I've been operating for almost 28 years! I've seen 4 accidents 1 was fatal! 3 very important points to consider when swinging. 1. Always keep your eyes 4 to 6 feet ahead of the bucket when swinging. This will enable you to see any danger before the bucket hits the object. #2, when possible, raise your bucket at least 6 feet above ground or higher than the tallest person on the site. In case someone walk by, you at least swing over them! I.e., it is also not good to swing over anyone head if possible!! #3 If you hear someone call out or a horn, stop and identify if that person or horn is directed at you before you move the machine. I work in sewer and water main, bulking, digging basement, road work, and more. Different ways to move the machine safely.

@fearlesswhetu4555

2 жыл бұрын

Sound advice mate

@jmur3551

2 жыл бұрын

Good man

@darioguerrero4374

2 жыл бұрын

What did you start your career off as, like when you finished school and got certified what was your next step that you took?

@jbarrera6024

2 жыл бұрын

@@darioguerrero4374 I attend university obtain a teaching degree in history and language. The history they want me to teach was all a lie. I always love machine, I didn't receive any formal machine training to become a machine operator! I started out using a front end loader to pick up scrap lumber after the carpenter finish building homes. After work I ask the operator to let me use the machine casting dirt. That how I get started.

@robkeogh4593

2 жыл бұрын

Gday Guys. Been an Operator/ Quarry Manager / Quarry Supervisor and National trainer/assessor for an Australian company called Boral for all of my working life. Great vids and very good communication style used to express what your trying to convey here. Well done guys.

As an operator of 20 years, two mistakes I always see new operators make are not leveling a place for the excavator to sit before working. And one that is a safety concern is to always look where your going before moving. Working water and sewer in residential areas where people/children are always courious what you are doing, looking first could save a life.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Good tips...thanks for sharing!

@anthonythorp7291

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, been there. Reminds me of a good point. If you dig a ditch you want your machine level so the ditch banks are straight up and down.

I ran excavators for 38 years before I retired. Saw the old cable machines fazed out as the hydraulics took over. One thing lots of guys never look for is the newer machines with the quick couplers. That coupler adds quite a bit of length to the stick. I've seen many machines damaged from operators getting to close to the cab with the bucket and driving the teeth right into it. Saw one idiot almost take his head off with a 400 Yutani with a 17 foot stick come into the cab, panic, hoisted up and took the top off like a sardine can. Always check spec sheets on the length of the arm and if there could be contact with the cab. Just my 2 cent.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Totally agree...I’ve come close to making that mistake myself. Thanks for the comment!

@jamesgarrison6430

Жыл бұрын

Are you sure he just didn't want a Convertible

@heavymetaloperator

Жыл бұрын

Thanks kzread.info/dash/bejne/gIV5uJl8kanaZbg.html

@genecoppedge5972

9 ай бұрын

Thought you were going to say I use to operate the brontosaurus like Fred Flintstone.

I’m a new Excavator operator and I think this video will help me more. Thanks particularly to Mr. Randy, Am a fan of you

Having the idlers in front also has a really serious reason, if you have travel sticks and something comes into the cab by accident ( tree branches etc.) the machine will walk away from the hazard! If your working reverse and a tree or demo material come in thru the front of the machine, the travel sticks will push you into a certain death crush! It happens!!! Just be aware when doing demo or clearing forests!

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

I've heard this before, and I guess it's a valid concern but I just feel like that's a very remote probability. I guess if you were using one of these in a forestry application than absolutely, but don't most of the forestry excavators have cages in front of the glass for that very reason. I guess, safety first so never a bad strategy when safety is in play. Thanks for the comment!

@genis8530

2 жыл бұрын

If you have your drive motors up front you're also pulling the slack of the tracks in which is excess wear on the tracks and potential for a loose track to slip off.

@mackay4321able

2 жыл бұрын

I had a close one. Triying to pic a rock out of the sea and as it came up on the teeth nearly throw it throw the frunt windo and if it had it would have sent me tracking out to see 😂

@nnoffuture

2 жыл бұрын

Holy shit

@andyman_11gaming39

2 жыл бұрын

@@HeavyMetalLearning yea it's really common that there's a cage or the glass is really thick almost bulletproof but people still use ones without any safety cages like your komatsu and then it's a valid concern.

Misjudging the swing radius and hitting the foreman's personal truck is a bad one. :-)

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Yes...yes that would be very bad! Hopefully you’re not speaking from personal experience!

@bobd.

4 жыл бұрын

I didn't do it. ;-)

@bladerunner6354

4 жыл бұрын

Honest, he didn't do it I saw him...

@stevejory9679

4 жыл бұрын

Personal experience ????

