How to run an Excavator for Beginners. What you Need to know to get started Pt. 1/2 

At 6.41 you say drop the safety lever if you talk to someone near the excavator, at 7.52 you start talking to the camera man with the red safety lever up and engine running.

I'm a beginner so this helped me with some important tips. I have an acre of jungle mountain land to prepare for my cabin and it's a bit steep - slopes between 25-50%. I've rented an excavator for a week and have put 5 hrs on it. Amazing machines.

Thats so true about the controls. I learned on JCB TLB's, I hadn't driven one for about 17 years due to career/ country change. A customer in my repair business asked me to look at his old Hitachi excavator. The instructions were go run it warm it up and figure what was wrong. Ok I fired it up figured out the controls as the decals were long gone. I did 3 cycles on excavator pattern then the backhoe memory Kicked in after all those years, I couldn't run that Hitachi after that. Nearly 2 years ago I brought my own JCB TLB again . The first hour was like I'd never been away from running one, I guess it's like riding a bike once you learn it you don't forget even with years of not doing it. Thanks for the video, Take care.

I've practiced law long enough. This looks like much more fun.

I’m a military guy in my late 40’s. The construction Co I work for is small operation. I do all aspects of building. Carpentry tile Sheetrock and now site work. My boss’s son used all the machines if my boss wasn’t on site. Son has moved on and I’ve been put in the position to learn. I love it and wish I was doing it full time. I feel like a little kid with a new toy. From the Yanmar mini to the Samsung monster I’m having a blast. It’s like a bucket list skill I’ve always wanted. 👍🏻✌🏼😁

had my 1st day on a little digger today repairing our driveway after a storm......this video helps heaps thanks.....

Sweet! I haven't got my hands on these yet as I'm just beginning. I've got a simulation test Thursday morning so this is very helpful. Thx so much!

Been operating for bout 3 years now. This the best explanation I ever ran across. Wish I seen this 3 years ago when I was still lying on my applications lol

7:48 Never talk to anyone when red lever is up 8:04 talking to camera man with lever up lol. Just messing with you. I’ve learned so much from you, Love your videos.

Hey Stan thanks for all the inspiration and tips. In the HVAC business but your knowledge of business is interchangeable

I’m 14 and most guys don’t think I know anything when it comes to operating but I think I do know a lot for my age the first machine i ran was a 76 Deere 410 and it had backhoe controls. I work for my uncle till this day operating excavators(our excavators are on backhoe pattern)backhoes dozers loafers and even pans! We were digging a pond so We had to rent a machine once because ours was broke down. We show up on the job and the rental is parked on the job. My uncle told me to excavate 30 yards wide and 20 ft deep then get the dozer and push it into the old pond then use the excess dirt to build a safe road around the pond. Any left over dirt truck it up to the nursery and dump it where there building a hut. So I check the fluids let the machines warm up. So I get on the machine and go to pick up the boom and the controls are backassward. I searched for an hour trying to find a pattern changer and just said to hell with it. Now I can run both patterns but I’m best with Deere pattern

What an amazing machine! Yet another great video man love the depth of detail you go into! Keep up the good work eh!

I drive a volvo ecr145 -17 with a rototilt with S60 attachment and it is a beautiful machine to drive. Cheers from sweden

You know I know enough about excavators and other pieces of heavy equipment but I surely like this video it was actually enjoyable to watch a real good “how to”

You guys are awesome! Thanks for the info!

tutorial starts in 7:53 , thanks me later

Your tutorial was very informative, however, I cannot remember a single moment in my life where the instructor or professor had a boom box up by the chalkboard blaring out hard rock music while lecturing.

Great drum tones!

Thank you for making this.

Good to see my company providing nice equipment for you.

Exactly like i'm learning in school right now !!!

A very important component you missed was the grease points. Always make sure your machine is properly greased as well for a smooth operation and to make sure you don’t wear your bushings and turret.

Thank u guys very helpful

Great video stan! i will be waiting for part two!

stan i love your vids but please kill that music in the background

Thanks for the climbing pointers.

Awesome Video Buddy!

