Takeuchi TL8R2 Finish Grading With The Preparator

Takeuchi TL8R2 finish grading with the preparator. Back at the pool job and we got two loads of dirt on site. I brought the TL8R2 today because my loader was at Diamond Grove Adventures. We have rain coming in tonight and as soft as this site is if I didn't get it done today it would be a few weeks before I could finish it. I am very impressed with the TL8R2 it's a powerful quick machine that made short work of the piles and ran the preparator with ease. Thanks for watching! #EliteEarthworks #Takeuchi #TL8R2

[@pennyneal2456]

That preparator sure beats manually raking. Wow!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yes it does! I use to hand rake every yard I did so I was happy when I finally got this 😁

[@chargermopar]

Hope you do get paid quick for converting that disaster into a yard again! It is always interesting to see how much those infill jobs settle over time.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

He said it’s on its way 😁 I’m curious too how much it settles. I’ll keep checking back

[@capitalstumps3487]

Great video man! I’m considering selling my bobcat t595 and I was considering the tl8r2. Seems like they made some decent upgrades from the tl8. Have any negative feedback on it? I know your video says it’s over 9k but their website has it mid 8’s I believe. Thanks !

[@eliteearthworksllc]

The 8R2 are awesome! This is my dads machine he got it for $65k last October the 12’s are in the $90k now but the 8’s may still be around $70k

[@jerrybillings4720]

When you're leveling a yard that's fairly flat do you always have to bring in topsoil?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Not always I do most of the time just because our soil is so rocky

[@aaronburford5701]

Rewatched! Question what made you use the prep element?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

I use it when I’m finishing dirt for grass seed

[@jwalsh037]

Did the Ol' man let you be the first to scratch the bucket? Looks like the price tag is still hanging off that thing.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

🤣 he scratched it once before I did

[@DigginLife21]

🔥🔥🔥 FINE JOB MY BROTHER 💪💪💪

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks man! 👊🏼

[@johnmattu7262]

Turned out real nice! I got to give it to you, you're the best fine grade operator on a track loader on the Tube, that I've seen. Might take you awhile to get from A to B, but be assured you'll arrive in style, nice work.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Well thank you! I appreciate that! That’s more of what I’m concerned about is quality not time. Appreciate the comment

[@jcmathisiii6432]

That'd be some expensive dirt here in north GA

[@eliteearthworksllc]

It was pretty decent stuff just really wet

[@daniele.woodhead1218]

Another fantastic 5 ⭐ job God bless yah from South Carolina viewer

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@domenicmanfredi8202]

Can you load a tandem with a tl8?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yes it reaches no problem

[@ski7470]

How deep does the preparator loosen the soil?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

When it’s new probably 4”-5” cause the tines are long and you can adjust the shoes up. I’ve had it for 10 years and the tines are really worn down so I would say maybe 2” now. I really just use it on the finish passes anymore

[@KGSHEAMASONRY]

Miss my TL8 I bought a TB 250 excavator but I’ll get another skid steer again either a TL8 or a 10 but that was a good little machine

[@eliteearthworksllc]

I would get the TL8R2 if it’s anytime soon. They are in the process of reworking the 10 cause it’s under powered right now. They put the same engine out of the 8 in it with the frame of the 12

[@lovejcdc]

Great video Brandon, I know you said they are planning on putting a deck on the back of the house there but I don't think they will have much success with it if that ground is pumping so much. I would imagine the heave and drop with the changes in the seasons will wreak havoc lol

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! That is for sure, or they will need to go back and dig it out and add some nice clay. Then compact in lifts lol! Job security 😁

[@mountainlion7051]

Can you Float the bucket in the machine?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

You can I don’t ever do it though

[@mountainlion7051]

@@eliteearthworksllc Thanks for your response.

[@pjs5191]

It was amazing how quiet it was especially when the camera was on the outside. I bet inside the cab it’s that much better. Nice work Brandon, what a difference from the pool’s mess at the beginning of all this to the finished product.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

It is really quiet I was surprised and yes the cab is really nice. Thanks man it cleaned up nice. Appreciate you watching

[@aaronburford5701]

Rewatched, one of my favs!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Appreciate that!

[@aaronburford5701]

@@eliteearthworksllc been a while sir... I need some updates grading videos and/or skid steer driveway stuff! Anything from your channel will do!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@aaronburford5701 yeah hopefully I can get some videos out soon. We’ve had 12” plus inches of rain here in the last week so everything is a muddy mess and haven’t been able to do much.

