How To: Grade With An Excavator

[@brianllfixit]

Shift the bulk and trim it off,perfect.This bloke knows what he is doing.Ignore the keyboard operators who do not have a clue.

[@demoman4949]

hey buddy, really enjoying the videos. i'm in the same exact business in CA. all i do is specialty excavator work, hillside work, tight access work etc. i do some dozer and loader work but i get more calls for my excavators. i run kubota excavators. its been a pleasure watching a dude that enjoys his work and does it well. keep it up brutha

[@Quadflash]

Whoa! Grading with a bucket is harder than it looks. Thanks for a fine introduction to that art

[@MJ-pt4lk]

This is great. I am from Australia and work with skid steers Moxys, loaders and the like, however I do want to learn Excavation grade finishing and crown cambers and other skills, you explain things in an easy to comprehend manner and yeah keep doing these clips please because they are a very good practical teaching tool / aid . More power to you my friend.

[@fhmchris6553]

Thanks ! ! I was talked out of buying a skid steer into a mini excavator, though, I'm still a few years out from buying one, but I love getting an idea as to how many different tasks a mini exc can handle. seeing this makes me happy, a patio in the back yard can be made pretty easy with this sucker!

[@maxwellnelson231]

How did you attach the laser to the boom!? i love this idea

[@beauxtx1959]

FINALLY!! A great vid that shows how to grade. Stick in, boom up. YES! New operator here. Thanks so much!

[@Ghostrider2999]

Hey, liking these little tricks and the way you explain, not to many out there will show people, some new tricks and ideas to try. Thanks and keep it up.

[@OSHomestead]

I appreciate that you are explaining what you’re doing and showing different ways to do it. Earned another subscriber. Thank you!

[@Andrius-K]

My first day grading was a disaster but its getting better :) Well done Ninja !!

[@dilbertbiggen3583]

And Ka As my grandpa would say. "The pro's started as rookies too"

[@MrEdelong]

Nice video I would like to see the video of how you go about setting up your laser too everyone has there own way and I'm always open to hearing of new processes to go about it and always willing to learn faster and or simpler ways... Also if you have any ideas or just how you go about it if you don't have a tilt attachment on a machine I'm always fighting that. Also even though u have your tilt how do you know when it's level or not? Good videos btw.

[@semicabin]

I've been trying to grade out 30ton of crushed rock over the weekend and I failed dismally, I've done 10hr all up on a machine so jumped into the hardest thing to do- you're a great operator, going to try and do the bucket movements you show tomorrow.thx for vid

[@christopherkennedy314]

Hey man thanx alot for doing this vid.I just passed my ticket and have very little experiance on machines but have always been very interested since i was a lil kid.Watching this vid has defo helped me to understand a lil more of the basics of grading.Kind regards from Scotland.

[@jon2683032009]

Nice one I've been doing a digger course for the last few days and having never been in one before told to have a go at doing this with no instructions. That 90degree thing is so obvious but I hadn't realised that was how it works awesome

[@yvindmathiassen7617]

I´d like to get some tips on how to start planning a dig on an uneven, untouched pice of land. With trees, dirt, rocks and every aspect of it. Maybe you could do a whole series on a start to finish on a project. That would be useful, interesting and fun to watch. Thanks

[@derke123]

you are an absolute gem for making these videos thank you kindly!

[@MrLocomoconomo]

Nice vid, love the ditching bucket/knuckle combo. Pay no attention to the trolls, they suck, they know it, and anger will kill them eventually. Nice smooth operation. Very good tip regarding sightlines and partial bucket fill. Wish more operators understood that. Nice tip for noobs regarding boom/dipperstick angle relationship.

[@stacksoncummins06]

This was an awesome video. Keep up the great work. I have operated many different brands of excavations and Bobcat is the best. I have a x331 with around 4000hrs.

[@theg6433]

In Permaculture they need a lot of swale work on contour, 2' deep x 6' wide, to slow the water down on the property. There is also dam and pond construction as well. Can you show this type of grading for water catchment swales? Angle Tilt bucket is awesome.

