How Well Does the Trencher Work with a Chinese Mini Skid Steer

[@torkelsenhus]

Guys that say they rather use a shovel, haven't been using the shovel much, I can tell you that.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Hahaha. That’s true isn’t it?

[@polivcentr]

100% у нас такие же ребята пишут часто ахаха

[@itsjohnny497]

Nothing beats using machinery for labor saving work when needed. Not sure who would deny that. They CRAZY!

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Hahaha agreed. Just some commentating other videos. Some people are very angry I bought this machine from China. They wanted to spend 5x as much for an American one. 🤷‍♂️

[@itsjohnny497]

@@OurLifeInTrees it doesn’t matter where it’s from as long as it works. That’s what I say on that. Cheers!

[@OurLifeInTrees]

@@itsjohnny497thank you sir

[@rapache1]

Thank you for posting. What a fun little tool

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s what I thought! I appreciate the feedback.

[@regsparkes6507]

Here in the most eastern part of Canada, I wouldn't have much luck with a trencher as the soil is mostly what we would call 'rocky'. However there where you are, your soils seem to be nearly ideal for that unit. I think too, that when you lower the trencher it seems to work best with little moves at a time. Reminds me of when we eat a hamburger, we take a bite and chew it, we ( normally don't try to eat one with continually stuffing it into our mouths :) do we! All in all, I think you can be 'self taught' fairly quickly and you get the idea of how your soil can be ditched most effectively.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s may be true. I appreciate the feedback.

[@letselectric]

I have used a mini skid steer trencher here in Canada. I do find part of my area really rocky. I do trench around the rocks... pick the trencher up and start again at an angle to just go beside the rock then once I'm passed the rock, I would go back to where I want it to by picking the trencher back up and realign it again.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

@@letselectricI may have a trench to do for a neighbor that is curved, I wonder how it will work.

[@mechannel7046]

I'm probably the world's least handy person and can barely hammer a nail into the wall, but for some reason, KZbin recommended your videos and I absolutely love watching you digging stuff with that little excavator

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Hahah that’s awesome. Thanks for sticking around!

[@405musclecars5]

Keep em coming. I just bought a Kamron XH42D mini excavator and plan on doing a KZbin channel on it and my land management and excavation business.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Awesome! I need more practice on these I think and maybe I’ll play with a side business doing this. Or maybe I’ll keep doing other people’s projects free for content. lol.

[@fullthrottle2656]

Got mine on order. Would like to see a lifting video whether it be with the forks or grapple please.👌Curious as to how it handles lifting a heavy load.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I have a bucket of dirt and sand in this coming Saturday’s project video. Next weekend should be a grapple with large logs onto my bonfire video. I haven’t filmed an actual load video yet but plan to do that coming soon with measured weight. Maybe concrete blocks, gravel bags or concrete bags.

[@MichaelPaul-m1g]

Another nice video. Am very interested in ordering a DRT450. Would like to see some content regarding maintenance ... oil/filter, hydraulic fluid, track tensioning. Any idea if/when you may get to doing a video on this?

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s coming soon. I am working on getting my shop setup to do exactly that. I should be down with the shop project in the next week or so. Actually, I’m typing this from my shop. Taking a break from cleaning. lol Coming up… Oil change, hydraulic fluid, grease points, drive motors, removal and installation of tracks, basic overall maintenance and mechanical features. I also have to do maintenance on the trencher (chain adjustment and grease), 4in1 bucket (I broke a line), stump grinder (new carbide teeth, higher flow motor, and I accidentally cut the sides going to the unit as well as crushed the 12v plug), plus Derette sent me new upgraded Danfoss drive motors to install. They are now putting Danfoss motors on new units standard.

[@jerrygibs8120]

From Texas🤠watching your video I subscribed. Enjoyed the way that you presented and described your presentation. Well done. Looking forward to seeing you demo other attachments and how they work. Your animals give the vids a nice feature. Stay safe, healthy, strong, discerning and successful. Blessings and prayers to you and your family in Our Lord's Mighty Name. Catch you on the next one. 💯☝🙏🙌💪👊

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Awesome. Thank your for the kind words and for the positive feedback. I appreciate it.

[@johncarlson7955]

Better than a shovel 😊

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Agreed wholeheartedly. lol

[@howtodave1725]

You could put an exhaust clamp under the cylinder hard line and attach it to a uni strut to provide support for the lines.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Not a bad idea

[@ltaylor4444]

My soil is clay and rock, i ordered the 450 with a trencher. Curious to see how it does! I have a landscaping business ill be using this in.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Nice purchase. I wish I knew how to use it better. I’m sure the machine is better than I am. Haha.