[@aaronburford5701]

@@eliteearthworksllc I understand... Looking forward to you hitting it hard when you can. I am sure that will give you alot of interesting work to be done! Be safe..

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@aaronburford5701 I think so. I’ve been looking at several more jobs. Few more basements and tearing down a few houses too

[@dansevern3291]

That TL8 looks (on video at least) to be a lot shorter "tracks on the ground" than yours, and like it would be harder to grade with than yours, (for people like me, who don't have your skill level.) (Well, you answered that, that's what I get for asking while watching.)

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yes it’s quite a bit shorter and definitely makes it tricky on grading. Mine is probably a foot longer so it’s a big difference

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Dan… my baby back hoe is 2’ shorter than that… leveling requires a whole different approach than Brandon uses…. And at least 3 times more passes. You can’t level going forward. The tires are too small and the tractor dips when it loads with dirt. You have to level in reverse . It took me a year to get the hang of it! Even though I’d have to develop a whole new skill set…. I’d sure like to try it in that TL8.

[@dansevern3291]

@@sassafrasvalley1939 You're a quicker study than me, then, I can "rough level" going forward on one compact tractor, but I've been using that same tractor for 12 years now, I can't do that with either of the others, and I still have to back drag to get it looking about 1/3 as good as Brandon does on the first try.

[@Dirtdaddy953]

Great job again! I like that TL8, does it have enough 🍒's to handle your Diamond brush hog?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! Oh yeah it will run the Diamond mower it’s just a few gpm less than mine. It’s got a great sized pump in it. Appreciate you watching

[@Dirtdaddy953]

@@eliteearthworksllc Guess it handles the weight as well?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@Dirtdaddy953 yes I think it will lift close to 4000lbs

[@aaronburford5701]

Great camera view, love seeing the material being spread and packed down with the skid steer. Love the skid steer usage..... This is really instant gratification for me, watching and seeing the ground transform immediately. Really excited about the preparator usage as well. That just makes it all worth while. And then this is and Elite video where the content is the BEST! Liked and Rewatched.... already subscribed.... ( I am really not crazy, I just LOVE watching and listening things that relax my mind!)😊

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! I agree finishing dirt and the preparator are fun to watch and make a great before and after

[@Jewalston]

How do you think the 8 will run a drum mulcher?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

It would run one fine but will probably bog down easier.

[@Jewalston]

@@eliteearthworksllc I'm sure. Lot of difference in 33 Hi-Flow and 40, plus 36 HP.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@Jewalston yeah I know they gear the mulchers a little differently for whatever machine it’s going on but I’m sure there is still a difference in the two sizes

[@junehunk1]

Very nice job Sir,hope you get to go back so we can see how much it did settle.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! I will if nothing else I’ll go by cause I’m curious too how much it will settle.

[@richwielechowski5191]

Would it work to broadcast grass seed and then run over it with the power rake to work it in the ground? Seems like that would be a quick way to get some seed down this late in the year. Looking good, thanks for sharing.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

You could you just have to be careful to just lightly do it or you pull all the seed to one end. I learned the hard way one year 😏🤣

[@richwielechowski5191]

@@eliteearthworksllc Brandon, thanks for the info. Experience is the best teacher.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@richwielechowski5191 you’re welcome 👍🏻

[@chasebodiford4363]

great job buddy and great video as always buddy 😎👊🏻👍🏻 how do you like that machine

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks man

[@royceabbottsexcavation3709]

Nice work. Next stop is the bank!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks! Lol it’s dads I can steal it any time 😁 but I do want a new 12!

[@larrykeenan598]

It sounds as if they didn't think the project thru. The shed and pad should have been removed when the pool was taken out.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

I agree! I tried to get them too before but I guess they agree it looks out of place lol

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

That came out tolerably good! My uncle considered that the highest level of praise one could get…. So that’s what he gave! We ought to have a contest to see how much that pool is going to settle over next year. I’m going for 6” in the deep end and half that in the shallow. I mean, a 3’ deep trench that is tracked in will settle 3”… and, it can’t spread out. What think, you? I got all the leaves vacuumed yesterday. There twice as many in the ground today than what I started with! That 1/2” of rain and the wind. Last night, put leaf fall into high gear! I have a fall color video coming out in the morning… one more day and I’d have missed it! Did you get finished with the parking blocks and the flagpole?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Lol that’s great! We should have a contest that’s a good idea! I’m betting you are right at least 6” 😁 oh nice yeah they change quick and yes the wind didn’t help things. The tree in my backyard is almost bare and it just changed Tuesday 🤣🤣 No I’m going back tomorrow after I dig a footing to work on the bumpers hopefully I will get them done 🤞🏻😁

