Mini Digger vs landslides : Restoring access to my Hydro Turbine + Testing New hydraulic Grab Bucket

The track to my Hydro Turbine water intake has been blocked by landslides for over a decade, making it difficult to clear the intake when it blocks up with debris.
The track is narrow so I can't get my big excavator or dozer down to clear it.
Now that I have the Takeuchi mini excavator, I can clear the track and once again ride the ATV right down to the intake.
Thanks to Hamilton Diggers NZ for giving me a discount on the new Grab Bucket - / @hamiltondiggers6850 , www.trademe.co...
Takeuchi TB217R Mini digger from Central Group NZ - bit.ly/CGCE

[@rgr3427]

Washing machine water turbine running in the jungle longer than the one I have in my house, aaarrgh. Nice to see an update of the power system, this is what started me watching you long ago, thank you sir. ***Perfect attachment for the “Baby Beast”.

[@GimliNZ]

It was my first watch of Marty_T's videos as well. Have been hooked ever since!

[@BJ-Hunter513]

Working on my own off grid hydro turbine...😅😅I am planning on setting it up with a 1000litre water tank and a RAM pump.... stream not required... it's going to be recirculating system

[@ferrumignis]

@@BJ-Hunter513 Perpetual motion hydro turbines are definitely the best sort 😁

[@paulwalker4239]

Nice to see you have finally treated yourself to a shiny new machine, Marty. After coping with some of the older machines you have got restored. Think you're doing a fab job. Do you ever come across any old back?Hole loaders from jcb circuit 1970/80 would be interested to know if you do as I am a massive jcb fan.Thanks marty take care keep filming

[@Mark-xl8gg]

One slight correction, his second hand junk washing machine , has been running constantly , since before yours was born😂

[@Focaloren]

Takeuchi is such a bulletproof brand. We bought one for our miners/tunnel workers and they didn't manage to destroy it after 8 years of use or so 10/10 from me.

[@megape95]

Takeuchi is not bulletproof.. they are good machines but have their hickups. The undercarriage hoses are not enough protected and are low quality. Hoses on the main boom are low quality as well but they are easier to change. These tb215 and 217r have a weird hydraulic track handle lock system and does not work well after 2 years. I have removed it on my machine but thats a safety issue. On a cab machine it works better, since it is (sort of) dry inside the cab. Tb235 has some weird maintainance free bushes at the blade pivot. They goal up and then they are not greasable anymore. Just normal hardened steel bushes would be better .

[@ancientbuilds3764]

@@megape95 You can't call them perfect, as such a machine does not exist. What do you want? Track speed? Bucket strength? I like Bobbies. Slow as shite, but they can haul themselves up the stupidest slopes, and have mega strength on the bucket. The job is slower but more reliable. Very very annoying though. I used to pop the window open, stick my feet out and drink a coffee as I glacially crawled from A to B. What was more important is that they did not wobble so much as they were built like tanks. Saves a lot of trouble with the old spine thing.

[@Failure_Is_An_Option]

No different than CAT, Deere, Liebherr.

[@cdellis1000]

Miners are a severe test of equipment

[@Focaloren]

@@cdellis1000 Yeah, they get paid more if they do the jobs faster, so every piece of equipment is brutalized. I've seen them break just about anything, from excavator booms being broken in half, probably 20 of the A30 and A40 dumpers being flipped upside down and in rivers and what not. For an excavator to survive for 8 years without any major repairs, it's pretty much a legend already.

[@geoffstartswithg]

I can't help but believe you have tons of extra footage, and I'd bet a bunch of us would gladly sit through WAY longer vids. You are literally living my ideal life, friend. Cheers!

[@Stratos53100]

Well said, 45mins...more digging and cutting etc i'm game.....

[@warwicks2780]

Great way to get some extra revenue Marty. Start a second channel and just upload the full time lapse footage in normal time, no commentary :)

[@shize9ine]

Also, i feel a little robbed without the video of the ATV trying out the new path at the end.

[@insaneinthemeshbane]

I’m a huge fan of the longer format. Would love to see it.

