@@mikeznel6048 do you not look at window stickers on cars? Shopping for attachments they can have a price diffrence of thousands. I guess if you don't care about your profits you don't need to shop around.
Kudos to AMI from taking input from Chris to improve their design. Just shows that even though something works on paper, it doesn't mean it can't be improved when actually used in real world applications.
Reminded me of a young boy putting together the Leggo creation they really wanted on Christmas morning! How fulfilling and satisfying to have a sharp, analytical mind to see how your tools can be improved, the communication ability to get that information to the tool maker, and the excitement of seeing them not only listen to your ideas, but respond with a better tool! Super satisfaction!
Man its awesome to have a company to work with thats willing to spend the time and effort to make your job easier and their other customers purchases less painful
As a mechanical engineer myself, I'm sure the AMI guys had a blast working with you!! Very nice design and real world application modifications. You can draw that stuff in Pro E all day, but it won't make it work right without input from the "real world".
Its nice that AMI was willing to help you design the bucket and thumb to your work needs as an operator. You don't see that see that to often. Good on AMI for doing that!
Manufacturing should listen to the consumer more the feed back should be priceless to them. Most Engineers do not understand aftermarket problems and maintenance. Great collaboration between you two. Be good be happy be safe and catch you on the next video.
man, AMI rocks! Listening to the end-user is pretty much a lost art. Changing the geometry (that also changes the amount of force) is no simple task but has massive ramifications. You're an asset to manufacturers in this business. Cheers from Louisiana.
You should add a good dead blow hammer to your tools. They don't damage or mushroom pins. I used them alot working on heavy equipment and machinery. That bucket change made quite the difference.
The word is EFFICIENCY... in the end... it saves $$$$ and TIME! 😉 Amazing what a few degrees of movement can accomplish. A shout-out to AMI...these guys are the REAL DEAL...and you Chris. These R+D modifications DON'T come cheap, and often fail. Kudos to both 👍
We as your viewers are for anything that makes it easier for you, and now the manufacturer will also know that the fittings need to be replaced. Another informative video. Thank You 😊
You're hard work, dedication and discipline sure did pay off well. Living the dream with all the equipment and r and d on attachments. Hope all is well for you Chris!
It seems that a lot of people think that most manufacturers are idiots and completely disconnected from their buying public. Those which are disconnected don’t thrive and eventually disappear ….so do the ones that listen to everyone and try to satisfy them all. In the end, manufacturers are in the business of making money and if a design change makes their machine better …therefore, more sales (plus customer satisfaction), they respond appropriately. Because LD18 has abundant footage that clearly illustrates important data, he become a valuable resource to trial changes with. His following (subscribers and other viewers) doesn’t suck either.
Thanks Chris, you explain stuff that no one else does. Good to know you can work with AMI like you do to get what you need to do your jobs. I really do appreciate your video's. It's the toping on my day to see you have a new one posted. I always save it till my day is done and I'm winding down.
I agree Chris. I see the difference with the thumb design and still lots of curl distance. Great working with the manufacturer directly to make remarkable improvements. Can’t wait to see it in action.
I don't know if anyone else noticed this little detail, the thumb cylinder has grease zirks on both sides (at the pin pivot), so it doesn't matter which way it is installed, there is a zirk on the bottom. Props to AMI for this attention to detail.
It's a different look when you have hand tools in your hands!😀 I thought you had people to do those jobs for you. I'm not sure that your "newly found" mechanical skills come close to your proven operating artistry but when you get the same number of hours/years into it I'm sure you'll excel there as well. Love the work you do. Thanks for sharing.
Good that a new attachment helps improve efficiency. Yep, it definately has to have the LD18 logo on it. Your grass puppies were watching you by the fence - guess they want their afternoon treat.
Wow, that’s a quite a bit of difference. Wonderful that you have been able to go even further than creating a prototype, & actually improve on it even more. Well done. Take care & cheers from 🐨🦘🥰
That's absolutely great to see - a manufacturer working with a skilled operator to improve & develop their products. ETA My cat is sitting in my desk drawer watching this. No idea why but she seems to like Chris's videos whilst ignoring all other stuff, like bird & mouse stuff.
