Harbor Freight trencher-16 year review

[@TSRGarage]

Excellent. A review thats actually a review, not the usual KZbin "I took it out of the box it's great". I remember coupons you could actually use, those where the days

[@NaterTater01]

Yeah, I miss those days. When they first started they sold full size metal lathes. I remember the display they had for sale, super cheap and I passed it up.

[@kevinroberts9394]

I think the biggest defect is the multi peice pins in the boom. It will start getting sloppy and you will think something is flat wore out but it is just a pin came appart

[@coty397]

I use mine as a tractor attachment and love it

[@NaterTater01]

That's how I usually move it around the property

[@williamcunningham1448]

I have had mine for just about 6 months now and my 2 biggest issues are the side to side pivot bearings arent the best quality. Went through 2 set from factory parts and both set gone in about 30 hours of use. Next time I am buying USA brand bearings and going oversize on the pin. The second issue is access for most lube points, adding flex hoses and routing as many grease lines (1/4 copper) to a common place on the booms. Drill out those ball style grease points on the pins and drill and tap for 1/4-28 fittings. Other than that this thing was a wel spent $3200 with shipping included. I can lift 400 lb creosote cross ties at full extension with ease.

[@raydall3734]

Had mine about as long. First thing I did was replace the motor with a bigger one with an electric start. Bearings wore out on the boom, over than that I've had no issues.

[@NaterTater01]

That's awesome, I thought about adding a starter and battery to mine. It's really quite amazing that the original Robin engine still runs with no problems after all these years, never took the carb off once yet!

[@aaronpasteris7816]

Thanks for the info I want to get one to dig out some stumps - renting an excavator isn’t an option because where i live you need an operator license to rent. I have a couple of 20" stumps but most are under 16" Slow is fine since it will still be faster than a shovel and a come-along

[@NaterTater01]

Yeah, absolutely. It should work fine for that. If you go to curl the bucket and it stops from the pressure, just move out a little from the stump so you don't break anything.

[@gravitationaleddie5611]

Guy in Australia digs opals with this... He runs hydraulic hoses down into the mine. no noise no heat. Grubs the room in an hour.

[@NaterTater01]

That's awesome!

[@3sparewashers-lg3gf]

Nice video! If you had to choose between this and an old industrial backhoe, what would your choice be?

[@NaterTater01]

Thanks! Definitely the backhoe depending on size and price. If I don't have a truck big enough to haul it with then I might go with the trencher. I want to add some hydraulic motors to it later on so it's easier to move around. That will come after I finish the backhoe I'm working on.

[@JamesThomas-kx5sj]

Own this but rent an excavator when it's absolutely necessary. Heavy equipment maintenance is a pain in the butt.

[@MyLifeThai371]

I own a 1970 Case 580CK backhoe. I have $7500 into it already. It has been broke down in my yard since 2013. It leaks 10 gal. Transmission fluid out of the flywheel housing each night. Cheapest hyd. Oil at runnings is $55 for a 5 gal. Bucket. The engine and transmission are 1 solid piece and the loader is part of the frame. I do not have any equipment big enough to split the tractor on my lawn. Something to think about. For water lines in my area they have to be buried 8ft deep, because of frost. A person should really have something that digs 9 ft. They do have 3pt. Tractor backhoes that dig 9ft, but they are also very heavy and leak hyd. Fluid from every cylinder. Backhoe attachment for a skid steer does not dig very deep. I still don't know what is most feasible. Probably use the harbor freight for small jobs and rent a mini excavator 12,000lbs. For water line repairs. My buddy paid $300-$600 to rent one for the day.

[@freeidaho-videos]

I patiently listened all the way to end, expecting you would operate it for us. Then we could see the speed, digging capability, moving itself along the ground, swing, reach, etc. Without that this video is a C- Additionally telling us how much they cost now would be a good thing, and where they have changed for good or bad.

[@medina3420]

16 YEARS?! if it makes it 5 I'M SOLD. wow that's awesome. But I got the Northern Tools Nortrac 15 hp 3 complete package.

[@woodzyfox4735]

Wish i had one. But if i did, Id merge it with a lawnmower so i can drive it around! Like, cut a lawnmower inhalf and weld/bolt things together :)

[@NaterTater01]

You read my mind. Lol

[@woodzyfox4735]

@@NaterTater01 next video :D?

[@NaterTater01]

@@woodzyfox4735 after I finish my backhoe.

[@CerebralAilment]

Nice review! Gotta put it to work tho - review videos without any action are no fun

[@NaterTater01]

Absolutely no fun. Check out my other videos!

[@integr8er66]

My thought is this is fine in sandy soil or good black dirt, but where I live it simply wouldn't dig, I used to have a tarramite and it just really wouldn't do the job, not enough weight.

[@NaterTater01]

Yeah, where my dad lives it's got pretty tough clay, but once you break through the first 2 feet it's not bad.

[@ericjohnson9080]

How does that ripper work?

[@NaterTater01]

It works awesome. I had to do a slight modification to the trencher to get it to fit. I have a video on getting it fitted and using it. I'll put them in a playlist later on.

[@kerrystrunk3194]

better off buying the nor trac machine, already has a bigger motor only has 2 sticks more like operating a regular back -hoe , better machine and right now there the same price as the HF unit !

[@MyLifeThai371]

Nor Trac is $3500 right now on the Northern Tool website. Harbor Freight is at $3000 on their website right now.

[@Rob-sr9rj]

Thanks for the vidja

[@NaterTater01]

You're welcome