@teamdrama6251

4 жыл бұрын

Closing the foreman's open door on his pickup .is also a bad one .the guy running the machine bent the door all the way to the front bumper .needless to say he was fired on the spot .but it was kinda funny .lol

I just want to add my opinion on tip #4. When digging a trench, I have been taught to swing to the right (blind side) to place your spill pile. That way you have a full view of the ditch and the people in it while swinging back to dig. Sometimes it's out of the question, but its good practice for when you do have the option.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

That's an excellent point. I have never heard that before but makes complete sense. I may have to add this to the "more than one way to skin a cat" list. Appreciate you sharing your insight!

@rustyshakelford4232

4 жыл бұрын

I was taught this same thing by my stepdad.

@ronniemctaggart8722

4 жыл бұрын

And you can bring your pipe manholes in on the left keep the loader from trying to jump piles to get close enough the only time it's a pain is digging laterials you have one how digging main line and the backfill hoe digs laterials don't over load where the laterials are that only slows down production more pipe more money happy owner

@777NJW

4 жыл бұрын

Very true. Was a lucky escape for me looking into the trench while the machine was swinging left to offload but then he is blind to the trench on the way back hence almost took my head off when resuming the dig..!! Both of us were at fault. My head should not have been there and he should have known I was at that side of the trench.

@davelee3725

4 жыл бұрын

Or you could turn the machine around and swing left like your supposed to

1. Dig with the idlers towards the hole to prevent wear on the undercarriage. When you pull against the dig, there is a tremendous amount of force against the front of your tracks. Idlers have less wear surface and are easier and cheaper to replace than sprockets. 2. Pile your spoils farther away than you think you need to. Dirt expands and you don't want that pile near your excavation.

Why am I watching this I make cheese for a living and I am on lunch right now.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot...now I want cheese!!!!

@pneumatic00

4 жыл бұрын

Maybe one day you will make so much cheese you need one of these dudes to move the wheel around.

@docta3397

4 жыл бұрын

Haha

@thanoskoutroumbas356

4 жыл бұрын

You think big That's why

@robertjackson8728

3 жыл бұрын

"Blessed are the cheese makers!" (Life of Brian.)

I own 3 a mini midi & crawler. All different in how they operate and what you can and cannot do safely with them. I’m also self taught no online training resources available when I started. After safety the #1 item for me is how to be efficient without over stressing the equipment. I fix them too, so my logic is to try to wear my operators cap more than my mechanics cap I find slower is better for both longevity and efficiency, learn to plan and plan to learn, every job is unique. Biggest complaint is working along side operators who can’t hear anything over the tunes they’ve got cranked at full volume. Being audibly blind is not a great plan even when solo.

A very important thing to remember is not to carry the boom boom to high. Not only can you hit overhead lines, but it changes the center of gravity and can make the machine unstable on uneven terrain or during loading/unloading operations.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

(1) hitting counter weight- -- operator must have a spotter , (2) digging side ways off your tracks, you don't grab a full bucket to where you lift your track, pull your trench 6" -8" at a time. I sometimes dig like that due to maybe 5' to 8' wide trench. I go side to side to keep my edges clean and straight. (3) trenching in layers I agree and at a 45° angle. so your teeth will cut into the material. depends ground material. the deeper you go, bench or slope. 4' deep 2' bench. (4) loading, yes always swing left, but always have a spotter in front of your machine at a safe distance, in case someone is approaching spotter will give you the sign to stop until all clear. your spotter is very important. especially if your digging around live lines..... (5) parking... not line with tracks.. turn right about 2' on your bucket. easy step off and more space to step off to. I've been operating for over 30 years. I'm not perfect still learn a thing or two every day. have fun on your equipment but remember..... SAFTEY TAKES YOU HOME!!

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Excellent advice! Thank you for sharing!

@PaulGreenwald

4 жыл бұрын

Not more wages sorry

@salvadordollyparton666

2 жыл бұрын

a spotter? at all times? never seen anybody do that... grade man, yeah. or if it's something where you need somebody there watching. but somebody just standing there, watching you dig, all day.

@Senkino5o

2 жыл бұрын

I've never operated an excavator with a spotter outside of lifting or when I worked as a diesel mechanic with dozens of new machines, ordinarily the spotter would just get in the way.

Number one mistake i would have in the list is mixing soils. Keep the black dirt separate from the clay, separate from the spoil. And I think you kind of covered my other choice, but not stressed enough.. ALWAYS, always, always be aware of your surroundings. Accidents happen and people can get killed.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Excellent advice...thanks for sharing!

Great list of Mistakes listed by experienced operators below! One that I've recently seen, was parking the Excavator overnight to close to the newly opened/unfinished trench and later that evening heavy downpour and the machine slid in on it's side. My takeaway from that one is park at a decent distance away from it. Thanks for everyone's tips...going to be useful, I'm just starting out and this is gold!

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Wow...that would suck...thanks for the comment!

