One suggestion is to include using a laser level for the grading. use a wood stake at the low point and adjust the top of the stake to the level you plan to level\grade to so you have some indicator of how must dirt needs to be moved. Ideally your going to fill in the low spot to the height of the stake.
Just a shout out to say thanks. Not sure everyone appreciates how time consuming it is to make a video that is actually informative and is a great teaching tool. Appreciate it.
Finally a video about excavator tips and tricks where nobody mentions three point contacts and safety helmets. By far the most helpful thing I've seen so far.
Not a single time anyone has ever told me even 1 of the vital hints you gave here. Thank you 1000 times for your time, your energies, and your prefessionalism ;)
Commented 4 months ago about starting my excavator job and I gotta tell you. Your trick on not looking at the dirt you collect, rather the grade you got already has saved my life.
This is where my education started.... This video impacted my viewing of grading. I would love to share with you via phone how much you help me daily! Let's do it sir!
I’m watching this cuz I’m 12 and tomorrow I’m grading a my first foundation by myself and I’ve never been so excited for something in my life. I believe that no body else in the world loves operating as much as me
lucky kid! I'm 39 and looking for an opportunity to learn how to run an excavator just because I'd love to learn. always wanted to learn how to run equipment. hopefully some day I'll be able to buy land and put a home on it and those skills would come in handy...
I have a mini KX040 Kubota. Been working with it for just a year. This video where you really take the time to explain in detail an application is invaluable. Too many guys just basically show just running various pieces of equipment with no discussion or explanation about how to do whatever it is they are doing. I'm here for a reason! Thank you!
K. Moran Thanks so much for your comment. It’s a great feeling to know I’ve helped you. I’m sure that KX040 will serve you well. Kubota makes top quality equipment.
17 mins in and I want to thank you for taking the time to give a very well explained beginner tutorial on working midi/mini x's. F'n fabulous! Just what I needed. just bought land and about to start prepping land. thanks!
Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to put this together. It is by far the most useful excavator operation tutorial I've seen here. Cheers from Queensland Australia!
Thanks for going to the trouble of making this video, it’s a massive help. I’m fine with digging, terrible at grading. Watching this makes me realise where I’ve been going wrong. Thanks again 👍
I'm an equipment operator for Little Rock Wastewater. I've been operating mini excavators for about 2 years now. I still have a lot to learn, but operating equipment is one thing I've really grown to love. I want to get good at it and start my own excavating/dirt work business someday. Your channel is very informative and inspiring to me. You're helping me to learn the things that I don't have enough time to learn at work. Thank you for your content.
I’m new to TH-cams and am so thankful for your videos. I grew on a farm and have spent time on tractors. Digging and pushing dirt are all something I’m trying with rented equipment.
Ive got a Mahindra 1626 compact tractor with a backhoe. 1 function at a time. Set main stick, set dipper, set bucket, wash rinse repeat. It has a 16" bucket, everything you've touched base on is spot on. Ive had to learn from trial and error. Thanks for taking the time out of your day, while on a job and vlogging this, it's something you're not able to price.
I spent all day, yesterday, just learning how to use the machine. I dig a trench, pulled a couple small stumps, and scraped all the organic material off. Was scratching my head, this morning, trying to figure out how to methodically grade this building site. This video was perfect! Thanks!
I want to thank you. I've got 3 weeks with a 5 box blade. it takes most of my time stepping off and looking back a the lay of the land to see my dips and my dugs. you've helped me to; understand it alot easer!!! nice work😇😁😇
What a bloody champ for doing this. I am new and old in years to this but you make simple sence of it all. Enjoy your days doing that stuff from here in Oz. Cheers bud.👍
I just got my Mini ex 2 days ago. After a couple days and maybe 3 hours of time to "Play" with it I realized I needed some advice especially in the grading department. Thank you for making this video. Seeing how the "Less is more" aspect is so important has helped me see my mistakes. Much appreciated.
