#466

In this video I bring home my new ‪@Kubotatractorcorp‬ U35-4 mini excavator and explain why I bought it and try it out in the woodyard.
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Featured Equipment at the Dude Ranch:
- Kubota L3901
- Baumalight TRL620D
- Eastonmade 22-28 w/ Attached 16' Conveyor
- Eastonmade MS-324
- Maratach Log Grapple
- Big Tool Rack Tractor Carry All
- Everything Attachments 55” Wicked Root Rake Grapple
- WoodMaxx MX-8800 Chipper
- Land Pride RCR-1260 Rotary Cutter
- RuggedMade RS-737 Log Splitter with Auto Cycle and Hydraulic Wedge Lift
- Stihl MS 192 T
- Stihl MS 200 T
- Stihl MS 201 T
- Stihl MS 290 Farm Boss
- Stihl MS 362
- Stihl MS 500i
- Husqvarna 455 Rancher
- Husqvarna 580 BFS Backpack Blower
- Milwaukee Hatchet Handheld Chainsaw
- Mingo Marker Firewood Measuring Tool
- Accu-Mark Magnetic Firewood Marking Stick
- Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O.
- International 4700LP Hook Lift Truck
- Sure-Trac 7'x14' Low Profile HD Dump Trailer w/ Custom Built Log Arch & Winch

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Congrats! I will tell you right now, "experiment" is over. You will quickly realize that you will never live and work without one now lol

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks Mike, seeing everything you have been able to do with yours over the years was a driving factor in my decision and showed just how versatile they really are! I’m very excited to have it!

[@DirtRoadLife1]

@@DudeRanchDIYok I thought you said it doesn’t have EGR which I believe it does. Nice machine and congrats

[@spo307]

@@DudeRanchDIY ME TOO LOL

[@Bentwatertrail]

Good purchase ! I am on my second mini, a U25-4 I bought new a couple years ago. Absolutely love it ! My Kubota tractor is used about 1/2 as much now. Fantastic fuel economy. I carry logs, dig up stumps, make holes, landscape, lift rounds on to my log splitter ... and keep finding new uses for it. I live in NE Ohio and she's just about to come out and play for summer. Added a "back-up" camera, side mirror, switched the halogens to LED, installed a trickle charger for the winter (and a battery disconnect so I can leave the battery in place) and added a 12V cable to hook to my diesel storage tank pump. Just drive up, plug in, and fill her up. I totally agree with Mike at OutdoorsWithTheMorgans (whom I watch a lot). I used to be a pilot. Gotta tell you, this is as close as it gets to flying. Super relaxing and fun. The more you do it ... the better it gets !

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Awesome! Can’t wait to get into more projects!!

[@gooutsideplay4571]

Congrats for the purchase ! You will love having that machine it really relieves the heavy lifting on any type of job !.

[@AroundTheYard-MN]

Jake, you’re going to find endless uses for the U35. I have had my Case 27 for a bit over two years now and it is a fantastic tool to have. One piece of advice I have is, carefully find its limits on level ground if you’re using it for logs. I have found the tipping point more than once and if you don’t know it’s coming it can be scary. Take care and be safe Around the Yard! ~ Brent

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks Brent, I’m sure it’ll be like the tractor. Never knew I needed one until I got one

[@lhurst9550]

A mini is like the most useful tool, if you have a way to haul dirt 'tis a cherry on top. Got a U25 at the house a few years ago.

[@HometownAcres]

Super pumped for you. Gonna be a game changer in the wood yard for sure

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks Adam

[@WoodysRTBFirewood]

Boy now we’re talking, what an amazing addition to the wood yard. I am certain you will have no regrets. Your efficiency just exploded. Your latest splitter addition will work amazingly well on the end of your excavator and now you can carry and split those big rounds directly in front of the 22/28. Congratulations Jake. You make all us wood hound’s envious. Cheers Woody !!!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks Woody, looking forward to using it!

[@watchthe1369]

Manual quick coupler, nice. It saves the upkeep on just another thing to go wrong.