@terrysweat4187

2 жыл бұрын

I’m guessing for a new operator that’s great advice,but after 37 years of operating I’ve seen my share of stupid things.??

I've got a compact track loader, and I've just ordered a mini excavator. I've never used one before, but have many projects on my residential property. Your videos are terrific, gives me a lot to think about. Maybe the best advice of all I've gleaned is to simply SLOW DOWN. Thumbs up!

I'm an operator at a local scrap yard the biggest mistake I see most of the time is the other operator doesn't pay attention to everything around him when he's operating and he never parks it square plus the other thing I see is people coming up on the machine without getting the attention of the operator

Another thing to add to the under carriage set up in excavating is that the idler to the front also has a recoil spring in case of tracks being hit.. and another thing... in the case of an emergency and you need to get back out of the line of danger pulling back on the pedals will move the machine back as long as the drive motor is to the rear as mentioned when operating ... cool videos man... HELLO FROM IRELAND

I requested a vid like this a few months ago having purchased my first excavator. Looking forward to "What NOT to do - Vol. 2" Like to also see excavator safety in things other than digging, like tree removal, lifting, other non-digging things.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Good call....thanks for the comment!

Hey, thanks for this video. I know that for old hands, it's probably a no-brainer, but for a fresh beginner, it's really informative. Thanks again, and greetings from Melbourne, Australia.

Those are extremely minor "Top mistakes". Mine would be: - Swinging with a loaded bucket over a cab of a truck - Not locking out the controls if someone is hooking up to your bucket - Working too close to an unstable face - Not using a spotter when working close to power lines - Overloading the machine when lifting, especially in soft conditions

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your tips...appreciate it!

@anthonythorp7291

4 жыл бұрын

Did them all just this summer. Bc I don't complain, I get all the nasty jobs.

@DIRT-BOSS

4 жыл бұрын

VHM good points sir!

@aaronhelsby8214

4 жыл бұрын

Digging with tracks side on*

@pinetorch8181

4 жыл бұрын

I agree with you on those points for sure

Have no wasted motion. Be fluid in your actions. Decide where you're going before you make the move to get there. It's a sure tell to see an operator swing back to the cut to then reach out to begin the next pull while having nothing obstructing their ability to preset the necessary bucket position while in swing on the return from spoil.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

@francisgilbert5853

4 жыл бұрын

This is a big one I try to preach to new operators. As you’re coming around have that bucket ready to take the next cut. Nobody wants to see one motion at a Time

@leeheard9922

3 жыл бұрын

That's the difference between about operator & a want to be ,I was doing that move when I was learning on a three stick Case and on a excavator it's so easy

@mackcarson6729

Жыл бұрын

.. @@leeheard9922 I started back in 1961 on Draglines then Liebherr 360. 700/750/900. (Their first Hydraulic models). Have your full width of cut set in your mind b4 lifting bucket off ground. Straight wall.(Hard ground) Battered walls to suit (soft ground.) and all between. Always dig over idlers. Swing.boom down. Muck pole out. Curl bucket to suit IT'S digging angle to whatever ground, b4 you get to place on ground where you starting.And know where /how wide to leave "berms" when you digging ground not ditches. So you not double digging over same ground. IE leave space between digs that you go back to and get all the area in 2 or three passes, rther than chasing the dirt. The bucket ANGLE as it hits the ground IS the most imprtant thing of any digging. Whether on Chains (draglines with 300ton bucket on ends of ,or a 10 ton Hydraulic digger. Clam shells are another experience again. We used them for digging around laid, backfilled pipes or ""Bell holes" (square)" for welders joining sections.. And remember. A large. (Over 100ton bucket, full. weighs a LOT. curl /hold muckpole IN when hoisting mainboom as you swing up to side of dump truck. Then push it out to get over side or scowback. Curling bucket out as it goes over. Have fun. Personally, I much prefer Draglines. Soooooo much more skill and balance involved but at 80 my eyes gone. Side casting/overeaching your stick with a 100 ton bucket on the end and NOT going too far to dig the teeth in is an experience. or as a crane. Walking a 100ton load on your hook with a Cat 10 or big Terrex dozer blade shackled to your ballast block to hold your arse down. Work safety didn't exist in those days. Just work done. I've seen a few dead. and legs/arms chopped off. mainly on CJB and Murphy Pipeline sections. Usually Swinging in overloaded welded sections of 36in line. to bellholes. A mile of pipe with 3 or 4 Sidebooms running along it trying to control the balance at the end.

I've just started using an excavator and I think some of your tips are really useful. Thanks foraling the video.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome...thanks for the comment!

I been operagging over 40 years and you are right very helpful never thought of a lot of this

I'm still training and I like this instructor 😊

Very informative video. Thank you. I work in a limestone quarry and here are a few mistakes that I see operators doing: Komatsu PC 490 loading haul trucks from a 90 degree angle. Tracks being perpendicular to the rear of a haul truck. End of shift coming off a 20 to 25 foot pad and descending more or less a vertical drop instead of putting material in front to descend. Have a great day.

