How difficult to operate a mini excavator

Oaktree · Nov 9, 2017

4570Man said:
I'm pretty good on a backhoe. Lucky most of the mini excavators have switchable controls. I can't operate the trackhoe pattern worth a flip. My buddy is pretty good on a trackhoe, but can't operate a backhoe worth a flip.

Stupid question perhaps, but what's the difference?

Good thread, I'm gonna need to rent a mini-ex probably next year myself.

bcp · Nov 9, 2017

The patterns have several names, but this may be the "official" version.

Bruce

ovrszd · Nov 9, 2017

And every experienced operator has a preference. I prefer ISO.

This isn't a big deal for most here in this discussion. It's a huge deal if you are a large Construction Contractor with many machines and many operators. That's what created the need for modern machines to easily swap between the two types by the flip of a switch.

This is what was being discussed earlier about learning quickly how to run a machine. In a few minutes you might learn to "run" it. But it won't become natural to you until many hours are on the clock. I'll get in a trench with an "operator" on a machine. I won't get within reach of the boom of a machine being "ran" by someone.

airbiscuit · Nov 9, 2017

ovrszd said:
This is what was being discussed earlier about learning quickly how to run a machine. In a few minutes you might learn to "run" it. But it won't become natural to you until many hours are on the clock. I'll get in a trench with an "operator" on a machine. I won't get within reach of the boom of a machine being "ran" by someone.

True that. I remember watching a project where two brand new front end loaders were removing curb and gutter for a major street job. One had a young operator who had it running wide open, and he would ram the curb at high speed. The other had an older operator who ran his at 3/4 throttle with a deft touch - he looked like he was ready to take a nap. A bystander said the young guy was really showing it to the older guy. I said look at how many more dump trucks the older guy was loading (twice as many!). Plus, the young guy was shortening the life of an expensive piece of equipment. Good operators make it look easy, are vastly more efficient, and the hydraulics are basically extensions of their body.

That said it sure is fun for those of us with CUTs to "play" with our equipment.

ovrszd · Nov 9, 2017

airbiscuit said:
That said it sure is fun for those of us with CUTs to "play" with our equipment.

Sure is. And there are some CUT and even SCUT owners on here that make a living with them.

TractorGuy · Nov 9, 2017

bcp said:
The patterns have several names, but this may be the "official" version.

View attachment 527940

Bruce

Often wondered what the difference was. My NH575E is ISO and so was the mini ex I rented a couple of years ago. The mini ex had a switch you could change it with and also had joysticks instead of the two levers I have in the backhoe. I wish the backhoe had those joysticks.

My first and only time in a mini ex I cleared a 1/4 acre in 15 hours use. I encountered a few stumps that I could NOT get out with it that I later removed with my backhoe. The moral of that story is you need at least a 15,000 lb machine to go up against large pines and sweetgums.

Code54 · Nov 10, 2017

This is an example of trees I commonly clear with a mini. The tree right in front of the bucket is down over the hill about 8-10' and was within maybe 30' of my shop. Spent a little time digging the roots so I could easily control the fall and get the stump out. Done a lot of trees, often a bigger with my mini but thought this would give an example of what they can do.

edgarrian · Nov 10, 2017

if you do go this route typically you dig out the roots on the left side, right side and then in front of you. Always leave the roots on the other side of you so the tree doesn't topple back onto you. In some case you can use the corner bucket and pull tree towards you and then swing away falling tree right beside you but this should only be done by very experienced operators. Ive cleared acres and acres of trees and an excavator is the way to go. Becarefull with dead trees as the tops can snap off and land onto of unit. Make sure if you rent one you get it with a thumb attachment otherwise you will hate life.

Also consider cutting stumps off and limbs. Then cutting into 10 foot sections to make them easier to move. Im assuming your going to burn them. I would cut them up a little bit, dig a nice hole, through the limbs in the hole, use the bucket and fill with desiel, start a small fire in the pit and then throw fuel onto fire. That will get her going good. Once you get the fire burning hot it should eat up the stumps.

parhamfarms2615 · Nov 12, 2017

Agree totally with the ones saying there is a difference in running equipment and operating equipment. I have operated mini excavators at work for the past 8 years. I can make it dance and do things an inexperienced operator wouldn't even think of. So my answer would be to see what needs to be done and how fast do you want to do it.i have cleared property with just a mini excavator that people would say you need a bulldozer for. It all depends on your skill level,time and learning effective and efficient ways to operate the equipment.

ovrszd · Nov 12, 2017

parhamfarms2615 said:
Agree totally with the ones saying there is a difference in running equipment and operating equipment. I have operated mini excavators at work for the past 8 years. I can make it dance and do things an inexperienced operator wouldn't even think of. So my answer would be to see what needs to be done and how fast do you want to do it.i have cleared property with just a mini excavator that people would say you need a bulldozer for. It all depends on your skill level,time and learning effective and efficient ways to operate the equipment.

Very effective statement!!!