[@generogg]

You might want to add a plug for the end of the crumbler bar... It will help the future you not worry about cleaning it out...

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s a great idea. I spent some time cleaning it today after I filmed this. lol.

[@georgezhou7961]

Hell yeah! Nice video Boss. I got auger and trencher coming next with my new V1000 I need make some video as well 🎉🎉

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Sweet! I was about to do an auger video, but my battery died in the camera. I have been filming all afternoon. My insta360 keep overheating and turning off. Stupid. One day, I’ll finish all the attachment videos. Sigh…..

[@starvingsquirrel]

Yes you do! V1000 videos are hard to come by, lol

[@OurLifeInTrees]

@@starvingsquirrelworking on getting one now

[@rodneythornburg818]

Im thinking the reason its stalling is the pump isn’t big enough to spin it fast enough. Digging that deep thats a lot of dirt to move and it binds it up spinning slower. Just remember this is my opinion. But it still beats hand digging a trench that deep. My question is would it be faster to dig it ½ the depth the come back and go the rest down on a second pass.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Good points. I thought about a second pass, but there would be a pile of dirt in the way and with my luck, I’d slide into the trench with one of the tracks. Haha Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

[@phillipseb]

Would you rather trench with the trencher on skid or use the small 8" bucket and use the excavator ? Seems the skid is a little underpowered for the trenching if you planned to do a long line. Seems okay for short or a swallow trench.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I think it’s faster, easier and cleaner on the skid than the excavator. The 36” trench is a bit extreme. Yet I was showing max capabilities. I should have done a smaller trench as well to show how that works.

[@roamingnomegetting-things-3306]

Do you think this machine has enough power for the attachment you got, and the work you will be doing with it?

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I think I was using it at max capacity. It worked, but may not be the ideal tool. Not good for a deep trench for professional use, but great for occasional projects. I personally have 4 trenching projects I have coming up soon at my place.

[@asusreviews]

Can you give us a break down on the cost of the attachments you got? Did you buy an auger?

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I got the large bucket with teeth, 4in1 bucket, grapple, trencher, auger with 8” bit, land leveler, trailer hitch, brush cutter, and stump grinder. They cost about $8k to have shipped from China to Oklahoma.

[@asusreviews]

@@OurLifeInTrees A breakdown would be great, as some parts like trailer hitch are cheap other attachments are a lot more! Thanks for the great videos, maybe something you can go over in more detail in a future video.

[@DavidAllen-wd5md]

Hello. Who was the alibaba sales person? I would like to purchase right away. Thank you, Dave

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I purchased my machine from Dean Sun at Derette. You can contact him through his email or the alibaba link in the description. Hope this helps.

[@Teddy-O]

Im very interested in thae whole package you got really. Looks as it does everything im needing right now. Between price and shipping are my big questiins now lol

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Here is a brief breakdown. The machine was about $8500 shipped to me and I also got the large bucket with teeth, 4in1 bucket, grapple, trencher, auger with 8” bit, land leveler, trailer hitch, brush cutter, and stump grinder. They cost about $8k to have shipped from China to Oklahoma.

[@Teddy-O]

Okay, appreciate it.

[@vttrucker]

You're doing it right by just doing short advances. You don't have the horsepower to go continuously slow. Im watching this because I'm thinking about getting one of these mini skids. Im curious to see if you have any hydraulic fluid over heating issues.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s my thoughts. I don’t have any overheating issues. This machine has a hydraulic oil cooler and electric fan mounted inside the right rear “wing”.

[@OldIronAcres]

Nice Office! I always thought those trenchers were more meant for electric lines, internet cable runs, and things like that... that were not buried more than a foot or two. But "I don't know!!?!!!" I've never had one before either!! LOL Looks like it works great to me!! Best, -- J. Andre. / Old Iron Acres

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Hahaha. Yeah, we can all learn together. I have some electric and water lines to run coming up, so I can actually do a “real” job and not just ruin my lawn. lol

[@rodneythornburg818]

I've personally never had or ran one but know a lot of people that have. They are good for running water, gas and electric. I know people that have ran nature gas lines over 1000ft, electric and water up to around 1000ft also. Most trenchers are good running up to 2 inch lines with ease.

[@OldIronAcres]

@@rodneythornburg818 looks good to me!

[@OurLifeInTrees]

@@rodneythornburg8181000ft?! That would take a loooong time! Lol

[@cc-tb3st]

I take that any day over a shovel. But the hydro seemed pretty weak on there. The trencher I rent just choose through the dirt. But it probably cost like four or five times more. And I don't own it so I can't do all the other cool things you do with that. Just wish the hydros were a little stronger to turn that trencher so you want constantly having to stop. I've never jammed the trenchers that I rent. I would definitely still get one even with the hydros allowing the trencher to jam all the time. Just a minor inconvenience no big deal. I think it's a great buy.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. I agree. Better than a shovel and it worked really well. Not perfect, but really well.