[@earthpig5385]

Love watching your videos. I find them informative and very helpful. A lot of ppl don't want to share there knowledge, hats off to you for doing so.

[@rhinotrikes]

I've just started sorting our small trading estate with a Lewis, trying to grade today using the front bucket. Now I know why I was getting nowhere fast. Thanks for the info.

[@E3CB]

Nice! I was wondering how it is done and you explained it perfectly! Thank you!

[@brendandarcy8417]

this is a good video keep making them mate every tip helps

[@drewd7824]

Amazing. Just bought my first excavator and trying to learn how to grade. What lazer system and boom attachment and lazer reader are you using!??

[@johngoldman9623]

Great video. Have no experience with excavating and planning on putting a garage on a hillside. Would be great to see you carve out a flat area with cut and fill then grade the whole thing. I've been told a pro could do my job in a couple of days. I'm going to allow at least a week. Going to get a quote from a local excavator as well as a backup plan.

[@colrad0710]

you guys do great work and you are an excellent operator. pay no attention to the negative comments i'll guarantee those guys are complete hacks. keep up the great work and videos

[@BenjaminButton6573]

This guy the real deal

[@fhmchris6553]

What surveying? equipment is that you were using ? I'd like to know how to calibrate it to know where the bucket is when the receiver is up to with the LED's..

[@chrisjames7603]

What kind of stone are you using? Using it for a base for pavers? Thanks much

[@andrevernon4627]

I really enjoy your videos. I am very impressed with your skill. You must have grown up on a machine. I just bought a new mini excavator, a Kubota KX91, and I am trying to learn how to operate it. I only have a regular 24 inch bucket. After watching this video, I am now thinking that I should have an angle bucket too. It is expensive though.

[@beckyrieger9895]

very proficient, ive been operating for a year now, mainly septic test pits and flail mowing. currently running a kubota u25, ive ordered a bobcat E42 to expand into some bigger jobs like house cuts and site clearing. do you have a house cut video

[@JasonCulleyReignSports]

learning grading this week. thanks for the video, ill be watching everything you do. cheers

[@DirtNinja]

@AlwaysDigging16 You could do a large drop like you said, it would just have to be over a long distance.

[@chevydirtjumper]

I do not own a laser, but after watching a few of your videos would you mind showing a video as to how to set up a laser, and where to set it up, because how do you know where to put it so where your grading should be at the right height.

[@jamesswain2923]

How much for the lazer the whole system. Thanks. Great vid

[@nltkb1]

I dig for archaeology and we gota be precise ,this guy can operate 👍

[@j.p.bequipment9104]

What kind of laser level do you use and how do you attach it to your machine

[@cmlinney]

You're slick.. thats a great bucket for grading. Its huge.

[@soldierofdirt81]

Awesome video, is that laser a dual plane laser? I use a topcon dual plane laser to construct oilfield pads and they are worth their weight in gold in production, man hours and many other ways.

[@tvra5429]

Do you ever use the bottom of your bucket and slide it across the surface to give it more compaction when you grade?

[@DirtNinja]

Yes depending on what I am doing

[@dirtzilla500]

how did u make a level pad to work from, with skid steer ?

[@vulcan_nz]

this is how we were taught to do it in digger school here in NZ too . :) were using laser level equipment too.

[@DirtNinja]

Nice!

[@slayer646464]

put the bottom of your bucket flat, you got a bunch of little hills there, when the compactor rides over that, it's gonna turn into hills because the material was so loose in some places and not in others.

[@greaterthan50]

You are amazing!! You know what would be cool?! A still at the end of the completed project.

[@jasonp7692]

Everyone's already said it, but I'll echo it. Good tips. Liked, subscribed.

[@Lanix5150]

love the vid... thank you. Possible to see a dig for a new driveway/path into a steep grade?

[@anthonyspadaro8556]

Great video!!!Can you show some back filling jobs?Thanks!!

[@DirtNinja]

@NickLarsen20 I don't give away all the secrets! haha. But since you asked...The laser is set for 2" higher than its supposed to be just for that reason.

[@master_vator]

well its clear you werent drinkin the night before, no shakes for you haha, very slick man, props

[@jarrodwoon2508]

Any easier ways to trench, bench and fill back in then grade to put in pipes??

