I found big money savings for my land clearing business

[@tannersnyder7759]

Hey sir! I absolutely love watching your videos. I’m a cop currently, but have started wanting to switch paths into the excavation world. Your videos have hoped me learn a lot since this is a new career path for me. Thank you so much!

[@tristardiggin]

Well, I guess I left you hanging on answering that call. 🤣 I hear it from my wife when I destroy another tripod too. 🤣🤣🤣

[@DigginLife21]

🤣🤣🤣

[@branchandfoundry560]

Hey Todd, thanks for the tip on lower grease price via volume purchasing. Have you considered 5gal buckets or mid-size barrel? I found Red & Tacky on Amazon in a 5gal bucket for $170. Doing the math, that's 26.5 cents per ounce whereas you're currently paying 41 cents per ounce buying a 10 pack of 14oz tubes. So, the bucket is 35% cheaper than your 10 pack of tubes. There are pumps available to dispense grease from buckets. Like anything, they range in price and quality. Something to consider, anyway. Thanks again for all you do for all of us!

[@DigginLife21]

@@branchandfoundry560 thanks!!! I’ve just not gotten down to wanting to mess with buckets yet.

[@toddhowell2299]

@@DigginLife21 Or 55 gallon drum a la Andrew Camarata ;) Probably not as convenient on a job site though.

[@marymigliore3396]

Great job ! I still miss EMMA ! I LOVE YOU ALL !!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@DigginLife21]

@@marymigliore3396 she will be back soon

[@auciellon9871]

Hi Todd happy 4th to you. Setup a Amazon Business account and you will save big buying in bulk

[@DigginLife21]

@@auciellon9871 will do

[@markstipulkoski1389]

I was very lucky yesterday. I took off my earbuds after watching DigginLife and I still heard the sound of a skid steer. The county was clearing the fire break between my neighborhood and the preserve. I waved the guy down and got him to grind down a 7ft high pile of brush I had made when I removed large hedges around my house. He ground that pile down to chips in about 2 minutes. It was on my TODO list to drag that pile to the street and would have taken me at least an hour in the Florida heat and humidity. I figure the excavator gods rewarded me for watching this channel!😂

[@DigginLife21]

@@markstipulkoski1389 thanks Mark!!!

[@aaronburford5701]

Liked, Viewed, Shared, Subscribed.... Great into!

[@DigginLife21]

@@aaronburford5701 🙏🏻

[@jerald307]

I use red n tacky on all my equipment & vehicles. Walmart has it for under $7. I just ordered 30 tubes from Amazon.!! I think Roy must have dug your tripod out the the brush pile.!! Hope you have a fun & safe 4th if July.!! 😊

[@DigginLife21]

@@jerald307God can Jerald!!! Hope you had a great one too

[@mattk1511]

I'm glad you got quite a bit of work coming in! That land is turning out incredible!

[@DigginLife21]

@@mattk1511 great to see ya again Matt!!!

[@mattk1511]

Never left brother...

[@medlinlandmaintenancellc]

I use Lucus grease Red & Tackey. I like it a lot. They had a green label that I REALLY LIKE, but I can not find it anywhere now. In fact the last tube I got of it was off of Amazon. And it is like anything else TOO EXPENSIVE!!

[@DigginLife21]

@@medlinlandmaintenancellc 👍👍👍

[@randytedford6108]

I was texting with Sam McNelley at TriStar Diggin yesterday and he asked if I subscribed to your channel. I told him I did. To make sure, I checked and wasn't. I am now. I like how you explain what you're doing plus nothing like starting off a video with a money saving tip 👍.

[@DigginLife21]

@@randytedford6108 thanks Randy 👍👍👍

[@Cotton2Ennis]

Your right about buying in bulk. Sometimes you can do that at Walmart and Home Depot too. Great to see you and your positive attitude Todd!

[@DigginLife21]

Thanks cotton!!!

[@bmoore3199]

Todd you ole KZbin Rebel 🤣 Giving us the cliff hanger at the very beginning !!! I still watch the whole video. Looks good at the jobsite. 👍👍

[@DigginLife21]

@@bmoore3199 🤣🤣🤣. Thanks!!!

[@user-tv5dt3nm9y]

Yes, build a nice bed of coals then add the stumps. I use my mini x to move unburned into the hotspot and keep the big wood in heat. Eventually that big wood will dry out and heat up enough to burn...when you are not looking. It takes time.