Dynamite tutorial! I was in the business a while ago, and wish I had a tutorial like this. If a DYI’er watches this closely, it will same them much time an aggravation. Well Done!
Watch the other side of the blade. Brilliant! Just started my mew job as a mini excavator operator for tearing yards down. Grading is one of my weak spots. Thank you
Your video has all the best instruction and examples and angles shown for how to use an excavator. Your method of teaching helps me be less intimidated to do this on my own.
@@DigginLife21 Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with the world! I have learned a lot from watching and asking you questions to help me understand what is actually happening. Everyone I watch a video of yours I'm determined to write a word of encouragement and thanks for what you do. Thanks for taking the time to respond as well, I feel apart of each project!
Your a great teacher for those of us wanting to learn how to use an excavator. Thank you for taking the time to make your videos. Loads of great information.
Wow Todd, you’re a great teacher. Thanks for showing us how it’s done. I appreciate your focusing on beginners - like me. You’re also a confidence builder. Thank you sir.
Thanks buddy, really appreciate the “how to” videos! Really like they way you take the time to explain what you are doing, what you are looking for, and what you are looking at while you are doing it. Good job, very helpful!!
You are an absolute master and the best teacher out there. I am just getting started and can't wait to talk and/or meet you. I will try to connect with you in a day or two. Blessings from Tennessee.
I want to say thanks for the videos. I just purchased 11 acres in GA that I want to develop myself. I’ve watched at least 30 of your videos strait thru.
You're fantastic, I love watching your videos! I stumbled on your page because I'm researching excavator forestry mulching and now I'm learning about dirt work. Thank you!
Excellent for beginners to excavator use. Many useful tips I wouldn't have known. Prevented a great deal of user errors and problems. Very well presented.
Been runnin a mini for years and still got something from this. Thanks. Another thing people dont realize is how well you learn to feel the grade on a tracked machine and the longer the tracks, the better you feel the change front to rear. Its so flat here, i use a level app on my phone for long grades to make sure i keep constant grades. Good lookin spot ya got out there.
Outstanding video...have a mini digger hired for a week with the intention of doing exactly what you have demonstrated. Thank you so much..at least now I have an understanding of how I should go about doing it
This is very good, Ive run a Deere 27D to excavate an old 1880s era drain tile that was causing water fom the field behind me to be piped into my basement, 2 of them actually, were once part of an long demolished RR roundhouse turntable drain etc that ran under my 1930 house, but when the basement was dug they took out pieces of that old pipe, but it still collected water soaking down after winter snow melts and dumped it in my basment. I had to dig down 6 feet to the top of the foot diameter pipe, and rip it all out 50 feet to the fence and back fill it, but now I need to rent it again to "scrape" about 3" of dirt/grass off a 40x40 area in my back yard to fill the space with about 3-4" of sand for a dog play area and not have to deal with dirt or grass coming up thru the sand. There was an old gravel driveway "loop-te-do" on about half of it, that's down about 3", so this video shows me some techniques I'll need in the spring to do the "scraping"!
Thank you for the information. A lot of great tips. I especially like the way you turn the cab so you can see what the blade is doing. I've run for six hours odd filling/levelling old holes in the paddocks. Can't wait to get out and use the new information. Cheers from Victoria, Australia.
Thank you so much for demonstrating the use of the blade on a mini. Other videos i've watched barely mention it as a counterweight or something just to backfill trenches.
That was extremely well explained. I got just so much from your video. Clear and simple explanation with plenty of examples and great demonstrations. Well done!
Awesome explanation on how to grade . I just bought a midi excavator and don't have much experience using it, but thanks to your video I bet I can do it. Thanks again
Enjoy looking at your videos old and new, again thank you for doing this it is always a good reference when trying to figure out how to operate my mini.
This was super helpful as a refresher, since I graded land on a golf course when I was a teenager (don't tell OSHA). Thanks for your great explanation!!
Good explanation and demonstration. Perhaps laying a temporary string line with the desired grade would be a possible solution to getting a line to start from. Few stakes, string and a carpenters level would be all that is needed.
