When I was in High School I worked in the lumber yard of my uncles company, my jobs were greasing machines, touching up paint, painting scaffold, he always wanted his equipment looking good at construction sites, heck I painted the chain link fence silver with a brush one summer. I really enjoyed that job...paid good too for a high school kid.

I’m late to the party, but great advice. For a man 1/2 my age, you’ve got a lot of sage advice and common sense not seen in so many today. 👍👍

Dealer support goes so far. Not just who's closest, but who will take time to help you.

Regarding dried up grease in a grease zerk, if you have the problem, try heating it up, as long as there are no seals in the section that has a problem, heat will soften the grease enough to use a grease gun.

Hands down, the best excavator inspection video I have seen. Thats coming from a guy that spent many years working for one of the biggest Caterpillar dealers in the world! I will add 1 more point, run the serial number, seen many sellers passing off a machine for a newer year than it actually is! I always remember the advice of my Italian fisherman friend - "if you got it for free, you might have paid too much!"

Matt my dad used to use little disk magnets over the grease fittings to keep the dirt out very cheap solution to a common problem ( neodymium )

sounds to me like you know your machine , and you should keep her . pointing out the grease and its life thats good stuff ! Love the videos !

Here in New Zealand we quite often fit a receiver socket on the top of the blade so that we can tow a trailer with our project materials onboard

@lomparti

2 жыл бұрын

Thats a good idea

Also need to look at how you plan to fuel it and how much fuel it will use every day as individual 5 gallon cans will get to be a pain fast.

The main things is, PRESSURE WASH the machine after every job, that way you can quickly spot oil leaks and broken parts and replace them, washing also stops mud getting packed into bushings and bearings, the mud turns very abrasive after it dries up and starts eating into parts.

Matt, all your videos are informative and entertaining. Always look forward to all your videos no matter what the content is. Continue the good work.

I've been working for a heavy equipment distributor in my area for a little under two years and seeing things like the last few minutes of this video will always make my inner 6 year old smile. Glad the Komatsu is still going strong (more or less) and great to see some attachments I deal with ordering every day in action.

Do your due diligence ! That’s one of your favorite sayings !

This is definitely the most informative video I've seen on the subject, great work!

Thanks Matt for the review. Personally I’d keep the machine, what you have there is an ideal series of vlogs showing it’s refurbishment and re paint. That way you will get another 10 years without concern.

Excellent job. It’s good to see someone who knows and understands equipment, unlike so many others running their mouths and obviously don’t know what they’re talking about. Nothing wrong with buying used equipment, so many people are more conserved with shiny looks than the mechanical condition. I’m a used equipment dealer the buyers out there today know very little about equipment let alone their business. Most manufacturers build good products, however it really comes down to dealer support - parts and service. Keep up the good work!

Great Video Matt, Keep it, fix it and make videos of the repair work!

I would add, if it has a hydralic jack hammer, run away. Those demo hammers put a ton of vibration stress on the machine, and often have early problems.

watching you work on these second hand machines makes me feel I could buy and repair machines of my own easily if I can make enough money with said machine

Great video covering what to look at when buying a machine. The only thing I could add is if your looking at a machine at an auction, look up high in the nooks and crannys of the engine bay for signs of mud or flood marks....could have been buried in the mud deep at some point and the electrics don't like that at all.

@DieselCreek

4 жыл бұрын

Very true more modern stuff has an awful lot of them too

Excellent content! A prospective buyer can save thousands of dollars and untold headaches by heeding this advice.

I know this is an older video, but a very good one indeed. I told a a former boss years ago that a machine or truck is only as good as it's product support. Many sellers list machines with 80% undercarriage when in fact it's like 20. Good info on what to look for.

Very informative. Just bought my first excavator for working my land. 4 days solid use so far & invested in a good grease gun as a couple of pretty dry pins. Trouble is once you have it you need the rest of the kit. Now on the look out for a dumper and possibly roller as I need to lay in a new road!

@AP-xq3jm

Жыл бұрын

How is your excavator working out and what kind did you buy?

Thanks for taking the time to show us all the no no’s 👍.

Great advice thanks , when you said watch out for poorly greased machines , also watch out for well greased ones that appear tight until you run them for 30 mins and then go all sloppy

Thanks Matt , your matter of fact open commentary is good and informative . Good stuff from South Africa ,

That was most informative! I'm never likely to buy one, but I spent many years as a mechanic! I was fascinated! Thank you Matt! :-)

Getting into heavy equipment and this video has been super useful. Thanks, Matt

Thank you so much for being religious with grease. I've ran backhoes, trackhoes, dozers, ect for a few years. A grease gun is a MUST! I always keep one in the cab with me along with a fresh tube. Grease when done with work at the end of the day. You can never over grease equipment.

