Things got way too soft and I didn't want to run a 10,000 lb excavator into the muck. So, I built MATS. I've seen it on RU-vid before... so sure, I can do it. OR CAN I???
Here’s a trick you might find helpful. I welded a receiver to the top of my excavator blade. I keep the hitch inserted from the back when not in use. When I need it, I insert it out the front and tow my UTV with me to the work site. If I need to return to the barn for a second piece of equipment, like my tractor, I don’t have to hoof it. This is especially great in the mountains where I live. When I need to go in for lunch or put stuff away, I always have a ride. At 78, this is pretty handy. I don’t use all my energy walking. It’s not fast but it surely is helpful..
@@samsdoinstuff Works with an ATV or golf cart as well, and you could probably tow the BX as small as it is. I'm sure you could find a way to do this with a small motorcycle or elec bike. Check our your bro's other equipment. Maybe he has something you could "borrow".
Thank you!!! So glad you mentioned the frog 🐸 I love that this creek will invite some critters. And someday, a pond will make it even more beautiful 🤠👍
That sweak is one of or track roller bearings collapsing 😩they are usually a sealed non repairable thing Enjoying the channel and ur doing real well as a new operator 👍
When I have to work off the mats, I generally use 4 at a time. Mine are 3'x8'. I sit on 2 and place the other 2 in the direction I want to go playing leap frog as I go. I built mine with treated 6"x6"×8'. I tried to keep the small enough that I can pick them up by scooping under them like you did, or I can just have the teeth on one side of the mat and the thumb on the other side. That comes in handy, depending on the situation you find yourself in. I don't like using plywood on them because it's slick when it's wet, and rubber tracks don't grip on it very well. I had one like that once and slid off of it and almost got stuck. You'll learn as you go, just be safe. Thanks for sharing the video.
Thank you so much! I didn't think about them getting slippery. That could be a disaster. They sure worked in a pinch. If I really want them done right, I'll drill them and connect them together with all-thread. I'm really glad you said that. Thanks again!!! 🤠👍
When I was looking for an excavator to buy it had to have a thumb. Makes it SO much more useful & capable. You sure used it a lot. Works alright even though it is a home made thumb. Very cool project & video.
Thank you again, John! This situation is really a huge help. I'm looking forward to sprucing up your machine and fixing some more annoyance problems. That thumb is fantastic!!! 🤠👍
On my excavator, I also had some loud squeak while driving... After removing chain I saw that a big stone was in the housing of the idler wheel and was in contact between the wheel/housing/chain. You can lift the machine up, rotate chains and try to hear where it comes from. At best with 2 people, where one is moving chains and other one checks where the sound comes from. Easist fix would be high pressure washing of the undercarriage and some oil on moving parts ;)
Lift the machine by using the blade and bucket and check the rollers. They should be stiff to turn and not loose, which would indicate wear. There is a clearance requirement that is adjustable between the rollers and tracks. There's a grease cylinder that is used to make the adjustment via a grease fitting hidden behind an access panel on the track runner.
Great piece of equipment for your projects! A mans dream combination of work and play at the same time , just subscribed , looking forward to seeing your future posts!!
Good morning Sam, great job on the mats they worked out really well for you. You must be happy to have the water flowing all the way now. Have a good one!
Thank you Paul! You've been busy too! Those bark-free logs look really nice 👌 Giving all of that ground water a place to go was a huge step. On to the next stage 🤠👍
Yes! Obviously I can't dig a pond with a mini excavator, BUT now the creek can feed the pond when the time is right and the new pipe will accept the overflow 🤠👍
Love your home made matts, for your project they're fine. Now you can have fun cleaning up the sludge out of the drain 😢. Should have worked from the drain uphill, but lesson learned. That's definitely gonna help tremendously with lowering the ground water for you in the next few weeks.
Thank you! I did get the excavator back down near the drain and cleaned all of that out. I'll probably have to do that several times until the sediment has all washed down. The mats were what made finishing the creek even doable. I'm so happy 🤠👍
Nice job ! ---- on your pads, would it help if steel cable were run through them to reinforce and as multiple lift points (like book bag handles)? No crushing with bucket.
You're pretty good operating the mini-excavator. My neighbors own them and either they are just dumb-by-nature (they are - they are "farmers") or lazy, but its like watching a comedy. It boggles my mind, people actually hire them to move dirt around.
That's why I don't have a business doing tractor stuff because I have no clue what I'm doing really....I just use my tractor on my own property, if I screw something up its on my property and my own damn fault LOL. Kind of the way the local towing company is, they're the only one in town and somehow they got a towing business, how I have no clue because they don't have a clue as to what they're doing, I wouldn't trust them to tow anything, even my insurance company doesn't use them for roadside service. I call another company from out of town if I need a wrecker for any reason. Just because someone has money doesn't mean they should own a business or operate/own equipment.
When using mats your tracks should be pointing towards your dig and also keep your blade behind you so it doesn’t become an anchor should you slide of the mats 🏴👍🏻
That would be ideal. It doesn't show very well in this video but that drain can't be moved, so I'm left with it's current location. It's worked for the life of the farm, but I want to close and bury the drainage so I can maintain the land surrounding the barn. It'll all be good 🤠👍
In BC Canada department of fisheries and oceans as well as the regional district would be all over me if I put rail ties anywhere near water. I guess if their old ties they would be fairly safe. The pads work well to move the machine around though. Good job on getting it flowing as you said will keep the mosquitoes down for sure. Enjoy the weekend and thanks for sharing. Cheers, Mike.
Thank you for the info! Those ties are about as old and dry as they can get without being rotten. Plus, I'm pretty sure our jurisdiction is a bit more lenient than yours. "No wildlife was hurt in the making of this video" 😉👌 It sure is shaping up nicely and someday when the pond goes in, it will be absolutely beautiful 🤠👍