[@DigginLife21]

@@user-tv5dt3nm9y 👍

[@ScottTheMarine]

Yep! Been buy greese and oil from Amazon. We dumped Traveler greese as well. Good idea on buying fuel in bulk because that stuff isn't getting any cheaper.

[@DigginLife21]

👍👍👍

[@downtime3447]

I own a small engine repair shop and I've been using the wolf's head grease for a while now. I don't remember the cost right off hand, but it was affordable the last few times I bought it in bulk. It's a good grease too.

[@AtlantaSoundGuy]

Todd, you are awesome. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@DigginLife21]

@@AtlantaSoundGuy my pleasure 🙏🏻

[@DirtBrute]

Hey Todd your %100 right . I’ve been ordering my grease by the case off amazon for the last 3 years . Also I try switching to a bunch of different brands after using red and tacky for many years. It seemed like my mini X series was fine for years then when I switched grease it started wearing out pins and bushings faster . So I’m back to red and tacky. Great video!!

[@DigginLife21]

@@DirtBrute great to see ya Steve!!! Every dollar counts

[@fullthrottleexcavating4539]

Give Schaeffer’s 219 grease a try. It’s more expensive but you can get it cheaper through a sales representative. Amazon has some if you want to give it a try. It holds in the pins a bushings much better than Red N Tacky from my experience and you end up using less grease overall.

[@DigginLife21]

I’ll look into it

[@andedavi]

Try your Cat Dealerfor grease, most types are less than $5 a tube. Less by the case. Found the same on hydraulic hoses, Cat hose is ofern half the price of others!

[@DigginLife21]

@@andedavi I’ll check em

[@H.ThompsonExcavation1304]

Try texas oil refinery grease it is better than red and tacky. It doesn't melt when hot and run all over the machine. I buy it in balk

[@DigginLife21]

@@H.ThompsonExcavation1304 I’ll check into it

[@patrickkeever1285]

Thanks for the info on sizing your grapple. Been look for one for my 267.

[@DigginLife21]

No problem 👍

[@brianedwards9556]

Todd! I have been watching your videos for a few weeks. It’s been great to go back in the vault. I’m in NC as well. I would like to get an email contact for you.

[@DigginLife21]

@@brianedwards9556 hey Brian!!! Welcome to the channel. Email is [e-mail]

[@brianedwards9556]

@@DigginLife21 email sent!

[@DigginLife21]

I checked and don’t see an email from ya

[@brianedwards9556]

@@DigginLife21 just tried again from a different email account.

[@GRid-yk2ru]

Just a thought about the door. Have you tried to open a window an inch? Im thinking if the heat or AC fan is blowing hard, that could be whats making it difficult to close. Keep up the great videos.

[@DigginLife21]

@@GRid-yk2ru thanks for the idea. I’ll try it

[@floridabrushanddirt2482]

I buy my grease where I buy fuel in bulk they charge by the pound instead of by the tube. It comes out to about 4 per tube its red chevron star lube.

[@DigginLife21]

@@floridabrushanddirt2482 I’ll have to check with my diesel supplier

[@floridabrushanddirt2482]

I just picked up a 289d3 like you guys have. My John Deere dropped a valve so it’s going to be down for a minute.

[@DigginLife21]

@@floridabrushanddirt2482 I’d say I’m like it. Just don’t wait 200 hours to blow the air filter out like I did🤣. I was wondering why it seemed weaker

[@timberterra]

I paint the legs of my tripod a bright color, so when (not if) I lose it somewhere it's easier to find.

[@DigginLife21]

@@timberterra that’s a great idea

[@timrouse5913]

Another great video!!!!

[@DigginLife21]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ryanpappas6208]

Been watching you awhile now. Super stoked when you got the new 309. Are you wishing you got a bigger excavator than the 309 or is it satisfying your needs? I have a yanmar vio55 and need a bigger machine. All I can haul at the moment would be 308/309 size machine. I’ve thought about 160 size excavator and paying to get it moved but am curious your opinion on production of your machine versus bigger machine.

[@DigginLife21]

@@ryanpappas6208 I’m very happy with the 309. There are times I would like a large machine but cost to production the 309 is perfect. If you stay on jobs for longer periods a bigger machine that you have to hire out hauling is ok. I’d you are only on jobs 1-2 days at a time hauling costs will eat up your profit

[@thomassawyer820]

Nice work! Todd, good tip on the grease seem like everything cost double these days crazy times.