[@JohnSmith-ud9ex]

The missus must be wondering what`s wrong with you, mate.... you haven`t brought a once dead tractor home in ages ! Hope you and yours are all safe, well and happy. Thanks, as always, for the "not just" entertainment = ) And a shout out to Hamilton Diggers for looking after you ( and us ) with that nice discount !

[@thedave7760]

I know right, I truly fear that this will start Marty down the path of getting new stuff in instead of finding junk in a field. It will ruin everything.

[@josephking6515]

He did bring a "dead" boat and trailer instead. Doesn't that count? 😲

[@nigel4425]

I don't think there are any dead tractors left in NZ, Marty has fixed them all.

[@hamiltondiggers6850]

We enjoy seeing our customers utilizing our products plus Marty's a top bloke and it's a pleasure to help him out.

[@JohnSmith-ud9ex]

@@hamiltondiggers6850 From what I saw its an excellent cross between dig and pick. An excellent compliment to any loadout. Thanks again for supporting a "top bloke" ! = )

[@iamie153]

Thanks Marty, your videos are always therapy for the mind. The way you calmly go about things and look after your gear. No clickbait, just you doing things that need to be done and that you obviously, for the most part, enjoy doing.

[@JoshuaG182]

Ditto to this

[@blocka58]

I swear you only add the bird song to make this ex pat jealous. Look at all that familiar bush and not a snake in sight. As kids we use to run and play in much the same area, made tracks for our pushbikes long before mountain biking became the "thing". Thanks Mate. Miss the fishing at the Pass.

[@pauljoseph8338]

Never been to NZ, but my god, why anyone choose to LEAVE that paradise?!

[@Jacobtheunwise]

​@@pauljoseph8338 can't be that good when all the kiwis migrate to Australia lol

[@Drew-in-NoDak]

No snakes in NZ?

[@CJChild]

​@@pauljoseph8338Not all of us live in spots as nice as Marty does. Cost of living and poor pay are big factors.

[@daddybob6096]

@@Drew-in-NoDak No snakes, no crocodiles or alligators, no wild big cats, only deer and wild goats. Safe as in the bush, slept out there numerous times as a young guy.

[@canvids1]

Marty I have been watching your videos for a number of years now and you never stop to amaze me of what you can do with what you got. Fixing, mending, fabricating, you name it you do it. Thank you Toronto Canada.

[@andrewwilliams8365]

That little digger seems to be invaluable to the fleet. Good on you for picking it up. I'm looking forward to seeing it proving it's worth. 👍

[@stevejake4316]

Beautiful country. Really appreciate the video. That's quite the road building machine there. I'm going to keep my eyes out for a mini like that.

[@imikalfunangongo]

The virtue of self-sufficiency.... thanks Marty!!

[@puirYorick]

Another task well done. ~ Yeah, Baby! 👍🏼on the five point turn. I appreciate the David Attenborough nature film touch at the end too.

[@ToreDL87]

I haven't been keeping up the last month or so, now I'm like, wait, Marty T with an actual new machine AND equipment? What sorcery is this? We'll hold a hearing at dawn! 🤣🤣

[@wolverine89893]

Wow! Talk about making your own pathway down the mountain. 😲 That mini - ex is worth it's weight in Gold, that grapple is mean with those fang teeth on the end. I like how it was like stump what stump 😂 Very multi-use attachment. 💪

[@clamsthecat]

I first started watching your videos over 10 years ago, and I moved to NZ 8 years ago. I'm still watching, dude!

[@Ejrupolsen]

Love the Austin powers comparison 😂😂😂. Hope we get a video of you make a new route to the turbines. 👍👍

[@Guywithcrazyideas]

Your editing skills are pro level - thanks for no crappy loud music.

[@alasdairhamilton1574]

The wee machine works well.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@terryshaw4756]

Threading the felled trees through the standing trees at the edge is a great way of providing a barrier for the five point turn

[@garrybunting7231]

Greetings form from the U.S.A., the state I live in Missouri, has a motto "The show me State". All your videos certainly accomplish that time and time again. You Sir are a Wizard.

