Really good job on the video. It is refreshing to see the explanation and then see the described work done. Most other YT posters do just the opposite - do the work then explain it, but by then it's too late! I agree with your explanation of the limitation of backhoes. I have a JD tractor loader/backhoe that I've put 1200 hours on, and I'll bet only 15 of those hours are backhoe. When I went to the local tractor guy to upgrade the tractor and add a grapple to clear up laying tangled hardwoods after a tornado, he convinced me to keep the tractor but get a used mini excavator. I was skeptical, but found a Bobcat former rental and am thrilled with it. Just hit 40 hrs, and starting to feel comfortable with it. Should have done it years ago.
I agree with you buddy. I use my excavator 90% more than my skid steer. It leaves less of a footprint literally. Although a skid steer has its place and when I need it I’m glad I have it. Keep making them great videos👍
Good stuff Todd!! Man, I am so glad that you said that a beginner should buy an excavator as their first piece of equipment - my wife was sitting right beside me when you said that so you gave some credit to my business plan! I'm about 4 weeks away from buying my first mini and I am very, very excited! As always...great content and you do a fantastic at presenting the task at hand! (and the new GP looks great too)
Hi Todd thanks for the grading tips. I'v been operating excavators for many years and I want to start a small business like yours I may of said this before. The costs of getting into the right setups always stumps me trucks,trailers, machines and finding the work. So what if there are many businesses with excavators in a 100 mile radius of your location what would you suggest a new business do ?
MyOrchardVideos that’s a really good question. May be a lot of business but there is only one you. Find out what they all do the same and look for ways to stand out. One big one is to show up to your quotes dressed in nice clean clothes.
I'd focus on finding the work first and rent the equipment you need until you're in a position to buy. Too many folks get behind in loans without enough work to service them.
Thanks for another great educational video! Like I have said before, I’m just starting out and I love to learn. I am not an operator by trade and never have been. I have ran some equipment before but not as a profession. I’d love to know how to do quotes or estimates. I always worry that I will either not charge enough to cover my costs or get laughed off the owner’s property because I am charging too much. A good example of this is, the last project I gave an estimate for the property owner haggled the price UP!! He said he was going to pay me more than what I estimated. So I think maybe I need a course in how to charge! Lol
Hey Todd thanks for the video. I’m a younger operator and I’m fine with the grading with a smaller excavator. But when it comes to the big 160s and big John Deere’s I struggle with my grading. Any tips for holding grade with bigger sizes?
Great video! I like the tip about roughing it up a bit to allow new grass to grow easier. You make it look easy, but I would need to practice for another year to do what you did in this video.
I love running mini excavators. I don't get to run them very often on the jobs. I wish I had my own. I got you run a vio35 and 55 on a job recently. Fun! 😃
Getting kinda mad over here because you keep mixing dirt with gravel for no reason, can’t remember doing that myself. If you don’t like the gravel on the side, I had pulled it back on the road because I would have regraded that driveway anyways after tracking all over it.
Another great video! Question...do you have any plans to expand your business to include skid steer work or any other equipment, or are you satisfied with your niche as an excavator operator?
Well hello from Ireland I operating excavators for 20 years one tip I will give is pull the bucket right to left and left to right when grading in sweeping action because you will all ways hit high spots in to the low spots
Awesome video .. I totally agree with the excavator first .. I use the excavator a lot more than the skid ..I’m not in love with the yanmars either .. I been running a 55 and didn’t like it at all, well last weekend I ran a yanmar 80 and liked it a lot better but still prefer Kubota over it ..
Just bought a zx135us and I’m a beginner..... my first project is about 15,000 cu yds with 2 ecology block walls in the neighborhood of 400 total blocks🤦🏼♂️
Yes sir haha I bought some acreage and the buildable area is on a small ridge that I need to widen and create a flat yard between the parallel block retaining walls. Turn 30’ wide of flat ridge into 250’ of yard..... I’m terrible with filming and taking pictures but I’ll do my best to document the process.... fortunately I’m the customer and the service provider so I’ll only have myself to yell at if things fo south 😆
A skid steer twists and turns even if you take long turns they can still tear up somebody’s lawn especially when a little wet or damp. excavators much cleaner it tracks and one line
I got mine a few months back, aren't they great. I built a 50" wide tilt bucket for landscaping- smoothing, a big help. I always enjoy watching an excavator getting it done. Thanks .
