Off-Grid Adventure: Building a better ATV Trail to My Hydro Turbine

Join me as I tackle the challenge of upgrading a steep, slippery bulldozer trail that has been my Hydro Turbine access route for 20 years.
Using a Takeuchi mini excavator, I’m cutting a new, easier gradient through the forest to make it possible to ride my ATV to the hydro power turbine for yearly maintenance.
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more DIY and off-grid adventures!

[@Justin-C]

Those opening drone shots were phenomenal. "Rewound" multiple times. What an amazing place to live!

[@josephking6515]

I was doing my Commercial Pilot's Flight Test over the Southern Alps many, many years ago and I had to cross one of the ranges to get back to the east of the island. It was quite incredible at 8,500 feet being 500 feet above the snow covered saddle (crossing at 45° angle) and once across the mountain just fell away 4 to 5,000 feet. It felt like the mountain was trying to pull me down to follow the terrain. It was incredible and I never tired of views flying around the mountains.

[@TobyWild]

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is right now. You really took that to heart :)

[@JuarezDerrick]

Yep I planted live oak trees about 23 years ago and planted another one about 15 years ago and now that I realized I should have planted more 20 years ago so I wound up planting about 20 more! I only have a few acres but it gets so hot in Texas that you have to have shade if you are going to be outside!

[@puirYorick]

A mere mortal would have waited the extra hour or so to bring the digger up to the shed for the 50-hour service. Marty breaks out his toolkit and does it partway down the side of a newly carved mountain track. 🏆

[@svthorasailing4868]

True but save on diesel driving it back up and down halfway thru the job,work in place,it was the way back when,now people thieve ya shit if ya leave it unprotected so you’re right in your thinking.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

​@@svthorasailing4868Where he lives and work in the forest is not that easy to get to. This is off grid part of New Zealand

[@fknsl1]

This is the first NEW (and Expensive) piece of equipment that Marty has showcased for us. I almost don't recognize the Channel with him using a Tight Shiny Excavator!! He shows us repeatedly what happens when the gear gets neglected, or Maintenance deferred.

[@svthorasailing4868]

@@Frank-Thoresen I thought he worked in town,he owns this property,it’s his off grid joint.

[@svthorasailing4868]

@@fknsl1 trust me we will see this machine around for years to come on the channel,hopefully he can dry hire it out to a plumber and make it pay for itself while he’s not using it.machines cost money sitting idle.

[@legendsatlunch]

No one would have believed, that in the last parts of the 21st century, A lone man built these tracks with a mini excavator. Fenominal job Marty. New Zealand is such a beautiful place.

[@digitalimager4946]

Phenominal 😂

[@auser591]

I prefer fenominal.... ;)

[@BJ-Hunter513]

English teacher entered the chat😅 ​@@digitalimager4946is Mr Wright 😮

[@jimroberts3009]

Good War of the Worlds reference. At least there aren't any Martians!

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

​@@jimroberts3009Not yet, but if Marty keeps improving his stand they will show up. When you watch 411 missing persons David believes these critters do some of the rascally deeds.

[@paulhammond7489]

Planting 14k trees 2:37 That was a heck of an undertaking back then, and then pruning them up to 7 meters by yourself, especially when you consider the Hawthorn & Barberry you had to deal with...

[@anthonymorris479]

Yes! What an amazing effort. Which is not a surprise from Marty.

[@gfj64]

Do you guys know what type of trees are the ones he planted?

[@paulhammond7489]

@@gfj64 He mentioned Pine trees in the video. Fast forward to 3 minutes 37 seconds

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

@@gfj64 Pinus radiata (Monterey pines) Full commercially growth for logging every 30 years...so 3 crops per century.... and they are scientifically "breeding" commercial varieties for extra growth factor .....

[@RainusBrainus]

So nice of your dog to take the atv for a walk. I was looking forward to this particular project. Cheers dude :)

[@wolverine89893]

😂😂

[@patrickmoodabe9728]

I hope you are nominated for national recognition Marty. You are a national treasure. 👏👏

[@dougbrooks7476]

You have had the happiest time of your life since purchasing your mini excavator 🎉🎉

[@chrisduncan2626]

I loved that "you werent pulling hard enough buddy" to your dog. Dog 100% thought it was pulling the atv along 😂

[@scubaguy5389]

one of the most underrated inventions. hydraulics. super powerful

[@AlexsProjects]

I had no idea that I wanted to visit New Zealand until I found your videos, Marty. I've enjoyed every one of them. Thank you.

[@halfwayfarmsandoutdoors3550]

I’m the same way. Would love to come visit NZ!!

[@MySierraNevadaLife]

I love the depth and context the fact that you planted those pines 20 years ago brings!