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

@BillRayDrums

Жыл бұрын

"descending more or less a vertical drop"- Stunt Excavator operator!

Mistake I see is them not watching this video . Awesome and informative thank you

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

This channel is so helpful and I'm grateful of you for every single videos.

Your site is my newest guilty pleasure. I was looking for videos of how to logging equipment when I found Heavy Metal Learning. Such fun.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Lol...glad you found us! But I don’t think you need to feel guilty!!! Lol

When iv given it a go operating an excavator to get a feel of them i also have made the mistake of bucket fully extended and trying to dig too much at once. Some good tips here for next time i get into one, bucket at 45degrres and scape of smaller layers. Also noticed the bucket alone can do the dig if positioned well firstly, i found myself trying to do too much at once, eg, curling bucket while lifting and curling the two boom arms, too much at once lol

Thanks for teaching us 👍 I love excavators and now I will take the cpcs license(happy)

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

I have just started to learn the skills but most the mistakes that we do, are general due to the instructors and as i looked into this video is amazing, i am picking things thoughtfully.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

One mistake is hitting a track shoe with the bucket and breaking it. That happens sometimes.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

@joe_tipakuah4880

4 жыл бұрын

Me too..Sometimes i didnt realize it while digging deep into soil/rocks.Greetings from Malaysia..

@simonchant761

4 жыл бұрын

Been operating 25 years and I've never done that. You must be a shit operator.

@jace1698

4 жыл бұрын

@@simonchant761 its a shame your still running mini’s after 25 yrs/ maybe you can sneak on a bit bigger machine while the regular average operators are all off on corona so you can experience it for yourself .Blowhole !

@AlMai222

4 жыл бұрын

That’s more of an accident

The way you share your knowledge really inspires. Thank you and very big thanks to all of your team.

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Appreciate that comment!

I'm software engineer but I love watching this coz I always wanted to drive one of these big machines one day!

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely should come out to one of the Extreme Sandbox sites. MN and TX, you can get to operate one!

@losrussets8945

3 жыл бұрын

I bought a mini, very fun to dig with. It really makes you think about how much power even the small machines have. Some of the chunks I pull out with my mini are 200+ pounds, and it does it with ease. I can only imagine what its like running these full size units.

I love the tip on having the drive motors to the back never really thought much of that. One thing I do when working on large rock piles I have the drive motors to the front, backing over the pile pulls the rocks to the idler wheel and keeps them from jamming in or by the drive motor.

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

thanks for the comment

@MegaDonns

2 жыл бұрын

I grew up on cable backhoes such as a Bucyrus 22-B. With those you kept your drive sprockets to the front. When you travelled forward (away from your trebch) your tracks and drive chains stayed flat on the bottom and it was easier on the machine. If you learned to operate on a cable hoe, in my opinion, it made you a better operator.

I always dig over the sprockets on my machines. On my 21 tonner especially. If you’re heading down the kind of places I go the coil springs allow the idlers to spring in and out . Wearing things out quicker . The track then goes tight and slack . Also when travelling up hills always have the idlers up the hill . That way the full weight of the machine is pushing the drive sprockets into the chain . Less chance of track jump . I was always told good operators never take their hands off the sticks . Use foot pedals all the time . Even loading onto low loaders . Everyone’s got their ideas but In all the years I’ve owned worked machines , know the way I’d operate them .

Thank you for your thoughts on these. I would like to give you a couple of fairly common errors I've run into with newbies. first and foremost for me is incorrect fuel. More time than enough guys are told to fuel the machine at the end of the day, go to the first tank they see and fill it full of gas. Another operator starts the morning shift, does his checks, starts the machine and you know what happens. I've seen this 5 time in my 45 years operating. The last may be more of a pet peeve is guys not cleaning their track out. I live and work in frozen country 6 months of the years, froze up mess in the tracks is an issue! Cheers, Billy in B.C., Canada

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Excellent points...thanks for sharing!

@dylanboll8000

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah i clean my tracks at lunch time and at the end of the day especially in the winter time. 8 months of winter where im at.

@zach4454

2 жыл бұрын

@Billy proctor how would you suggest someone becoming an operator in BC?

@JS-jh4cy

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like they don't know diesel from gasoline

@JS-jh4cy

2 жыл бұрын

To be an operator get richer first

These are some good tips for new operators and even some who were not trained properly. Another simple tip is to look down before exiting the machine. Stepping on a loose rock or piece can cause you to twist or sprain an ankle or you could step on or into something undesirable.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Excellent advice...thanks for sharing!