Love your vids Stanly

I just started heavy equipment schooling. So definitely going to watching these

I like the look of those newer Volvo's... still a deer and Hitachi man at heart tho... some pretty basic info great for beginners

Very nice vid. Great info. I'm sure glad I found this channel.

Show us how to swap attachments (big to little bucket) and thanks for being an educator

Stanley, would be great to have advice on choosing an appropriate size excavator for specific job categories. Reason Why I ask is due to a construction work back injury I am looking at equipment as a career change option.

Cool video, thanks for sharing

Tell ya, watch Chris (Letsdig18) run his heavy iron and you will learn a ton. That man can run an excavator. And Volvo is his brand he loves to own and use.

cheers guys great video

I'm a fan of your page but sometimes you're overwhelming. You found a professional to talk about how to operate an excavator but you did most of the talking. 😕 You were constantly trying to prove that you know how to operate vs actually letting the guy teach us any thing. If you're gonna hire a professional in a particular field to teach your subscribers something, allow that professional to actually teach us instead of talking for 75% of the video.

Nice video! Learned a lot ;-)

Thanks for the information i'm a bugginer

Wow volvo Machine's are beautyfull🌞

I operate in Bachoe mode. Cant change makes sense to me. Interesting about placement of drive motors up hill. Didn't know that. 👌👍👍

Awesome 👍🏼

Definently agree with flipping down the safety lock out when talking to someone...lost a good friend over an incident similar

Wow, thanks

I've bought a used Volvo from iron planet & it's a very good machine

hey love the vids man

Ive always wanted to operate a Cat 385, they are so huge.

Awesome machine!

My dream machine beautiful beast 😍👍👍👍

Very Cool. Thanks

Thats a nice machine, i want the same one, but the version with the blade.

Oir instructor thought us that if you climb in a stock pile the idler should always be in the front and if you go down the sprocket should be in rhe front.. Any thoughts regarding this matter? P. S Im a newbie in hydraulic excavator operation.. Thanks in advance

Boy I sure miss running that type of equipment. Great video

Do you guys have videos explaining how to do proper maintenance or explaining the components of the machine ? Thanks for the video anyway

I've operated Excavators from mini 50's all the way up to 385C Cat's. I noticed the sweeping he was doing and he wouldn't have lasted long on one of my job sites. The best training I've found was to put a rookie in a machine and put him out in a area away from everyone else for a hour or so and then talk to the operator and give advise and pointers to. The School of Hard Knocks is the hardest school of all. I've taken 18-19 year olds who the biggest thing they ever drove was a riding lawn mower, and made operators out of them. The Equipment school grads that we had on staff had to learn a completely different way of operating when working for us. We did every thing from Commercial Demolition to Site prep for Plants such as Manufacturing Facilities to Ethanol. Site prep means we put everything that needed to go in the ground, water, sewer, storm, gas, ect, ect, ect in the ground prior to actual construction of the plants.

I want an excavator now

Second love ur channnel

Amazing

Sorry Stanley when is the next digger beginners video coming out. This was such a good one I can’t wait for the second one

Thanks👍

Thank your Stanley. I have been a heavy equipment operator for years but have vary little time on an Excavator and want to learn more. I found your video to be great, all vary important things to know. after all you don't want to look like a fool before you even get into the machine.

Thanks I need this because I wanna be the best of my city

Do all excavators have the same controller or are they difference from each make

I thought he invited the instructor to teach..let the instructor talk please

Stole a key for one of these and I’m bouta drive one they left out Is there some sort of alert system when it turns on?

Didn’t see anything about levelling and seating the machine before starting work

I like your video ❤❤❤❤❤

You did nearly ALL the talking yet HE is the instructor you got to train your viewers.. At times, it looked like he was getting annoyed in which I don't blame him..

Its different when your on a steep hillside going left to right all day! 😂

In 17 have ran backhoes and loader and all most any heavy equitment my dad owned construction company and I started my own

One question guys 'cause I see there is a lot going on here in comments: when you drive with the idlers in front of you you need to push the levers from you, right? But how about when your idlers are in the back? Do you need to remember that you are in opposite direction and pull the levers to go forward or the machine "knows" that it is turned by 180 deg and to go forward you still push it forward? Hope it's clear?:)

Hey Stan have you ever tried out a Hyundai excavator ? We have one and have been real happy with it

Does this kind of job pay good money? I've been thinking about this since I started carpentry school last summer. Btw, I liked the music and didn't think you were talking too much.

