Chinese Alibaba mini digger at work again - digging footings and a lucky topple over

Hi everybody and welcome back to another video. On this one i was called to do a job for a lovely family who needed their footings dug. Paul who is the dad/husband was going to dig it by hand. im pretty sure he didnt now as it took us a few hours with a digger so god knows how long by hand.
The 1 ton Infront machine performed brilliantly as usual and ran for about 5 hours with no issues at all, super impressed.
If there is anything more you guys would like to see, then please comment or even message me directly (info in the about me section on my channel)
And as ever, please subscribe and thank you to all you lovely lovely people who already have, you guys are amazing.
Please stay safe and we will see you on the next video.

[@chanalex8358]

As Chinese , I am glad to see this machine works well .

[@petersimms4982]

Luv these Chinese mini diggers! Changing the world :)

[@everydaywithmenick]

They are good for what they do, I've pushed mine and it still provides. Yes I've broken the dozer blade mount but I'm mechanicaly skilled so all is good. Thanks for commenting and watching 😊

[@Ants_Pants]

That digger is doing great, thanks for posting Nick!

[@everydaywithmenick]

Thank you Ants Pants, it's got some more work coming up so stay tuned 😁 thanks for commenting and watching 👍

[@oby-1607]

I want to get one of these diggers. I already have a large one but it is too big for a lot of my jobs. This would be perfect for tight areas. Thanks for showing it work on your project.

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Oby-1 and welcome to the channel. This machine of mine has been invaluable for thr jobs I've had it do. I would love to have spent the extra on a 3 cylinder diesel so it would have been quieter and smoother. I don't think you'll look back but makes sure you do your research and make sure my problems don't look the same on other machines. Thanks again buddy 👍

[@marcelpetrik4673]

Krásná práce 😉

[@everydaywithmenick]

Thank you Marcel, appreciate your kind words 🙏 😊

[@Doggmatt]

Have looked at equipment on Alibaba in the past and the prices quoted are all over the place. I'm curious (if you wouldn't mind) sharing what the actual cost was for the machine including shipping. Thanks!

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hey Duane, so there are some scams on Alibaba, but fortunately, I did not buy into a scam. They kind of kept me up to date with progress and what's what. They send pictures once it was built and ready. I think with all customs charges and VAT etc it came to just about £7k the machine itself was about 3800 but the rest incured the above charges. I did a video of the total cost break down. Thank you again 👍

[@martinprice9111]

Good to see someone having a go! I do much the same as you myself, well done and keep the videos coming.

[@everydaywithmenick]

Thank you Martin, maybe you could start recording your work and putting it on here. Thank you for the comment and watching 😁

[@thebaconwhisperer14]

Nice looks like fun!.. Try putting the blade behind you and down on the ground when you dig, it will give better leverage.

[@everydaywithmenick]

😄 cool name 🤣 thanks for commenting and watching, I find different digs to require a different position, however some times it's only where the blade can be put down is all that I get. Thanks again buddy

[@ngavigan]

At 20:30 the jib is slowly dropping - seal beginning to go?

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Noel, these have a very basic and poor valve block system that will probably be letting fluid pass. Not the best but it holds its own when needed. I won't be sorting it any time soon until it drops rather fast.

[@rogmeonrn719]

The pace of time reminds me of old Charlie Chaplin movies.😅 anyway nice video again❤

[@everydaywithmenick]

Thanks buddy 🤣 unfortunately I have to speed the time lapse parts up or else you'll still be watching them next week 😆 thanks for watching 👍

[@rogmeonrn719]

@@everydaywithmenick Did you do that work for a week?😅 Oh God (I know it's an few hour long video. Just kidding bro)

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@rogmeonrn719 🤣🤣 no bro, just all day, I shortened it down from 48mins to 29. That was hard enough 😆

[@billyohara239]

What company di you buy it off in China please

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Billy, thank you for commenting. I bought through Infront Machinery but I wouldn't use this company. My machine broke twice and didn't get the greatest warranty service from the company. Hope this has helped. Please consider other people's opinions of their Alibaba excavator purchases.