Thanks. About to get a little PC18MR-3 to play around clearing my scrubby 7 acres in retirement. Bit slopey but not too bad I hope. Had one play with the salesman on slope , only time ive been in a machine, so hungry in searching for all and every tip. Appreciate your help. Pete in Tasmania

Just starting to learn thankyou for the advice

Good day, One of the most important things i keep in mind since my work area is generally always in steep country is my drive motors always in the rear or down hill when digging, traveling or most any other actions because it is very hard on the drives if pulling uphill in reverse. Especially if tracks are a little loose or sprocket is worn. Thanks. Another is walking away from machine with the bucket left up in air. Troy

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Super control over that machine bro I'm an excavator operator of a 320 DL long boom respect from Guyana great video

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

Great video. I'm renting a larger than mini tomorrow. Will be rubber track. This really helped. I will be on flat ground in the woods. So swinging into trees is what I will have to watch out for. Thx again!

These videos are absolutely incredible.

On point #2. One of the most important reasons for having your drives at the rear is in a panic situation your levers/pedals are correct for direction of travel. When your turned around your levers are reversed. Split seconds can make a difference as we all know. Also you need to be wearing your seatbelt at all times, even during training videos!!!

@terrysweat4187

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry but I’m not waring a seatbelt in my excavator,if and I say that very cautiously if I was ever in a position that I needed to get out of my excavator and f**king seatbelt is not going to slow me down.!!!!

@coloradostrong

Жыл бұрын

When _you're_ turned around your levers are reversed.

Not having toilet paper in the cab for when you need to squeeze out a shit.

@holeshot1721

3 жыл бұрын

Didnt your mother teach you to wear a t shirt under your regular shirt for the day!!! It serves so many purposes!!! 😉

@DrKniz

3 жыл бұрын

Lmao

@salvadordollyparton666

2 жыл бұрын

actually, shop towels make the best tp... and you ALWAYS keep a box. no matter how careful you are with grease, it still gets everywhere. and obviously, they're handy for so much more. like electrical tape and zip ties/bailing wire. any operator worth a damn oughta have all of em.

Great advice, nice info.

Really good vids for beginning operators! Thanks.

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

Glad I found this channel. Thank you for your time in making the videos. Would love one day to operate an Excavator!!

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Just found this channel. Helpful and informative. Exactly what I was looking for to supplement school.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome to hear....thanks for the comment!

@markmaker2488

3 жыл бұрын

Digging in layers of 6-12 inches will help trench wall stay stable

Hello, I'm following your videos here in Brazil, I'm a Heavy Machine operator. Thanks for the videos! have a blessed day!

I'm interested in becoming an excavator operator, and while the video here is awesome instructional material, the comments are a great wealth of knowledge. I'm looking forward to finding a way into the industry.

Good video very informative, you demonstrated it very well.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

@ronaldkrurk3424

4 жыл бұрын

ExtremeSandbox your welcome.

Thanks for these videos; I was just thinking of going for a license.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment!

@TheGunsAndGloryShow

3 жыл бұрын

@@HeavyMetalLearning Do I need some sort of license to rent one for use on my property?

Love the videos, i really enjoy watching them and hope to somehow learn how to operate a backhoe at somepoint

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

For new hands getting on machines or borrowing a machine from another operator to learn or get experience, #1 don't adjust the seat on another operators machine if only using for a few minutes. Unless to reach the pedals Edit #1.5 do not use the hand attachments to the levers to operate tracks. That is the first sign of inexperience. Use feet for tracks and hands for joysticks to be ready to travel and operate at the same time. #2 Don't park the cab in the middle of the tracks and get out. #3 if the previous operator had it clean with the door and window closed, do the same. #4 if something happens let go of levers and the machine will stop. For those about to comment on things coming in cab. If that's a safety issue the machine should have the proper screens to protect YOU not the levers. Period And don't worry about sprocket direction. Weight is irrelevant damaging the sprockets not going to happen etc. The only thing that can happen is bending or popping the pads off because of how they overlap one another. That's it. Spoils should go wherever it would least likely interfere with the work that is being done by you or the people that do work during or after you finished your work. Everyone at the safety meeting should be told about staying out of the operators swing radius until acknowledged by the operator or spotter for the operator. If they can't see the operator the operator can see you.

I'd be really interested to see some videos on issues that come sometimes when you have to work in far less than ideal situations.

Im a new operator and i first found it difficult to work the pedals and the sticks at the same time takes a lot of practice

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Yup...as with anything...practice makes perfect!

@kylecrittenden6043

4 жыл бұрын

I’ll get ya right cuz. Come work onside me.

Thank you for your shering

Love excavators. My old man had trucks bobcats and small excavators before he retired. He is 76 now and working again on an excavator. Operates with one arm as he always has. Only machine he ever owned I struggled with was the grader. Did my head in.