[@jeremydawkins8399]

Where did you buy it and how much was it? I looked online and don't see any except Aliexpress. Also how much are the attachments? Thanks

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I paid $8500 shipped to me here in Oklahoma though Derette on Alibaba. The attachments were another $8k for 8 attachments. Gulp…. lol You can click the link in the video description or email [e-mail]. He was my salesman. Tell home I send you!

[@okiedoke6373]

Yeah it might take a little while to dig it with that but it's better than digging it by hand

[@OurLifeInTrees]

110% agree.

[@KUBBI7488]

GREAT VIDEO AS USUAL!!!

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[@Antiphon43]

Another nice video. Man, I wish mine would hurry up and get here! I want to cut some brush!!

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks. Haha. Yeah it a fun toy.

[@daleotto5748]

Use a bungee cord and some wire ties and secured them if you need more than one but the bungee cord is to retract the extra hose back out of the way of moving parts and it's not Tight to pull on fittings. The same way on a 3 point tip link or axillary remotes on a grapple.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

That’s a good idea. I may try to do that.

[@tomfield2677]

A bungee cord is the way to go. We use them for all of our heavy equipment attachments.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

@@tomfield2677Being my first time using something like this, I am unfortunately learning the hard way. Sigh… Thanks for your help.

[@evan3178]

What kind of of price did the trencher and other attachments run you? Very cool thanks for the video

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thank you. The trencher cost about $1k but the shipping was lumped in with 8 other attachments. All in they all cost me $8k to buy and to have shipped here.

[@evan3178]

That sounds very reasonable. So Bucket, forks, mower, stumpgrinder, trencher. Any i miss? All for 8k? Cant wait for stumpgrinder video

[@OurLifeInTrees]

@@evan3178 I got the large bucket with teeth, 4in1 bucket, grapple, trencher, auger with 8” bit, land leveler, trailer hitch, brush cutter, and stump grinder. They cost about $8k to have shipped from China to Oklahoma.

[@dakotak8437]

You should built a little pieces of something that you can tighten that will hold the controls backwards really slow so you don't have to hold them and over drive it

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Hmmmm. Not a bad idea. What about dead man switch?

[@dakotak8437]

@@OurLifeInTrees won't the key turn everything off in case of emergency. Or mean while holding a dead man switch while off the machine

[@OurLifeInTrees]

The key would, but what if worst case scenario happened? Hmmmmm

[@dakotak8437]

@@OurLifeInTrees ya id definitely add a dead man switch. If you add thos controller pieces. I guess also if you wanted to get crazy with it you could by one of those wireless controllers

[@jonathancalderon7682]

Good video but you don’t need to beat the machine like that. You only need 8-6 inches for an irrigation pipe.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I might want to do electrical or water with it. 6-8 inches would be cake with this. You are correct, It’s the deep stuff that makes it work so floats.

[@manueljacobs6140]

I need that at my house to put in irrigation lines.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

It makes me want to install a sprinkler system. lol.

[@Hojjiifp]

You better check all of your ball bearings on that little machine. They may not be greased at all. They will break down quickly without grease.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Good call. I will do that soon. Thanks for the tip.

[@Dean-derette]

@@OurLifeInTrees this is also my suggestion

[@Antiphon43]

Do you mean the pivot points that have grease fittings, or the bearings in the bogie wheels for the tracks?

[@Dean-derette]

@@Antiphon43 grease fittings

[@Antiphon43]

Ok, that’s a routine thing. Makes complete sense.

[@bobb1960113]

That would work a lot better, if you made a shallower cut, then run the trench twice, been there,done that

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I thought about that and with the dirt pile beside it, I would need to move the dirt to donut again, wouldn’t I?

[@bobb1960113]

@@OurLifeInTrees Being a shallower cut, would mean less dirt, easier for the auger to move to the outside of the track

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Good call. I will try that next. I appreciate your help! That would eliminate some stress on the machine I’m sure.

[@4dryout]

I'm looking at the unit dragging on the ground. Definitely too low. First pass pull the material out, next pass could be more aggressive angle for the extra depth

[@OurLifeInTrees]

@@4dryoutI plan to do a trench for a buddy this weekend. I will try that!