[@assassinlexx1993]

That new thumb will be invaluable. You saw a good deal and went for it. Moving rocks with a press of a button. Now checking the generator is just a fast drive but with tools and a beer.

[@imalec]

What a lovely montage. Those goats are definitely living their best lives.

[@CharlieXtreme]

It's so relaxing to watch you work while I lie on the couch 😊 Greetings from Bavaria

[@lemagreengreen]

That little Takeuchi is amazing, perfect machine for the job and looks very capable.

[@larryjohnson9720]

Love the kit. The bucket with the thumb is a great addition to the machine and should work well processing fire wood also.

[@arlingtonguy54]

It’s amazing how similar the terrain vegetation and soil looks like the tracks I built on my land in Western North Carolina. Cheers!

[@fhwolthuis]

Amazing bit of kit, that little Takeuchi ❤

[@rays2877]

You know with that fine track, you're never going to have to service your hydro ! This has been a pleasant morning coffee, thank you.

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

If ever, the right tool for the right job. The little machine with the attachments did great. What a demo of a use-case.

[@brianferguson6278]

First week of Winter and working bare handed with a light jacket and hat. In our Canadian Winters on Christmas eve we would be out snow shovelings and dreaming of a long away summer. How I miss the New Zealand Climate!

[@MartyT]

Very mild winter in NZ this year

[@carabs3823]

YT actually recommended this channel / specific videos when you either first put them in or were fixing them up. Looks like May 2022. Been enjoying your vids ever since but have already wonder about these turbines. Happy to get a bit of an update.

[@MartyT]

I'm planning to film making a new turbine after I improve the track to the turbine site, hopefully in the next few months. Thanks for watching

[@donbennington677]

Well done Marty, you cleared that track as though you knew what you were doing. I enjoyed watching and admire your skill with the the excavator👍

[@fredscheerle7592]

Hi Marty, That Mini Excavator is the king of bit of Kit that almost every home owner could use for a weekend or longer.

[@druckerman247]

Love your footage Marty. The bush brings peace while working.

[@rodgeorge7244]

That little digger is a ripper machine Marty great job.

[@bumpkinrocks]

Very impressed by the grab bucket not seen one before. Great investment 👍

[@ewanstewart8011]

Great size of machine that allows you access on your narrow steep tracks and with those buckets/attachments it’ll be almost unstoppable 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏻

[@bigchiefbear]

That's one brilliant machine in Martys skilled hands. Is there nothing this genius can't do. Wish I had a friend like Marty Hope you and family are all well. Cheers Jason.boston UK.

[@oby-1607]

Man, that little roadway was really needing some maintenance. At least you have the machine and time to make it happen. Great work. Always love seeing any size excavator doing work as I have a 2 tonne unit and a 16 tonne.

[@alanfenwick9307]

Top effort Marty, it must be so good to have that job off the to do list! That little machine is quite amazing! Thanks for sharing and cheers from across the ditch.

[@tony66au]

Something weirdly soothing watching you clean up and re open access tracks :-)

[@josephlwallssr6166]

Great job, Marty! You will be ready for the winter rain in no time!😊

[@MRrwmac]

Marty, Very nice work “mate”! I can see you and your kids driving down that new ATV path! Take a tent and spend the night by the stream.

[@gordonagent7037]

That opening scene was worthy of an Attenborough doco, beautiful. Marty, I guess some would say maintenance like this is a chore and a bore but it’s not really aye, I can smell the bush, the fresh soil smell, so really it’s just a pleasurable morning

[@jeffjenkins9529]

That excavator made light work of the project. Imagine side hill road building 50 years ago. Great Marty

[@whiskeyinthejar24]

That looks like a very satisfying job to complete. That little machine is definitely earning its keep.

[@jasonheard9013]

Magnificent video Marty T. I think from birth ur parents played soundtracks on how to be a mechanic, a welder, a man of all trades & a husband & father, while you slept. You have staggering talent my friend.