I agree with your teaching points. I teach Army Engineers and have a couple of extra tips. When trenching, prior to doing the first layer cut, do what I call a ghost run. That is a pull just above the ground. The reason for this is you may have a marked trench line and you can check you are inline. Second tip is don't place the spoil two feet away. Always take into account the Angle of Repose and the Zone of Influence. You should place the spoil at least 45 degrees away from the invert of the trench. This lessens the chance of a trench collapse.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

These are excellent points...thanks for sharing!

6: Do whatever you have to with the excavator, to avoid digging a grave by hand 😄⚰️

@hikmetbuldu3190

2 жыл бұрын

I feel ya brotherrr❤️❤️❤️❤️💪🏻

Spot on fella..

This is the most helpful comment section I've seen so far. Thx guys. 👍

Nice video, you cover the basics very well, I wanted to add a couple things, first is personal preference, I like to, is circumstances permit, nose left track into a bucket of dirt, leave machine turned just enough to step out on the track and walk down the track and dirt pile, I used to jump off a track as a young fella, not any more. Second, if your in an a earthquake prone area, leave the arm extended out all the way, this lowers the center of gravity some and a point of contact might prevent the machine tipping or sinking out of sight due to soil liquifacation don't know for sure if that works but a guy I worked for in Alaska said it did in the 64 Easter 9.0 quake.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips!

Hi from Texas - had to give a thumbs up for the snow =)

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Yup...thanks for the comment!

We did a major interstate rehabilitation job which was demolition of existing concrete pavement under traffic it also included alot of excavation in preparing new traffic lanes to reset Line of sight to a greater distance for traffic. The problem was we had Jersey Barrier walls next to live traffic. I was the traffic control supervisor on the job and it was scary to see the Komatsu 400 excavator counter weight swing out over the Barrier wall YES...!!!!

Great video, thanks much.

It would be good to see a "What not to do with an excavator video" that explains what can damage or shorten the life of an excavator. Great videos thanks!

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

I like that idea...definitely will see if we can do that!

@d1o2n4

3 жыл бұрын

@@HeavyMetalLearning Great, look forward to it

Brilliant tutorial for me as I am about to start working with a small excavator trenching, thanks 👍

Good video, thanks for sharing!

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

I always stick my head out the window to see if I'm going to hit anything in the back. I've always wondered if there was a particular way that operators were taught to park their machines. Do y'all have to let your machines idle for at least 5 min before and after operation (at least for Komatsu)? Do they want you guys to lay your boom and arm out in any particular way? At my job, they have us extend the bucket, arm, and boom out until it stops and then rest it the arm and bucket (if attached) on blocks. I work at a yard that stores brand new machines, so we don't actually dig into the ground, so it's really cool to see things from the actual operation side of things. Great content!

As to trenching, I know you were just going quickly and may have felt it unimportant to explain at the time, but when trenching it is important to keep your top of trench at grade, clean of spoils. That should have been explained, since as you mention, this information is for 'beginners' and it is much easier to create a safe habit at the beginning, than to break a bad one later on, correct?

Good video, I have several thousand hours on an excavator, when parking especially in built up areas always park with your bucket all the way open and your arm out, that way vandals cant damage your bucket ram after hours, just a tip for anyone who is interested.

@carolynrose753

3 жыл бұрын

Was taught to make sure to park up with as little of the rams showing. The other thing was to grease up before parking up and everything was warm

Thanks for this lesson

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

Awesome tips,thanks!

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome

Awsome vid. Overgreasing, not warming machine up or letting it cool down and blowing the dust cover out with grease on swing circle. They all grind my gears.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Good ones...thanks for sharing!

@beaubath2537

4 жыл бұрын

Cool downs a tough one. I had an old desiel fitter top bloke he was but he said really what's the difference between our cars and a machine. If start up idle and shut down idle were that important why don't we do it with our cars. Start up I can understand cause it's easy to blow a hose with cold fluids but defintely over idling can also be abit of a fault I've seen. But as for shut down I think it's abit of bull. If the turbo really needed it then we would be doing the same with our turbo cars...

@jeffreid3341

4 жыл бұрын

@@beaubath2537 a lot of experienced car enthusiasts do let their forced induction vehicles cool before shutting them off. They even have turbo timers. So after you turn your ignition key off and go inside, it idles for a couple of minutes before shutting itself off.

@beaubath2537

4 жыл бұрын

@@jeffreid3341 I'm well aware of turbo timers. But we are talking across the board cause what people say basically is don't dare switch it off without letting it idle for a couple mins and the way the desiel tech said it is we've come that far eith technology that it's not really necessary. The debate behind it though is always a big one but his keep point was basically if it was that dangerous and deathly important to heat up and cool down the turbo we would be not only doing it with 35 tons of machinery but also your little 2 door Ute that got you to work and home again too. My take on it kinda brings his ideas into play but it also takes into account that machine is huge and so I might not give it a whole 3 minutes to idle down but I'll give it some time maybe while I'm grabbing my things out of the cab or filling in some paperwork or even while I do a quick walk around after the end of the day. But most machines I've ran have come with a turbo timer so you just switch and leave it. I think it's always going to be a quite debatable topic as to what's right and what's not.