[@aaronburford5701]

Great video and commentary!

[@dieselfunk65]

Very good video, good advice, and great commentary, I really enjoyed watching, I hope that you make more like it.

[@JoseGonzalez-de9zy]

I wish we can have at list one operator with the experience that you have Or at least grade checker but is hard the get both

[@timfagan816]

we had a few machines, working the same site, at once. with lasers set up. we was grading a small back road. all our heights started out great, then went to shit. turns out it was the flashing becon lights on the machines, knocking the lasers out of whack. anyone else had this problem?

[@tomo7T1]

Yep it happened to us on a site. My Boss smashed the lights with a hammer in a fit of rage.. once we figured out what the problem was.😂😂😂

[@DirtNinja]

@Alprofight Haven't tried an E35 but we still love our E50, no complaints so far. Bobcats new machines seam to be great machines.

[@kawaboga]

Very good video. I have a question, Im looking to buy a magnetic receiver on my kx-040-4 and im wondering if i should buy one with tilt and plumb indicator or even angle compensation ? Does it really make a huge difference if im not always exactly the same ? I hesitate between topcon ls-b10 (600$), futtura mcr2 (2000$) and mcr3 (2500$) but I don't want to spend 1500$ more for something I don't really need in the first place.

[@DirtNinja]

You wont need the really expensive ones unless you need to be extremely precise.

[@DirtNinja]

@MrEdelong Ill get one up on setting the laser in the next few weeks. There is no way to really know of the tilt is level, I guess I just have an eye for it.

[@jamesgoddard8375]

Nice work. I had a go for the first time grading with a digger, have to say I got better as the day went on but u wish id seen this first. Had a lot of fun on it though.

[@newzealandearthmover4008]

I have been using the boom receiver lately too (just got it) but is really hard to find the exact same spot everytime! when i check it over with the receiver on the staff it seems pretty good :) just practice using it i guess :)

[@Welsh360excavations-Davies]

Why don’t you put a bracket to take the receiver on the bucket, you would be able to check at longer strokes of the arm ???

[@ansaribaksh1973]

Love the precise handling bro. So many questions... if you need to add an inch, do you use the machine? Can the dozer blade be used to grade as well? I'm considering investing in a used mini excavator, what advice can you give me on brands and attachments etc?

[@DirtNinja]

Spreading so its flat and spreading it with a 2% pitch are two totally different things.I use the laser to set pitches.

[@thequattro20v]

Is that a spectra receiver you are using? We don't have picth on our laser but i would still like to try it.

[@beaverone3837]

Id love to see a video doing the same thing but with levelling off bricks and uncrushed concrete please.

[@dgc9198]

so how do you set the laser. Theres no grade rod to take your bench mark and then adjust the foot of the rod to be at the depth your trying to excavate to. Do you just slide the receiver up or down the arm of the excavator?

[@DirtNinja]

+DGC Do a search for a video of mine called "How To: Set Up A Laser Level With A Pitch - Part 2 " Watch that I explain how to use the laser mount on the excavator.

[@ceribaldwin8555]

Can you do a video on battering ??

[@luisarevalo8394]

Could anybody explain what lasers he is using and how he has them set up

[@DirtNinja]

@AlwaysDigging16 Yup, I use it all the time to do that.

[@bonecrusherneal655]

Wow amazing video bro 😍

[@TheMidnightKawboy]

Great video mate and very smooth operation! Do you allow for compaction when you set the laser or do you set it to `dead bone`?

[@b.lemire7453]

Just curious, do they make an excavator that auto-levels the bucket for grading? (That probably takes all the fun out of it though!)

[@DirtNinja]

B. Lemire No they dont. It would be very hard because the machine is not always sitting level.

[@MrMrvandeweyer]

Hyundai is working on a self grading system, but they cant get it on point..

[@DirtNinja]

@Bonjon949 Full throttle nearly all the time. Gives you the most power and control.

[@SuperSlick501]

that's pretty cool ive never seen a person do it that way usually do it with two people

[@jackreese4776]

Can you still do a grading job like this with a smaller excavator, like say a bobcat 325, or something around 6 or 7k lbs?