[@wolverine89893]

The one drone shot showing the mountain top with the clouds above almost to the top looked Majestic. 😲 I can see you are giving your new Mini -Ex a good workout. Thanks for showing us the maintenance on it. As well as showing us how you improved your trails. 😊

[@westie4ageturbo.749]

Cant get over how well that dog towed the 4wheeler!

[@RichardS-qh8mi]

So good to see preventative maintenance - just tiny little jobs like putting some grease on those new threads will pay you back many times over the years. What a fantastic little digger, think I might need one too!

[@derekcomer4858]

The thorn through the eyelid story had me wincing. Plenty of similar ones in my body on a regular basis , hours of fun trying to extract them. I absolutely adore your dog, would love to have one eventually 🙏

[@samvalentine3206]

Remember in the movie "Patton" they had a dog like that in the film...

[@ravivo2001]

appreciate it so much that you opened the filter to show us how it looks like from within...

[@aliensounddigital8729]

12 hours compressed close to 20 minutes. Very nice. Looking really good. Looks like a lot of fun.

[@RobertFay]

*- "Good little machine." Agreed. Very capable is the phrase that comes to mind for me.*

[@fknsl1]

I think these both sum up Marty T quite nicely.

[@Aragorn6519]

I got one of those mini excavators for Christmas one year it was awesome...ok no i didnt i got socks but they were nice socks.

[@jesscourt9068]

You looked in your chimney?

[@borisbash]

That's really funny.

[@paulvale2985]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheBoeingFan]

I am a simple man, I see a new Video from Marty and I give it a like 🤙🏼

[@Onionbaron]

Confirmed! That is really simple!!! 😊

[@frankward423]

Same here.👍

[@gbentley8176]

Beautiful New Zealand shines through. Excellent content and thank you for posting. Best from the UK.

[@eugeneclarke5572]

Opening scene ; I'll show them what heaven is going to look like. As far as that machine, isn't it a great little bugger. Beats a pick and shovel 😂👍🇮🇪

[@sensei463]

Hello from the States! Love seeing the day to day from half a planet away.

[@ekner]

Loving the pause for the 50h service!

[@MrPhotodoc]

The "TB" prefix for the machine name must stand for Trail Blazer. Does nice work at improving an already beautiful location. Thanks for taking us along.

[@renerobes30]

Your ATV mileage is certainly improved with that extra 1 DP (dogpower). Thanks for the video!

[@dougwilson1769]

Another great video

[@ni_wink84]

Marty I would just like to say how much I enjoy your videos and watching you restore things and make improvements to your home. The water generators were probably one of my favorite videos because I had no clue a washing machine could do all that! Thanks for all the great content I truly appreciate your videos

[@samvalentine3206]

Nicely said and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is in total agreement with you!

[@aidanscapeing]

What a joy to work on a clean new machine, and its yours.

[@PaulHilliam]

That turbine is so brilliant!! It has given so much 😍

[@gregsabo6371]

That excavator is such a treat. It's small in size but has so much power!

[@soggybottom3463]

Heartbreakingly beautiful ...thank you for sharing footage of your fantastic property with us, sir, 🤗🤗

[@jeffparker3334]

Good day Marty. You are so proficient on that mini. I would have been nervous about tumbling down the hill. You produce such great content. Always a joy. Thanks.

[@jamesa7506]

The opening shots are magnificent, a beautifully created world! ✝️🇺🇲🙏

[@Mopar46]

Those thorns put me in mind of cutting tracks through a forest of Gorse [in the mid 70s]on a mate's 50 acre block above [then; Westhaven, now apparently, Whanganui Inlet] then spending the entire bus trip back to CHCH picking gorse spikes out of my skin with a darning needle!

[@Wil_Liam1]

That 217R has a retractable carriage which can be retracted to narrow its width and footprint, or widened for more open areas and stability... Has minimal tail overhang which means less chance of banging it when spinning around... Very neat,compact,and well working machine !! Been a minute since we last saw the old dishwasher 😉

[@samvalentine3206]

Ever since Marty made his generator, I have been on the lookout for any Fisher & Paykel washing machines lying around... but they are rare as hen's teeth here in the US. Not that I live somewhere that I could use one, but ya never know! 😊

[@Wil_Liam1]

@samvalentine3206 I have a friend who bought a set of F&Ps 20 something years ago,and had no problems with them for the longest time,she decided to get rid of them because they were looking old,and worn,so she gave them to a relative.. Now,some many year later, she still misses them because she has tried several different domestic American brands and none work as well, and the woman who got them is still loving them... 😆 I have a local 2nd hand appliance repair guy who fixes appliances and resells them looking for one for me...

[@imikalfunangongo]

Making things HAPPEN. Another great video, Marty. With your channel, THE PRINCIPLE of self-determination is always in play.

