How to Load/Unload a Mini Excavator | Heavy Equipment Operator Training

Mini Excavator Training- How to Operate a Mini Excavator. We will go over how to load/unload a mini excavator (includes understanding weight capacity, loading and tie-down of a Komatsu PC-30). Have a question or comment? Leave one below!
A special thank you to Precision Landscaping & Construction, Inc. for allowing us to use their equipment. Check them out here: precisionlandscape-inc.com
Komatsu PC30 info: www.komatsuamerica.com/equipm...
Notice: The views stated herein are those of Extreme Sandbox and/or the applicable individual only, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Komatsu or its personnel.
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[@danielmeyer403]

A suggestion here. I buy the 20' 3/8" grade 70 chains, cut them in half, then add a grade 70 slip hook on both cut ends creating 10' chains with a slip hook on one end and a grab hook on the other and have plenty of reach. The slip hook is able to grab about any tie-down ring, loop, or cut out on about any machine and then drop the grab hook down the stake pocket and come back up and hang the hook on the pocket just as you did. It can't fall off if some loosens up a bit. Plus then they are more versatile and manageable for other uses around the job site. I also keep 20 footers on board for boom securing and so forth.

[@overheadcam32]

Great job. Thank you. I hope to own an excavator one day. Beautiful machine

[@oscarsantos2608]

When I smashed my face on the wind shield loading my excavator, from then on I remember to wear my seat belt more often! That was more than 10 years ago...

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

yes indeed....thanks for the comment

[@oscarsantos2608]

@@HeavyMetalLearning safety first is the way to go!

[@codyg7936]

One good suggestion, if at all possible put your binders or ratchets for straps on the passenger side if possible, in the event there’s an emergency or you see you need to tighten something you’re probably going to pull over on the right side of the road and you’re going to not want to be between traffic and your trailer fidgeting with chains/binders/straps/ratchets, you want to be away from traffic if possible

[@benthurber5363]

Holy cow. A YT video of a mini-X being loaded onto a trailer using the ramps instead of risking it all going over the sides.🤯

[@josephetchison3742]

Great video, I am Blessed to have a new e57c excavator and I have never used one. I am using your videos to learn how to operate, load and unload my excavator. I have a Diamond C HDT 20,000 GVWR tilt trailer and your videos have been a great help.

[@montimitchellsr]

I haul tractors for Kioti out of Nashville and I’d like to see every video mention to always hook the binder to the flat side of the chain link not the welded side, I have found a broken weld, I don’t know my own strength, Your videos are very educational thank you

[@mkwdirtworksllc5418]

I prefer loading boom to the back blade to front. Protects front glass of cab and the front top of cab has lights and mirrors to catch low lines/cables if you look at the back of the cab it rounded cables will slide over. And same goes for the boom.

[@austin4774]

DO NOT HOOK YOUR CHAINS TO THE STAKE POCKETS!!!! Wrap them around the round bar. Always remember one binder per corner and the boom. Hook your four corner binders to the side of the track (like he does in the back), and throw a strap over the boom. If you don’t have chain hooks on the front of the track then you can use the blade if it has chain hooks.

[@NikNak3841]

Thank you for all of your operator instructional videos! I have been using them for the past year since I purchased my first mini-x. This hauling video I’m very happy to find that my methods are similar! Thanks again, very much appreciated. Excellent quality presentation!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Glad you like them!

[@erik....]

I just bought a mini excavator and waiting for it to be delivered so I'm binging training videos. :) This is very helpful, thanks.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Awesome to hear...good luck! What are you getting?

[@erik....]

@@HeavyMetalLearning A 2012 Wacker Neuson 3503 with powertilt. :)

[@Spartacus69]

In the same boat, this videos really help getting started safely

[@lomparti]

@@erik.... What did you buy it for? Personal use or business or farm?

[@erik....]

@@lomparti personal use only. Have been fixing my plot and intend to dig the foundation for a bigger garage in the near future. And it's fun to learn a new skill.