[@EricHaskins71]

Need the hammer attachment :-) I have been thinking of buying one thx for the post

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Eric and welcome. The hammer breaker is quite a bit of money for me to buy as an extra at the moment and sometimes I don't always have work for it. But the times I would use it would be highly valuable. Thanks for commenting buddy 👍

[@kevinallen9292]

hey nick, im glad to see you fix it yourself and have it going again....it still a good investment bro....ive paid down on one and since i saw the issue you had with the blade couple months ago, i was clear to look for a machine that has better durability in that area that you work on

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Kevin 👋 thanks for your support. I've since fixed it again on my most recent video, it shows me repairing the blade mount once again. You did the right thing by looking for a better and more durable machine. Hope yours is going good.

[@brandons42472]

Great video Nick!

[@everydaywithmenick]

Thank you and thanks for commenting and watching 😁

[@1glentodd]

Where are you located? Why such a deep footer....how thick is the concrete poured?

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Glen, I'm in the North East England. The footer was deep because I had to go to existing foundation that was in there. The concrete poured was done when I wasn't there but I believe it was about 450mm deep. Thanks for commenting.

[@anthonymorrison2167]

is alibaba ok to deal with I"ve seen what looked like some really good deals there and didn"t know if it was on the up and up or not.

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Anthony and welcome. So yes Alibaba is OK to deal with, you just got to make sure you make a purchase through a verified seller and one that has the medals to prove their assured business. Alibaba is just one of them, there are others that do the same or similar. Thank you for commenting and watching.

[@jonathanmckee4667]

Hey did you get the digger from shandong infront machinery Co Ltd cheers

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hey Jonathan, thanks for commenting, I sure did go with that company yes 😀. Sorry for the delay, I have been working said digger today and have just finished. Have you used them before ?

[@jonathanmckee4667]

@@everydaywithmenick no I was just priceing a 1.6 ton digger with them I've never done it before it's all new to me was just makeing sure it was them you used incase a digger never arrives cheers keep up the gd work

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@jonathanmckee4667 where are you located ?

[@jonathanmckee4667]

@@everydaywithmenick northern ireland

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@jonathanmckee4667 I wonder if your charges will be some what similar to the ones I had in England

[@luismacedo5451]

Hi Nick, In this after you welded the broken part?

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Luis and thanks for commenting, yes the part that had broken I had repaired and its been back on the worksite for some time now but it still requires further modification. All of which I am going to be showing soon. Thank you for watching 😊

[@luismacedo5451]

Nice. thanks dude for sharing your experience with this excavator. Im planning to get the 1.8T with the kubota or yammar engine? How’s the engine in your excavator by the way? No problems yet?

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@luismacedo5451 no problem buddy, I would like a 1.8t machine with the extendable tracks to allow narrow areas. My engine is the Koop 1 cylinder diesel engine which is awful on the ears. The 3 cylinder kubota or yanmar is great from what I've heard. Smoother and quieter. I've been thinking of swapping mine out for a petrol engine, just for the ease on the ears.

[@jonathanmckee4667]

How you finding the digger how many hours you done now cheers

[@everydaywithmenick]

HI Jonathan, thank you for commenting and watching hopefully. The machine is holding up great, i have not been easy on this little excavator and she just keeps giving a good solid shift everytime. I have about 42 or 43 hours on it, wont be long until the 50 hour service interval is upon me. Thanks for your comment again, hope this answers what you needed.

[@nl9452]

Can you get alibaba machinery shipped to your door? Or do you have to do the complicated seaport pickup?

[@aspillie]

I have one coming in any day now i had to the broker king freight in New Jersey $1539.00 and I don’t think its coming to my door chicago

[@everydaywithmenick]

My upmost apologies for not replying, not sure how I have missed your comment. You can get a shipment to your door however you will have to organise that with the freight agent once it arrives in your country. For me, I could have got it delivered to me, however I had to opt into getting a curtain side trailer with a forklift truck attached. That would have added the price up quite a bit I believe. My seaport pick up wasn't too bad, it got delivered into the sorting warehouse and I just picked it up from there. Sorry again for the late reply, I though I had responded.

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@aspillie congratulations on on your purchase, I hope you enjoy your machine. Was that full shipping price ? I don't have a clue what a single unit would cost now from China.