[@billobermeyer660]

Congratulations Chris on the mini excavator, you are going to have so much fun and find so many uses!!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you

[@williamlholliday3507]

It's a beautiful machine makes life a lot easier

[@willdavidsonakawd3062]

Jake you will have a blast in the kubota!!! they are so much fun and i totally agree in your reasoning to get it. more self sufficiency is a great thing!!! Congrats on the Mini Ex and i cant wait to see where you go with it and what you do with it!!!!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks buddy!

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

We bought a Kubota KX71 a couple of years ago and it's an absolute game changer for our farm! You're going to love it.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

I saw some of your videos!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Congratulations Jake… I’m really happy for you my friend! You will find uses that you never thought about. I want one !!!

[@AroundTheYard-MN]

Dick, just go buy one 😊

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks Dick!

[@mikeadams2339]

For me the equipment is fun! For my body a huge help and necessary! Enjoy!

[@danielterrill6927]

Gotta love Marketplace. Good score. Now you have to get a bunch of fun attachments.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Haha exactly

[@EverythingElliott]

Congrats! Talk about a huge addition to the business!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks buddy

[@jamesgaul1022]

Congratulations on the acquisition of the Kubota U35-4 mini-excavator. I'm sure that it will serve your needs most adequately.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you!

[@andrewslagle1974]

Good luck with the new unit ,When i got my Takeuchi mini ex it was a game changer , it has made me so much money over the 8 years of ownership. Your going to say how did i ever get buy with out this, i should have got one sooner!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Looking forward to it!

[@danielchildress4142]

Congrats on your new machine you and Chris have a awesome channel

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks

[@portersadventures]

make sure the serviced the final drives and enjoy that rascal ! Perfect machine to have in a wood yard. Congrats !

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Yep they did!

[@scottiversen9234]

Hey Jake congrats I think that will work out great. I know it will be used for many things from firewood to landscaping. You will catch on fast you are a great operator of equipment and are still eager to learn. Be safe and love your videos.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you

[@adirondackwoodsman]

Congratulations Jake, I am sure you will be able to get a return on it over time. Have a great Easter!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks I think I will!

[@josephforgione6207]

First time watching your channel. Many thanks to Adam from "Hometown Acres" for suggesting your channel. First impressions are that I see a hard working guy working up to his potential and greater aspirations. Keep up the good work.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@MitchellH79]

Awesome! Congrats man. I have a Sany SY75C and find myself using it for all sorts of tasks… way more uses that I expected

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Awesome! I’m sure I’m going to love it

[@cwwhite5137]

Congrats!!! Chip

[@JesseBevil]

Just bought a Cabbed 2018 Takeuchi TB240 and the amount of work you can get done with these things are insane. Absolutely love my new toy! Congratz on yours!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Congrats! I love it

[@tpctrash]

What a great purchase for you and your future business. You will certainly be able to build your tree and additional jobs. Congrats!!!!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@jake22-1]

Nice video. Yes we all want one too. Congratulations on the purchase.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@richardbrowne1679]

Hi Jake: That’s a great addition to the arsenal. Mini excavators are very versatile. Best of luck with it.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you

[@lyleharkness-rv5vf]

Awesome purchase 👍 Excited to see the shenanigans you will get into with this machine. I'm interested if you'll eventually attach the Eastonmade splitter to it for round quartering. Good video

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks, I’d like to make some sort of adapter to go from mini skid to excavator

[@nebraskawoodstr]

My back feels better warching this. Nice purchase. On my list as well. Take care.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@cdalton3169]

Excellent choice! I have the KX040. Love mine also! Super efficient, always reliable, always. Easy to service. Powerful. Congratulations, man! Best piece of equipment you can spend your money on is an excavator! Btw, you are so wise and spot on. As you age you’ll want to work smarter and not risk hurting yourself. Invest in yourself! Look at adding attachments like post drivers, forestry cutters, augers, etc. That is a very versatile machine! It’ll put money in your pocket!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

thanks, just trying stay busy and profitable!