[@timvivoda5208]

Very very helpful video .thank you very much .Tim from Australia 🇦🇺

[@williamhathaway7351]

I usually am moving a tractor with a grapple and box blade that totals out at about 8500 lb. I have started using Torque Drive Speed Binders since they are faster and easier to put on and take off. A little more expansive than ratchet binders and way safer than lever binders. But in your 70s, safe and easy are very important. I chain down all four corners.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for sharing! I haven't used those speed binders but haven't tried them yet. My hesitation is the need to always have a drill with a charged battery (I struggle to remember to put on socks...ha)

[@JeffLillycrop]

Great Video , I would add chocking the trainer wheels , which will take a lot of stress off the transmission holding the entire weight of the load shifting as it rolls on the trailer

[@pattrudeau2335]

Thank you for this training on how to load or unload. Forvsomeonevwhobisnt a professional operator. I learned soo many things from you video. .simple stuff but very valuable for someone who want to learn how to do it properly but safely 😂

[@johninnz]

Great video mate, very informative and well put together ...subbed

[@btrent9244]

Outstanding video. Thank you.

[@cdalton3169]

Great job on your techniques! Great vid!

[@lissa3dex]

Thanks for all the knowledge

[@robertehrhard2243]

Great job! Thanks.

[@jairotrujillomendoza140]

EXCELENTES VIDEOS AMIGO...

[@MJ7487]

Great tips and content. Nice work guys. Thanks.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for watching!

[@foldingchaise8387]

Great Job, Thanks !!!!

[@StephenWolver]

Just for your information, the proper place for tie-down the JD325 is on the side of the arms. Straight up from the front track wheel.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Yeah....we missed that one.

[@brandonstrickland8826]

Also those square pocket are not load rated. You should be wrapping your chain around the round portion of the rail! Also you should try and put as many binders on the drivers side of the trailer as possible. That way you can watch the majority of your binders in the mirror during transit!

[@beckyrockhold2272]

@@smithrx97 exactly

[@Bobsutubes]

Not sure what kind of trailer you're working with? My pj pockets are surely load rated even came with "D" ring stakes to attach to pockets.

[@jdboy9]

@@Bobsutubes you aren't supposed to load one side of the pocket. With those d ring inserts it loads both sides of the pocket from the pin that holds them in.

[@Canadian_E210]

Your binders should be in your mirror regardless, I ratchet all my binders on my passenger side incase I have to pull over on any road or highway and i'm that much farther away from traffic, depending on the trailer and the load you are carrying the reinforced squares he is using are fine, while using the "D" anchor points is more practical

[@tangydiesel1886]

If a trailer manufacturer is worth their salt, they should have load ratings for everything. Hooked on one side of a pocket, both sides, chain spool, two chain spools, two pockets, rub rail, under the main rail.

[@brucewales5965]

Have a hand held camera watching your hands and actual hook up points. Never having seen a mini excavator, and knowing what it’s hookup points are I need to see them. I came to learn. Signs are for the new guy. Right? If I’d been there before I wouldn’t need signs. Thanks for your work.

[@nicklloyd9165]

Great video

[@eddie798]

Great video. I could have done it any better myself great job.

[@rayhewitt4688]

The very good video you've done you're going to help a lot of people thanks

[@lissa3dex]

I'm online training and already past the OSHA certifications now going for stick time

[@LostCaper]

great video

[@jonyemm]

Kubota specifically states to not use the inner hoops for tie downs. Atleast not on their kx033-4 machines. They are for strictly pulling.

[@pacificdynamicbuilders4380]

Looks like a city slicker tying up an excavator! lol. Love the videos, keep them coming!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

yeehaw cowboy

[@carlosnavarro1479]

Awesome video can You guys do learing vídeos on loading & securing Equipment on a Low boy

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

I'll see what we can do....would have to partner with someone who has one.

[@rmchugh45]

Depending on the size of truck/ ex combo is wise to block under tail of trailer- my f250 with a dump trailer would lift off with an 8k lb machine if i didn't put Jack stands underneath

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

yup....I've experienced that...no bueno

[@Spartacus69]

I have a F250 and just bought a 14k Diamond C dump. I was wondering if I needed jacks under the tail... This comment makes me feel like I better before I load my 8500ibs ex

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

@@Spartacus69 well it never hurts....but if you don't you may regret it

[@Spartacus69]

@@HeavyMetalLearning well I tried it today... My f250 rear wheels ended up about 1 foot in the air... Nothing was damaged but it's a lesson learned. Thanks for replying 😁

[@carlwilliams1570]

One trailers with electric brakes pull you break away cable to lock the trailer brakes. That helps hold it and may save banging your transmission park.

