How to Operate a Mini Excavator - Advanced // Heavy Equipment Operator

For those heavy equipment operators, this is a follow-up to our popular “How to Operate a Mini Excavator” video. We will go over the basics of trenching, blade placement, pivot points and thumb control in our Komatsu PC-35 mini excavator. Have a question/comment? Leave them below!
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Original How to Operate a Mini Excavator video ➡️ bit.ly/2Q9KeCp
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[@m.cooper1854]

I really appreciate the "tooth" or "rake" exercise you demonstrated which requires learning the coordination of three simultaneous hydraulic cylinders. Experienced operators make it look so simple to dig a trench at a consistent depth, but it takes a good deal of stick time to get the hang of it with a smooth range of movement. Please do more videos like these. And greetings from central Ontario, Canada!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Awesome to hear that feedback....thanks!

[@arlingtonguy54]

I work on trails in the forest in Western North Carolina with a Bobcat E10. I use those techniques at the end of the video all day, sometimes on very steep and rocky terrain. The blade is always downhill and I use the bucket to prevent tipping downhill. Sometimes I use the bucket to pull myself up a steep slope or use it to push myself up. It’s always an adventure.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

That makes sense...thanks for the comment!

[@davidwillems-g1d]

Just bought a kubota KX057-4. These videos are so helpful! Keep them coming. Thanks from NS Canada

[@Spankybanker]

Im 22 years old, started out waterproofingand laying pipe 5 years ago now i do demo. Nobody ever taught me how to run minis i just jumped in and taught myself. Went from running bobcat e35s to running 1990s CAT 235/245 Much slower but i love running older machines

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

best way to learn

[@jonathanbartsch9728]

Had a mini 11 years and I still keep learning. Thanks bro. Jonathan

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@montezmarrow186]

Im bout to finish a heavy equipment operator class at a community college this week. the last 2 weeks we spend time at a place called Carolina sunrock in burner NC to get seat time on they equipment. to make a long story short they watch how I use they equipment and like how I did. they offering me a job now. thanks for the video man it very very helpful

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

That’s awesome...congrats! Thanks for the comment!

[@dungeondark]

Pull that bucket in and lower the boom to where you can see the top when traveling because tree limbs will rip hoses right off.

[@tawfikmkhbeis]

thank you so much for your time in teaching us to operate the types of equipment

[@rebeccagonzales3609]

Great narrative to the skills set.

[@johnbarham7718]

What a helpful sensible video for a home owner with a 3 tonne machine (me)

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mohammedmandjoutoure9235]

Thank you, teacher I really appreciate your hard work for us as the career lovers

[@MrAbsentdriver]

I have been operating for over 20 years for ten hours a day. I am very knowledgeable, but am always trying to pick up more tips for efficiency. Any videos recommended for me? Thanks.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the question. Love people that are always looking to learn more. Can't really think of any specific videos, but I would recommend you check our LEARN playlist because we have a lot of training videos there.

[@gregoryraylewellanhockett]

Anything. You asked for it, Just kidding. Nice job on the video. Rented one of these. How to manage the ground is the other half of the equation. A tip o' the hat !

[@grahambrown5874]

Have you done any video on how to level the ground as you did out the soil? I have hired a JCB micro digger and digging out about 20cm/6inch of top soil from a large lawn to replace with premium topsoil and turf. The problem I am experiencing is that as I pull the bucket towards me and it cuts in to the soil I end up with a wave like surface because the blade cuts a downward arch, and it gets harder to control when the cuts are nearer the digger. I know it will come down to experience and gentle use of the controls, but is the any tip to keep the busker and angle of the blade level as it is pulled towards the digger? Thanks. Great series of videos👍

[@LaelplayzYT]

I have been running equipment since I was 6 especially mini excavators and I’m 12 years old.

[@josephkimmet2076]

I am helping someone with their own minix an old Kobelco, he advised not digging over the drive wheels due to extra wear and tear and they are expensive to replace. He says d it’s fine with a rental though..

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Good advice!

[@kewalram6371]

Excellent sir. Thank you for the training.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

You’re welcome!