Seeing this, one has one of these why-didn't-anybody-else-think-of-this moments. It simply needs passion - of an openminded, smart operator and an innovative company... to bring the whole industry to just another level. Just awesome.
Much better and in your line work Chris it's definitely going to be more efficient and I'm not sure if anyone caught it when you were knocking out the pin with the over size chisel using the flat end so that you didn't damage the pin
When the union between an expert and a company willing to listen to his needs, great things are born, everyone gains. Congratulations Chris and congratulations to AMI that once again proves to be a company that supports customers and tries to meet their needs. 🔝🔝
Fantastic improvements! I have two, new, CAT mini-excavators and, among other problems, the problem of thumb to bucket angle when trying to grab things closer to the machine is a pain...excited for you...great when people/companies are excited about life/improving things!
It's nice to see the engineers at AMI aren't to arrogant to have a relationship with you, a .... decent operator, LOL to develop new products. I like that set-up with the three tine thumb, how's it for deflection on a uneven grab. The Tag set-up my 55 came with is only two tine and not supported great, with the gusseting ending almost a foot from the tips. If you grab a uneven load you can tweak the thumb tines, no worry though, the next time you grab a load opposite, it will tweak back. I don't like that and am welding in a gusset closer to the tips this week to help with the deflection and better grab/hold ability. I might just get this set-up after the rototilt comes. AMI has great products, they just leave a mark, lol you get what you pay for though.... sometimes anyway. Let us know how this works out, and don't forget the discount link.
That’s awesome Chris, AMI needs some on the job experience like you have! Great idea and thanks to your expertise the design is changed for the better, I’m always looking for ways to improve different things myself! Another awesome video from you and your design ideas brother, thanks for sharing! Very educational the way you showed everything, anyone else would’ve just put it on and went to work! Thanks very much appreciated! 👌🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
Really satisfying to see that new design fit you like a glove. Congratulations! Now all you need is a set of FlangeLocks, to keep your hyd lines debris-free when swapping work tools/attachments. I cringed every time a hose end dropped into the dirt.
Do you mean the BFH he used? We had those in Carpentry as well when walls did not want to line up easy. Can't remember how many times I heard a journeyman yell for a BFH.
👍🏻I have the same Yanmar machine, this will be a huge improvement. It is frustrating when you have limited space to move the machine and the thumb just want reach down far enough to grab what you need it to. Good input and design, you have a winner on your hands here!
AMI needs to watch your video on skid steer buckets and come up with a 4in1 that incorporates all the things you liked about different buckets you showed.
Most people don't know how important those thrust washers are . They keep the tool from moving around and reduse wear on the center pin also acting as pivet bearings .
I wish more companies would do this. I was able to work with an engineer from bobcat on their collection broom 10 15 years back. Told them what I liked, disliked had alot of changes planned.... and he was transferred to another part of the company.
Hi Chris I am really excited for you. That is so neat that you have a bucket and thumb combo that you designed, and with your logo on it. Think about it. That is stinkin incredible. I'm not an ass kisser by any means, but if I had an excavator I would be proud to own an ami ld18 bucket thumb combo, because it makes sense, and, IT WORKS BETTER! Lol Congratulations and blessings on your continued success! Sincerly Ed
That's a lot better. It's hard to tell on camera but it looks like the cylinder shaft is purty close to the quick culpler when the thumb is all the way down. It will definitely allow you to pick up brush much closer to the machine. Good video Chris!
You are "like" a field engineer prototyping a fit-up and final application. Or as us simple "worker bees" would say: That is a completed field design - let's roll!