[@proberts34]

"Honey? That odd neighbor, who runs his skid steer in the dark is creating a random trench in his yard again". "I don't care, as long a he doesn't hit our electric line. Can you grab me a beer?". Those mean ol' deer! Thank goodness for the dogs! 😃 Edit: I think that, instead of having B&S gasoline engine, the Derette would benefit from having a little diesel, like a Kubota. likely higher torque and resistance to bogging down. The double-door setup is a worthwhile investment of time and money.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Hahaha. I’m sure that may happen. lol The dogs save our lives daily. This machine has the Honda GX690 engine. There is a Kubota or Perkins diesel option on thier V1000 machine. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it!

[@HalfAssHomestead]

Time to grab that 4 way bucket and move that good dirt over to the garden beds.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Yes! I agree. I plan to do that. Strange fact… I had a few trucks of top soil bright in a few years ago to cover the sand and have a real lawn. Over time, the rain has washed it all downhill and left the sand visible again. I dug this trench near the lowest spot on the property, so I have a lot of topsoil moved down here. It’s so frustrating!!! lol.

[@ShuhDonk]

I wonder how much better it will run in the V1000 with the perkins diesel, should have quite a bit more power/torque over the honda gas engine. Seems the gas engine may struggle a bit with it.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

You and I both! I want to get a V1000 so that I can do comparison tests between them. I have already been talking to Dean from Derette about ordering one. I really think my channel needs the V1000 to test.

[@ShuhDonk]

@@OurLifeInTrees I had ordered the 450 like yours originally but switched it to the v1000, also ordered the trencher, snow blower, harley rake and many other attachments. Supposed to be shipping this week.

[@fullthrottle2656]

Just remember that V1000 is twice as much$$$ and a bigger heavier machine. Also cost more to ship. Only thing I can really see the need for the V1000 to run is the Trencher or Mulcher Head. Unless your running it daily, heavily don't think the extra is necessary. Plus the average guy can work on a Honda small engine vs the Kubota/Perkins diesels.

[@ShuhDonk]

@@fullthrottle2656 The V1000 was about 3000 more than the 450 and weighs about 1000 lbs more than the 450. I wanted a more powerful diesel machine and I think the upgrade in machine is well worth the extra cost.

[@Dean-derette]

@@OurLifeInTrees i will send v1000+attachment to you ,it is my plan -dean

[@yayinternets]

Great video as always, thanks for putting these out! Really helping out.. I will get one of these someday for sure. I can't remember, did you get the backhoe? I'm wondering if it's worth it, or better off to just get one of those Chinese Mini ex instead. You know these guys whining about the machine are delusional and need of help. In the real world, pretty much anyone would choose to use one of these over hands and shovel.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks. I did not get the backhoe. I already have a Chinese mini excavator. I honestly only used it one time since I bought this mini skid. It worked well for plucking out some smaller tree roots. Thanks again for your support and the feedback. I appreciate it.

[@99991Pedro]

hello I have a similar machine and I just wanted to ask, do you have any problems with the hydraulic system overheating? the oil temperature rises when I use the trencheer. Thank you.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I don’t. Mine has a hydraulic cooler and electric fan up high on the right rear. Does yours have a cooler?

[@kerronemmanuel2545]

hi more than likely your machine will have a cooler. has it done the over heating at new or rencelty. the cooler can be cloged with dust and just need a blow or washing out. to help air flow

[@obbiebeal3060]

👍👍👍👍

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Thanks!

[@polivcentr]

Очень не плохо! интересно на сколько надежны эти машины. и какой поток требуется для этого траншеекопателя?

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Agreed. I like it. So far it’s quite reliable. I’m not sure the flow rate requirement. My machine is 11.9

[@BillySharples-ig5mq]

You need to keep moving the trench tool up and down with the attached blade vertical ao you can saw though the soil.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

Ok, I’ll try that next time. Thanks for your input.

[@Enonymouse_]

B&S engine not a Honda btw.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

What’s Briggs and Stratton? My mini excavator is, but this mini skid steer upgraded to a Honda GX690

[@johnyvarghese6199]

Can you share the WhatsApp number of the Chinese manufacturer for me to contact. In your opinion is it worth the money or apart from doing self will it be economical using this against going to do the work by others with big machines giving payment for the work. What regarding parts for future services of this machine

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I think it’s greatly beneficial for me to have my own machine instead of renting one. I have lots of little projects and it’s nice to have the machine here and handy. Because it’s here, I keep finding new uses for it. lol Here is Dean suns contact information from this website. Let him know you found him through the video. Thanks! Contact: Dean Sun WhatsApp: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

[@tszymk77]

Those who say they'd rather dig it by hand are just attention seeking show offs.

[@OurLifeInTrees]

I can’t disagree with you. lol. I would always prefer a machine over a shovel.