How I Grade With A Loader/Skid Steer 

Rewatched! It's always good to look back at your oldies but goodies! You taught me so much about grading in this video! Still a classic!

Thank you so much. I have about 135 hours on my first machine, a TL8. These tips are worth gold to me.

Appreciate the extra content on grading information. I have been running a 1845C for 15 years or so with a smooth aftermarket bucket and factory tooth bucket. I now have a 84' box blade on a tractor and it is awesome for grade so long as it isnt tight quartered. Also isnt my full time job just farm use. Thanks for the videos.

Hey, long time, no see! I was asking yesterday on DP's channel if anyone had heard from you. Glad you are doing good. You are 100% correct. There is no better teacher than experience. I call it butt cheek grading. Your hands will compensate for what you feel in the seat. The guy that taught me always said to establish a smooth surface to work from and expand out from there. You can't grade if your machine constantly undulating along the ground. You do as good a job as anyone I have watched doing grading work with a track loader. Good job explaining it too.

I think if you asked an elite athlete or seasoned combat pilot, they would have the same difficulty in creating a "how-to". It really is about focus and repetition, and the honing of that muscle memory in pursuit of how you envision the final product. The rest of us mere mortals can just watch and enjoy.

Great vid. The reason I watch these is because I’m always curious how things work or how things are done. Thanks for the explanation and how and why you do things.

Thank you very much for your time hello from Winnipeg Canada 🇨🇦

Another beautifully wrapped package! You'll have several of these at this location.

Rewatching this because this IS GREAT! You really were able to explain the grading process in detail and the view of the camera shows the results! Thank you for this!

Explanation was great! I liked how you talked about your machine a bit too. I’ve never thought about suspension design while grading. Thanks!

Personally, I think your experience in landscaping has helped shape your grading quite a bit. And that’s a good thing.

The very best I've seen grading with a skidsteer!!

Been watching you for a few years now. From doing simple stuff in the past you really advanced to the jobs you're doing now. Always impressed with the outcome regardless. I enjoyed the commentary 👍👍

Watched again! Enjoyed again, learned some more about grading! You are the best!

Such an accurate description of the process. I was impressed that you were working with the rocky mixed material we often deal with. The tracked solid frame machine is like a dozer for sure. I only have wheeled machines and never used one with the joystick controls. The hand/foot machines I use move instantly as well so I am well accustomed to mechanical or hydraulic direct control. It is kind of funny to see someone get in an older machine who only has used the newer ones. It is like a bucking bronco! I know what you mean about experience, the first time I used a skid steer I was 18 and I am 54 now. You have a lot more work time than me because for many years I was white collar computer work. By the way you look to be in great shape at 40!

This was a great explanation explanation and applcation of the process! Very well done Brandon! I enjoy all your videos but this was one of my favorites! Thank you for sharing with us!

good video - this is what i needed to hear on how to grade... just got a t62 with 9 hours under my belt.... takes time to learn the machine

Enjoyed watching you and Chris working don't worry no one can do anything perfect 😁

Great video and very good explanation. It was funny when you said you couldn't say what the joysticks do without running through the motion. That is so true. Your the best loader operator on the tube, that is for sure. Sam

You explained it well! I’m 46 been on dozers and track hoes since a teenager, so feeling by your seat and sight I get that!! I’ve just recently gotten on a newer case track loader and I love it(not so much the specific machine). It’s just like feeling with a dozer. I learned the controls just moving piles and materials from a to b then started grading. Since I haven’t been on any others I appreciate your thoughts on the brands! I’ll be checking out a Takeuchi. I will be buying one soon. I’ve always wanted a small dozer but it can only do small dozer things….. this one machine can do that and much more. Good video! Thanks!!

Great insight in how you grade. Hope you had a good weekend!

Thanks for your commentary, you do a great job of grqding...grading....

I think you did an excellent job explaining the situation. Had a good laugh when I saw the second story door 😅, reminded me of the Winchester Mystery House, it has a DOOR to nowhere as well.... 🤣👍🏻👍🏻 Hope the summer🌴 has been a hoot🦉 for you and the pretty Boss lady, and family. 🤙🏻🏊🚣

Well, glad to see you're back. Been a little busy myself, but got caught up on your videos in the last few days. Nice job on the "tutorial," I agree that teaching something that you've done using what we called "old brain memory" is the hardest (well one of the hardest) things to do. Thanks for the video!

