Mini excavator builds access road in the hills of Eastern Kentucky

mini excavator, dirt work, excavation

[@frankp215]

I really enjoyed watching your skills on the mini, but really enjoyed the story behind it! Family taking care of family!

[@joeltemplin3570]

Jeez... great work. I'm recently retired and got a 17g, similar to your mini, to do some projects around our property. I've only a few hours on it due to rotten weather so lacking decent seat time yet but I'd be thrilled to have a half of your skills. I thought you were gonna roll it a the 5 min mark... I got butt pucker just watching. You definitely know what you're doing and how to do it.

[@timothyward3490]

I’ve got some drone footage of that when I scouted it in December. Wish I could have been there to help, but you did a hell of a job and I’m sure our cousin was smiling from ear to ear. Can’t wait to ride the 4-wheeler up there myself and beyond.

[@nixran]

I’m curious how that path will hold up without any rock or gravel on it. One good rain will wash it out and also will be a muddy mess that even the 4 wheeler can’t go up. Would like to see an update video on it. Good job on the excavator.

[@chrisward405]

I was down there about a month ago and it was still functional. We planted grass on the path and has done a great job holding together. Unfortunately my cousin has fell ill and hasn't been able to use the path in over a year. I'll be back down in a few weeks and I'll get some video of it

[@bigfoot8203]

I live in Eastern Kentucky to. Thought about buying one of those small Chinese Mini Excavator but I don't think they can handle the hard rocky ground around here. You did a good job and your right the camera did not do it justice how steep it is

[@chrisward405]

Agreed. I'd look into a 35 series machine. It's larger than what I was using in the video. Would have made the job easier if I had one

[@TF856]

Someone is playing the radio too loud to hear the equipment working. Some of us would much rather hear the equipment instead of the music.

[@nbragtop]

Good job and a great video. Thanks for letting us come along.

[@chrisward405]

No problem and thanks for the kind words 😊

[@pompeyroad]

I got some Eastern Ky. mountain property I am going to cut some trails into... will have to play down in the flat land for a week or two to get my skill level anywhere near yours... good looking job!

[@2020HotShotTruckingLLC]

Great job Chris! Backhoe attachment or backhoe is on my wish list so I can turn my natural spring swamp into a pond someday. It's full of trees and roots so I don't think my box blade is gonna work! lol

[@graysondaniels8347]

Finally another equipment video love it keep up the good wor

[@St33v33]

That was fun. You said that was a day and a half's work. Could you estimate how many yards of track you made in that time? I'm trying to get a feel for yards per hour in similar steep country.

[@waltere.mellin3537]

Geez that's some beautiful country there

[@richardpowers4379]

I know what them hill's are like I live here in ky myself I wouldn't have it any other way good job done a hell of a job with the little guy....

[@richardpowers4379]

What part of ky is this I'm around Corbin..

[@chrisward405]

Pikeville

[@ShelbyDJohnson]

Mr. Ward really fine display of operator skills! I’m wondering why you picked that machine? What features or performance it had over other brands? And also whether the controls have the auxiliary for a hydraulic thumb? Thanks for sharing!

[@chrisward405]

Well I was needing an excavator for my property. Decided to check out the local Ritchie Brothers auction and they had a bunch of these mini excavators. This machine was only 3 years old and had under 600 hours on it. I was able to purchase it for less than a 3rd of what it costs new because there were so many being sold. It surprises me on what it's capable of sill. It does not have auxiliary hydraulics yet. I'll be adding them in the future. I would like to get a larger mini in the future as well. Just have to find the right deal lol. While I was at the auction they had larger mini excavators that were in need of expensive maintenance repairs and I needed something I could use right away. This was the best way for me to go at the time. As far as a thumb goes I will probably install a manual thumb.

[@paruggeri]

What size is that Terex

[@chrisward405]

@paruggeri it's a 4,000 pound machine.