Very informative vedio

Excavator sure is clean

I can run a backhoe with SAE controls just fine and I can run an excavator with ISO just fine but not the other way around.

Cool 😎😎😎👍👍👍

i've only got 8 months experience but the machine I drive was on SAE until our experienced driver hopped in to check something and he switched it to ISO and honestly it only took me couple hours to get used to a new pattern. Might be because I dont have that many hours but it might be overexaggerated to say you're set for life. just a thought

I have operating machines for over 11 years an I can tell u from experience that once you get into any machine an have a feel first try the controls come to like ABC it's never been hard for me to go into a different machine an still operate it like a pro .the only thing I haven't driven is a plane an a train .all it takes people is practice an safety an your good to go

Volvo = king

How easy would it be to learn both operating modes SAE OR ISO

Funny how thing's changed, I guess most machines are all using everything in the joy sticks, I learned on my own, only thing I got was a few tips from an old Operater, left foot was bucket right was the dipper or stick, right hand was boom left was swing, but that was yrs ago,

Many years ago i got severely injured . As i recovered doctor said i was done working as a structural Ironworker and needed to find another line of work . Knowing nothing but construction i thought i could do good as an operator engineer . I figured pulling levers how hard could that be ? I applied and was accepted into apprenticeship training for operators . What i learned is this . It is not as easy as it looks . It takes a delicate touch and very fine motor skills . I was done after a few weeks with new appreciation for good operators for the rest of my career . I returned to my place as ironworker and worked rest of my career until retirement in 2005 / construction is a wonderful career but best if you get in a union as benefit package is worth more , in long run , than wages . A good crane operator is invaluable in steel erection and all operators are not the same . Whenever i noticed a great operator of any hydraulic equipment i always recognized it as a valuable talent . Even dirt pushers are a wonder to me and backhoes a good operator is a pleasure to watch . No not everyone can do it . It takes smooth touch and each machine is different even among same make and model really

I have heard of cat and deere control. Which is which? And you said do iso right? Thank you! Crap. Answered below. Sorry.

The hired professional was leaving stuff out purposely he's the guy to teach you halfway and leave you assed out. Buddy with the blue coat was actually making him explain more if you guys paid attention. I can tell most of y'all get tricked easily great video either way

Those new Volvo's are nice machines. I prefer a crane over dirtwork though. 🙂

I like you learned on a Backhoe. A Cat 420D to be exact. On Road construction sites.

My son wants one. I told him keep saving up. I’m sure he will change his mind when he is older and want a car instead

What's it going to take to get a gimbal?

300th viewer

good videos. effective earthwork varies drastically from region to region, geography changes the geology. one problem with this safety and operation video is having two people in a cab, especially on such a small machine, is absolutely taboo. which is NOT regional. interesting videos though. thanks.

Tell your op, you don't clean by swinging. That's made for a loader/dozer. To hard on the house bearings, swing, pinion etc. Now coming from a service side, please don't stop! Lol keeps us busy for work.

In Mandi Himachal Pradesh there is JCB operator college. Where we learn how to operate a big heavy machines. The course for learning JCB is 3 year.

Can i operate that one...its so nice😍

Is the music from Trigun???

I was 3 or 4 when I learn bc my dad is a truck driver and we used to pull excavator and I used to load them on trailer

Around 8:00: "Never have a conversation with the lever up" ... one second later they are having a conversation with the lever up :D

We call them Cat and Deere (aka farmer controls) up in Canada, and i learned the farmer ones

only ever worked for one full day on excavators,,,, But i have probably put in around 200+ hours on them. 8:20 He commits the cardinal sin of opperating a machine...He's go shoes on.

I have always learnt that you're almost always supposed to have the sprocket wheels behinde you because that keeps the tracks tight underneath the machine