Cat® Mini Excavator Operating Tips: Blade Positioning

[@USANAK]

Like Dezmona SG said, this is good advice for beginners. A lot of us are weekend warriors, only using these kinds of machines on rare occasions. To be frank, I've always dug with the blade in front. It never occurred to me to place it behind me. What's common sense and obvious to some is not so to all of us. So I for one greatly appreciate the contents of this video.

[@ianpentz3340]

Wow no other guys mention the blade position, thanks this Isa great safety-tip.

[@micpotato8158]

If you are trying to go up a steep incline It’s more important to have the counterweight of the machine uphill and over the drive sprockets..the boom can be used if needed to assist your ascent and the blade can be used to stop the machine sliding downhill..........same can be said for loading up ramps..it’s a lot safer.....I’m surprised to see bad advice given on this video...I generally operate with my blade in front but there are a few times when it is better to have it behind you

[@RipperYouTubeOfficial]

Maybe for liability reasons they had to give bad advice?

[@ProtreeremovalbrisbaneAu]

This Mini Excavator is really handy to clearing land. But it is important to know how to operate it. Hats off you guys you have shown it so well in this video

[@arthurscarscustoms1414]

You can clearly see that you are pushing the boom down when the blade is in front and when the blade is in the rear, you are not doing that, instead you are scratching properly. Why? I can dig just fine with the blade in front. If fact the blade helps to stabilize the machine when I lift the material out of the ground and helps keep the machine from tipping forward when pulling up hard such as when lifting out something that is stuck in the soil.

[@SKumar-gq4vq]

Arthur's Cars & Customs வங்கவேந்டும்

[@Tgtg14484]

grading with bob cat

[@benw7601]

I thought the same thing

[@pags5zonda623]

couldnt agree more. shouldnt have someone like this on a "tips" video. people wont learn how to dig properly and instead, well, this.

[@shanilram3179]

I prefer to dig with the blade at the front it stabilizes the machine and u have a better control over the machine

[@a.krueger6486]

I like to track across finish grade with blade all the way down.

[@dezmonasg6708]

Some of the comments are quite useful for a beginner,for the rest of us who use these machines every day having the blade in front is more efficient and quicker digging ability tracking up hill ,well your spot on there blade on the rear on trailer well I don't think so ,but good video overall 👍

[@keepittoyourself1084]

When they delivered one today, the blade was in the rear.

[@darinmorgante7200]

@@keepittoyourself1084 your name is very contradicting with all the repetitive comments on this video lol

[@scottpecora371]

Very useful safety information, thank you! Suggestion: as one person asked, possibly offer the option of dual blades. Would provide the stability of not tipping rearward while allowing dozing in tight spits w/o having to rotate under carriage. Not an option for everyone but for some would permit additional time savings and less wear and tear on the under carriage . Would only require welding on the mounting bracket ears at the factory. Everything else would come with the options kit, including hoses, valves and all hardware. I think CAT'S design team should look at it. I should think that most of the hardware would be interchangeable? Good luck

[@karlansell7885]

And how much did cat pay you for that comment.

[@jesseheilman]

I primarily dig with the blade in the back up down doesn't matter it just gets the blade out of the way so you can dig more and faster

[@LUTHERJ304]

For each to his own. Blade stabilizes me. So I'm not rocking picking fuller buckets out of ground. Blade in front keeps tracks from filling with dirt gravel while digging.

[@quietprolink5322]

If I go down the hill where should I put the blade? down hill or up hill position?

[@LUTHERJ304]

Every mini I've ran. Blade goes in front. U travel with blade in front also. It's harder on drivetrain if u use it backwards alot. U want sprockets behind u. Pushing like a bike.

[@genecoppedge5972]

Great safety tips, thank you.

[@musibandagramuposcha2775]

Thank You! I bought a 301.7D 2 month ago And i have done it wrong all The time. Now i know how it is going!

[@andymora5595]

Seems that physics depends on the device which you are using. In manual of my yanmar sv08 it is written, that you should always use the blade in front of you while digging. And this makes much more sense than on the back. If you are in front of a big hole, it is more important to have a safe position and excavator doesn't fall down! The blade helps a lot. I never had such trouble like the user in the video. And in case you feel that the excavator goes up into air - just put less material in the backup. If you don't want to risk your like, don't use that "tip" in this video! Put blade in front of you.

[@bigtex2111]

Wait a second? An 'Official' Catepillar video saying NOT to dig over the idlers? /baffle

[@MildlyCurious]

Very good video. Thank you. Seems obvious now

[@ЕЛКОРДОБЭСТОРЕРО]

Thanks Greg! Do you work in Peoria Illinois?

[@ahmadnajmi7648]

blade behind u will give pressure to your sprocket bearing and gearing

[@MrGharDK]

Stay away from excavators, you have no idea what you're doing.

[@chriscalvert2318]

Christian SOHC'ER whys that then , looked ok to me ,

[@shanilram3179]

Most of the time i dig with my blade at the front i find it easier to dig i think he is just pushing down the leaver too much ill bet him ill dig wit the blade at the front and dig perfectly without the machine raising up

[@johnstegall4119]

That is why I purchased a John Deere they did not blow smoke at me

[@d1o2n4]

Good basic tips. Thanks.