You have the best excavation page on RU-vid

I’ve said the same about electronic over hydraulic, it just doesn’t respond the same. Some good information in this video for those seeking guidance!

Really appreciating your videos. Thank you

20,000 hours in skid steer!!! Wow! That's amazing!

Great video! Much better idea to use it like a dozer rather than a float/drag etc. Glad I saw this one! Will save me lots of time and ERROR! THANKS!

I have to agree with you my friend. Hands on experience in my opinion is the best way to learn. I'm not in no way book smart and Hands on is the way I learned my trades. Looking good. Keep up the great work

I'm the same way. I don't like electric over highdrawlics my self. If I move a joy stick it had better move now not 4 seconds later. Do have time for delays in that area. Great video 📹 👍.

Practice practice and more seat time.

Brandon… well done. You mentioned the controls. My baby backhoe (BX23s) has a quick attach loader. It is exactly the same as the one it replaced (BX24). Except… the hydraulics on the old one connected as separate hoses with pioneer fittings. The new hydraulics are routed into a pair of blocks fitted with flat faced connectors. Once locked together they are supposed to have the same flow rate as the old one… perhaps they do, but, the response is much slower than on that he old BX24. I had the old one for 12 years… this is my third year on the new one. I still don’t have as good a ‘feel’ with it as my old one! Once you get it…. THE FEEL IS REAL! Perhaps that would make a good T-shirt logo??? Filming in the rain??? That is some rare footage! As I said, nicely done bud!

Another great vid bud!!! Heard ya say over and over again,get some seat time. Even the best operators learn something new once in a while!!!

Hi Brandon You did a fine job explaining how to grade. Ed from Chicago 🙂

This guy is a perfectionist...you can see he loves his work...and the finish is always top class...P.S...Talkin while you work good..you just talkin bad...LOL

You definitely know what you are doing so ignore the haters you can’t please everyone

Great job. Good content. Bring some more

Been watching you for a few years. We run Takeuchi and Deere. I do a lot of final grading like yourself and I tell ppl all the time when they ask how. You just feel it is all I know to tell them. I’ve tried to teach younger operators and it’s frustrating to me because I just watch the grade. My hands and eyes do the rest. Don’t really think of what my hands are doing it just happens. Typically I can be within about a half inch on grade by feel the only thing I struggle with is not overrunning my cut when I’m pushed on a jobsite but I’ll just stop for a second remind myself to slow down and go back to it.

I’ve always thought you were super gifted at grading. Grading is mostly all I do. Everything you said is right on. I’m a tooth bucket grader too. It almost feels like the slower you grade the faster you grade. It seems like you take your time too and you’re very fast.

thank lean lot little trick u talk about i was miss big help

Good Golly, Miss Molly! I was beginning to go into ELITE withdrawal! You had us bitin' our fingernails. Anyway, that was a really good video - lots of great tips and pointers. Explaining what you were doing as you were doing it was a great way to get your points across, so well done! Here's a thought: it might be interesting to show how you are doing various tasks from inside with a view on the controls as you do it. What do you think of that idea?

Nice video as always Brandon. This was a cool change of pace for sure from the normal videos. Totally get what you’re saying with it’s hard to explain to somebody how to do something. I’m the same way and my dad and grandpa were the same way. Much easier to show somebody how to do some rather than tell them. I’ve always learned better by doing something than having somebody teach or tell. Probably the reason it’s so hard for me to explain to somebody how to do something, much easier to show them or do it and let them see it done. Maybe that’s one reason I prefer to work alone haha.

Excellent job buddy!

Great job Great video

Well explained brother

Best video yet. Realize if your level

Awesome video brother, hope to see more like this one!

Nice work as always man!

I'am in IT as from 35 years, learning by experience is the only solution :)

I think that you do a great job on all of your videos!!

great video Me and my son learn by hands on .

Very informative! Thx

Thank you!

I’ve done very little of this type of work but I am wondering if the tooth bucket is the right equipment for grading? You’re very good at it I am in pressed working very well explained

Love the content!

nice job B !! explained it good as any one could. 30+ years here or more I can't remember. 😳😳 Any who glad to see ya. Thought the wife might have buried you in the back yard !!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

hey man from wyoming i would love to send you a couple shots of my work some how ive talked to you before but you run skid the exact same way i do an not alot of people do at all you do great work my friend

Good explanations! Looked like some rich topsoil. You have the place looking good. I have been wondering what is the teepee like structures for?