Better uses than before with the claw having much more distance to travel. Only flaw I see is at 23:35 when the bucket puts pressure on the claw. Taking out the slack, could see some flex in the rod when the buckets applied pressure on it. On light loads, it should be ok but not sure about heavy loads when you need lots of grip. Could see the rod bending due to the angle it its at. Also. the rod clearance to the pivot point is a bit close? need close up to see, but if dirt is on there, could cause issues on the rod.
New tools/toys to play with. It’s like Christmas. I feel better not being the only person looking for the hammer while elbow deep in grease and bolts. Well done sir. 👍
Looks like the second pin location on the bucket shortens the center distance a little - less breakout force than location #1. But you're only shuffling brush and loading trucks in that location (#2). Any serious gnawing on stumps and hard ground will use location #1. Excavator kinematics and the practical application of three and four bar linkages: I had no idea subtle changes to the linkages of excavators could be so critical to production.
Chris, if you get stuck and can't get a specfic adapter, be happy to make a couple for you. No cost deal, just thanks for the great videos. Hole card if you need options.
Just love how AMI's not afraid to explore new designs with actual operators
This is what all manufacturers need, input from the person who uses their products everyday to help improvement.
They need pricing info. Who wants to call a salesman then wait for them to call you back.
@@jjjustin17favs If you have to ask how much it is, its too much for you.
@@mikeznel6048 asking for a price is essential for planning your budget, and planning what to buy and when. it's a normal part of any business.
@@mikeznel6048 do you not look at window stickers on cars? Shopping for attachments they can have a price diffrence of thousands. I guess if you don't care about your profits you don't need to shop around.
@@mikeznel6048 That's pure ignorance.
Kudos to AMI from taking input from Chris to improve their design. Just shows that even though something works on paper, it doesn't mean it can't be improved when actually used in real world applications.
I was told, just because if looks good on paper? You can draw a a$# hole on paper, but you can't make it s@#t!😁😁👍👍👍👍👍
@@billbyrnes9505 lol nice
It’s his product line so of course they wold take advice from him
I guess he has to pay full price for all the parts,
so AMI loses no money in delivering his new ideas.
Reminded me of a young boy putting together the Leggo creation they really wanted on Christmas morning! How fulfilling and satisfying to have a sharp, analytical mind to see how your tools can be improved, the communication ability to get that information to the tool maker, and the excitement of seeing them not only listen to your ideas, but respond with a better tool! Super satisfaction!
Man its awesome to have a company to work with thats willing to spend the time and effort to make your job easier and their other customers purchases less painful
As a mechanical engineer myself, I'm sure the AMI guys had a blast working with you!! Very nice design and real world application modifications. You can draw that stuff in Pro E all day, but it won't make it work right without input from the "real world".
Shout out to fellow ProEngineer users! That's what I have on my other screen while I'm watching LD18 videos lol.
Its nice that AMI was willing to help you design the bucket and thumb to your work needs as an operator. You don't see that see that to often. Good on AMI for doing that!
The best designers are the operators, hats off to AMI and their crew for listening to a user. This is a win, win for everyone. Impressive.
Manufacturing should listen to the consumer more the feed back should be priceless to them. Most Engineers do not understand aftermarket problems and maintenance.
Great collaboration between you two.
Be good be happy be safe and catch you on the next video.
What a great partnership. Getting your input will fix problems before others have the problem.
man, AMI rocks! Listening to the end-user is pretty much a lost art. Changing the geometry (that also changes the amount of force) is no simple task but has massive ramifications. You're an asset to manufacturers in this business.
Cheers from Louisiana.
You should add a good dead blow hammer to your tools. They don't damage or mushroom pins. I used them alot working on heavy equipment and machinery. That bucket change made quite the difference.
Not only is Chris a top notch skilled operator he is always looking for ways to improve productivity. Just awesome 😎
It would be safe to say Chris is really into this stuff !! HAHAHA !!
The word is EFFICIENCY... in the end... it saves $$$$ and TIME! 😉
Amazing what a few degrees of movement can accomplish.
A shout-out to AMI...these guys are the REAL DEAL...and you Chris.
These R+D modifications DON'T come cheap, and often fail.