[@luvabean]

i really liked the @5:22 idea of the "tooth exercise" practicing at precision allows for everything else to fall in place, accordingly.

[@luvabean]

@15:00 the traverse....!!! it really is intuitive after you know how to feel it getting there good is talent. oh i enjoyed this so!!!! this, as i drive a manual and always will.. IS the ultimate stick shift operation

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Yes, it's a great exercise and one we do on the larger excavator as well. Thanks for the comment!

[@sjohnson9230]

Thanks for this. It is very helpful.

[@markmurillo3570]

Thanks dude! Appreciate the good tips!

[@rhettcollins8682]

Sweeeet!! Thank you. That was so helpful.

[@carlsenden8750]

Wish CAT had that little grabber. Great vids. Top shelf👌😎

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@carlsenden8750]

@@HeavyMetalLearning I'm a trainer/ assessor in Australia for earthmoving. We have mainly CAT gear, but have a tiny D20 Komatsu Dozer which is a bit more agricultural. Love your vids and wish you well😎👍👍

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

@@carlsenden8750 Thank you!

[@jeffreylynds7986]

Its a thumb and its an option on any brand

[@efficientexcavations]

Excellent content, handy little machines! Almost like having a excavator and a backhoe mixed into one with that swivel on the front and the blade for clean up. I’d recommend not backing over any obstacle though, I like to be facing the challenges rather then guessing what’s behind ... Unless on flat ground of course. Great videos, keep them coming excellent for beginners!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

yup....thanks for the comment!

[@beaubath2537]

I'd say my only advice would be to change that blade placement for hills cause essentially it's another piece of counterweight like you said. Just like with the bigger machines where you use the weight of the drive motors. I think most of the big brands advise to use the drive motors as counterweight too especially for situations where it might be needed. But that would be my only bit of feedback. Top video guys!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the feedback. I definitely don't think there is a "right" way because multiple people have different perspectives. Would be interested to hear what others recommend. Only issue I see with having the blade up front is that with this tight tail machines there is literally nothing keeping you from rolling back if you get too steep. The blade in the back at least extends your base and gives some assurance that the machine can not flip back. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for the comment!

[@beaubath2537]

@@HeavyMetalLearning I defintely see and agree with your train of thought but when for example your traveling up hill your train of thought is always getting that weight forward and out as far as possible to keep it forward but I do totally understand cause I've had those moments where the blade in the back like you said acts as a good little catcher to fall back on

[@alonsoalas3020]

Great job and good training thank you for your video 👍

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JimmyKasapo]

Keep it up iam enjoying and i have benefiited a lot.

[@wudahale]

Thanks for your work.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment

[@foldingchaise8387]

Great, thank you, love your videos !!!!

[@jeremyfernandez7237]

do have video on digging asphalt

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

we don't...sorry

[@ronjeremy6128]

Good stuff. Thanks

[@thomasabramson100]

LOVE your videos the PC35 is more agile than the big machine Thanks

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Agreed. Thanks for the comment!

[@coloradomountainman8659]

Can't wait for the "advanced" video.

[@arekferedjian5810]

I am a first time potential owner and never operated one but have operated domestic machines like larger riding mowers etc so hoping I can make the jump. Want to buy one to do some of my own work on a home site. First off, do you recommend that (it is on a mountain side). If not, perhaps I buy it and find someone hourly who knows how to operate it to do the work vs. paying the GC that margin. How would one go about buying one that used perhaps and checking it out to know that it works well. Also what are some of the major upkeep costs? thanks!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

you lost me at "mountain side" and you being a new operator. I would use extreme caution. Sometimes people think they can save money by just doing it themselves when in reality a professional could do it in a 1/4 of the the time and correctly. So just be cautious there. I would definitely recommend at least consulting with a pro before doing anything yourself.

[@arekferedjian5810]

@@HeavyMetalLearning haha makes sense. I am wondering if I buy the machine but hire an hourly worker to do the site prep for the house if I would come out ahead. Versus hiring a company to do that with all the extra margins they add.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

@@arekferedjian5810 doubtful. I would just let the experts bring in their own equipment and operator. Just my opinion...