@patrick11169

4 жыл бұрын

@@beaubath2537 the main difference in shutdown time on a machine/heavy truck vs a car is the exhaust temperatures and normal operating conditions, for example my car has a average of 32% engine load over its 240000 miles, a truck im replacing the engine in has a average engine load of 67%, the larger engine also takes longer to warm-up and cool off and the less thermal shock on cast components the better.

Man I’m so excited to get into being a heavy equipment operator. Been applying to the operators union in illinois and haven’t received anything yet! Going to apply again in 2021

@HeavyMetalLearning

3 жыл бұрын

Good luck man. Also could just look for a smaller operator and get on a shovel. Got to start somewhere!

@MrJenten10

2 жыл бұрын

Regrettably your local union will not risk putting someone in the machine with limited or no expierience, the exposure to liability is off the charts, maybe try going non union to get some seat time

@coloradostrong

Жыл бұрын

@Often Offends And _you're_ getting ahead of yourself calling yourself an operator.

Very helpful. Thank you sir.

New, Thanks!!

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Typically, I tend to notice the little things. Finesse not force. Precision then speed. Pattern, rhythm, consistency, machine placement is key. Machine placement dictates entirely its ability. Know when you leave your cut to spoil where you're coming back to grab another bite. It's always a tell when I see an operator searching for their next bucket.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Good points

@Craneman4100w

4 жыл бұрын

Any machine, operated efficiently, will almost seem alive.

@Dirt_Merchant

11 ай бұрын

Yes. This comment is gold. Know where you’re headed before you get there!

Positioning of tracks is very important in trenching or digging deep holes. You should always have your final drives in the rare and your idlers in the front. For emergency purposes of the machine falling in the hole. Operating is all muscle memory and if something happens you will automatically push backwards, if you have the tracks the wrong way you will drive yourself into the hole.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Good advice...thanks for the comment!

@bjhinson4647

4 жыл бұрын

Your final drives are at the back to save the sprockets and so the drives take less abuse. If you are falling into your hole you should probably watch more videos on operating hoes.

Good advice on all points. Be nice if all operators had this much common sense

Thanks for the video. I learned a lot from you

Keeping the machine Level is a big one. Having it rocking around all day cause your pad isn't level creates more wear on the machine but also for the operator and the pucker factor so it's best to be level ,keep the bucket in close having it hanging around out in the breeze gives further chance to create a whoopsie cause your weight is hanging out. I mean when it comes to hills it's diffirent but general travel is keep her close, next tip would be to keep it low. Travel positions like you said is an endless fight but the idea still remains we aren't out to shake God's hand so keep her low and avoids the chance of clipping anything. Next up would be learning to run the tracks with your feet. Learn it quick and fast. Cause there's heaps of sketchy times where you need to use your joysticks and travel so learn to use your feet. And last tip would really be to use the seatbelt it'll help with feeling more tied in and that also combined with don't jump if the machine is going to go. Chances are you won't get the clearance. So try ride it out hopefully the rops and fops will do the best they can. Added bonus one is defintely like you said about where your drive motors are. I got taught that while on a bench loading a cone crusher that if the bench in front of you all of a sudden gives way most of the time people will slam the pedals so if your facing the right way when you slam them you might be lucky enough to get away from going with the slide. Compared to say if you were side loading which generally is a no no but if the bench gives way you have zero chance of making a possible get away. Overall I would defintely say you've covered the biggies!

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome and thorough advice. Greatly appreciate you sharing all of this!

@bjhinson4647

4 жыл бұрын

Throw dirt up against the front of your tracks and walk ahead a little bit. It will stop you from rocking

20,000 plus hours on excavators and the biggest problem i have is people driving / walking up to the machine on the blind side, inside the swing area. I have crunched 2 vehicles because people have done that ( then they abused the crap out of me) i tell people, if you're gunna come see me, pull up on the left way out there and make sure i've seen you before you approach.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Wait...you crunched vehicles? Accident or on purpose???

Great video. Keep up the good work.

There is no better video. Your videos are the best. I would love to use theses in a safety meeting. Top 2 mistake: 1. jumping into a machine without looking over the job site. Why is that important? Need to know where your working and what your machine mite run over, hit, or get stuck. So walk around the whole job site. 2. Over operating. Working to fast.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestions! Appreciate it!

always had a fantasy. if i hit the lottery, buy a few hundred acres, and some heavy equipment and push dirt all day. but your channel my friend, allows me to learn as much as i can . thank you

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

If that happens....give me a call....