Kudos to both 👍
We as your viewers are for anything that makes it easier for you, and now the manufacturer will also know that the fittings need to be replaced. Another informative video. Thank You 😊
I love how the cow’s seem to be very interested as much as I was!! Great design Chris!!👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸✌️✌️
You're hard work, dedication and discipline sure did pay off well. Living the dream with all the equipment and r and d on attachments. Hope all is well for you Chris!
It seems that a lot of people think that most manufacturers are idiots and completely disconnected from their buying public. Those which are disconnected don’t thrive and eventually disappear ….so do the ones that listen to everyone and try to satisfy them all. In the end, manufacturers are in the business of making money and if a design change makes their machine better …therefore, more sales (plus customer satisfaction), they respond appropriately. Because LD18 has abundant footage that clearly illustrates important data, he become a valuable resource to trial changes with. His following (subscribers and other viewers) doesn’t suck either.
It is good that Ami is working with professional operators to better there product. 😀❤🇨🇦
Thanks Chris, you explain stuff that no one else does. Good to know you can work with AMI like you do to get what you need to do your jobs. I really do appreciate your video's. It's the toping on my day to see you have a new one posted. I always save it till my day is done and I'm winding down.
Chris you working with AMI is a plus for everyone! Thanks for sharing. Kevin
You have a captive audience, those cows are loving it.
I agree Chris. I see the difference with the thumb design and still lots of curl distance. Great working with the manufacturer directly to make remarkable improvements. Can’t wait to see it in action.
What a great company. One that listens to actual users of their equipment.
Lets Dig: Pond master, bucket innovator and thumb designer..
I'm Glad this AMI relationship is still Working for you.AMI will benefit greatly with your input!!
The cows are enjoying your presentation. Good video thanks.
That is a game changer for sure The thumb is the best Great job Thanks for sharing Chris 👍
Ok, you got it, you fixed it. Nice. LET'S DIG NOW!!! 🙃
I am not an experienced operator and I can tell how much better this setup is
Great video! Very happy to see you trusting a Canadian Company with your equipment components.
Its nice they are working with you and listening to your input.
Awesome tutorial. Thank you!
I see 4 students watch you as you worked. Two did get sleepy and laid down.
Great job Chris it’s awesome that you and AMI are working together on different attachments still 👍👍
That's funny those 4 cows were all watching like they where into the new bucket and thumb install
I don't know if anyone else noticed this little detail, the thumb cylinder has grease zirks on both sides (at the pin pivot), so it doesn't matter which way it is installed, there is a zirk on the bottom. Props to AMI for this attention to detail.
first thing I noticed when I looked at the cylinder!
It's a different look when you have hand tools in your hands!😀 I thought you had people to do those jobs for you. I'm not sure that your "newly found" mechanical skills come close to your proven operating artistry but when you get the same number of hours/years into it I'm sure you'll excel there as well. Love the work you do. Thanks for sharing.
Good that a new attachment helps improve efficiency. Yep, it definately has to have the LD18 logo on it. Your grass puppies were watching you by the fence - guess they want their afternoon treat.
Working smarter not harder. Always thinking. Well done Chris.
Wow, that’s a quite a bit of difference. Wonderful that you have been able to go even further than creating a prototype, & actually improve on it even more. Well done. Take care & cheers from 🐨🦘🥰
That's absolutely great to see - a manufacturer working with a skilled operator to improve & develop their products.
ETA My cat is sitting in my desk drawer watching this.
No idea why but she seems to like Chris's videos whilst ignoring all other stuff, like bird & mouse stuff.
Might have something to do with Chris scratching around in those giant litter boxes. Kind of a cat's dream job.
2 great big new garages, and your working outside, kneeling in the gravel !!?? Great video and equipment!! Nice work!!
27:01 Your "audience," on the other side of the fence is fascinated, at least 4 of them
Seeing this, one has one of these why-didn't-anybody-else-think-of-this moments.