@castirondude

4 жыл бұрын

I bought me a Milwaukee battery powered grease gun. As lazy as it sounds , making tasks easier helps a lot in keeping the routine.

Great video and really informative and helpful - many thanks for your efforts on producing this 👍🏻🙏

Thanks for tips Matt. Love anything I can get.

Very good advice Matt Lord I've seen and used some completely scrapyard ready equipment. thank you , do take good care Central California watching.

Just a suggestion from someone who knows heehaw about excavators: keep the machine you know; do the repairs; then start maintaining it properly. You know what you're doing and you said yourself that it's laziness, so sort out the issues with the machine and start a proper maintenance regime. Apart from anything else, you won't get a good price for *that* machine if the buyer follows your own recommendations when viewing it. Very interesting to watch and, as usual, educational as well as entertaining. Cheers for now, Dougie.

@jonka1

4 жыл бұрын

That gets my vote.

Last one I bought was a Hitachi 50 4800 hrs ,I bought it sight unseen from another state. The guy told me it was overheating he delivered it to me. I lucked out all it need was a radiator and some work on the throttle other than that no other issues. It was a good little machine I kept it for 6 years but really wasn't big enough for what I wanted to do with it, I need a 60 to 100 size machine. I'm like you I don't like the backhoe swing or a offset boom options to many wear points, but they are great for plumbers and people that need those options. I add a manual thumb to mine. Great tutorial on what to look for when buying one. I was lucky to grow up with a dad that owned a construction company so I learned early on what to look for when buying a machine. I have run and hauled machines from the smallest to the 1200s over the years

Hey Matt, love yur no nonsense style. Much enjoy all yur equip utilized. Stay safe thanks 4 all yur time & effort filming & editing. Go Matt go!

My wife from across the room: "No, you CANNOT buy an excavator". But it's useful :(

@aserta

4 жыл бұрын

I mean, how else are you supposed to bring the beer keg all the way up to your window? It's such a sensible solution.

@Unclejake

4 жыл бұрын

My wife wants me to sell my 94 Bronco...she thinks it’s an old truck.

@RANDALLOLOGY

4 жыл бұрын

@@Unclejake she don't realize those are going up in value. It like an investment.

@tomjoad1363

4 жыл бұрын

Why bother with women ? ^^

@olgrizz_____5373

4 жыл бұрын

Amen!!!

Excellent information Matt. Right on with everything. I have a 2001 Bobcat 331E and love it. Like I tell my customers "my shovel works better than yours".

Super helpful. I'm in the market for one and learned alot here. Thanks.

Great video man, lots of valuable info. Keep em comin.

Thanks, all great info as I keep my eye out for a mini excavator.

Very god information. Well thought out and great delivery.

The only thing I’m looking for is the videos that come out of people fixing them. That’s prime entertainment.

Another great episode !!

I'd say fix it, better the machine you know.

@ericlakota6512

3 жыл бұрын

If i was in his shoes depending on what he needs an excavator for id probly keep it its kamatsu and hes got the thumb and if he fixed what h knows he has a darn good tractor

I must say that you did a real fine job making this video!

This was a very good video on the does and don'ts on buying a piece of machinery.

Very useful information, Matt thanks.

I enjoying buying the old beat up equipment. It always turns out someone just was fed up with it. Or thats the last money I will put into it. Just finished a Ford 1700 backhoe.

Excellent work and thanks for the content stay safe and take care

good ! educational as well as entertaining. it shed some light on oe of my next purchases thank you !!

Excellent video, learning is great

I have been looking for one of those for years to give me more that my bobcat skid steer can't do. When I find a good deal, I don't have the money. When I have some money, I can't find a deal. Lol. You gave sone good info and a few things I haven't thought about. Thanks.

Thank you Matt! Very much appreciated. Unless you have the experience..... you never know.

Great video. lot of info. thanks for the video.

Thanks for the knowledge. Greatly appreciated.

Good job explaining the inspection Matt

One thing you said I don't agree with and that is warming the engine and opening the radiator cap . I think you did a great job talking about the machine and what to look out for . Your machine does need repair and I have seen how much work they are but please get fixing it , it will be to your advantage and it will be worth more .

