Chinese mini Excavator Bucket repair

[@jondavidmcnabb]

Best part is when Mike tells the hen to "Calm Down".

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Love your videos Mike! Saving $ now to get one of these!

[@denslod2930]

If you put a couple holes in the plate and weld them, that would strengthen the bucket sides. Don’t force it, get a bigger hammer 😀 I always enjoy your videos.

[@Ratkill9000]

Far as I'm aware, you and Rather B Welding are the only two I'm subscribed to that has an Arc Droid. Definitely looks much more user friendly to use than the Crossfire. Or at least easier for novices.

[@Mikefestiva]

The Arcdroid is great for projects like this, really quick to go from idea to cutting, the Crossfire is better for production cutting but takes a lot more time to draw the cut files. Each CNC has its own uses, both are game changers for the shop! Thanks for watching 😊👍

[@MattLitkeRacing]

Of all the Chineseium excavators this one looks the best. Yes it has small issues but it’s not bad

[@ProlificInvention]

Excellent video Mike (as always)...really really liking that ArcDroid and your particular setup, keeping it for reference to show people. Always looking forward to your uploads, learn a ton from you

[@ChrisWilliams-pu8pj]

Thank you Mike. Always enjoy!

[@christopherenoch4230]

Mike, you cost me a lot of money, 😅. I didn't know about these mini machines, until your first Rippa video. I now own a Kymron YH20. Love this content and the way you deliver it .. keep this stuff coming? I did buy the Zerks from your link, looking at the other stuff now. 😊

[@Mikefestiva]

Right on!

[@dogpotter]

Thanks for sharing I really enjoyed the video

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks man! I really appreciate it 😊👍

[@erda2072]

CAD-cardboard assisted design at its finest! Great fab skills-I’m envious.

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks for checking out my video! Cardboard assisted Design is the best 🤣👍

[@Kent-pb2jl]

Your bucket does look awfully thin. My Typhon bucket has a thicker strap on that side cutting edge and two straps on the back side where yours appears to have one. I have an 8" AGT bucket that is not reinforced but it looks maybe twice as thick. I found that the house temps and hydro oil temps were greatly reduced after wrapping the exhaust. I used ceramic under the shield then wrapped the exterior in insulated aluminum backed mat then secured with stainless clamps. Much cooler and quieter too.

[@deanomachineo7281]

Hey brother, great job including the kiddo., and as always thanks for including simpler options for those who don't have all the fancy tools.

[@Mikefestiva]

Right on 👍 thanks for checking out my videos!

[@Ebikelover]

Great repair Mike, such a cool little machine. And we took a survey and we all hate seeing the drumset buried in the back.

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks for checking out my new video! Yes the little mini has been awesome, getting a lot of work done with it. Haha I definitely need to include the drums in a future video 😊👍. Have a great weekend!

[@Jevan529]

Agreed I was just thinking it’s been to long without a Mike drum solo

[@chapc]

That was great! I always love your videos. They tend to be few and far between, but I keep looking forward to them just the same. Thanks for the interesting content!

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks man for checking out my new video! I post a new video every other Friday 😊👍

[@Swamp-Fox]

Nice repair! That Arcdroid is slick!

[@luisotero2632]

thumbs up Mike!

[@FlawedOffroad]

Hope to see your boys start helping in the shop, I never could get my son very interested in mechanical stuff so he rarely comes out there. My daughter used to but shes 13 now and too cool for Dad. My 2 year old nephew on the other hand is always trying to do what I'm doing and he's watching this video with me right now pointing out trucks and tractor(excavator) Haha

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Always nice to have a little help! 👍🏽😊❤️🇺🇸

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks Jeffrey! Have a great weekend 😊👍

[@Imtheengine]

Thanks for the video!

[@NicholasBrownC]

Man that thing just looks like fun. If I actually had a use case for it I would totally get one!

[@dougtravins9624]

Nice project Mike. I sure wish these mini's were available when I built my house in 1990. It was mostly manual labor to do a lot of the landscaping I had to do. Thanks

[@joell439]

As Tom Lipton over at OxTools says "Nothing Too Strong Ever Broke"...... Yep, 3/8" plate ought to do it 👍👍😎👍👍 Mike, that mini excavator you now have is an absolute beast for its size. 💪

[@onemanswork9248]

Thanks Mike! Nice work as usual. I really appropriate your content, because of your positive example I have learned multiple welding and fab tips that have saved me time, money and frustration. Just wanted to let you know...

[@_autoverse]

That’s a snazzy gusset, certainly gonna extend the life of the bucket.