[@camcam-uw5mx]

I definitely never engage the drive terrain on the truck the parking brake is the best bet to not cause any damages

[@aaronk9825]

Love your videos! My opinion just a little to drawn out with the instructions. I’ve learned a lot from you vids 👍

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

thanks for the comment....yeah, agree sometimes shorter is better. Will work on that

[@NikNak3841]

Heavy Metal Learning I think they are good. All the legal safety crap seems to hinder things a bit?

[@dcmkcbbq]

I know I'm late to the party, but I keep an ir temp gun in my truck. If I'm going a long distance I drive 5-10 miles, pull over and check my chains and shoot the temp of the wheel hubs. That way if I have a hub hotter than the others it usually means there is a bearing problem in the hub. Nothing worse than cooking a bearing and getting stranded. This is especially true on boat trailers.

[@MartinSansone]

Is there a calculation for the size of vehicle suitable for towing a 4 ton trailer for a Kubota u35 with metal tracks? total weight of excavator with cab comes in at 8,996 lbs + trailer weight.

[@robertpayne2717]

I always tried to carry a shovel and broom to clean trailer deck off cause equipment coming off jobsite may always usally be muddy, or dirty usually having sand and gravel on site

[@JR-cr6dm]

I would've added as you turn your cabin, the throttle reverses, meaning backwards reverse to forward.

[@Gooselip]

As an operator I would recommend hooking the binder to the tag end of the chain with the hook and not hooking the hook back on the chain creating that unnecessary Loop

[@DeuceGenius]

ya what the hell is he doing lol

[@stuntmanbillstella]

Very helpful

[@jimchristianson850]

guys, don't guess on tongue weight, before you hitch trailer measure hitch to ground then have 3-4 guys hop on the tail gate and measure, now you know what weight makes how much bumper drop. Tongue weight is very important for larger loads. Love your videos, thanks.

[@pingpong9656]

I saw another video where they guy loaded the excavator with cab turned sideways - is that dangerous? This way seems more stable and has equal weight/grip. Any thoughts?

[@DeuceGenius]

i think the center of gravity is so low on the machine that either way is fine. probably the biggest concern is either driving the tracks off the ramps or trailer or messing up the trailer.

[@vacuumunit]

Thank you

[@laurelfarrell8502]

what size of chain you are using what is that long t looking thing

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Pretty sure we had 5/8ths chain on that one. Always check the load rating on whatever chain you do select. The T thing is the binder ratchet which is the best way to tighten the chains.

[@derekricker7930]

Hahaha if it was a short ramp I get it but that grade is minimum over kill al day. But makes a good video. Also on how to hook it up it’s on how your trailer is set up some are short and you don’t want to much Pindel weight

[@aaronspicer949]

Boy I remember being green 🤣

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

What color are you now?

[@aaronspicer949]

@@HeavyMetalLearning purple

[@lomparti]

@@aaronspicer949 Probably hot pink now. lol

[@JEBLEC_805]

What is the length of that trailer?

[@trentmccormick1713]

Why are the 2 binders are so different an “ones better then the other”?

[@TazietPaul]

Please i need help because I have the licence and I don't much experience

[@genecoppedge5972]

If you set the parking brake on your truck, why would your transmission be affected?

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

I don’t know if I totally agree with it, but I think the argument is about the tension/torque you would be putting on the transmission when in park but loading is trying to push truck forward. Again, not sure I agree or think it’s necessary.

[@genecoppedge5972]

Heavy Metal Learning, with emergency brakes applied the transmission is completely taken out of the equation. Just as if you removed the transmission out of the vehicle, the brakes will hold the truck in place.

[@chrisboling6390]

Neutral then e brake

[@skeleguns10oooooo10]

Do you need a 3/4 ton Pickup

[@jacklisena3144]

Yeah

[@Honorablebenaiaha]

No

[@georgehofgren6123]

To me it seems kind of unfortunate that you would go through all that, with binders and chain well above the necessary grade for a 3ton machine, and not simply Chock the Trailer wheels as the very first thing. Seems like an absolute no-brainer to me. Things like putting it in 4wd are nice, but Chocking the wheels is the most direct and basic step for loading the machine onto and off of a stable base-

[@cpfglobalagronomics6162]

My thoughts exactly.