[@nl9452]

@@everydaywithmenick thanks for the really detailed reply, super appreciate the info 😁👍

[@emilposa9805]

Is that excavator good machine to buy

[@everydaywithmenick]

It kind of is a good machine, however I would opt for a 3 cylinder diesel engine with the arm chair controls. I hope that makes sense. Doesn't necessarily need expanding tracks. Thank you for commenting and welcome to the channel.

[@nangemoisy9879]

thanks for appropriate music

[@everydaywithmenick]

Thank you I think ☺ thanks for commenting 👍

[@thomas4315]

Sure beat pick and axe and shovinging and wheel barreling. LOL

[@thomas4315]

And the best part blister LOL

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@thomas4315 thanks buddy and welcome. Yes it sure does beat a lot of manual graft there. There was still lots of wheel barrowing but at least the machine was doing the digging. Thanks for commenting and watching 😁

[@gleisonsantoss]

Hello my friend. I follow your channel always. really like. I'm from Brazil. Answer me a question, did you manage to buy the machine and it arrived without bureaucracy or does customs make a lot of demands? Here in Brazil it is almost impossible for a person to buy directly from alibaba and for customs to authorize the entry of the machine in the country. strong hug!

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Gleison, thank you soo much for following my channel and watching my videos, it means a lot to me. I had a pretty smooth transaction with the purchase of this machine. As soon as it landed in the UK, i was notified via my handling agent and was told customs had done their checks and passed with no issues. I guess every country has its own laws and authorized imports. I guess its a shame as some of the Alibaba gear is legit. Again thank you for commenting, maybe you could find someone else in Brazil who already imports and use them. Not sure how things work over there :D

[@ianexplore1542]

How much you spend on the excavator?

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Ian and welcome. So if I remember it was about 7k all in with VAT and charges and duties. Thank you for commenting and watching 😁

[@ProspectorFrank]

What is the total weight if your excavator?

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Frank, welcome to the channel. So on the info plate it states total operating weight is 1 ton. Thanks buddy 👍

[@bloggs692413]

did this for over 10yrs on the mini's i used to have the blade behind me when digging gives you better pressure on the dig when the machine is rocking your loosing power, and reduce the inside aswell save you having to do it after if the ground level is to high not telling you how to do things but might be a helpful tip

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hey buddy and welcome. I appreciate all tips, tricks and lessons along the way. I'm an open book and willing to try anything. Sometimes when I've had the blade at the rear of me I don't always feel the machine digs too good. Not sure if it's me but yeah it don't feel the blade at the rear of me. I will always try different ways though and will give this a go. Thank you for your wisdom.

[@bloggs692413]

@@everydaywithmenick you'll find your own way of doin things m8 ive driven minis upto 50 tonnes they're all same you got the right frame of mind try everything out see what works for you an what dun everyone's different all best with your ventures 👍

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@bloggs692413 thanks buddy, I always find with the blade up front that I'm able to do clean up better as I have the blade to pull the dirt up to. Not sure if that's normal but I've made that normal to me 😆 I've tried with the blade at the rear of me and I make a right mess 😆

[@bloggs692413]

@@everydaywithmenick another thing you need to do is always set your tracks up so they're on a flat surface where possible it helps with the control of the arm

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@bloggs692413 I now try to ensure the tracks are flat and the blade isn't dug so much into the ground so only part of the tracks are on the ground. Again, it's always a learning curve. Once I've got 1000 hours it won't even matter 😆

[@infrontleah5046]

Hello Nick ,I’m Leah 😊

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Leah, thanks for commenting 😀 here you will see on my channel everything to do with the machine you helped me purchase. All the good and bad bits included too 😆

[@infrontleah5046]

@@everydaywithmenick Hi Nick ,thank you and everyone for your comments on our excavators. Thank you for the opportunity to make our excavators better. We will summarize your opinions and feed them back to our technical department to make our machine progress more perfect.😄

[@kdegraa]

Interesting to hear from the OEM.

