I buy a beat up kamotsu PC 120 excavator for $8000 and replace a finial drive and fix up the whole excavator and make it look almost new putting about $4000 into it
I love that we’re able to see content like this, channels like this are the reason I will never go back to tv. Idk what it is about watching someone taking something apart and put it back together but it’s relaxing somehow lol
@@rustyjeep2469 Too funny. I specialize in uploading videos that can make anyone fall asleep. At first I tried to make a better video...... But I realized my real calling is helping those that have trouble sleeping.
Really enjoyed this....way more than I thought I would. Thanks for sharing the whole process. The gut sinking feeling when the sprocket didn't fit to the joy I felt seeing the door go up and the paint go on. This way really cool. Thank!
Wow! You've done an AWESOME job restoring that excavator! My hat's off to you, sir! LOVE the paint job! And Mrs W is one tough cookie! She's not afraid to mix it up! 👍🏾
Hi Dan, here in Australia we have a old adage “with a lot of determination and alot more Vaseline a man can root a fly”. Your determination is beyond reproach, your ability to get the job done by yourself and your sheer resourcefulness are admirable and all your fixes were practical and functional, bloody well done mate….oh yeah and she looks beaut in her new colours
Great job on the repairs Dan, looking so much better! A word of advice when operating from Chris (of LetsDig18) is to level out the ground you are working from so you have a stable platform for the machine to swing from, it will make for a less bumpy ride in the cab and give you much greater control of the machine. You are an inspiration to all DIYers and I have to say that Mrs. Wheeler is a BEAST, what a life partner to have, you guys are amazing!
I'm rewatching this video allover again for the second time , and enjoying it as much as I did the first time ! Now , I understand where Jesse got his intestional fortitude to tackle (and fix) all the various pieces of equipment he has in his inventory !
I like watching the old-timers work..😮 Wow people my age. They stay right on it till the job done.. Amazing how you transfer into looking and working better.😊
Wow! I used to sell manufactured steel parts from steel plate to the Komatsu Plant in Chattanooga, TN. for the Excavators and Wheel Loaders. You did an amazing job on this project doing it by yourself! Congratulations! You make us Construction Equipment fans proud with this Restoration!
Im a ex-combination welder turned construction Truck Driver with a class A CDL. Been pulling a side-dump trailer for the past 6 months. I find that I learn something new everyday. I really did enjoy watching you turn your excavator new again!
What i really like about you is that even being a father and a grandfather you take advise and listend to the younger generation! I think thats someting many more of the older generation should learn :) great job and video!
We'll done Dan👍love watching you fix up that excavator, so enjoyable. I know it's a very large project, and overwhelming at times. But now you have an excavator for doing a variety of things and it will pay for itself in no time .thanks for sharing love the video's 👍🍻
When I am putting a track back on, to help and make it easier, I take 2 long 2x4's and put them on the ground about 4" to 5" apart under the track, then put one of the big yellow binder straps between the 2x4's and bring it up around the center of the track so that you can put in the center of the track on top, then let the piece of equipment track back down on the 2x4's and I then put large thick pieces of wood under the top section of track to hold it up straight, then get the 2 end pieces of track lined up and being racheting the 2 ends together and get the connecter pin started in and start driving the pin through lining the holes up . Anyway that is the easiest way that I have found . I have been successful doing this 2 times and it worked for me . Whenever you are digging try to have the machine in a fairly level place ( even if you have to make you a level place with the bucket before that you move ahead into that dig from spot ) to keep from it rocking up and down in a beating and thumping motion which is hard on your drive motors . You made the old Komatsu look good, but it took a lot of work and like you said, it's not going to be a worked everyday machine . So be careful and stay safe and keep on digging . And you all have a Happy and Healthy New Year for 2022 . As always, Jeffrey !!!
Nice job of fixing it up and making the old girl look good again. Sometimes, it's the old things that hold up the best when taken care of and out last their owners.
I came across your channel by accident and happen to love old equipment and the people who care about them. Great job and video, and dang Mrs. W is in great shape. You're lucky to have a wife that is willing to work right along with you.
This Komatsu PC120 has come a long way, what a transformation, awesome work. its amazing what a little TLC can do, back to work hauling dirt and loading. The final drive seems to be operating nicely. Dan, you did good, the old girl has a new appearance now.
Nice job Dan. Making her looking pretty just like the Mrs. Make some short videos of : 1. Cleaning the tracks. 2. Making a front cage. 3. Making a side door. I really enjoy your simplistic way of doing things. Wish you well on her 😀
Right on...new here after a suggested vid from watching Andrew Camarata... new sub...i like having these vids on in the background while i do my boring desk job. My 1 year old son also loves to sit and watch excavator vids. Cheers!
If Andrew likes it then you should be proud! Thanks for sharing the adventure with us and the video is not too long. You and the Mrs. are very entertaining and a pleasure to watch. Thanks again and take care!