It simply needs passion - of an openminded, smart operator and an innovative company... to bring the whole industry to just another level. Just awesome.
Even the cows were admiring that new thumb!
Now thats awesome that they gave you 2 options for outer pin placement. Its not a "take it or leave it" option.
Much better and in your line work Chris it's definitely going to be more efficient and I'm not sure if anyone caught it when you were knocking out the pin with the over size chisel using the flat end so that you didn't damage the pin
Yup I can't stand the chisel marks beat into the end of a pin
I love how the cows just hang out and watch…..
Cracks me up how the cows just stand there and watch what you're doing.
My cat just sat in my desk drawer & watched the whole video. The moment it finished, she left.
The cows are waiting for the right time to give advice on how to do it right. Elvis will be the one to tell him what and how to do it. Lol
Why not? All of us are doing the same thing! 🤣
The cows: we dont need him see how easy it is to run that hay bringer?
Great companies listen to their customers AMI is a great company! 👍😎
When the union between an expert and a company willing to listen to his needs, great things are born, everyone gains. Congratulations Chris and congratulations to AMI that once again proves to be a company that supports customers and tries to meet their needs. 🔝🔝
Fantastic improvements! I have two, new, CAT mini-excavators and, among other problems, the problem of thumb to bucket angle when trying to grab things closer to the machine is a pain...excited for you...great when people/companies are excited about life/improving things!
That new design turned out great!!👍
fascinating to learn this process. Thanks for showing the maintenance angle too.
Great to see Chris turning wrenches, definitely a good improvement.
I have a case bucket and it has the same pin positions for loading and dumping, real old tried and true stuff, works good!
It's nice to see the engineers at AMI aren't to arrogant to have a relationship with you, a .... decent operator, LOL to develop new products. I like that set-up with the three tine thumb, how's it for deflection on a uneven grab. The Tag set-up my 55 came with is only two tine and not supported great, with the gusseting ending almost a foot from the tips. If you grab a uneven load you can tweak the thumb tines, no worry though, the next time you grab a load opposite, it will tweak back. I don't like that and am welding in a gusset closer to the tips this week to help with the deflection and better grab/hold ability. I might just get this set-up after the rototilt comes. AMI has great products, they just leave a mark, lol you get what you pay for though.... sometimes anyway. Let us know how this works out, and don't forget the discount link.
23:05...not even the bucket on yet and he's smiling ear to ear!
That’s awesome Chris, AMI needs some on the job experience like you have! Great idea and thanks to your expertise the design is changed for the better, I’m always looking for ways to improve different things myself! Another awesome video from you and your design ideas brother, thanks for sharing! Very educational the way you showed everything, anyone else would’ve just put it on and went to work! Thanks very much appreciated! 👌🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
Like everyone else I also really enjoy watching you working on your machinery , very interesting . 🇬🇧👍👍👍
Interesting that one needs to be a master mechanic to fully operate/utilize an excavator!
Job expertly done!
Once again a better design thumb & bucket. Congratulations.
Really satisfying to see that new design fit you like a glove. Congratulations! Now all you need is a set of FlangeLocks, to keep your hyd lines debris-free when swapping work tools/attachments. I cringed every time a hose end dropped into the dirt.
LOVE the precision adjustment with a machinist’s hammer. Like watchmaking. 🤣
Do you mean the BFH he used? We had those in Carpentry as well when walls did not want to line up easy. Can't remember how many times I heard a journeyman yell for a BFH.
Just hope that smaller fitting on the cylinder does not cost any power on the thumb. Time will tell. Good luck and thanks for showing us.
Nice! Even the cows or cattle, are watching you! 😊
@ 25:59 Chris the Cows are watching your every move...I heard they talk with Justin when they see something they don't like.
26:00 the cows are very interested.
👍🏻I have the same Yanmar machine, this will be a huge improvement. It is frustrating when you have limited space to move the machine and the thumb just want reach down far enough to grab what you need it to. Good input and design, you have a winner on your hands here!