[@JohnR-gk7ch]

Amazing progress with that excavator. Certainly faster than using a pick and shovel. They are a fabulous evolution in earth moving. Put many hours on back hoes but these excavators are so much better.

[@TheGrimReaper1]

That little 360 is a wonderful machine for that line of work.

[@TT-qo9dv]

How rewarding to see how the trees have grown 😊 Thanks Marty 👍

[@HOWEARTDOTNET]

Thinking thirty or so years ago large logged lot in the mountains covered in thorn bushes for cheap picked up by Marty who has grand ambitions. And so it came to pass this man has succeeded in his wildest dreams.

[@joerodrigues3816]

Happy to see you back mate hope you’re all doing well and staying safe and healthy and your family and your friends

[@BarnStangz]

Marty, great job as per usual. And if your kids are reading this comment (someday), make sure they keep that little excavator maintained like you do and it will last many life times. It will be cool to pass it down from generation to generation. Hope you all are doing well.

[@iNireus]

Love an origin story😅 Was this where your future wife was hiking and found Marty T, thought, I’ll salvage this one from here and that’s got my salvaging life sorted 😂

[@JackVanderBeek]

Thanks for the post. I always enjoy and look forward to your updates.

[@hewbert77au]

Love your videos, I have shown the original hydro build episode to anyone and everyone I can. Thanks dude

[@fredsimmons2793]

When I looked at those trees you planted Marty,I saw warm snug homes for your children.Getting the maintaince on film is smart and supports the warrenty.

[@daveb7999]

Nice work Marty, the mini excavator sure is the right tool for making these tracks. I'm a little surprised how smoothly it all goes, nice machine for sure! I love how it can weave in and out of the trees making a beautiful trail without really damaging the environment much at all. Thanks for another fine video!

[@K1W1fly]

So cool to hear the story of the origins of your Pine block!

[@stevewesley8187]

Marty T's motto - "If it is to be , it's up to me" ...............

[@pauljoseph8338]

That ‘lil TAKA is a beast! Amazing what you’re able to accomplish with it.

[@chrisoakey9841]

Have you considered when pushing trees over to drop them along the direction of your path to make a simple retaining wall for dirt to stack on?

[@MartyT]

@chrisoakey9841 When they rot you get slips, I prefer to use big rocks

[@guycarignan2263]

Nice video and especially when we see the dog pulling the 4 wheels.Very cute. Great work to build the road.

[@V8SKULLS]

Marty I must say You live in such a Beautiful Country, thank you for sharing ❤

[@ian-c.01]

I'm so glad I found your channel, it's such a breath of fresh air from most of the carp that is online ! (yes I know how to spell but YT doesn't allow some words!) The opening sequence with birdsong is incredible and instantly transports my soul away from all the stuff we have to tolerate today ! I'd love an hour or two of that kind of thing !

[@rhondasweeney7271]

That excavator is definitely a treasure to have. I look forward to your videos and your family. Thank you for sharing! Love from the United States 🇺🇸

[@beakittelscherz5419]

Doggo had def. fun running the new track down!! Thanks for sharing. Interesting video!😎🤓

[@joerodrigues3816]

Great video mate thanks for sharing this information and hope you all are doing well too and your family and friends too all the best to you all stay safe and healthy.

[@margaretwilkinson9140]

i think it's fantastic you treated yourself to a brand new piece of equipment! sometimes it's prudent to buy new.

[@jules5811]

Hello Marty, A real pleasure to watch your aerial intro’ and hear the sounds of the forest and New Zealand birds. Never bored with your video stories of equipment and managing your steep sided home. You will be cautious please on that narrow track in the wet - much can move with your local heavy rainfall as you showed in earlier presentations. Your bull terrier is lovely, and I can see a great friend. Train her recall to the whistle it is fairly easy and works like magic, but you will still have to keep an eagle eye on her. She is quite young and will be responsive. Try “sit”, single whistle, dog responds, big fuss of her and a treat. Then build with two brief whistles for the recall from a very short distance whilst calling for her - extend distance over time, but make a huge fuss of her with successes!

[@davidp8157]

Marty, a bit of work but, in areas of deeper cut and potentially unstable bank, I would use some of your rock and build dry stone wall retaining, basically a sloped dry stone wall leaning against the bank, but also stabilising the bank. It does take some time and effort, but saves the rework when the bank repurposes itself into hillside. I did this years ago in a similar situation, I no longer own the property( sold about 20 years ago) but last i heard a few years ago, everything was still working well, whereas other unretained areas have slumped and required much rework.

[@CaitlinLovesIreland]

Beautiful area! My dream!

[@FPVsean]

I said this in the video you revealed buying this excavator brand new, that you'd service the thing within an inch of it's life... I bet it didn't go 1 second over that 50hr time interval when you dropped everything you were doing!! That'll be the best kept bit of equipment from new anyone will ever see you're a legend mate!

