, but I was a chicken feeling the bucket pull the machine up a little on its side. I will probably do it that way when I get back on it, because constantly adjusting the parking spot was a pain.
That was a great explanation and example of your new mini excavator at work. Really appreciate your use and pointers. A big help.
Right on! NP
Was reading the comments below and I am located a few hours North of you. Winter sure gets in the way of having fun! ZH20D owner myself. I didn't get the swing boom as I saw it as another wear point but now wish I had as you said in the video, hard to see bucket. Had I waited another year I would have gotten a few more standard upgrades. I'm still happy I got mine. You are going to have so much fun with yours.
Thank you!
just a tip lower rpms a touch, rest your forearms on your knees or arm rests and use your finger tips to operate . dont wrap your hands around controls, ( i know its cold and have heavy gloves) keep practicing good luck with the machine
Thank you!!
That is awesome, and easy to maintain.
Yea, one of the reasons I was ok with the gas engine, I should be able to do my own maintenance
For what they are, they are a good machine. They are all the same with a few options. I plan on getting one in a couple years when I get some land for retirement.
Right on, good luck for your future!
How did you decide on which to get? Been looking at those and kymron, your thoughts?
I like the upgrades that comes standard with this company, and it’s within 2 hours of my house for parts and maintenance
@@oxford821 thanks much
NP!
These things are like a lot of the ebikes I see, a dozen companies may be selling the same rig, just rebrand it, not a knock, just saying the only difference will be in the details.
HINT. 7:40 When digging out a ditch, run parallel to it with the tracks.. Then you only need to drive forward or back without tearing up the ground.
In your case, swing Left and load, raise the boom, pull the arm back, swing Right, extend the arm and then unload.
Drive forward and repeat.
Thanks, I can’t wait till the ground dries up so I can get back to digging!
Have you had to do any work to the engine, maintenance? I just received mine today and there was a few issues. The hydro cooler was hanging, the nut worked loose and was gone. Also one of the hydro lines under the foot plate was spitting fluid allover. Just noticed it after it was dropped off. It didnt lose much fluid but the box or whatever is under the foot cover was not even bolted down and I dont see where it could be. Its a heavy block with a few lines going into it and maybe a filter or something on the end of it. Overall it has been good otherwise.
Wow, I didn’t have anything like that. Mine seemed very very hot while operating. I mean way too hot. I unbolted the back engine cover and now use the machine without it. That helped.
@oxford821 Yes, they get hot, even with the cooler I could smell hot fluids. It was over 90 outside yesterday, and I worked it for about 2 hours, and it nearly gave me a heat stroke. Had to try the new toy out though, might use it on the cooler days. I started the process of getting that back cover off, but the batterys on the right side and blocking those bolts. I think im removing the right bolts, there was 2 bolts on each 4 sides holding the back plate on. They installed my hydro cooler on the right side. Overall the machine is pretty good, I should have gotten the extra weight added. The thing is very tippy with the larger 32 inch bucket and even just using the standard.
It was a pain getting the back cover off, seemed like ever bolt was blocked by something
@oxford821 Yes, I got like 4 off before giving up last night. I might do a solution after I get the last few bolts out. Im not going through that process again to install them back. Tough little machine, took out a pretty big cedar stump yesterday. I did have to cut the massive roots but it got it and moved it. I think it was at its limit with the weight of it. I might have to remove the grease zerk for the side swing because it wont take grease. One of the boom zerks broke off in my Ryobi electric grease gun. The grease gun fitting is terrible on that gun, and I swapped it out.
@oxford821 Ill be putting it to work though, alot to do and move around with it. Was using the 32inch smooth bucket to spread some number 3 stone yesterday and it did a decent job. Waiting on my tractor, found a dealer trade in XJ2025 LS for 12,700 with under 100 hours. Ive got alot of work for these things. Sure beats taking care of 5.33 acres by hand.
"Guys just like digging holes" That's a fact.
Yes!
try running it at a lower throttle speed to reduce the jerkyness, be careful the tip over very easy.
Yes, I’m learning that the hard way. It feels a little sketchy when swinging the boom around and the machine isn’t level. I haven’t had the throttle all the way up yet, it really screams.
Never seen a gasoline powered excavator before, seems like it gets the job done though
It’s gonna take a little longer to get a job done, but it’s definitely fun!!
Headline: Old Tanker buys tiny, track-laying toy!
That’s funny because an hour after using it, I now want the biggest one they got!!!!
They all look the same as the AGROTK Industrial H12/QH12.
At least yours has the hydraulic thumb I had to buy the kit to add to my QH12.
I have plans to clean up a bunch of logs and brush, I’ll definitely get to use the thumb
Sure does look cold what state do you live in
This is northern PA, cold in winter hot in summer
How much $ did it cost?
With the upgrades, $7k
Wow you must have watched OWTM channel yesterday.
I haven’t but I’ll check Mike’s video out!
how much was it?
$6700 +- With upgrades
Lots of unnecessary movements.
For something like cleaning out that swale, keep the tracks parallel with the swale.
I’m still learning, but getting better
Not very smooth, is it?
I’m not sure yet. That was my first time ever on one. When the weather gets better, I have a bunch of projects to get done with it
It gets smooth with practice but they are touchy
I bought a japanese mini excavator 15yrs ago & i still have it & it now has 2500hrs on it. Resealed 2 hyd cyls on & replace the 2 speed relay in the 15yrs ive had it. See how ya go. Get back to us in a coupla yrs.
That’s good news, I hope this one is as good.
Why
?
Cool!
You need to drive right along beside instead of turning towards it and don't run with your stick out so much
Thanks, I’m learning as I go!
You call that a lot of snow ,???? 😂😂😂😂
To cold to play
@@oxford821 if i had a new toy it would take more than that to deter me but then again i’ve been known to tear up a lot of stuff
Except they are not "Chinese!" Designed and built in Pennsylvania, USA
???
@@oxford821 title says "bought a mini Chinese excavator." Except Groundhog is designed, engineered, and built in Pennsylvania, USA... not a Chinese excavator.