Thanks, you did a great job. Lots of effort to change camera angles, and clear explanation of what you are doing and why. When you were raking in the beginning, I think it would have been nice if you could go through how to keep the bucket and boom pretty much level. Again thanks for your effort and for sharing your expertise.
Thanks so much for making this video. Your explanation of technique and tips are great and I look forward to trying them out this weekend when I rent a mini excavator. Thank you again!
Thanks for explaining that, I do have some experience running a front end loader and dozer D5 to D 8 in open pit gold mining in northern Ontario, I have since quite mining but I surely do miss operating heavy equipment. Thanks for the video, well done. I’m a new sub and look forward to more of your videos.
Was thinking about upgrading my subcompact tractor/loader to a larger compact loader with a backhoe. After watching your videos, I’m now thinking about keeping my subcompact & buying a 3500-4000# mini-x. Looking at 2-3 year old IHI 17VX, Takeuchi TB216, or Yanmar VI017s. Really just for clearing my property & enjoying myself.
One suggestion is to include using a laser level for the grading. use a wood stake at the low point and adjust the top of the stake to the level you plan to level\grade to so you have some indicator of how must dirt needs to be moved. Ideally your going to fill in the low spot to the height of the stake.
Great tip!!!
See this is what real men do, they teach without being rude or aragant, thank you ✌️✌️
Anytime John!!! It’s my pleasure
Agreed
Just a shout out to say thanks. Not sure everyone appreciates how time consuming it is to make a video that is actually informative and is a great teaching tool. Appreciate it.
Exactly, he turned a 30min job into a full afternoons mucking around
Finally a video about excavator tips and tricks where nobody mentions three point contacts and safety helmets. By far the most helpful thing I've seen so far.
Not a single time anyone has ever told me even 1 of the vital hints you gave here. Thank you 1000 times for your time, your energies, and your prefessionalism ;)
It’s always my pleasure
Commented 4 months ago about starting my excavator job and I gotta tell you. Your trick on not looking at the dirt you collect, rather the grade you got already has saved my life.
Same
I’m bewildered that this for you out of a life and death situation, please explain!
This is where my education started.... This video impacted my viewing of grading. I would love to share with you via phone how much you help me daily! Let's do it sir!
I’m watching this cuz I’m 12 and tomorrow I’m grading a my first foundation by myself and I’ve never been so excited for something in my life. I believe that no body else in the world loves operating as much as me
It's your bedtime son.
lucky kid! I'm 39 and looking for an opportunity to learn how to run an excavator just because I'd love to learn. always wanted to learn how to run equipment. hopefully some day I'll be able to buy land and put a home on it and those skills would come in handy...
@@TireSlayer55 Just buy one.
Good on you kid 👍
@@TireSlayer55 go to the school bro I just graduated and it's way more fun doing than watching 😎
I have a mini KX040 Kubota. Been working with it for just a year. This video where you really take the time to explain in detail an application is invaluable. Too many guys just basically show just running various pieces of equipment with no discussion or explanation about how to do whatever it is they are doing. I'm here for a reason! Thank you!
K. Moran Thanks so much for your comment. It’s a great feeling to know I’ve helped you. I’m sure that KX040 will serve you well. Kubota makes top quality equipment.
@@DigginLife21 I think you will begin to quickly begin to attract new subscribers if you keep up what you are doing.
K. Moran hopefully I can just help a few people along the way 🙏🏻
@@DigginLife21 Ok, I'm in!! BrandyF from West Texas. New subscriber, thanks!
17 mins in and I want to thank you for taking the time to give a very well explained beginner tutorial on working midi/mini x's. F'n fabulous! Just what I needed. just bought land and about to start prepping land. thanks!
It’s my pleasure. Hopefully the vids help. There’s plenty of em on my channel
" very well explained beginner tutorial "????
Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to put this together.
It is by far the most useful excavator operation tutorial I've seen here.
Cheers from Queensland Australia!