[@9020Productions]

You can grade with small machines, you just gotta go a bit more easy, and dont have the same reach

[@Creative572]

What is that Material your grading with?

[@Dirtnsnow22]

Great Video! Keep them coming. What laser system do you use?

[@deniskissane4197]

hi there, im from ireland and that is lovely work keep it up, Denis.

[@DirtNinja]

Thanks!

[@newagelandscaping4949]

Do you ever grade with a bobcat?? Skidsteer If so how would you do it with the laser level to keep grade. We are a small young landscaping company starting out in hardscaping just wondering any help would be helpful thx for the video

[@DirtNinja]

Yes I do. But there really isnt a way to attach the receiver to the skid. I just set up the grade rod and get out of the machine and check

[@mikesystem01]

what model is that level ??? i have looked on topcon website but cant find it thanks BobcatNinja2124

[@antpoo]

Hi Great videos very informative. I am involved in demolition but would love to move into site works. Levelling the block, preparing pad, digging footings, and storm water drains etc . I will sign up to your account now but everything you can put up regarding siteworks would be greatly appreciated. Keep it up.

[@emd40277]

Just curious, say I'm re rocking a parking lot and I'm using a mini - hoe to do the job, is it a good idea to back drag with the blade after grading with the bucket? Also how the freak do I get rid if all the whoop-de-do's from the ground not being flat to begin with?

[@timtom7753]

if you can grade as good as the dirt ninja then there is no need to back drag it. it will end up making your grade too low.

[@ayeayroncali6977]

+Phil Binder what back dragging

[@ridgerider7402]

Great video. Subbed. Always a school day 👍

[@seamustuohy3558]

lovely smooth operating, great job.

[@pjs5191]

Love your videos. The landscaper I am working for has some smaller patios and hardscape stuff that we get into every once in awhile but you seem to do huge patios and hardscape stuff pretty regularly. This is the kind of stuff I want to learn more about. You guys have quite a bit of work lined up yet this year before the winter hits?

[@neilthedigger]

Nice video mate,you are well smooth on the Bobcat :-)

[@chucky_gg]

Hey Ninja, first nice videos! :) What about grading with an old excavator? I have an old 8 tonne mobile excavator and grading with this machine isnt so good like you do. The hydraulic isnt so smooth and i dont realy know if i should grade without power or with full machine power on? Would be nice to know or maybe to see you on an old excavator, my is over 20 years old. (Schaeff HML30e)

[@slicksloth_416]

I find grading with a tooth bucket troublesome, especially if your grading gravel or base.

[@themanfromdelmonte9316]

iQS4L u only grade topsoil / peat etc or larger grade stone with toothed bucket

[@jasoncrowley2060]

your 2 stupid man!!!

[@richarddockstader6272]

Where did you buy your laser system at?

[@gregjohnson4368]

Great video. Hope I get that good with my old 430

[@KeithWBales]

Rocking some Ozzy!

[@DirtNinja]

NH, and yes we do depending on size

[@aaronburford5701]

Great information!

[@AlwaysDigging16]

@BobcatNinja2124 So say you wanted to start the ditch at 3ft deep and end up at 9ft deep is that possible or is it just for small grades like a drainage ditch where you just wanted a 3 percent grade the whole way down the ditch?

[@mikefoster8144]

Ozzy! Only music to Listen to while operating

[@kapperoutdoors]

excellent video, thanks!

[@johnsnow6022]

Wow nice job brotha

[@XxnosmanXx]

Thanks for sharing, I'm in school taking heavy equipment operator certification. This is a great tip and idea for grading. What seems simple to you is very hard for a newbie like myself. Any tricks and tips are greatly appreciated

[@punkwithahammer3715]

What kind of laser level is being used?

[@EdirtySicks]

What's your rate and where are you located :p

[@johnathancasey4818]

I used to find grading off easier with full stretch.done a job in the past with a 4 meter steel welded to a hanix 7 tonne..and worked fucking awsome.when ever I had time I would allways practise keeping it 3 inches off the floor.full stretch to touching track...