[@taurota1554]

Outstanding and awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@russellarendt5565]

Well done! This is a terrific episode, it demonstrated the versatility of the newest X2 “brand new and latest acquisition“ to the fleet, along with your considerable operating skills, editing and drone views. Highly entertaining. Thanks. ☮️

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

The grabber may be the best gift you've given yourself in some time. Excellent decision to buy it.

[@caveweta]

Ah the joy of the piwakawaka flitting round for the camera. Awesome!

[@eyesup1433]

sitting here watching and listening to the birds , the only thing missing is the dog , there is also the smell of that bush and it gets in your clothing . Nothing really matches that area , a piece of paradise .

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

Marty couldn't keep an eye on the dog and an eye on the job at the same time. Rosie would have been after the goats and "lost" on the hills....

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi Marty , that little digger and the log grabber is fantastic. What a great little machine absolutely love it better than trying to get the big one down there which is probably impossible. Keep up the good work Cliff from Australia.

[@Mopar46]

What a handy little machine that is; thereby proving that bigger isn't always, better!

[@captainover-tighten6729]

Geeeesh! You’re a brave man Marty. That “digga” could have easily tumble off the edge. Only a few trees to catch you in some spots. Thanks for posting and glad it went well.

[@BlairGuinea]

Great vid Marty...............picture that south island bush, great day job.................thank you

[@ClintsHobbiesDIY]

Great job Marty. You are getting good use out of the mini. I have one and didn't know what I was, missing before I got it. Cheers from the state of Virginia USA.

[@picklesgherkin]

making life easier with a mini excavator, way to go Marty 👍👍

[@craigsowers8456]

Amazing how much work you can get done with "the little Dude" !!! And how rapidly you've mastered its' operation. Congrats on "The Claw" as well.

[@everestyeti]

That new attachment is surely the business, your little digger was a useful tool before now it's gone into another mode. Just wondering though when we'll see it on the island, you just need a landing craft and you'd be all set. 👍

[@chrisrea7347]

Good to see you again and a great job with the mini excavator ! I remember when you put the hydro system in!!

[@dalegunn9434]

Good stuff,, Love doing this sort of work Have a little digger myself that we used to carry around in the Fiordland Park with the choppers doing track work They can punch well above their weight but still demand a good amount of respect and skill as they are certainly more interesting to handle than the larger ones

[@MartyT]

Nice.. Yes the little ones are quite tippy

[@yakacm]

Those time lapse bits of the digger makes it look like the footage was created with stop motion animation, especially the parts with the claw, reminded me of Jason and the Argonauts.

[@meirionevans5137]

Passed through that area last year, lovely. Micro machines are so powerful now, Takeuchi are super reliable, hardly need a spanner.

[@rolandtb3]

Mini digger is a mighty trail maker. Created a couple of turning points for the truck and atv. Very close to the stream now. Over time, the steep slopes can be slowly graded or wider turns made and ground e en more compacted. Plus a few rain/water runoff channels to minimize soil erosion or landslides. If need be, the original 20 yr old access road can be widened eventually. For a seldom used trail, damn good job. Significantly easier access.

[@brentmulqueen377]

well what a great little machine and there are the great birds sounds of the NZ bush cheers 😊

[@gfrankum63]

Wow, you're getting a lot of good use out of that Takeuchi! It clearly looks like the most useful machine out of all the diggers and dozers you have, and it's not in desperate need of new parts either. Keep up the good work, and content!

[@MartyT]

Its ideal for these narrow tracks

[@richardwooldridge1505]

Hi Marty - You certainly get your money's worth out of your equipment! I imagine a lot of us viewers wish we lived in such a paradise as you do!

[@roberthocking9138]

Nice one, that little mini digger seems quite powerful for its size.

[@timothykiggins1601]

Hey Marty, thanks for the video, and hope you and your family are doing great!!!

[@googies12a]

5:45 in, the smile of satisfaction getting the new grab to work, the mini digger is definitely proving useful! All the best form Ireland ☘

[@josequins9099]

That lil digger is amazing. Very versatile.

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Marty T :) also superb work to spot for hydro set up and very good to! I like how all working out there too and well done!