David Shields my pleasure as always David🙏🏻
Thanks for going to the trouble of making this video, it’s a massive help. I’m fine with digging, terrible at grading. Watching this makes me realise where I’ve been going wrong. Thanks again 👍
I'm an equipment operator for Little Rock Wastewater. I've been operating mini excavators for about 2 years now. I still have a lot to learn, but operating equipment is one thing I've really grown to love. I want to get good at it and start my own excavating/dirt work business someday. Your channel is very informative and inspiring to me. You're helping me to learn the things that I don't have enough time to learn at work. Thank you for your content.
I’m new to TH-cams and am so thankful for your videos. I grew on a farm and have spent time on tractors. Digging and pushing dirt are all something I’m trying with rented equipment.
Ive got a Mahindra 1626 compact tractor with a backhoe. 1 function at a time. Set main stick, set dipper, set bucket, wash rinse repeat. It has a 16" bucket, everything you've touched base on is spot on. Ive had to learn from trial and error.
Thanks for taking the time out of your day, while on a job and vlogging this, it's something you're not able to price.
Top quality content. As someone who is learning tips before renting a machine, this is the best video on TH-cam
I spent all day, yesterday, just learning how to use the machine. I dig a trench, pulled a couple small stumps, and scraped all the organic material off. Was scratching my head, this morning, trying to figure out how to methodically grade this building site. This video was perfect! Thanks!
Great video man,you are a natural born instructor,thanks for the knowledge
I want to thank you. I've got 3 weeks with a 5 box blade. it takes most of my time stepping off and looking back a the lay of the land to see my dips and my dugs. you've helped me to; understand it alot easer!!! nice work😇😁😇
You’re a good teacher. Thank you very much for the tips!
It’s my pleasure. I’ve got a whole playlist that only covers excavator how to’s
Really good teacher
What a bloody champ for doing this. I am new and old in years to this but you make simple sence of it all.
Enjoy your days doing that stuff from here in Oz.
Cheers bud.👍
I just got my Mini ex 2 days ago. After a couple days and maybe 3 hours of time to "Play" with it I realized I needed some advice especially in the grading department. Thank you for making this video. Seeing how the "Less is more" aspect is so important has helped me see my mistakes. Much appreciated.
You’re very welcome!!! Have a great time with that new machine
Dynamite tutorial! I was in the business a while ago, and wish I had a tutorial like this. If a DYI’er watches this closely, it will same them much time an aggravation. Well Done!
Watch the other side of the blade. Brilliant! Just started my mew job as a mini excavator operator for tearing yards down. Grading is one of my weak spots. Thank you
By far, the most useful video I’ve seen for a novice. Thank you.
I’m glad it was helpful
Your video has all the best instruction and examples and angles shown for how to use an excavator. Your method of teaching helps me be less intimidated to do this on my own.
I really enjoy your videos especially the ones geared towards newbies.
Rewatched! This is what drew me to you and your channel! The teaching of techniques and the reasoning behind the things you do. You are the best!
I appreciate every single view and comment my brother!!!
@@DigginLife21 Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with the world! I have learned a lot from watching and asking you questions to help me understand what is actually happening. Everyone I watch a video of yours I'm determined to write a word of encouragement and thanks for what you do. Thanks for taking the time to respond as well, I feel apart of each project!
Your a great teacher for those of us wanting to learn how to use an excavator. Thank you for taking the time to make your videos. Loads of great information.
Wow Todd, you’re a great teacher. Thanks for showing us how it’s done. I appreciate your focusing on beginners - like me. You’re also a confidence builder. Thank you sir.
My pleasure Jeff and thanks so much for the comment. Always helps to know when folks enjoy the video
This was fantastic! Thank you for making this video so easy to follow for an excavator virgin like myself.
Thanks buddy, really appreciate the “how to” videos! Really like they way you take the time to explain what you are doing, what you are looking for, and what you are looking at while you are doing it. Good job, very helpful!!
You are an absolute master and the best teacher out there. I am just getting started and can't wait to talk and/or meet you. I will try to connect with you in a day or two. Blessings from Tennessee.
