Mini diggers, tips and advice on use

[normandylumberjack]

Hi Guys,

 

I have been using mini diggers on and off for a few years, usually hired in for a day or two here and there, and feel that I am reasonably competent in their use.

 

I was thinking that it would be good to get some hints and tips up from more experienced users and possibly some videos?? showing how they can be used in a more productive and efficient way.

 

A few examples would be,

 

How do you reduce damage to the ground with the tracks?

Where should the dozer blade be in relation to the direction of the bucket while digging etc. etc.?

[Mountain man]

Well I'm no Jedi but put the blade behind when digging, and do a many point turn to avoid pulling turf up.

[richy_B]

There is an American guy on youtube that has some good videos - The dirt ninja no less!

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/BobcatNinja2124/videos

 

A lot of the videos are just him/colleagues working but there are some good pointers on there.

 

My favourites is [ame]

[/ame] . Its straight forward and you could do it anyway with a bit of common sense but have a step by step like this is golden. Edited February 24, 2015 by richy_B

[Matthew Storrs]

I put the blade in front of me when digging- it reduces stress on the track motors and the blade is handy particularly when cleaning up with the grading bucket.

 

Don't turn on the spot with tracks, I tend to do it in gradual movements as I travel to reduce mess.

 

there are no set rules though, for example the blade can be used to level the machine when grading off- particulalrly if you don't have a tilt/rotator hitch.

 

I think theres not much folk can really teach you- like anything the more you do something you soon get more fluent as you go along.

[Hardyspicer]

i also have the blade in front for clearing up, as said already gradual movements help to keep the scrubbing of the ground to a minimum but you will never completely eliminate it even with the greatest of care, the best thing to do on smart lawns to use boards or mats

[Breezeblock]

idlers should always be at the front when digging from minis to mining excavators

[Craig.]

To reduce damage when turning, put the bucket down slightly in the direction you want to turn and lift the machine slightly, then slew in the opposite way you want to turn, while operating the track needed to turn the desired way. Easier to show than write down, but it will help you turn without hardly leaving a mark, depending how far you want to turn/travel doing this you may need to power the other track slightly to stop it sliding and pull the dipper in and the boom up, or down depending on the angle of the dipper to stop the bucket skidding on the ground making a mess, and keeping the front of the tracks off the ground.

[Craig.]

To reduce damage when turning, put the bucket down slightly in the direction you want to turn and lift the machine slightly, then slew in the opposite way you want to turn, while operating the track needed to turn the desired way. Easier to show than write down, but it will help you turn without hardly leaving a mark, depending how far you want to turn/travel doing this you may need to power the other track slightly to stop it sliding and pull the dipper in and the boom up, or down depending on the angle of the dipper to stop the bucket skidding on the ground making a mess, and keeping the front of the tracks off the ground.

 

If your machine has not got pedals on the tracking leavers, if you have the blade in front of you can push the leavers at the bottom with you feet.

[IVECOKID]

It all depends on your location ie blade at back is a recipe for disaster near buildings/structure's.

 

If one is having to track a far distance then track motors at front rather than behind has not pushing rather than pulling tracks .

 

Beware of micro Diggers ,they are powerful and will have you out of your seat before you know it .

 

Overhead cables even with micro diggers .

 

 

Kids ........feckin nightmare .

 

Plan your dig .

 

Don't get soil bound .

 

Utilities!!!!!!!!! Couple hours hand digging can save your life and wallet.

 

If grading near building don't forget the Boom if front of you while looking at grading !

 

Remember......they tip over very easy on gradients if you get it wrong .

 

The list goes on ......takes years .

 

 

Ste

[SteveA]

For beginners try to use the mini-digger slowly and as smoothly as possible - try to work without jarring the machine at all. It's an extension of your own body.....think in 3-dimensions.

 

After a few days of solid use (and a few sleeps) the controls become more natural & familiar.

 

Lower the engine speed slightly to save on fuel & noise.... they are still very powerful at lower revs..... use full throttle occasionally, if you really need to. Or full throttle if you need to drive it somewhere at tortoise-neck speed!

 

Leave the engine ticking over for a few minutes after doing some heavy work (or tracking) to let the hydraulic fluid get pumped around & cooled down.

 

There's a fair bit of maintenance.... the maintenance schedule is there to help; read it.

 

Expanding tracks are far more stable.

 

Save the soil structure by driving in big circles.

 

cheers, steve