Always great when I hear from you Dan, and know that you and the family are doing well. As soon as my husband, whom watches as well, saw you with your head under the tractor bucket, when installing the new Driver, my husband said " oh, don't do that"! Paul and I watching you make a new door, was awesome, Paul said you are a MacGyver with all the ideas and things you come up with, and the dang thing looks a lot better with it...Great Video. I personally enjoyed it:-)
Now I know who taught Andrew to Get A Bigger Hammer and Weld it that will make it better. You did a super job on this machine and the paint and lettering is super also. I saw Jesse haul it home for you, he told us what was wrong with it. When you said you were not good at welding, I knew you were fibbing, remember I saw you build the lamp for Andrew. Jesse and Andrew were right about the seat belt, I started driving in 61 had a 54 Chev and the first thing I did was go to the junkyard and buy a set of lap belts, no shoulder straps back then. Yelp had a wreck in 63, bent the steering wheel 3” out of round with my front teeth 4 of them. If I had no belt then I probably would have no life. I’m eager to watch you and Ms W and also Jesse building new homes for each family. Good luck and stay safe. You did good Dan
Lot of hard work, but, the machine should give you several years of use. All the maintenance was certainly worth it. Your fab skills are pretty good, helped the appearance of the machine greatly.
Nice job on the repair and refinishing the excavator. Lettering not perfect, but looks so much better than it did when you got it. I would be happy with that myself. The perfect machine to use to build your house.
Nice job looks great. One thing you had your head underneath the bucket of your tractor. You never know with hydraulics. Fail when least accept it. You one tough dude, all by yourself👍
Looks like you are ready to get into the egg challenge now. AC added cooking, flipping and serving the egg, so it's even harder now than the original version.
That mans machine is so badly worn down, If he got near a egg without breaking it, I would call it a win. I just hope that the ring gears and table are okay on the swing. I can't believe the cylinder on it for the boom is working as it has a horrible kink in it.
Super nice job on the ole Komatsu . I am looking at a PC120-5. It's on Island and so that helps , but of course in need of repair . Wish me luck . For these Medium machines , things can get pricey really quick of course you know that.
Most of the time in my 60 years of construction work I learned that if the job your doing is dangerous or very hard to do don’t take a stupid risk and do it yourself ! If you need help doing the job always get help even if someone just stands by and hands you a tool ! It’s not worth the risk of getting hurt ! By falling or breaking your back lifting too much by your self ! Learned that after two back surgeries and hernia! Trust me !
Sounds like the weather in 'New England' is much the same as in old England just now. We seem to be moving through three seasons in a day here too, just now. 16:46 My dad used to resort to what he called his "Birmingham screwdriver" in much the same way, when all else had failed. Nice to have precision tools to hand when we need them. 1:13 Good to know Mr C up at the castle is looking out for you!
Amesome personality man. Hard to find people nowadays that are as educational and patient as you. I wish I lived closer, I would offer my time for free, just for some of your knowledge.
Greetings from Australia , just found your Chanel , really enjoy the mechanical resto, but what a great change that you also put some paint on and tidy the machine up, it looks great and it separates you from hundreds of other such sites. Keep up the good work 👍
As soon as she started moving faster the bushings out by the bucket being sloppy will stop you from doing precision work when digging a trench. The most important thing not to do is snap the controls in moving the boom in any direction. Smooth stops and starts makes the hoeram last and last. The fact she starts so good means a great deal. Winter cold may be another story. I like the work you've done to make her a better machine. Changing that oil was a good deal. Now I hope the hoses last a long time. Hydraulic oil is massively expensive for most people and if she springs a leak it will pay to change seals pretty quick. A leaking machine is not good. Good work man.
Good work changing out that final drive ALONE. No small trick. Same with the bucket shims - damn that thing is HOOPED! Surprising how far back you brought it! The new access door is really good - and solid as the rest of the machine. A new set of track chains and growsers and it will be good for years!
Fantastic job of working on the Kamotsu. Looks like you need a wider flat edge bucket. It would allow you to scrape a surface or pick up a lot of dirt at a time.
That was a damn fine job on the final drive. Even with two people, it's a pain. Doing it by yourself increases the difficulty tenfold. Especially pounding on the track pin. You got it done though. My glass is raised high for a job well done.
You need to make yourself a simple wooden bench or something, instead of using your machines and the ground as tables. Great watch though, you achieved what you wanted and got it all working, awesome stuff.
@@danwheeler5130 I have a few films on the canals from different works, this one is right after the excavator is brought: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kKUNLUCMjOY.html I will be very pleased to host you on my channel :)
There’s life and grunt in us yet Dan ,,thanks for the explanations and enlightened view of the weather and I thought it was only us Brits that talked about it ,😂
Great job and great video! Yankee ingenuity and Can Do attitude is still the reason why the US is the best. I've spent time in Russia and China and unless they have someone telling them what to do they are dead in the water. You Sir are a great example of why we are still the best.
Running a chain with a binder on top of the track will hold it together while you pound the pin out. You can adjust the tension as well to allow the alignment of the pin. Might help out in the future
Don’t be afraid to throw a bucket under the tips of the tracks, and track up on to the mounds to keep the machine balanced and slightly tipped up in front,
Wouldn’t mind having a Komatsu excavator. There’s a dealer five minutes from my house! That final drive size discrepancy worried me. I was thinking that if the displacement was different that your machine might not track straight. Guess it’s all good though. 👍
As long as you don’t find yourself drifting to one side or the other. I have learned to not trust parts guys when they tell me something will work even though it looks different than the item I took off. Sometimes yes... sometimes no.