I want to say thanks for the videos. I just purchased 11 acres in GA that I want to develop myself. I’ve watched at least 30 of your videos strait thru.
@@RealLifewithAdrianRuth thanks for the support 🙏🏻
You're fantastic, I love watching your videos! I stumbled on your page because I'm researching excavator forestry mulching and now I'm learning about dirt work. Thank you!
Great tutor, a PHD of knowledge, I recommend highly. Thank you so much on the tutorial.
Great Video - thanks very much for taking the time and explaining it so well!
Excellent for beginners to excavator use. Many useful tips I wouldn't have known. Prevented a great deal of user errors and problems. Very well presented.
Been runnin a mini for years and still got something from this. Thanks. Another thing people dont realize is how well you learn to feel the grade on a tracked machine and the longer the tracks, the better you feel the change front to rear. Its so flat here, i use a level app on my phone for long grades to make sure i keep constant grades. Good lookin spot ya got out there.
What app do U use
Outstanding video...have a mini digger hired for a week with the intention of doing exactly what you have demonstrated. Thank you so much..at least now I have an understanding of how I should go about doing it
Thanks for being here Damien!!! Hopefully I’ve helped in some way🙏🏻
This is very good, Ive run a Deere 27D to excavate an old 1880s era drain tile that was causing water fom the field behind me to be piped into my basement, 2 of them actually, were once part of an long demolished RR roundhouse turntable drain etc that ran under my 1930 house, but when the basement was dug they took out pieces of that old pipe, but it still collected water soaking down after winter snow melts and dumped it in my basment.
I had to dig down 6 feet to the top of the foot diameter pipe, and rip it all out 50 feet to the fence and back fill it, but now I need to rent it again to "scrape" about 3" of dirt/grass off a 40x40 area in my back yard to fill the space with about 3-4" of sand for a dog play area and not have to deal with dirt or grass coming up thru the sand. There was an old gravel driveway "loop-te-do" on about half of it, that's down about 3", so this video shows me some techniques I'll need in the spring to do the "scraping"!
Thank you for the information.
A lot of great tips.
I especially like the way you turn the cab so you can see what the blade is doing.
I've run for six hours odd filling/levelling old holes in the paddocks.
Can't wait to get out and use the new information.
Cheers from Victoria, Australia.
Great tutorial! I really like watching the time lapse at the end of the video.
Thank you so much for demonstrating the use of the blade on a mini. Other videos i've watched barely mention it as a counterweight or something just to backfill trenches.
That was extremely well explained. I got just so much from your video. Clear and simple explanation with plenty of examples and great demonstrations. Well done!
Outstanding tutorial. I greatly appreciate you sharing!
This is some great advice....I had to learn the hard way. Wish I had found these videos sooner! Great work.
Thanks Marty🙏🏻
Super helpful. Thank you. I’ve got a Mini Ex I’m working with creating a rolling hill that was a cliff. I would imagine same principles apply.
You’re a great teacher. Thank you for sharing your experience!
My pleasure Zates!!!
Awesome explanation on how to grade . I just bought a midi excavator and don't have much experience using it, but thanks to your video I bet I can do it. Thanks again
sergio duran thanks for warching🙏🏻
Great video and really well explained. thanks so much for your help.
Enjoy looking at your videos old and new, again thank you for doing this it is always a good reference when trying to figure out how to operate my mini.
Glad you like them!
This is top shelf info/demonstration stuff man, thanks for making this video!
Glad you liked it!
I’ve been watching now of a couple of weeks and learning a lot keep up the great work
Glad to help
This was super helpful as a refresher, since I graded land on a golf course when I was a teenager (don't tell OSHA). Thanks for your great explanation!!
Thanks for your time putting this together. Very helpful!
Good explanation and demonstration. Perhaps laying a temporary string line with the desired grade would be a possible solution to getting a line to start from. Few stakes, string and a carpenters level would be all that is needed.