[@peterferguson5749]

Nice Dude !! your going to love it !!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Hope so!

[@davidedwards3734]

I've been watching your channel just about since inception!!! You've grown a lot!! Great videos and Growth!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks David, appreciate the support as always!

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Congratulations on the new machine!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you!

[@toddpacheco4748]

Jake, the new machine in the wood yard will make things much quicker and easier for getting fire wood done ✅ but also to make your homestead having to dig out holes or trenches for around your property also a great way to make extra money 😮😊❤

[@dennisrexford3035]

Congratulations on your purchase Wish I had one

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Hell ya! Congrats on the new MACHINE! Im going to have to get you some machine stickers.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks Kyle! Yeah need some stickers for this MACHINE!

[@Faithforme]

So happy for you, that thing is a blessing, I think it's just big enough to get a mulcher head attachment if you want to mulch scrub trees and overgrowth in place, nice

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks! Yeah I think a small cutter would work on it!

[@ForestHogOutdoors]

Nice opening shots Jake. Hell of a pickup.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks man

[@kblalock7934]

Congratulations! Looks like a very nice machine!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you!

[@user-td2qw6dg7w]

Good purchase, you’ll be like a kid with a new toy. Sometimes you have to spend money to make more money. A little hint, when you come off your trailer ground your bucket & as you move lift the bucket & that way it won’t feel so tippy for you. Practice makes you perfect at the job. I ❤your videos. Thank you for sharing them. Have a great experience with your purchase. Dave D. from Southern Maine.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks for the tips Dave

[@guerrydotson3213]

Can’t be happier for you!!! I want to come down and try it!!!!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks come on down!

[@jramsdenbb]

Congratulations on your purchase Jake! I think you’ll find it to be super valuable. Remember to take it easy on lifting heavy loads over the drive gears and keep that blade planted for stability. The zero clearance machines are perfect for what you’re doing but you’ll want to be careful when you’re swinging those heavy logs!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Yep definitely takes some getting used to

[@RoadiesGotWood]

Happy for you buddy!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@kevinmcnabb168]

we had a kx 080 loved it

[@bruceaplin]

Very Happy for you. Pretty good operator for being a new owner. Congratulations 💛

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you! Trying my best!

[@lifeontherez]

Gonna have to rewatch this with my daughter tomorrow. She loves excavators, and it was her birthday today, so she'll be pumped. She also got some new excavators as well. They just don't run too well 😂

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Happy birthday to your daughter!

[@theunderdogfarmers]

Maybe one day we will get one also, probably wont be that nice, congrats!

[@adampittman1624]

Hell yea brother congrats buddy.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks

[@czwick4018]

Great Purchase Good luck

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@woodruffwoods]

Great looking machine. Congratulations

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you!

[@ronaldharris2530]

Congrats on the new purchase Jake. Working smarter with age.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Trying to, thanks!

[@buckinfirewood]

Very cool Jake.. you don't have to convince me that this was a good buy.. remember the best operator started by playing in a sandbox!!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Very true!

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Congratulations Jake, 👏🤘🏻🪵

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you!

[@royr3820]

Great machine for the work you do with logs. I got one for cleaning up around the property and I was given the best advise for splitting up the logs. I got an engineer company to make a splitter blade to attach to my hydraulic thumb and used the smallest bucket to split the logs on the ground. I no longer needed to load and fuel my portable splitter which I have sold, which saves me money, my back and time. When I’m done I just remove the splitter and use the thumb to start stacking the timber.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

That’s awesome! I’ve seen guys with similar splitting attachments!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

“Dropping da bucket” should be the next video title! 😂😂 Absolutely awesome, very happy for you!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

lol had to show that

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Awesome addition to the quickly growing collection of equipment. I bet you were a little nervous loading and unloading.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Took the loading and unloading nice and slow, may have watched a few videos showing how…

[@BeavertonFamilyFirewood]

Congratulations Jake! Nice machine. Maybe you can find a roller table and place rounds on it with the excavator and move to the splitter? Would make it easier

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you! I think for now we will just push them close to the splitter with the excavator

[@obiorah1]

THAT KUBOTA EXCAVATOR IS GOOD PURCHASE FOR THE JOBS YOU DO IT WILL MAKE YOUR JOB A LOT EASIER HAVE A GOOD DAY JAKE,

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you

[@03bonneville]

Sweet, very nice machine

[@DudeRanchDIY]

I love it

[@mountaintopoutdoors]

Great purchase. Going to make bucking up a breeze. Money well spent

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Sure will!