[@Bar.65]

Good job sir … you’re a pretty good operator … would have love to see more … more trail making, anyway till next time

[@patring620]

I want one of those for our woods. I manually dug out a trail for the mountain bike years ago and it was a blast, but was overgrown in a year. What took me weeks to by hand this would take care of in hours.

[@kenanderson3859]

Marty another great video. Such lovely surrounds to work in.

[@kragfearghal]

Mr. Marty T WINS!!! He's not only got all the toyes we "Boys" want but the land with reasons/excuses to go and play with them making inprovements! So jeolous Sir, congrats, envy from Maine:)

[@pauljoseph8338]

The micro mini excavator seems incredibly powerful for its size! Great purchase.

[@tutekohe1361]

The Austen Powers clip was brilliant!

[@timeflysintheshop]

Interesting "stationary" drone shots in this one!

[@John-n9m3t]

Nice of the Ms's to let you use her B-day present to clear the path. Thnx Marty....

[@DEADELV1S]

Please make a longer video Marty, 15 minutes isn't enough, a good half hour or more is better, loving the videos mate.

[@mupdog9697]

Letsdig18 would be proud! I bet you are liking the quick coupler and grab...makes a big difference in time saved.

[@danieloutloud9151]

That littleTakeuchi looks so small , almost seems like a toy but , I was very impressed at how much it was able to handle .

[@SteveeCee]

That new grab bucket is a real mean piece of kit. Another tool in the MartyT arsenal.

[@garyfeltus9801]

Nice machine works like a champ. Wish I could have been there to watch it. Love the Chanel Marty.

[@pauljoseph8338]

Cool bucket with its own integrated thumb. Never seen one like that. 👍

[@oioi8037]

Always interesting to watch your videos. Thanks for posting. I have just finished watching Andrew Camerata"s latest video too - He was working at pretty much the same thing as you when his excavator caught fire, miles from any assistance. His fire extinguisher failed to work, so he had to watch the machine burn itself out before fire brigade arrived. I trust you have more -and better- extinguishers than he did!

[@joerodrigues3816]

Great video as always mate thanks again and all the best to you all. Love if you could give us some more videos mate yes I know you working a lot I just like watching your videos and where you live it’s great again all the best.

[@ronaldheit196]

Got home from a shopping expedition with the my Bebita Wife and microwaved a sub I bought. Sat down and turned on the TV and there's a new MartyT episode og him putting his new mini excavator to work on an important job. Given we went thru a typical south summer Florida monsoon flooded roads storm getting home it made my day. Now off to a late afternoon nap.

[@tutekohe1361]

Seeing that bone-dry, firewood-ready Kanuka at this time of year brought tears of envy to my eyes!

[@MartyT]

I hauled out a few loads on the hilux on my way home 😉

[@AndrewFroude]

Great job Marty. That'll make life easier, and the little excavator and the new grab bucket were ideal for that job.

[@peterwalton1502]

What a beautiful place New Zealand looks. 👏👏👏🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@zarb88]

glad you got a chance to clear the route to the turbine, it was scary watching you climb down that rain soaked slope. when you first got the little digger i thought what is he going to do with that little toy, quite a lot it seems.

[@ile84]

That Austin Powers clip was hilarious for that bit, I feel like that sometimes when I am in a tight space having to turn around :D

[@kiweekeith]

Wow, Just love that new 'Grab Bucket' .... You wield it as though it is an extension of 'Your Person/Body' .... I am sure that it is going to a Major Help with All the work that you do on The Property ..... Best to ALL from ChCh ....

[@droidian]

My 2 cents: Longer vids would be nice. Tx Marty. God bless you and your family.

[@ToniWhitneyDesign]

Right tool for the job makes eazzie peezie! Great job and skills.

[@BerlinBeamerBoy]

The cute Bird at the and was the best unpaid actor. Awesome video chur brother

[@simplicity6564]

When you first bought this I was like, hey, that's not old and broken! What gives? You going soft or getting cocky?? But, now I see what it can do, I get it. Nice work.

[@BillyBob-uc9zp]

Handy bit of kit. Well done Mr 😎