[@jayrosenberg3646]

For the work you do, would a TL12 be worth the extra money? BTW, the preparator does a great job.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yeah my 250 is the size of a 12. I plan on buying a TL12R2 in another year. Thank you! It does leave a great finish

[@terryrogers1025]

Nice finish. Look forward to your channel content. Thanks

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@mikenixon9164]

Looks good from my house. Good video.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks sir 😁

[@SUROBLEDEKchannel]

Great video

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you!

[@AllstarVentures]

Looks good ! Preperator looks like a nice tools to have in the arsenal

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! Yes it is it’s a great attachment for finish work

[@twhigday]

I’ve seen your comparison video of a Harley Rake vs The Preperator. If you had neither and were purchasing which one of the two would you get as of today? Appreciate all the content!!!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@twhigday if it was more finish work I would get the preparator but it your trying to tear up existing grass and loosen soil the harley rake is probably. I still prefer the preparator it leaves a nicer finish

[@twhigday]

Thanks for the info!!!

[@andyhenson4554]

Brandon, you should try the rake n ator! You can shape grade and loosen soil all at once and no maintenance! Great attachment! I had a soil condition and won't use it any more....

[@eliteearthworksllc]

I’ll have to check it out. I’ve never heard of one. Thanks

[@samschneider7473]

You have the “Tak touch”. Looks like a good seed bed. The TL8R2 is a rockstar.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks man! That is an awesome machine you guys have! 👍🏻👊🏼

[@stephenkeefer3436]

Wow ! That preparator sure leaves a sweet finish. Very fine finish to a great job .

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks! Yes it does I love the finish it leaves

[@DC-1]

First!!! 🇺🇸👍

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Nice! 👊🏼

[@brianherron5400]

That machine doesn't look that old. Have a great evening 👍

[@eliteearthworksllc]

It’s brand new I think it has 15 hours on. Thank you! You too!

[@timmymalone5444]

The check is in the mail.😂 Looking good now.🙏

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks! 😁 I hope it is

[@josephdriscoll8527]

I like how the preparator finished the soil, even if you have later settle this is nice

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Me too! It leaves a great finish

[@ronaldheit196]

That contraption you used at the end to groom the soil is a galaxy away better than a standard Harley rake. No roots, rocks or other debris left behind like you'll often see with many types of open ended Harley rakes. Yours obviously has a hopper debris accumulates in to be dumped where it can be picked up and disposed properly.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yeah the preparator is great it’s geared more towards finish work and the bucket on the back of it is nice for picking up rocks and debris. I’ve had it since 2011 it’s been a great attachment

[@ronaldheit196]

@@eliteearthworksllc. I've watched Mike DP and Chris Letsdig18 use Harley rakes and they didn't impress me at all. The leave behind way to much debris. To be, finished grade should be just that. Leveled, graded and clean if all debris ready to be built on. If I had it to do my life over again I'd have loved to have your profession as mine. It has to be a whole lot stressful than mine has been. You don't have to put up with drunk jackasses asking what your doing in that Jukebox or when you're going to finish fixing a pool table. You can't imagine how many times I had to restrain myself from knocking someone's teeth in when they'd "try" to help me unasked and usually screw something up. Including blowing amps when they'd cut speaker wires because they didn't want the music in a packed bar bothering them. I actually witnessed it happen. That took serious restraint when all of a sudden half the bar went audio dead and my party night was ruined as I had to go to the shop and get a fresh amp to repair said jukebox and the jackass had left because the jukebox quit. Down in the Florida Keys that'll empty a bar in less than half an hour pissing off management. In that case the offender got barred for 2 months which is pure torture down there if it's your favorite "watering hole".