The new GoPro looks great as do the angles you used. The glare inside the cab wasn't bad at all. Good to hear your machine is performing better. I know you were unhappy when it was running multiple functions. I've heard the same complaint from other on the Yanmar's. Bumping up the the pump works! Any future plans for a tilt grading bucket?
Absolutely planning on a tilt buck. Talk about a time saver!!! Thanks for watching. You could be watching any other vid but you picked mine🙏🏻. Many thanks
Really good job on the video. It is refreshing to see the explanation and then see the described work done. Most other YT posters do just the opposite - do the work then explain it, but by then it's too late!
I agree with your explanation of the limitation of backhoes. I have a JD tractor loader/backhoe that I've put 1200 hours on, and I'll bet only 15 of those hours are backhoe. When I went to the local tractor guy to upgrade the tractor and add a grapple to clear up laying tangled hardwoods after a tornado, he convinced me to keep the tractor but get a used mini excavator. I was skeptical, but found a Bobcat former rental and am thrilled with it. Just hit 40 hrs, and starting to feel comfortable with it. Should have done it years ago.
Right on!!! Enjoy that excavator. I will serve you well
You do such a great explaining things and talking about the techniques to use. Awesome video man! Keep up the great work
I do the best I can. lol. It's always humbling to see ya in the comments🙏🏻
Pro tip : you can watch series on Flixzone. I've been using it for watching a lot of movies recently.
@Remy Conner Yea, been using Flixzone} for since december myself =)
@Remy Conner yup, I have been using Flixzone} for since december myself :)
I agree with you buddy. I use my excavator 90% more than my skid steer. It leaves less of a footprint literally. Although a skid steer has its place and when I need it I’m glad I have it. Keep making them great videos👍
Wendel Hopkins will do. Thanks for the support Wendel
I like your style
Thanks just subbed
Good stuff Todd!! Man, I am so glad that you said that a beginner should buy an excavator as their first piece of equipment - my wife was sitting right beside me when you said that so you gave some credit to my business plan! I'm about 4 weeks away from buying my first mini and I am very, very excited!
As always...great content and you do a fantastic at presenting the task at hand! (and the new GP looks great too)
2ridered2 Thanks for watching.... be fair with your customers; but make money
Hi Todd thanks for the grading tips. I'v been operating excavators for many years and I want to start a small business like yours I may of said this before. The costs of getting into the right setups always stumps me trucks,trailers, machines and finding the work. So what if there are many businesses with excavators in a 100 mile radius of your location what would you suggest a new business do ?
MyOrchardVideos that’s a really good question. May be a lot of business but there is only one you. Find out what they all do the same and look for ways to stand out. One big one is to show up to your quotes dressed in nice clean clothes.
I'd focus on finding the work first and rent the equipment you need until you're in a position to buy. Too many folks get behind in loans without enough work to service them.
Thanks for another great educational video! Like I have said before, I’m just starting out and I love to learn. I am not an operator by trade and never have been. I have ran some equipment before but not as a profession. I’d love to know how to do quotes or estimates. I always worry that I will either not charge enough to cover my costs or get laughed off the owner’s property because I am charging too much. A good example of this is, the last project I gave an estimate for the property owner haggled the price UP!! He said he was going to pay me more than what I estimated. So I think maybe I need a course in how to charge! Lol
Husky Ruck Digs a lot of estimating is experience. The more you do it the better you will get.
what percent tint you have on your windows?
Huge help! Thanks! 🤙
What speed do you do your time lapse in. I like it. Sweet
15-30
Hey Todd thanks for the video. I’m a younger operator and I’m fine with the grading with a smaller excavator. But when it comes to the big 160s and big John Deere’s I struggle with my grading. Any tips for holding grade with bigger sizes?
Watched, Liked, Learned, Subscribed, shared, rewatched, Learned alot! Great video
Great video! I like the tip about roughing it up a bit to allow new grass to grow easier. You make it look easy, but I would need to practice for another year to do what you did in this video.
I love running mini excavators. I don't get to run them very often on the jobs. I wish I had my own.
I got you run a vio35 and 55 on a job recently. Fun! 😃
Nice job!👍 what part of North Carolina do you live in? I live in Ashe County North Carolina.
brill iv just started back in 360 and bit rusty lol il b watching more vids thanks
Good job bossman 😎
abikerinpa Thanks my friend
Getting kinda mad over here because you keep mixing dirt with gravel for no reason, can’t remember doing that myself. If you don’t like the gravel on the side, I had pulled it back on the road because I would have regraded that driveway anyways after tracking all over it.