AMI needs to watch your video on skid steer buckets and come up with a 4in1 that incorporates all the things you liked about different buckets you showed.
Thanks for sharing this with us. At times we have to bulid our own attachments and getting all of the angels can be like hearding cats
I'm disappointed. Most operators would have put 4 adapters to make it work. Haha. Great video 👍👍
Great update with AMI . Positive feedback. Looks and now works great on Shortcake.
Most people don't know how important those thrust washers are . They keep the tool from moving around and reduse wear on the center pin also acting as pivet bearings .
Enjoyed watching and the info...Chris your so professional....best video's on UA-cam...
What a live audience you have watching you. :) Can not wait to see it in action. :)
Nice explanation of how the different pin positions change the geometry of the motion.
I wish more companies would do this. I was able to work with an engineer from bobcat on their collection broom 10 15 years back. Told them what I liked, disliked had alot of changes planned.... and he was transferred to another part of the company.
Hi Chris
I am really excited for you. That is so neat that you have a bucket and thumb combo that you designed, and with your logo on it. Think about it. That is stinkin incredible.
I'm not an ass kisser by any means, but if I had an excavator I would be proud to own an ami ld18 bucket thumb combo, because it makes sense, and, IT WORKS BETTER!
Lol
Congratulations and blessings on your continued success!
Sincerly
Ed
Its cool watching you turn wrenches once in a while!
That's a lot better. It's hard to tell on camera but it looks like the cylinder shaft is purty close to the quick culpler when the thumb is all the way down. It will definitely allow you to pick up brush much closer to the machine. Good video Chris!
You and AMI are perfect fit my friend. Keep them coming ☝☝☝☝
I'm surprised they didn't think of this long ago.. great job Chris ..
You are "like" a field engineer prototyping a fit-up and final application. Or as us simple "worker bees" would say: That is a completed field design - let's roll!
Better uses than before with the claw having much more distance to travel.
Only flaw I see is at 23:35 when the bucket puts pressure on the claw. Taking out the slack, could see some flex in the rod when the buckets applied pressure on it. On light loads, it should be ok but not sure about heavy loads when you need lots of grip. Could see the rod bending due to the angle it its at.
Also. the rod clearance to the pivot point is a bit close? need close up to see, but if dirt is on there, could cause issues on the rod.
..at least your new toys are getting smaller...lol...good one, stay safe and enjoy them..
love watching you on the tools (no multigrips used for hammer today), great new design.. moo moos look very entertained..
Amazing how much a tweak like that can affect how it performs!!
New tools/toys to play with. It’s like Christmas. I feel better not being the only person looking for the hammer while elbow deep in grease and bolts. Well done sir. 👍
I see the cows came over to inspect the new bucket lol. When is the new line of LD18 excavators coming out? 😉
Looks like the second pin location on the bucket shortens the center distance a little - less breakout force than location #1. But you're only shuffling brush and loading trucks in that location (#2). Any serious gnawing on stumps and hard ground will use location #1.
Excavator kinematics and the practical application of three and four bar linkages: I had no idea subtle changes to the linkages of excavators could be so critical to production.
Great design Chris, very nice and so much more versatile. Great to see it in use. All the best Graham🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍
That looks the business Chris .
Chris, if you get stuck and can't get a specfic adapter, be happy to make a couple for you.
No cost deal, just thanks for the great videos. Hole card if you need options.
Chris you have the coolest "toys" !!! Thanks for sharing!
Nice one bro, I bet you love it when a plan comes together. Safe travels up your way
So changing the thumb position was that really done to make the next egg challenge easier?
LOL ~ Now ya let the cat out of the bag. . . .
Lol. I was going to say is he planning a different challenge like picking up glass marbles or glitter.
Much more efficient design Chris great job
Chris definitely makes a big difference have Kubota factory thumb I have gap like you did before you put new thumb on
Thats works really nice with your input on these attachments they will sell
Now you can include Design Consultant to your long List of Experience with Excavating Equipment.