[@chrisspence3216]

Stake pockets are for stakes

[@marcus65]

Lifting it up, maybe better on trailers

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment

[@treykearns4867]

Can anybody educate me as to what that funny-looking little symbol is before the 393.100 that he references in the beginning of the video

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

hmmm...just noticed myself (our video editor put it in...lol)...guessing it represents section???

[@chrs1212]

This is the section symbol indeed. § On Android you can long press the "s" and the symbol will pop up. On iOS long press the "&" symbol and it'll pop up.

[@jonyemm]

@@chrs1212 once again android is superior to ios

[@hingstonia]

I wouldn't use the stake pockets for the chain. The round bar in between would be a better choice as it should be thicker steel. The pockets could be destroyed if the machine moves. We chain so that the equipment is chained to the opposite side of the deck in an x pattern for more stability.

[@NikNak3841]

Interesting! I thought the pockets were safest and the intended use. The round bars from my understanding are structural, like in the torsion system under some trailers, where I would prefer not to put a lateral load? But I’m a newbie...

[@NikNak3841]

Thinking more about this, the stake pocket should be more stable since it has more contact surface area to the side of the trailer than the small pipes in between. However, I’m sure the small pipes are plenty to hold a mini-X. I just wouldn’t trust them with a much larger machine.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Interesting perspective....thanks for sharing!

[@markdoumert4840]

From what I understand the round pipes are designed as chain spools for this very purpose. Loop the chain around and hook it to itself.

[@jakewhitaker2502]

@@NikNak3841 I encourage you to look into the X pattern further. I have always used it but recently watched a video that explained the errors in my way. If one chain looses tension they all do. I now chain/strap front to back, back to front on all four corners.

[@edstevens6839]

An extra failsafe is to have the trailer landing gear down. Just my extra failsafe.

[@stantonrobinson1059]

Ok

[@irshadjamal3115]

You should seriously see how in my town people do it No ramp Just the truck and the excavator

[@NikNak3841]

I’ve done that. It works well in many scenarios. My first trip to a mountain location in Colorado however... I unloaded my mini-x without ramps. I placed blocks under my rear tires of my C5500 flatbed dually. I committed to the exit and didn’t notice any issues until I went to move my truck. The truck had been pushed over the blocks, crushing those cheap harbor freight suckers. I showed it to my buddy/ so called spotter who was surprised as well. Neither of us noticed the movement because we were focused on the exit side, front of machine landing to the ground. This was unloading with unavoidable slope. But two things which are discussed here which I could have avoided. 1) front of truck should have been uphill; 2) the blocks should have been on the trailer, instead of the truck rear axel.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Yeah...people can get pretty creative. Which as long as you are safe I'm all for it!

[@johnlemay4231]

He has love handles lol

[@jasurabbasov9803]

Р

[@NFSGamerful]

I put less chains on a 30 ton machine and transport the mini with 2 ratchet straps, never had any issues

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

note to self...don't drive near this guy

[@stevenlindhorst7579]

@@HeavyMetalLearning lmao I'd love to see him pass dot with less chains on a 60,000 pound excavator...what a fool

[@3406Accert]

Completely Obnoxious having that many so-called warning stickers all over the interior of the cab, do they & other's think babies are trying to monkey with it or what ? ,a so-called owners manual I'll bet has the exact same Information to read at a so-called operators time & place Not Stupidly pasted on OEM Graffiti.

[@jonyemm]

I think I counted 30 warning/caution labels on our kubota mini.

[@daisydela]

Every single one of those stickers is there because of an accident and/or lawsuit. No one reads user manuals.

[@mrbigtuna240]

Track machine isn’t going anywhere we don’t tie down unless we are going into MTO territory. Did you rent this thing from Home Depot?

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

you don't tie down a tracked machine??? hmmmm....good luck with that

[@davidboreham]

When you crash it will assuredly fly through the air.

[@gregorylaughlin2556]

Although I appreciate this it is awfully long winded and wordy and could’ve been cut down to just a few minutes. Heaven’s sake it would take you half the day just to load and unload at this rate. I’m doing things properly and smoothly but this is a bit over the top you must admit.

[@stevenlindhorst7579]

That's because you probably have a basic understanding and have done it a few times he's making the video for newbies