[@Mikefestiva]

Definitely should hold up well! Thanks for checking out my new video 😊

[@donaldhalls2189]

Great job, certainly better than it started, thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones

[@Spindrifter86]

wow, ability to trace a template is a really cool thing! Great video as usual Michael.... Ean

[@Mikefestiva]

Glad you liked it! 😊👍

[@bogieman101]

Echoing others, you have some great videos. I just found you because I ran across the chinese mini excavators and even though it would be smarter for me to just rent one for the little I need it for, I really want this toy. If I was a younger buck, I would have totally went in a different direction and bought some land, built right in the middle of it, and had some toys like yours. I doubt I would have ever left.

[@nicholasviney5975]

nice work, the arc droid looks like a compact solution

[@Mikefestiva]

The Arcdroid is a game changer for sure! Definitely for quick projects.

[@scotschoor]

10:17 I’m so paranoid of losing gas I check my tanks every time I walk by them. 😂

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Nice job on the bucket mod. That trace feature of the plasma table is super slick.

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks Tom!

[@sjoemie_himself]

Nice little update on the Rippa. Looks like a handy dandy machine. Would like to own one myself but can't justify it just yet. Greetings from the Netherlands, Mark

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks for checking out my new video Mark! Great little machine, zero regrets buying it. Definitely has helped me a lot around my property 😊👍

[@54mgtf22]

Hey Mike, Love the mini digger. Great mods. Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺

[@jiminsequim3218]

Another great video, Michael! 😉

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks Jim! 😊👍

[@gliOrtidiMauro]

Ciao Mike, l'ho sempre detto che vorrei avere un vicino di casa come te... Avrei potuto risolvere i miei problemi di saldatura 😂😂👋👋💪💪 ciao grazie.

[@richardkelleher1711]

Just curious, where do you buy steel on the north Olympic Peninsula. Do I have to go to Seattle, or does someone retail material close to PA. Thanks for your help and your videos.

[@jiminsequim3218]

A friend of mine recently bought some steel from Allform Welding in Carlsborg. You might try Copper Creek Fabrication also in Carlsborg. Lincoln Industries in Port Angeles was my go-to supplier, but they are now closed. 😑 They now own Allform, though.

[@scottsoutdoor9569]

I have the same one actually picked it up because of you’re videos where do I find cheap attachments for this also do attachments from other machines fit as well

[@chrismountitftc508]

Hey man just curious what you have been able to pick up with it I currently use a small John Deere tractor to load the saw mill but it struggles pretty bad

[@p.t.anderson1593]

It was funny to see the same Arcfony plasma cutter that I have and then it dawned on me that I think it was one of your videos last year that inspired me to get it. The Razor cut that I got in the bundle with me LS CF Pro, another purchase inspired by you ( there's a bunch of others), was one of the early ones and it was having issues. Once I got the wiring figured out the CUT53N Pro has been the bees knees and it was very affordable. I've made a bunch of cool stuff with it. Thanks again for all the great info over the years!

[@acuraintegrar5]

Great Vid Mike, hell of a job on the fix. This really is an impressive little machine!

[@gregarnold7516]

Great video like usual. Once again KZbin didn’t tell me you posted a video but glad I saw it!

[@Mikefestiva]

Good old YT back to its 💩 ways of not notifying my subscribers 🤣 Thanks for checking out my new video!

[@geoffburrill9850]

Great little project, wondered my you didn't make your plates the full size of the sides of your bucket? That plasma cutter looks the business, good job.

[@dirtydish6642]

I got about 16 hours on my Rippa and the only issue has been a fuel leak at the outlet fitting of the tank. Would you happen to have had that issue? Fortunately there is a nice access panel to it just above the floor panel.

[@luaxongfan01]

Người quản đốc bé nhỏ 😂 đã đến giám sát mike làm việc anh ấy rất hài lòng ❤

[@larrybrandon8291]

Hey Mike I love all your videos but when are you going to get back to your xpro templar and storm builds. Lots of people waiting!

[@ronniedoyle7646]

Mike, with your welding and machining skills you build yourself a wider bucket about twice as wide I you have now. Give you a little more digging capability. Just a thought.

[@051biohaz]

Cool little machine, do you have any plans for another custom fab project? Loved the dump truck build..:)

[@Mikefestiva]

Not sure yet

[@paulwatts905]

👍👍👍

[@popsknows5648]

Awsome I saw that thin bucket on the first video and looked over and told my wife it may be over kill but I would beef that bucket up with some 1/2 inch.

[@Mikefestiva]

Good call 😊👍 yes it was a bit on the flimsy side 🤣

[@chriskuempel1025]

Another great video for real world folks. Any plans on an update video on your Storm 150?

[@Mikefestiva]

Yes! Coming soon 👍

[@oby-1607]

I have pretty much the same setup on my China mini-ex. I hate the nuts on the bolts on the inside of the bucket. I swapped over to carriage bolts with the smooth heads on the inside to help not hanging up mud and dirt and rocks.