[@batterpm11]

Have you noticed on that TL8 if when the arms all the way down against the machine the back of the bucket contacts the ground a couple inches before the front? My TL8 is like that, seems to me like the bucket should be parallel to the ground when the arms are all the way down…..if any of that makes sense lol

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Your tracks are probably worn down. That will lower the height of the machine and the back of the bucket will hit first. I learned after the second set of tracks I put on mine lol

[@batterpm11]

@@eliteearthworksllc that’s what I’ve heard from others as well but the machine only has 280hrs.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yeah you don’t need tracks yet lol. That is weird

[@GMCRanch]

Is the preperator like a fine tooth Harley rake with a larger drum? Looks like it leaves as nice if not nicer of a finish. Thinking about what attachment to rent to re do/level my lawn if I ever get time.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yes it’s similar to a harley rake. It has skinny steel tines on the drum. It’s more for finish work. It will also collect rocks in the bucket on the bad. The harley rake is good for ripping up existing yards and loosening soil but the preparator leaves a nicer finish

[@GMCRanch]

@@eliteearthworksllc ok that makes sense. Like a finisher and a sweeper all in one. I'm gonna have to see if the rental places have one around here. Sounds like what I need. My yard is most likely an old river bed. Thin topsoil but mostly sand and river rock of various sizes. Like trying to grow grass in the desert

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@GMCRanch oh man. Good luck if they do and you have any questions just hit me up on Instagram. You can adjust the shoes on the side if you want the drum to go deeper in the soil. I can try to walk you through that

[@sargentslaughter3509]

That looks like a great machine to operate, how much difference is there between it and your loader ?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

It’s an awesome machine! It’s just a little smaller. The TL8 is 9200lbs and 74 horsepower and my 250 is 12,500lbs and 105 horsepower. So there is a far bit of difference in them but both are great machines

[@sargentslaughter3509]

@@eliteearthworksllc I got it

[@donaldtrabeaux5235]

Looking awesome great work Brandon

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you!

[@blackdogexcavator21]

Probably pretty tough to run the preparator on wet soil, but at least it wasn't dusty. That TL8 is a really nice machine. I've got about 230 hrs on mine and love it. It's quick and the controls are really smooth and responsive. Backing up with the camera isn't easy though, especially if the sun is shining on it. Nice job on the pool disaster.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yeah it gums up bad or just bounces. That’s awesome! Yeah that camera takes some getting use to. I gave up on trying to use cause I think I back up worse 🤣

[@blackdogexcavator21]

@@eliteearthworksllc I mainly just use mine to make sure no one walks up behind me.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@blackdogexcavator21 it’s great for that

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks!

[@dennis2376]

Have a great week.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! You as well!

[@wadewilson5296]

Got it looking good!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks man

[@chrisgarland9381]

We bought our TL8R2 about 5 weeks ago. We love it

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Nice! They are a great machine! Tons of power and quick

[@chrisgarland9381]

@@eliteearthworksllc it pairs with our TB240 just lovely. 😂

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@chrisgarland9381 it does that’s a great combo!

[@kidhenderson8260]

Looks great.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you!

[@CaptKirk1701]

Looks great!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thanks buddy!

[@131dyana]

Nice job.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you!

[@garybritt1209]

Looks great!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you!

[@johnpinner1]

Great job

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you!

[@lakepinesfarm1394]

Nice job! The 8 is a very capable machine. What do you think fuel usage is per hour compared to the newer 12?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! I would say almost half. The 12 uses 3-5 gallons an hour depending on what you are doing and the 8 is maybe 2-3

[@lakepinesfarm1394]

@@eliteearthworksllc Crazy. I got a old 80 hp dozer like mr frank. May use 1.5 gallons an hour?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@lakepinesfarm1394 yeah it’s nuts they need so much more fuel with the emissions now. My 250 might burn 2 gallons an hour. I’ll burn 15 in a good day and the new 12’s burn around 30

[@lakepinesfarm1394]

@@eliteearthworksllc I’d be hard pressed to go to an emission machine. Pre emission equipment is holding value really good!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@lakepinesfarm1394 I agree and yes it is. I know eventually I’ll have to have one but I’m waiting as long as possible

[@aaronburford5701]

That looks amazing! Elite is the BEST at grading hands down... you contijhe ti AMAZE!

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! Always appreciate your comments 👍🏻

[@aaronburford5701]

@@eliteearthworksllc You deserve it sir.... your work is exceptional in every video!

[@sonnyblazer5504]

WOW! Look at the difference (and know it was done properly!) Nice job all the way around for someone! Preparator a MUST! Also, I find it good to switch off machines/vehicles occasionally cuz you would quickly feel or hear something that might be off where if it's yours, a problem may come on so slowly YOU don't realize it (if you follow?) Lookin sweet! Thanks. Sonny

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Thank you! Yeah it’s a big change from what it was. That Mayes sense on changing up machines too 😁👍🏻

[@ColtonLloyd]

New skid steer or rental?

[@eliteearthworksllc]

It’s my dads mine was on another job