Like a true pro, you explain something pretty complex in a way that makes it simple. Thank you so much, super helpful
Thanks for the great and simple explanation. Thanks sharing your talent
My pleasure!
Learning to use my CAT 310, I'm definitely getting an appreciation of what it takes to be a truly skilled operator. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, you did a great job. Lots of effort to change camera angles, and clear explanation of what you are doing and why. When you were raking in the beginning, I think it would have been nice if you could go through how to keep the bucket and boom pretty much level.
Again thanks for your effort and for sharing your expertise.
Well done, video, sir. Great explanations. I'm an older operator and I love watching how others do stuff. Still learning from others all the time.
That's a beautiful job you did. Do you ever use a level or are your eyes just certified as "dead on" level?
Great demonstration on basic grading operations. Thanks.
Very well done video. Great understandable explanation. Show and tell is a fantastic way to give tips to a novice operator 👍
Great video thanks for taking time and explaining step by step of what to do. I will be implementing this at work!
And he did it by himself man you’re the best thank you for your time
Evan Mouzon my pleasure!!! Thanks dirt watching Evan🙏🏻
That took a lot of time to discuss/demonstrate over and over. Stop and go. Thanks for posting the share of info!
Just awesome explanation especially for me that I’m visual!! Love it! Thank you sir!!
My pleasure and thanks for watching
An excellent teacher!!!
Great video and very helpful. Thank you my friend
Add one more thank you sir, for a lesson well explained and demonstrated.
Merci pour ces explications qui m'aideront beaucoup dans mon projet en cours.
Hello , you are the first and thé best to explain trading with excavator ! And you put a cool music !!👍😀🖐️
Thanks for watching
Excellent step by step process to help new operators... Keep up the awesome videos @DigginLife21...
More to come!
Very well explained, for us Novices, is easy to follow your intructions ty.
This is great, well explained buddy.
Thanks so much for making this video. Your explanation of technique and tips are great and I look forward to trying them out this weekend when I rent a mini excavator. Thank you again!
Mark Bennett Hopefully it’ll make it easier get the hang of it.
Excellent! Just one thing you might consider, buying some square steel toe boots with a saddle, Texas style.
I'm learning thank you for your videos
Great video! Thanks for sharing mate
Yes definitely helpful. Clear instructions. Good guy, thanks 👍
Thanks for explaining that, I do have some experience running a front end loader and dozer D5 to D 8 in open pit gold mining in northern Ontario, I have since quite mining but I surely do miss operating heavy equipment. Thanks for the video, well done. I’m a new sub and look forward to more of your videos.
Great video; you really should be a teacher; even I can understand and learn from you-Keep up the good work !
Thanks Ian.
Got a 8 ton schaeff 30 arriving anytime now. Im very thrilled
Awesome!!! Hopefully it serves you well👍👍👍
Thanks for the info, man. Just stared using an excavator today.
Excellent professional vid - thank you.
Much appreciated!
Thanks for doing this. Generous of you to take the time!
2ridered2 the pleasure is all mine🙏🏻
Thanks for the educational video. Helps a lot!
Super informative. Thanks, this was very helpful.
Great to hear!!! There is plenty more on the channel you might find helpful
Thank you for your superbly informative and detailed instructions, much appreciated.
You're very welcome!
Good video and love the hat. Best choice in chain saws.
Was thinking about upgrading my subcompact tractor/loader to a larger compact loader with a backhoe. After watching your videos, I’m now thinking about keeping my subcompact & buying a 3500-4000# mini-x. Looking at 2-3 year old IHI 17VX, Takeuchi TB216, or Yanmar VI017s. Really just for clearing my property & enjoying myself.
Glad I could help
Very informative. Thanks Bro.
My pleasure James
Great demonstration, as always. Thanks for sharing.
Great video.
Taught me some great skills!
Glad it helped 👍👍👍
Excellent Video!!! Thank you so much.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Great informative video. Thumbs up 👍🏻
Great video, helpful and very well explanation
Glad it helped Sergio!!!
Awesome video...im renting one in 4 days