[@Mikefestiva]

Yes the bulky bolts definitely do get mud and dirt stuck to them often. Good upgrade for sure. 👍

[@hankh1382]

Cant wait for the new xpro dlx150 storm video about to buy one to ride to the lake store about 3 miles away and state orv ttails

[@tsfranks6555]

Where did you buy your excavator from? Thanks

[@Mikefestiva]

I bought mine from a place In Texas. The link to there website should be in the videos description 😊👍

[@Joe-mf4jx]

I found that the top of the bucket will crack where the mounts attach if you do heavy digging

[@hardwire666too]

Overkill would have been putting a matrix of holes in the reinforcing plates and then using those as weld points as well.

[@richardkelleher1711]

I think a bunch of hexagonal holes arranged on the plate would have looked really cool! Welded in of course. 😀

[@jasongarland3165]

A chicken is an indispensable addition to any well maintained equipment shop.

[@DougsMessyGarage]

That will certainly make your bucket last longer.

[@bryduhbikeguy]

But..but..no 'plug welds..? Kidding. LoL.Saw a different comment,so thought I'd give you a smile.Chickens must be used to finding the bugs after you dig, to get so close as you're working on it.Be safe,have fun, and we'll see you soon.

[@Mikefestiva]

Haha 🤣 Thank for checking out my new video! Have a great weekend.

[@kshea4231]

Love the vids

[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks 😊 👍

[@timr86868]

Did you weld the removable pieces on the side of the bucket on?

[@Mikefestiva]

No, they are bolted on still. There’s no reason to weld them on.

[@timr86868]

@@Mikefestiva didn’t think so, just looked like they were welded in the video. Thanks for replying!

[@emmajacobs5575]

I wonder if those teeth on the sides were doing more harm than good by contributing to the bending. There must be quite a bit of leverage if they experience any sidewards forces.

[@richcrosby]

Is that the 12" or 14" bucket? I'm waiting on a 319 from Khazana that came with the former, and the next up I could get with teeth was 24".

[@Mikefestiva]

This is the 12” bucket. 14” would probably work as well. 24” toothed is way to big for this machine. The 24” smooth bucket would be good for moving sand and gravel, most loose material.

[@Melicoy]

I bought 2 from rippa 1 ton and they didnt ship the hydraulic thumbs and missing many bolts and zerk fittings

[@Mikefestiva]

Did you order them factory direct? Or did you order them from a US importer?

[@Melicoy]

@@Mikefestiva Factory direct

[@traviswalker6831]

I got a notification of the video for whatever that’s worth.

[@Mikefestiva]

Good to hear 😊👍 thanks for checking out my new video!

[@Wil_Liam1]

That pipe across the top of the bucket is next to give,let go,tear,bend..

[@Mikefestiva]

Time will tell. If it does I will definitely mention it in a future video

[@fhuber7507]

Reminds me of the repair I had to do to a Harbor Freight backhoe bucket. But I ripped my bucket in half.

[@soyouguys]

I ordered this same machine. Any interest in selling this upgrade? I can make my own but it wouldn’t look as nice.

[@Mikefestiva]

At this point I don’t think I will be cutting and selling welding on kits but that’s a possibility here in the future. 😊 I think you will really like your machine 👍

[@calholli]

I think a 1" strip along the top would be enough to fix it for cheap, for the manufacturer.

[@davefarnsworth3020]

My immediate thought was to use a leaf spring for the leading edges.

[@Mikefestiva]

If it was a much larger excavator you would probably use AR500 steel, for this job it’s just not necessary. Yes leaf spring metal is good stuff

[@soulis1000]

3/16 how many mm is that? Who uses " anyways?

[@Mikefestiva]

It’s just about 4.7mm if you are asking who uses fractions anyway, there 333 Million in the US that does. I prefer MM when machining but all materials are sold in the US in imperial units so it’s still the standard for this country.

[@soulis1000]

@@Mikefestiva Thank you for the reply, i realize now that alot of peoples use imperial units. Doumb comment from me, sorry about that.

[@jamesmoore2007]

Dude you need to have your buddy release this song you play innthe video

[@Mikeykaysuper]

Do you know the color name of the yellow Rust oleum paint? It looks loke a good match and I need to do some touch up on my new Groundhog mini excavator .

[@Mikefestiva]

I think it was Sun burst yellow. I bought it last year for my Yanmar mini Ex. I do know Rustoleum seems to always change there colors up and discontinue colors. Pretty sure it’s so people can’t grab a can a few years later and touch up a spot. If you can’t find the right color you probably will just repaint the project with a similar color. Haha well that’s just my thoughts on it 🤣

[@Mikeykaysuper]

Thanks that looks like a real close match and still available on Amazon .I liked the bucket repair video a lot .