I started out with an 1845c and man ctl’s are a nice upgrade

Nice job!

Great tips 👊🏼

Rewatched! This iis a favorite of mine..... Question, would you be willing to to share another way of contacting you so I can ask questions learn from you, tell you about the wood work etc

Great video

I wish I could come out and work with you a day to learn how to grade with skid steer.... You could charge a fee and people who are serious could work with you... Sign me up!

Looks good 👍,

It’s hard to explain muscle memory grading is something you just learn buy doing it and as far as the automatic float systems in these machines I’m not a big fan I find it easier to operate with it turned off but this video is a great example of how to grade with a skid steer loader he does a great job explaining the process

How did you get started? How did you know how to bid a job and/or get jobs?

The ole Pete lookin good!

Grade video thanks for uploading and explaining. Do you use the float control when you grade or does that defeat the purpose? Thanks.

very informative! I am going to rent a small skid steer to dig 5-6 inches of top soil for my backyard project. Should I start excavating from the highest point to low point of my existing grade? and does "float mode" help in maintaining the grade? Thank you!

It the tooth on the grade you want is good direction…why don’t you use the float bucket feature?

This was a super helpful video! Just got a TL140 and trying to get used to how responsive it is. Love it so far! Out of curiosity, how much throttle do you run your 250 at for grading? I’ve been about 50% and it seems like plenty of power without burning excess fuel. Thoughts?

Look great

Did you get any weather your way? Just checking in....

Voice overs on time lapses is my favorite type of video for site work. Let’s me know what you’re thinking and let’s me see if it’s something I can apply

I'm considering renting a Bobcat MT100 Mini skid steer/loader to attempt to grade a small ~400sq ft area for where I want to put down roadbase for a flagstone patio and crushed rock path around it. Is that the best tool for the job? It seems intimidating to me operating even the smaller types of this type heavy machinery and I would also be concerned about causing damage (either to the unit or my property). Are they pretty simple/intuitive to start using as a beginner who has never operated heavy machinery like this? I've already started excavating by hand/shovel and was originally thinking maybe I can just use a 2x4 and screed it myself - it's very laborious work though and it seems like something a machine could knock out pretty quickly. I have to move at least 4-5cu ft of clay like soil (right now I've relocated most of it up against the sides of our retaining wall and will probably keep some there) and then get roughly the same amount of roadbase back into the ground (I'm going for 6" or so of depth)

Nice vid as always, but where have you been hiding :-) ? Learning by experience is not old school, it´s the only way to be good at anything. Sadly a good portion of people avoid that wisdom and work, or are unable to vision the finished product. Nothing beats experience and a good eye.

My pro unkle says keep a full bucket. Or full pile dirt infront of dozer. I can’t doo as good as him. But I tilt bucket dig it into ground . Then backblade. !!! I’m the best back bladed around. . Lol lol 😂 that’s the first things to show a novice. ? I think. Just like teaching kid to shoot. Just learn how to point in direction. Get used to pulling trigger and gun first. A pro said this . I agree. So same with machines. 😮

Fai il tutorial anche quando sfondi le porte?

There is really no how to. Thats what an old gray beard taught me when i got my first excavator. He said its all in the seat of the pants. There are common sense things to remember but as far as how to do it you just got to learn it .

Hi Mr elite awesome job. And you do better than Mr drit perfect sorry had to pick on him

Is Takeuchi still offering pilot controls on their skid steers or have they gone electronic as well?

Haha sometimes it's hard to explain you just know with out thinking.

Elite billy 😂

Just the tip I swear...😂😂😂

292nd!!!!

In your video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-o7KdjvzwU_k.html You had just about the perfect camera angle so that we could see the bucket and your hands. This is how I picked up on your dirt "flick" as I call it. You should try talking about how, and when, to execute the techniques you use... cutting, back dragging, floating with the back/front of the bucket, etc. You obviously have a ton of experience and natural talent so it's difficult to articulate that in a video. Nonetheless, thank you very much for sharing!

Get a 4 in 1 bucket and learn how to use it. It will change your life.

You should mention back blading. It's a big part of most grades