[@branchandfoundry560]

I took my average cost of goods increase from 2019 compared to 2024 prices and calculated average 25% annual inflation over that 5yr period. Of course prices were more than double in 2021 what they are now and I'm grateful they came down from higher than the moon! Still, averaging 25% annual inflation over 5yrs is unprecedented. We always planned for 3% average annual inflation. That said, I do not know anyone who's salary has averaged 25% annual increase over the past 5yrs. Sooo, what's supporting this COG bubble? If nobody has the matching income increase, it has to be supported by debt. Of course, that's not sustainable--we all eventually have to either pay our bills or default, simple as that. I'll let you draw your own conclusion as to what's coming down the pike.

[@DigginLife21]

@@thomassawyer820 yep!!!

[@mcpiddler1135]

I get high moly grease (5%) by Mobil from The Lubricant Store for pins and bushings and SHC100 Mobil from them for bearings mostly on my sawmill. Just my opinion.

[@DigginLife21]

@@mcpiddler1135 thanks for the tip

[@raymondgochenour8725]

I think personally the secret to burning stumps is to get the dirt off of them and pick them up and drop them and then put them back in the fire, but you do have to have a hot fire

[@DigginLife21]

@@raymondgochenour8725 agreed!!!

[@nicke7370]

Find your local bulk oil/lube supplier. They usually carry everything you could want by the case or drum.

[@DigginLife21]

@@nicke7370 will check into it

[@bp5558]

Todd, A productivity thought/question combo: Other than future structural plans or safety limitations, would it be more efficient/effective to have a second burn pit farther up or across the job site to reduce travel requirements ? ...even if it was utilized in phases....

[@bp5558]

For example: banks too steep for skid steer

[@DigginLife21]

@@bp5558 it wouldn’t hurt

[@R_Wyatt545]

I use R&T on my equipment and you’re 100% on that; grease is expensive! I did the exact same thing, picked it off the shelf and said, Nope!

[@mikeythemechanic112]

Nice so how did u start the funding for your business I’m struggling trying to figure out how to get started

[@DigginLife21]

Cashed out 401k

[@mikeythemechanic112]

@@DigginLife21 thanks for reply back hopefully in a few years I’ll be able to start mine

[@mulcahyracing310]

If you were to start over from scratch what would be the first truck trailer and equipment to get started?

[@DigginLife21]

If money were not an issue at least a tandem dump truck, 10 ton trailer, and 20k pound excavator

[@mulcahyracing310]

@@DigginLife21 I wish I had it like that lol I’m trying to get going for around 150k

[@DigginLife21]

@@mulcahyracing310 you should be able to kick it off easy with that

[@mulcahyracing310]

@@DigginLife21 I’ve already found a 02 peterbuilt triaxle and a cat 305.5 I want to get a 308 but that may have to wait

[@floridabrushanddirt2482]

I had to take me a break from KZbin, I’m going to get started back here soon.

[@DigginLife21]

@@floridabrushanddirt2482 I’m glad. You made some good videos

[@floridabrushanddirt2482]

@@DigginLife21 thanks buddy!

[@VintageWanderer]

I have been finding that with most items at auto part stores. We have a big NAPA that had everything and now it doesn’t and what they have is expensive. I try and buy local but they are forcing me on Amazon. Cheers

[@DigginLife21]

@@VintageWanderer it’s hard to compete otherwise

[@gregs8706]

Good morning Sir, quick question can you tell me where you purchased the O ring kit again please. I think I remember you saying in a previous video.

[@DigginLife21]

Cross hose and fittings

[@gregs8706]

@@DigginLife21 thank you

[@plentyrugged]

If you had 10 acres of wooded steep hillside to clear and were going to purchase a CTL or Mini Excavator (3 to 3.5ton machine) which would you pick? Struggling to make a decision because neither one is perfect, but which is more capable of working on steep hills in your experience?

[@DigginLife21]

Excavator for sure

[@plentyrugged]

Thats what ive been leaning toward, thanks!

[@bp5558]

Excavator can handle felling, bunching, skidding and cleanup. The tracked loader has more limited, specialized angles of operation.

[@krookl]

any type of licensing required for this type of work?