[@nbragtop]

@@HeavyMetalLearning I am in the same situation. 70 yrs old never even sat in an excavator and thinking of buying a Bobcat E26 to work around my 13 acres homeplace on top of a mountain. I am wanting to build ATV trails for the grandkids and to walk on. Most of the trails will on the side of the mountain with 5 to 20 percent grade. Mostly swallow digging and taking down small sapling in the way. Am I crazy, I know I could rent a machine an operator cheaper . But I would rather learn to operate and sit and watch someone else do it. What is your opinion? Thank you for your excellent videos !

[@jimmypayton5849]

Good Presentation, thanks for the tips, ( I can't wait to learn this machine) stick time = muscle memory. coordination exercise absolutely necessary. spot on man.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Glad it was helpful!

[@berekbarna2534]

can you do a video about the komatsu pc 55 mini excavator?? it can be good

[@lumberjackdreamer6267]

What about a feature to automatically control the boom and arm and bucket to stay parallel? Machines have computers, and it seems that feature would be useful.

[@imanpengharapankasih-w7p]

Good video. And good jobs

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@cheep1535]

Nice clip

[@kwameamportey7152]

Lovely

[@andyflans9966]

I'd like some tips on operating on slopes without a tilt hitch

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

We’ll see if we can do a video on that...thanks for the comment!

[@MrJenten10]

Should dig with the pusher blade facing the rear,,, you will easily hook the pusher blade with the bucket repeatedly and eventually bend it all up, also if you are working in a brushy area, a tree branch could come through the operators cab hit those travel controls and you will get a spear right through the chest, as the machine will travel forward with the tree branch jammed in there, heard of that but never saw it happen

[@williamworth2746]

I was told you can actually feel pipe when you get good enough with the Machinery

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Hmmm...not sure I would support that strategy.

[@randywilson6869]

Yes u can and then it’s to late. I was told u can actually c it just before u felt it break

[@hussainnoor7706]

great job

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thank you!

[@havugimanaemmy7344]

Please i need you to teach us how to operate soil compactor thank you

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

We’ll see what we can do...don’t have one on site.

[@jeffreylynds7986]

Simplest ones to run only got reverse and forward and generally a vibration mode

[@Nosa_king]

Great job.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thank you!

[@wallyG204]

Great content 👍🏽 feel safer an have more knowledge about the machine an am excited to learn it

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@87mitchb]

how do you cross a trench if the ends of the trench are blocked? like exiting the trench while above the trench?

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

I'm confused. Ends of the trench are blocked? When we teach crossing a trench it is about crossing it perpendicular across. So in theory the trench could be 50 feet long OR 50 miles long and it really wouldn't matter if it's "blocked". Are the sides blocked? But in that case you can't really exit the trench if there is no place to actually exit. Again, not sure I understand the question...sorry

[@arlingtonguy54]

I think he means straddling a trench with one track on each side

[@timroberts2768]

@@HeavyMetalLearning How about spinning off trench with a mini and or spinning back on when there is no way else to get out? like the ends of the trench go between two fences or objects?

[@paulharbance6009]

I will like to join your company

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Long hours...pay sucks...boss is a jerk. Where should I send the application???

[@jkreviea]

Best looking diet that deep I've ever seen.

[@paulthoroughgood7590]

I watched because I taught myself, that decent was horrible, and the rest is basic. Here I was thinking I better sharpen my game 😂

[@ajalhopkinz8328]

Special

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks

[@markwhite4357]

201 or 102? Lol I enjoy your useful pointers

[@stantonrobinson1059]

Okay

[@No-bull1]

Why didn't you just swing the arm back the other way to go back over and down the hill. I would have thought seeing where you were going would have made more sense and would have been able to stop the blade from sticking in the ground?

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Yeah...that could have worked as well.

[@JeremiahsGrotto-ok7ed]

#💯

[@aidenboyle9946]

Video

[@hussainnoor7706]

trench

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

YES

[@Wanderinos88]

Amateur.