@williamhaynes7089

3 жыл бұрын

Its Called Tractor Therapy... I own A Compact tractor and love to go out and move dirt and dig holes

@richardarieta1271

3 жыл бұрын

I bought an excavator and figured out that people will pay me to dig holes. It's great.

@alwynhancock8446

3 жыл бұрын

My fantasy is winning the lottery so I can get out of these things lol

@johnkruton9708

3 жыл бұрын

I can tell you from experience that Playing with the big toys is FUN....however without a purpose you will get bored. After about 40 hours operating at the boring easy stuff. Like digging holes on your property...I got to help my dad in 2000 log, build a barrier wall (with those large 1500? Lb 10’ x 3 ‘ concrete blocks 2 high, grade with a dozer and clean up his property. Was fun, humbling (I damaged the excavator) and a very good learning experience. I ran a JD450 excavator at least I think thats what it was, a mid sized dozer, and prior to that full week I ran a bobcat mini excavator with the blade attachment. Douglas Fir trees weigh a lot and the little mini had a hard time with the sections. The excavator had the hydraulic thumb and that was used to log and hold the trees to buck & limb them for the mill. I damaged the cab of the excavator when it slid sideways into a 2 ‘ diameter fir tree. I was freaking out about how to get it out. Shut off machine and got out of cab and thought...Dad said “you know the boom the arm are the stronger part of it so use that to leverage yourself away from the tree and the rotate the base to get out. I did just that and we both learned a lesson...it was a rental and he was too cheap to buy $250 full coverage. It was 3K to fix the cab damage....on top of the rental cost. So yeah lessons learned all around. He wasn’t mad as it was his mistake for not having full coverage insurance. I learned a valuable lesson in how to 1. Don’t slide sideways into a tree well, and how to use the boom arm in non intuitive ways. The videos on YT of the dudes unloading and loading onto train cars with just the rigs are impressive.

Extreme Sandbox, you say digging when fully squared with drives under the counterweight won't let you lift the back of the machine under most conditions. Letsdig18 does this quite often while digging up tree roots, and lifting trees he has pushed over. While the setup does make it less likely there are many times the job will have the needed punch to actually do so.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Ohhh...it will absolutely still lift the machine however still way more stable when squared to your tracks. Love Letsdig...he definitely has way more experience than me so always great to learn from an even more experienced operator.

@Deere2154D

4 жыл бұрын

He said it's less likely dumbass. I've had the tracks of an 80 ton machine 6 feet in the air trying to get frost to pop.

Great all very valid points

Great lesson! And judging by the comments, it's cool that a bunch of people strive to develop

So i took a class for this right... And let me tell you ive got more info watching your videos then the course I took. I mean clearly explained. Thank you. Amd the comments too i mean i operated a few different ones but i same concept. Thank you.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome to hear....thanks for the comment!

Another thing to avoid it tracking sideways with the near full extension. The weight on your back track is so light you don't have much steering control. This is especially true on soft ground. I saw a man this summer run a 30 ton machine into a fence doing this. Just pull it most of the way in. Tracking sideways might seem bad but we have a lot of miles of high fence to push new growth trees away from. When you are moving every 40 feet or so to reposition for the next section of fence it's a waste of time, plus it introduces the risk of hitting the fence with the bucket if you have to keep taking it back and forth across the fence. Do that 1000 times and you might slip up that once. So I curl the bucket and pull it in about half way. Incidentally and probably a cause in our situation is that our machines all have thumbs. Our 30 ton machine has a progressive link thumb is nearly 2000 pounds of extra extended weight. But even our 7.5 mini needs to be in to track true.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome information...thanks for sharing!

Very educational video thanks for sharing.👍

I'm really glad I've read others comments on have your drive motors to the rear so that if by some chance something slipped out of the bucket or something made entry to the cab and pushed against the drive sticks it would back you away instead of crushing you! My question is, and I'm no operator but I've had some seat time in a few 20,000 # machines and a little bigger, is wouldn't it be safer to have just foot pedal controls for the drives instead of both pedals and sticks together? No sticks, nothing for debris or branches, etc. to hit! Just a serious thought that came to my mind and I had to ask! Thanks!

Yes it’s harder to dig off the side however when you live where I live (Pennsylvania) we do a lot of work where we have to work off the side you for example when your laying rip rap (for those who don’t know rip rap is large rocks or Boulders that are laid on a stream bank to prevent erosion of the streams bank) you are forced to work off the side, so to prevent the digging with the stick out, we dig as close to ourselves as possible to keep the weight of the machine balanced

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment

Never turn in reverse, you're more likely to through a track. Always turn forwards.

I have a interesting excavators and I learned from you thank you Mike Sacramento.

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome...thanks for the comment!

Great job thank you

@HeavyMetalLearning

4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!