[@eastcoastcabinfever]

Great job brothers as usual

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@bobfitch607]

Nice addition to the woodyard Jake. You will soon wonder how you lived without one. Ran an excavator on and for forty years and loved it .have fun and make some cash

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@hookedonfishing6159]

Perfect time to drop this video. Im up in the air about a U35 or jumping to a 4ton. I think you maded it more comfortable for me to do a U35 and save some money 😂😊 Great videos btw my son and I are 2nd year doing firewood and watch your channel a lot!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

I liked the size of the U35 for ease of hauling, even though I have a cdl it makes it easier on the trailers and trucks

[@meatball6930]

That’s cool. I hate loading unloading heavy equipment so bad. Even big commercial mowers. I hate the falling backwards feeling. They need lower trailers - i rented one one time that lowered flat and that was awesome. I have flipped machines. I used to have a bobcat and a large dump trailer and dumped it backwards loading it in the dump trailer. I don’t care about tipping any machine in any direction besides backwards. They say it’s because of my ears and that it’s an equilibrium problem. Who knows but some guys don’t care about falling backwards. I used to rent mini excavators that fit between fence gates and that thing was awesome and it could do a lot of work very well.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

A tilt deck trailer is on my list!

[@andrewcarlson9929]

Love it dude!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Appreciate it!

[@survivalguyfyi5718]

Hey man. The only reason your excavator couldn’t grab that big log was because you had your bucket on your machine. That bucket takes up a lot of bite circumference. Get you a grapple attachment to use in place of the bucket. You’ll find you can grab much bigger logs with one. Get one from Titan attachments and you won’t spend an arm and a leg. Or you can do what I would and just weld one up if you have that ability.

[@hillbillyfranks]

Nice machine it's gonna save a lot on your back Again nice machine Have a good day my friend stay safe and I have a happy Easter

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@JuanSanchez-mk3ro]

Very nice!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@chrisfoltz6810]

Jake that's a sweet min exvatoar you go.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you

[@AdvantageLandscaping]

Congrats very cool!!!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

thanks

[@fricknjeep]

hi there nice tool/toy . best to all john

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks John

[@okanagansawmill]

I bought a JD 35 about 5 years ago, had only about an hour on an excavator before that and haven't looked back. Only thing I wish I knew before hand was only move the machine with your feet so you hands are always on the joysticks, I would have improved on the machine much faster. Great size machine easy to transport and once you get good on it you can do a lot with it! Have fun Jake, congrats!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks for the advice, I’ve been practicing with my feet

[@victorflores9790]

You can justify it and grow ur business in many ways! Great decision

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@BentIronBins]

Nice score don’t worry about the hrs Ive seen them with double that and still going strong 💪

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Yep, it’s all in how it was maintained

[@DirtRoadLife1]

Nice machine! Just bought one myself. I got the new holland E33C. 7k pound machine with a yanmar 25hp diesel. Pretty sure youre mistaken though, yours does have tier IV emissions controls.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Nice, good luck with it. It is tier IV compliant and meets the requirements without having DEF or DPF which would be the problem items since it spent a lot of time idling.

[@kenbee1028]

Nice machine. I have the same sized Takeuchi. The Kubota quick coupler is nice. I had WB make one for my machine. It stays fairly tight and because it's so close to the original pin locations it gives up very little breaking force, which is important when you're running a small machine. We have a nasty black fly season where I live. I have zero regrets about paying up for the air-conditioned cab. I think you'll find it was money well spent, especially if you'll be working in there all day.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you, I’ve been enjoying it so far! The cab is very nice to have!