Good review Matt, thanks!

Hey bro it's very well explained. Thank you so much, very niece video.

I got super lucky with mine. I wish I had known the things you mentioned. This video was really well done and very helpful. Thank you!

@DieselCreek

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Matt thank you you’ve been very informative about what to look for in buying a piece of used equipment I’m looking at a mini excavator you’re right once you have them you don’t know how to live without them had skid steer in the past sold them to upgrade haven’t found the right deal yet take care stay safe happy holiday junkman do

Very useful information. I had a 96 EX50 grey imports, 4600hours, 2011, R Red center spool seals, a few hoses, pins, rubber tracks over 10 years of good work (home builder), sold it by 8800hours, with everything working properly, real quality excavator, love it.

That was very helpful! Thanks for a great video.

Thanks for the excavator tutorial. I've always wanted a mini excavator for use on my property. Kubota, Bobcat and Takeuchi are the brands that I see being used around my area.

@karaayers2867

4 жыл бұрын

I have a small mid 90s takeuchi tb015. Its been an awesome machine, it will dig flat out all day on 5 gallons of diesel. If I hit something that won't move, it will try it's best to drag itself in the hole towards China. I will get a bigger machine one day, but this little 3500lb digger will still be with me for small jobs. It's a big $ maker and time saver.

Solids review / info. Always enjoy your videos.

Hope I'm adding my little bit, i am absolutely hooked on your vids, you are the best you tuber of all time!

Good video, I appreciate the information Matt! 👌🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks brother, definitely information i needed

I doubt I'll be using an excavator anytime soon and certainly won't be buying one, yet I can't stop watching your videos. Thanks for all the tips!

Very helpfull video for a complete novice. Thx and greetings from Sweden !

@DieselCreek

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

Lots of good advice..

Sometimes the devil you know is better but a new machine brings new enthusiasm lol

Thanks Matt from the UK Andrew Camarata likes the Komatsu/Yanmar and he agrees with you it's the most reliable to him too than any other brands they break and you can't do the damn job! :))

Great vid. Good material and advice.

Very informative great job and great advice

Great info! Thanks

Thanks for the review. I learned a lot about what to look for.

@DieselCreek

4 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

thanks buddy, buying a small unit this summer to do tree and stump clean up in back acreage at my properties in bc cariboo, i appreciate the insights.

"Staying 10 hours on your butt playing with your joystick".... XD

Great video and I've watched heaps of them on the same subject.

Great video, very informative...Thank you !!

Love the video keep up with the great work

Great for any beginner well explained

Doubt I'd ever be buying one but still cool to watch and learn! As for me (and very selfish reasons), seeing videos of the repairs you noted would have me watching each one! But it's pretty clear you have plenty to do too!

I will agree with you on Doosan products. Though this comes from the experience with their forklift trucks rather than with a digger. We have them in work, they are not exactly good trucks, agricultural at best and while we had them for less than a year, one had already broken down, theyre not comfortable or particularly ergonomic either. I'll be honest I'd much prefer a Hyster over one, but as a big company goes, they get the cheapest to 'save money'

Really useful video. Thanks so much.

I'm never gonna buy one of these. But I'll watch this whole thing

Komatsu makes a great machine. I have a PC150 I bought about 18 mouths ago with 8000 hrs on it and it runs as if was new.

Another good video but like you pointed out if you get another excavator it too is going to have problems if you buy used. Keep up the good work!

Good info! Thanks for sharing!

@DieselCreek

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great advice. Repair or sell you have to crunch the numbers.

Main valve and pump are also important to look at for leaks and other problems

thanks for the information, big help

Great video! Great information!

@DieselCreek

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

im 44 seconds in. Thumbs up for the "I'm Matt, and this is my dirty old hoe" comment

Hi Matt. Up to you but has for me I would replace the seals and Pins,bushing,Etc. Cheaper than another machine, unless of course there are major problems. Has always I liked,shared. All my best.

very helpful! thank you!

I bought an excavator at richie bros a couple years ago. It needed a lot of parts and other than trying to track down parts for a grey market machine most of the repairs weren't too bad, its pretty fun to work on. I will say though that it's one of the handiest things I have ever bought, I use it all the time on our acreage. The only problem is now I want a bigger one.... haha

@Used-Excavators-mj2nc

6 ай бұрын

It sounds like relaly bad bro, I can help you to find the best one

Good little machine.

Good education video!!