Thanks for the feedback
Great video. Question: When grading and general work what is the throttle/engine speed level you work at?
Wide open
Another great video! Question...do you have any plans to expand your business to include skid steer work or any other equipment, or are you satisfied with your niche as an excavator operator?
D S I’d love to have it all. Gonna probably add a skidsteer at some point
The Master is at it again! Class is in session an I love it!
Great video! What size yanmar is that?
Dean Bartolucci is a Vio-80. Thanks for watching🙏🏻
Nice work, just bad audio... wanted to hear but missed a lot. Maybe a better mic? I’m talking about when I couldn’t hear you above the machine
Hey man you do great work. Love the videos Where do you mount the gopre
Everywhere!!! I will make a video showing them all
Great quality video Todd! The new camera is doing a great job! Thank you!
Jake Duffin Thanks to you Jake
Well hello from Ireland I operating excavators for 20 years one tip I will give is pull the bucket right to left and left to right when grading in sweeping action because you will all ways hit high spots in to the low spots
Really appreciate the time you put into videos, i just got a john deere 26g to start a small business. Pretty excited to get in the digging game
Hey man I watch your videos more than I watch TV. Lol. Keep them coming Great job
Maybe you could record the video then do a voice over when you edit the video.
Don't change a thing man, presentation is on point
Bleeds Ford Blue Thanks my brother
How much did you charge for this job?
Watch to the end. He goes over price of this job.
Thanks for your videos and the way you are explaining the process of what you’re doing. Very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome video .. I totally agree with the excavator first .. I use the excavator a lot more than the skid ..I’m not in love with the yanmars either .. I been running a 55 and didn’t like it at all, well last weekend I ran a yanmar 80 and liked it a lot better but still prefer Kubota over it ..
I hear ya. I don’t I’ll be buying another Yanmar
Just bought a zx135us and I’m a beginner..... my first project is about 15,000 cu yds with 2 ecology block walls in the neighborhood of 400 total blocks🤦🏼♂️
That’s a big project for a beginner...lol
Yes sir haha I bought some acreage and the buildable area is on a small ridge that I need to widen and create a flat yard between the parallel block retaining walls. Turn 30’ wide of flat ridge into 250’ of yard..... I’m terrible with filming and taking pictures but I’ll do my best to document the process.... fortunately I’m the customer and the service provider so I’ll only have myself to yell at if things fo south 😆
A skid steer twists and turns even if you take long turns they can still tear up somebody’s lawn especially when a little wet or damp. excavators much cleaner it tracks and one line
Wendel Hopkins you know it
How wide is your bucket. I notice you use a toothed bucket most of the time Do you use the clean up bucket much Keep the videos coming man
Tony McCarthy 3 foot. I only own tooth buckets at this time
We always roll our grass seed most times after we cover with straw and have experienced great results with minimal erosion.
Thanks for the tip Dan
Hey Todd, if you put a polarizer filter lens on the camera it will eliminate a lot of the glare.
Thanks for the info!!!
lovin the video's ... Please keep them coming . Your my new favorite .
Dale Allen you got it pal
Really enjoyable
Im fixing up my wider bucket. I like how you used yours for the finishing. How many hours do you have on the yanmar?
Donald Cisney bout 2500
Bout 2500
Got my kubota U-55 a few weeks ago put in a driveway, thanks for all that you do.
I got mine a few months back, aren't they great. I built a 50" wide tilt bucket for landscaping- smoothing, a big help.
I always enjoy watching an excavator getting it done.
Thanks
.
Thanks for watching
Good stuff man
Thanks brother
What kind of hat is that ?
Carhartt
Thanks for the video ; )
T-man - my pleasure as always
love your vids keep it up!
bracenthral Thanks 🙏🏻. I appreciate it!!!
The new GoPro looks great as do the angles you used. The glare inside the cab wasn't bad at all. Good to hear your machine is performing better. I know you were unhappy when it was running multiple functions. I've heard the same complaint from other on the Yanmar's. Bumping up the the pump works! Any future plans for a tilt grading bucket?
Absolutely planning on a tilt buck. Talk about a time saver!!! Thanks for watching. You could be watching any other vid but you picked mine🙏🏻. Many thanks
Great job. Looks so much better. I know the customer will appreciate all the extra effort you put in. Have a great day Brother.
Brent King -gmail King you to Brent 👍👍👍