[@infrontleah5046]

@@kdegraa Hi Karl,if you need excavator ,please contact me 😊

[@taw8350]

do they make a petrol version of this backhoe?the 1 cylinder diesel knock is too much for me lol

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi TAW, I believe they do buy don't take my word on that. I think in other countries the 1 cylinder diesel doesn't meet code and a petrol alternative is required. Again this is only what I've read on forums before buying the machine. I was thinking a 2 cylinder petrol would sit lovely in the bay and be a lot smoother. The diesel knock seems way worse on camera than it does in person. I had a pal operate it whilst I walked away and it doesn't sound too bad. Still, you wouldn't wanna be on it all day without hearing protection 😁 hope this has helped and thanks for commenting 👍

[@luckychef33]

@@everydaywithmenick hey thanks for making these videos. I have been thinking about getting one of these. I live in the us and for here they offer 1 cylinders brigs and Stratton unleaded gas, 3 cylinder kabota engine or 48 volt battery operated. I’m really torn the kabota and battery operated are both around 2,000 USD more.

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@luckychef33 hey buddy, check out my recent short video as I've had a major failure on the digger, its now repaired however its something you should ask to see in the machines. I would go for the kubota engine, smoother and quieter for sure. Not sure on the petrol ones though. Battery I would avoid as it's chinese batteries and how much are they going to be to replace when it comes to it. Always something to think about 🤔

[@robmcguire2142]

What’s it like living in the UK?

[@everydaywithmenick]

That all depends on where you live Rob. I personally want to move to America in the upper 48 or Alaska. The UK doesn't have the same content in shops like America does i.e tractor supply and the other box stores.

[@brandons42472]

@@everydaywithmenick come on over!

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@brandons42472 is that where you live in America ?

[@robmcguire2142]

@@everydaywithmenick yeah I live in the US trying to relocate to a different state soon because of all this bs that goes on, I just got back from Alaska some parts are nice but winters are horrible, South Dakota is super nice too

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@robmcguire2142 yes I bet there is a lot of B.S going on over there. Winters wouldn't bother me. I love the winter anyways 😆 give me the solitude with my family

[@jtsokiehobbyandadventures6666]

👍

[@phillipneale6422]

Great handling of the digger i must go on a course. 240v breaker on a building site though ?

[@everydaywithmenick]

Thank you Phillip and also welcome to the channel. No course required, just get on one and gain the experience needed. I agree, 240v isn't ideal however on the end of the extension is a very sensitive breaker in the instance of failure. I can't afford to replace all my tools with 110v unfortunately. Thank you for commenting and your concern 😊

[@erik_dk842]

@@everydaywithmenick 110 Volts in Europe? What's that about?

[@everydaywithmenick]

@Erik_DK so in construction we have to use 110v as it is safer to use over 240v has been like this for years, however more and more of us use battery power tools so 110v is becoming less used. Its just for safety. Domestic electric is 240v, we don't have 110v in houses etc.

[@erik_dk842]

@@everydaywithmenick Now I come to think about it, isn't it something about using a transformer to galvanically isolate the construction electrical system from the mains, so you won't get shocked if you touch a 110 volt exposed wire and have jour feet in mud at the same time. It's a UK only thing.

[@richardjoson8610]

does your track width go wide and narrow? is that option necessary?

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Richard and thank you for commenting. I think a retracting track would be a nice option to have. It offers a much better footprint when fully extended and also allows the machine to go down narrow spaces. Mine unfortunately doesn't have it. And sometimes I think it would be nice if it did. Hope this has helped. Thanks again for commenting 😊

[@robb1165]

My Bobcat has extending tracks, and the stability is significantly increased with them extended. In fact, I always keep them extended unless I don't have room.

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@robb1165 yes I'd definitely buy one next time with extending tracks for stability and getting in places that are tighter. What will the width be extended ? About 1200mm ?

[@robb1165]

@@everydaywithmenick It is a Bobcat 418. It is 1100mm extended and 710mm retracted.

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@robb1165 that's ideal width is that. Gets you into the narrow areas but can extend out to get stability. Nice machines them 👍

[@suizofilms]

Roll bar ???🤷🏻‍♂️ 👏🏻👏🏻🇦🇷🇦🇷👍🏻👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻❤️❤️👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻😀

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Juan, I took it off because I needed access through a garage on one job and the roll bar was to high. I decided not to put it back on because I don't like it and it vibrates a bit. Thanks for commenting and welcome.