[@MasterPaulR]

I guess it isnt good all the time as the rear sprocets get dirt on tracks and you have to clean it all the time

[@bobjake7440]

these are very handy little machines.

[@mrbojangles3851]

You don't even have to ask who can operate the machine better than Mr. Worley. If you read the comments, they will tell you.

[@keepittoyourself1084]

It doesn't matter. The video is for people who don't know how.

[@donaldmitchell3888]

why not build 1 with dual blades, one in front and back, probably will cut lost time on work too from having to continually repositioning

[@welderboy14]

Because one blade gets in the way enough.

[@karlansell7885]

Why not just learn to operate a excavator

[@airpeewee]

what model machines are those? all 301?

[@catconstructiontrade]

Hello Peewee! All of the machines you see in the video are part of our cat mini excavator line. The line is from 300 to 310, but yes the ones seen here the most are 301. You can learn more about our Mini excavator line here www.cat.com/en_US/products/new/equipment/excavators/mini-excavators.html?softLogin&page=2? - Laura

[@kkbno1]

he exaggerated the machine lifting while digging.

[@mikeerickson4750]

Of course he did. He did it on purpose to show that sometimes the blade being behind you can be beneficial. It's really not that hard to figure out. You're just looking for reasons to say you're a better operator than him.

[@gregorylaughlin2556]

Nice and clear. Thanks.

[@gettingoutdoorswithdave3783]

obviously this guy never ran one all day long for a living.

[@keepittoyourself1084]

Why is a professional operator watching youtube videos about operating? This type of video is for the person who has never used one before.

[@ramlichannel9059]

Thank you for the experimance

[@matdooley]

no ability to dig ? you have no ability how to use a small digger properly

[@arianegealan8621]

how much the price of that machine

[@catconstructiontrade]

Hi Brian! Your local Cat dealer can provide you with a quote. You can find contact information for a dealer near you on our website: www.cat.com/en_US/support/dealer-locator.html

[@arianegealan8621]

thanks sir

[@michaelcrusco4558]

I got one that i'm ready to sell, its a 2013 301.4C enclosed cab with heat, under 1200 hours excellent shape, tight and well maintained....

[@MegaJohnhammond]

have you ever needed to operate an excavator inside of a doughnut shop?

[@captainkirk8873]

GO BACK TO YOUR DESK AND PENCIL

[@antok.juni.beonehousehotel5249]

Good you driver unit excavator,,, hecker computer,,, thank you

[@tommybravo713]

Thank you!

[@wijiantoss1737]

thank you

[@coltonsarria1274]

blade in back, anyone who has been in tuff ground knows that. yall saying blade in front are used to sissy digging

[@dannysaunders8620]

Colton Sarria blade behind for digging and blade in front for lifting

[@coltonsarria1274]

Danny Saunders we are not talking about moving objects we are talking about digging. ive been on a minni every day mon-fri for the past ten years. thanks for your imput

[@dannysaunders8620]

Well I have blade behind to dig down to my depth then blade in front to dig my trench as a mini digger doesn't have a long reach you are lifting more then digging other wise you are gonna be moving the machine backwards and forwards . (15 years experience)

[@janX9]

Years of experience means nothing. I've seen many guys do things wrong their entire lives. There's always something more to be learned no matter how good you are.

[@andygray4418]

Not a very honest video when you are deliberately pushing the boom arm control full forward forcing the machine into that position trying to pass it off as "the machine just wants to lift up". That's not the honest truth and you know it.

[@stevenclark6209]

Cool video.

[@techtech7476]

Why is there two balls hanging from the boom

[@goodtry1550]

Those are the caps that protect the quick disconnects on the side of the stick. Not sure why they are hanging there like that, leaving the Q/Ds to collect debris though.

[@ryanCODMAN]

Thanks

[@pastorkeri]

You not very good are you ? .... any good operator would do it tidy wherever the blade is .... stay in your office

[@IndependenceIron]

This video is such a load. Clearly see major over exaggeration with driving the boom down while the blade is in front. And if the hill or trailer is steep its best to back up it with blade and boom on down hill side. That way when you can use the boom to assist in climbing the hill if needed. Although that might void the warranty on these little tinker toys.

[@slickwillie8287]

This guy is a poor operator I can dig over the front or rear or either side without putting the blade on the ground.

[@keepittoyourself1084]

Why is a professional operator watching youtube videos about operating? This type of video is for the person who has never used one before.

[@janX9]

Try digging harder ground.

[@a.m.9788]

Much appreciated!

[@halwestabdullah443]

Excellent

[@ZteveW]

Thx.

[@paulomonteiro5970]

CATERPILLAR

[@normanrogers8280]

Cat is the only way to go

[@mdvarosha6065]

Nic

[@dikky584]

Garbage. Never dig into your final drives. Be a competent operator and drive the machine to suit the environment. This goose is pushing down as digging in the first scene.

[@Jambazilman1]

conic bug