[@josephgilbert6437]

Good morning DIY, I have the same machine. You will love it. However, when you load the machine you pull it on the trailer and back it off the trailer

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Good to know thanks

[@georgesalamon8128]

Jake, you are gonna love that Excavator! If I had to only have one between a tractor or an excavator, I would pick hands down the Excavator! Be ready to break alot of stuff, not the excavator! lol I sure did! Good luck with it Jake.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks loving it so far!

[@zeebeefpv2273]

You mentioned you think you might use the 24" bucket most but I will bet after just a few days you have found that 12" bucket is better for wood. Less weight more visibility. Have fun!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

I meant that for digging purposes, in the woodyard the 12” will shine.

[@farmerbob728]

Congratulations

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Dam that's heavier than I figure. What a primo machine. I mean hell it's a Kubota.😂😂

[@DudeRanchDIY]

It’s a nice machine for sure!

[@Trumptrain2024FJB]

Yahoo congratulations

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thank you!

[@somedayzo6]

Jake I have no need for one of these mini’s but I am one of the “everybody” who wants one!!! Great purchase!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

lol I feel like I’m basically in the same boat but I’m determined to justify the purchase by working it!

[@somedayzo6]

@@DudeRanchDIY I met you at the first event with Firewood at the Furnace and you proved to be a very pleasant person who is not afraid of a days work. Good luck to you and enjoy that new Kubota! Looking forward to your upcoming work using it!

[@Matt-mq1ep]

Awesome buy! Looks like the right side track is on backwards?

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Yep haha I noticed that as well good eye

[@markwatts1966]

Congratulations on the new digger just to let you know one track is on the wrong way round be a good idea to swap it around hope it helps

[@gravelr512]

Nice observation!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Yep I noticed that! I’ll have to change it

[@MrRickoscar]

Yahoo for you.

[@FrankRoden-wm2lm]

As a retired contractor. I get it .....Time is money having a excavator will being in the work. Being built on a small frame, it will get you into small and tighter areas. Plus they are a good money maker. Cheers and best wishes !!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks! I’m looking forward to putting it to work for many years to come!

[@brodycampbell2990]

Very nice machine! Be sure to keep all pins/bushings greased regularly.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Absolutely!

[@texas4325]

Nice machine 👍

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks

[@camerondavis8213]

That machine will be a huge money maker for you. One piece of advice I would have on digging or grading jobs would be to take utility locate tickets seriously. A utility hit can be very costly

[@DudeRanchDIY]

For sure! Call before you dig is essential

[@BillBailey-sr8gd]

So cool😁

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks!

[@momme1967]

Next level step upl, look for a sorting grapple. 👍

[@jimputnam2044]

??

[@DudeRanchDIY]

yep id like to get one

[@jeramye4377]

I want to laugh at you for dropping the bucket when you were putting it in the truck but that is 100% no doubt something I would do also lol Nice machine!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

lol yep, would’ve been easy to edit out… but I like to keep it real 🤙🏼

[@robertframe7310]

Hey Jake how are you doing I'm good great video and nice excavator it maches your log splitter and tractor

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@timbrown1240]

Just like Mike 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@calvinlobdell6419]

Last November i picked up a kx033-4 last year after having rented a yanmar of similar weight and i noticed iwas booking more work with it and landed a clearing and site development contract so after six months of "just looking" pulled the trigger on a new mini i will never not own one and you look for any excuse to use it just to get in the seat congrats and enjoy

[@SetitesTechAdventures]

I never wonder why someone buys a mini excavator. I think everyone needs one :)

[@DudeRanchDIY]

I agree!

[@bendugas8632]

I think this will be more valuable to you for your firewood business than that little track loader, maybe the only improvement would be adding the swiveling joint that's on the newer machines.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

I believe you may be correct, that’s why I bought this excavator myself 😂 the mini skid has its place in the tree care side of the business as you’ll see in upcoming videos!