[@МаринМаринов-и3з]

hi i have the same digger and trailer

[@МаринМаринов-и3з]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJqmmYqKns-Coc0

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@МаринМаринов-и3з fantastic. I will check out your videos. What do you think of your machine ?

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@МаринМаринов-и3з for some reason your last comment was deleted by youtube. Could you please repost it ☺

[@МаринМаринов-и3з]

@@everydaywithmenick maybe because write the digger brand i will post soon videos now is at home

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@МаринМаринов-и3з thank you, I got a notification that you had replied but wasn't available when I clicked on it.

[@abellopez2711]

How was this?

[@everydaywithmenick]

Hi Abel and welcome to the channel 😊 So the machine has worked good. I've had some faults along the way but you will see them in other videos. If I'd do it again u would buy a 3 cylinder diesel next time for the smoothness and its a lot quieter. Hope this helps bud. Thanks for commenting 👍

[@io4166]

Price?

[@everydaywithmenick]

About £7k

[@kdegraa]

@@everydaywithmenick that is pretty cheap if it holds up and parts are available. Could a jack hammer be mounted to this excavator?

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@kdegraa I'm not sure on what today's prices would be but that's what I paid last year. Parts are very easy and very generic so they don't have to be sourced via a dealer. Yes they can be piped up for a chipper, sometimes I wish I had one with some concrete break up jobs I've been on. Thank you for commenting and watching 😁

[@kdegraa]

Thanks for posting these videos. It’s great to see these machines in action, the good and the bad. It looks like if you have a workshops and tools, have the skills and time to fix issues, then one of these machines will work out. However if not then getting a named brand machine is the go. If a body of support builds up for these mini diggers their value will increase. I think if the price is low, a lot of people will get it as the alternatives are not good, especially as the cost of labour keeps increasing.

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@kdegraa thank you, that is the reason I post these videos of the machine because we don't know a whole lot about these machines. When you get into them, the parts can be sourced quite easily and can also be upgraded if needed. It would be nice if there was a network built up. Not only for value but for other people's experience and upgrade ideas.

[@kassiameng4119]

Nick, you can buy a broken hammer, which is more convenient

[@everydaywithmenick]

Thank you Kassia. I just wasn't able to get one in the time I needed. Besides I don't get a lot of jobs like that come up really. Thanks for commenting 😁

[@kassiameng4119]

@@everydaywithmenick ok dear Nick

[@paulgray2387]

Dude, you should never have someone in an active dig trench, especially that close.

[@everydaywithmenick]

Good job I'm a good driver ain't it 😆 I've had to be in active dig sites whilst a machine operator is digging. Seems very safe as long as driver and other person in trench are always keeping an eye on each other. Thank you for your concern though.

[@wirefeed3419]

@@everydaywithmenick Understand your thoughts and experience on the idea of someone in a trench. Not intended to tick you off just a different view. It is most concerning when the person is Trapped between the Machine and in this case the building. The issue is not your abilities, it’s if you all of a sudden loose you ability from something like a heart attack and you fall forward onto the controls, or a run away T-Shirt … The machine doesn’t know the difference. Last thought take or leave it.. When Jack hammering you should wear ear protection your older ears will appreciate it. Great little excavator though, works slick.

[@everydaywithmenick]

@@wirefeed3419 I understand your concerns, and I take them on board seriously. Loss of control can happen at any time and you are correct. Regarding hearing protection, I have inserted ear buds here, I don't always wear over ear hearing protection and tend to wear in ear protection. Sometimes it doesn't offer the same level of protection but does allow a more freer feel. Thank you for your concerns, they're well received 😊

[@waynepollard6879]

Old boss would say "that's not a Timex" as I was painting and would ask me if bought the paint , no! Than slap it on !

[@everydaywithmenick]

It's a good lesson to be fair. Sometimes I take too much care and at the end it's going to be poured with concrete and back filled 😄 still doesn't harm to do a good job does it. Thanks for commenting and sorry for the annoying music 🤣

[@madghosthunter]

I’m nervous just watching him ….in ending of this video…🏗