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How To Operate A Mini Excavator

This is more fun than video games and you can get paid to do it- Here’s how to run a mini-excavator.
Go ahead and start it up- you’ll notice the controls are dead that ‘s because you need to release the safety lock lever.
To go forward- push the track levers forward. Pull them back to go backwards.
Push the left lever forward and you’ll turn right. Push the right lever forward and you’ll turn left.
Once you get good you can use your feet to control the pedals.
The left joystick controls both the swing and the stick.
Pull it to the right to swing right and push to the left swing to left.
Push it forward to raise the stick and pull it back to lower the stick.
The right joystick controls the boom and the bucket.
Pull back to raise the boom, push forward to lower it.
Pull to the left to curl the bucket, push to the right to dump the bucket.
Put the blade down when you’re getting ready to dig- this helps to stabilize the machine.
I like to keep the teeth of the bucket at a 45% angle as I pull it down to dig.
The goal when you’re learning isn’t to be fast, but to be smooth.
You want to learn to do multiple functions at once, so the machine becomes an extension of your body.
You can get the basics down after or day or two, but it takes years to get really good.
Let me know in the comments what do you think is more fun- playing video games or running heavy equipment? @hausplans

#build #howto #heavyequipment #construction #diy #contractor

28 Replies to “How To Operate A Mini Excavator”

  3. I once hired one to dig a trench up a driveway to install a new water pipe. Twice had to dig under mains electricity
    Cables. Never had more fun on any contract.

  4. As a former heavy equipment operator, there's days that i do truly miss being on the machines

  6. Heavy equipment is da bomb! Although I haven’t actually run any on my own, I have worked on farms since I was little and Im currently developing a new farm so I have a bit of experience directing the operator. Your little lesson is really helpful. I’d love to see more on how to operate heavy equipment!

  10. Video games…its nerve wracking to run the big ones when you're new, but time does go by faster. The first time I went to take my noon lunch and it was already 3:00p

  11. Cat is its own form of video games for adults and young people of the like, can’t lie about that, that cat yellow is way better than that Xbox green we all remember way back yonder

  12. Sadly, my thighs keep pushing the controls. So I have to stand in the seat to use one.

  13. You the goat Hausplans! I always wanted to know how to operate the excavator

  18. He is showing you the catapiller controls or ISO. There is also SAE which most people call John Deere set up. I had so many hours with SAE it took a little while to get used to ISO. I’m not sure why they have the 2 different types that are pretty exactly opposite each other. The Bob cat I run can switch from one to other for your preference. Great video and equipment operator is a fun and good job for anyone who has a hard time sitting at a desk or computer all day. There are good and bad days. It’s fun being outside all summer, you’re also outside a lot in the winter. Tracks freezing up almost every night is pain. It’s a great career, like with everything there are good and bad.

  23. Running those ass backwards CAT controls (I run Deere controls but it’s what I grew up on)

  24. Equipment is so much more fun than video games. Like spreading road base and leveling it out for truck paths and moving downed trees. Tractor for brush and field mowing. Forklift for moving things and loading/unloading trucks. You can actually see work being done during and after you work with it. If you’re lucky you even have an air conditioned cab with a radio.

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