[@DigginLife21]

Only if it exceeds $33k in North Carolina

[@stich1960]

If you think that is cheap price out a bucket its about half the cost of the tubes you bought, combine that with an air greaser and install it at your shop or on your truck

[@DigginLife21]

@@stich1960 👍

[@bp5558]

​@@DigginLife21 Milwaukee makes a nice battery powered grease gun, similar to the DeWalt people have.

[@bp5558]

Also, Todd, A mid-weight I-beam about 10ft long sandwiched between two 4x6s with through bolts can turn your excavator into a giant hydraulic grade blade for speeding up finish work. I'll be glad to email a few pictures if you're interested.

[@Encouragment]

nice video Todd

[@DigginLife21]

@@Encouragment thanks Eli!!!

[@joebacarella2829]

Todd, you made pretty short work of moving those brush piles, everything is so expensive today, they say it`s a shortage, there`s no shortage, they want us to get used to these high prices because we are not going back to the old prices. I am in S.E. Michigan and gas was $3.85 per gallon, diesel was well over $4.00, I spent $32 just to fill my 2 cans for the lawn mowers, be well buddy.

[@DigginLife21]

@@joebacarella2829 I’d have to agree

[@bp5558]

I'm still struggling with mentally justifying increasing my prices to keep a decent pace with this rapid inflation

[@bp5558]

It's a must, but it's not easy when a lot of people are already struggling day to day.

[@bp5558]

I guess there may be a slight shift in the "pay grade" of my typical customers

[@DigginLife21]

@@bp5558 ya gotta do it at some point

[@fhuber7507]

Saving nearly 50% per tube when you use a lot of grease is significant.

[@fhuber7507]

A camera on the roof and screen in cab could let you carry low and see over the load.

[@DigginLife21]

@@fhuber7507 yes it is

[@jcullipher01]

Country boys know to park in the shade when available, don’t we. Repairs go better. 😂

[@DigginLife21]

You know it!!!

[@condeerogers5858]

I just bought a ten pack, on Amazon, for $54. I use it for my zero turn. Like you I was not paying $10 a tube. So I bought more than I needed to get it for half price. Now I have grease that will last me for years.

[@DigginLife21]

@@condeerogers5858 good call!!!

[@Phoenix_Outdoors]

Hi Todd! What grapple are you running?

[@DigginLife21]

@@Phoenix_Outdoors it’s the Cat 84 inch heavy duty

[@Phoenix_Outdoors]

@@DigginLife21 OK. Yesterday I just purchased 78 inch blue diamond. I like blue diamond but I need to start looking at other options in the future cause they price things ridiculously.

[@raymondgochenour8725]

I only know this because Sam talks about it. He has a history of destroying tripods. I have a tripod in my truck, but I use my truck or other oversize objects to put the camera on.

[@DigginLife21]

@@raymondgochenour8725 good idea

[@greenwoodsbushhogging6704]

Red N tacky for the win. Even works for boat trailers long enough to justify not buying specific marine grease.

[@DigginLife21]

@@greenwoodsbushhogging6704 👍👍👍

[@mattkasper9789]

Cat skid steers need a different door setup. I hate them. As for grease, I’m a firm believer that any grease is better then no grease.

[@DigginLife21]

@@mattkasper9789 a pull in door would be great

[@10rcoleman]

I always used Texas red I don’t know how much it is now

[@DigginLife21]

@@10rcoleman I’ve never seen that brand

[@10rcoleman]

@DigginLife21 maybe that is just what we called it I had 5 coal trucks for years we had the small town truck parts store where everyone knows everyone I would just say that red grease and they would call it texas red on the bill lol so in not sure but it was good stuff

[@10rcoleman]

I was doing some digging I haven't had trucks since 18 it was star fire brand I think don't ask me why they called it texas red this is grundy va it's hard telling lol it came I'm a black 5 gallon bucket

[@dennisryan7487]

" Safety Tip # 139: When navigating rough ground with your CTL, do not attempt to pick your nose"! That is all. End Transmission......

[@DigginLife21]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jackiecarland7054]

😊

[@DigginLife21]

🙏🏻👍

[@MrNiklas1967]

Hi buddy

[@DigginLife21]

Hey Niklas!!!

[@ThomasConlon-gu5pz]

Thats advanced auto...rip off

[@bp5558]

🦺🤑

[@DigginLife21]

@@bp5558 👍👍👍