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

Thats a great machine for that type of work, its size certainly does not restrict its ability, good job.

[@richardphelan8414]

You and your little digger are perfectly matched for these mountain side trails you make I love when you go in the forest , the thorns are like the thorns on our Mesquite trees tough on the body and on inflated tires while mowing the lawn

[@dpeagles]

Tremendous amount of work you have done there.

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Marty T :) also yes backhoe will last long as long keep matinne up and when need service too! Also yes famillies pet like going on tours and runs !

[@coniow]

I too wish I had the vitality and energy of 20 years ago! Too much of my "Get-Up-And-Go" has "Gotten up and GONE" 😞 Things that took a day now take several. But as long as I can still actually DO them, I can't complain LOL.

[@karlfoxwell8383]

i clicked on a random video now I'm subscribed and 4 hours into watching them all there goes my Sunday

[@samvalentine3206]

I envy you - found eye candy treasure for sure!

[@1Welshguy]

What fabulous foresight for a young guy. I guess it was a dammed good investment for all the hard graft it took. 👏👏👏

[@everestyeti]

That little digger is awesome, bet it's been one of your better purchases. Ideal for hanging onto a mountain side and digging pathways, bet the Ents were really happy that you planted those trees. 😎👍 Just look out for the sign that says, 'You will not pass'.

[@Worldslayer85]

Looks good. That will make life a bit easier for maintenance 👍

[@zackjohnson5247]

Marty I love watching everything you put out such a great place you have there! 🫡

[@patring620]

Amazing. I research your little excavator every time you do a video with it. Thanks, Marty.

[@svthorasailing4868]

Land of the long white cloud is not a joke,thanks for the video broo.

[@lemagreengreen]

That Takeuchi is the perfect machine for taming this land a little. As a mountain biker I'm very jealous thinking about how well this would build some great trails!

[@MOSSFEEN]

I like how the dog is taking the Quad for a run 😆

[@russellarendt5565]

The little “trailblazer” combined with a “smooth operator” makes for an enjoyable episode. Well done and fun to watch.☮️

[@lukasoperator9029]

Pięknie wreszcie mini koparka jestbu ciebie, nagraj więcej takich odcinków o tej minikoparce, ja się zastanawiam nad takeuchi Tb 250

[@PaulTreefella]

I'm glad to see you posting again.

[@TheLandAndLegacy]

Nice work. I often wish I had a mini excavator as well. Handy little machine.

[@licencetoswill]

it's always impressive what those little diggers can do. that's a fun track now.

[@steveparoz2691]

I can’t believe how well that little machine performs I’m thinking of down sizing my 5.5 yanmar and these tachehuthi are a mighty machine Well done with your property 👍

[@harrytaylor6854]

We have a lot of big flat stone as well ,Alot of people use them for walkways looks great or flower garden.well done sir Marty

[@jimwhite5964]

Nicely done with that sweet machine! Thanks, Marty!

[@mrbussey]

You do amazing work! Love the mini excavator! I need one! Not sure why, but I do! Thanks for the videos!

[@Yutani_Crayven]

That's one strong dog pulling you along the trail like that

[@robertbennett9243]

That makes it a lot easier to get there. Good job.

[@maxtorque2277]

I love your "Hybrid" ATV! Must get excellent fuel economy 🙂

[@TheBasementChannel]

How satisfying to work on a nice new and clean machine

[@northeden8661]

It's so awesome the washing machine free power farmerized kajigger is still rocking and rolling just like it's supposed to do. That dog would surely get itself lost down the slope without the leash. Good job Marty.

[@PAINFOOL13]

Planting all those trees was far seeing Marty , Nice 👍🏻

[@1one3_Racing]

Youre a pretty handy guy so I'll tell you a tip I made once. I got 2 old cutting edges off our huge frobt end loader that were over 3m long, cut the worn ends off and ended up with a pair of fairly straight 2.4m lengths. I welded them in a v and made my own mouldboard. Then I made an attachment so they went on the factory blade at a 22.5 degree angle so you could grade with the mini ex. It would push a 2m wide path through anything! You had to manaully change it from left to right but still. It was made to clean out under fences but it would be great for pushing trails. Kind of a grader and excavator in one!

[@Peter4253]

Nice one Marty, good to see you getting to use new plant and not having to repair it before being able to put it to work👍

[@Wheelloader__]

You live in the coolest place on earth. Awesome video Marty.

[@edciasiii3308]

Stunning drone shots in the beginning!

[@roberthocking9138]

What a beautiful part of the world you live in. Here in AUS they have locked up nearly all our native bush and even if you could live there you can’t touch anything and I mean anything !!! Lucky man. I hope heavy rain doesn’t wash your new track away.

[@patrickhathaway6178]

Enjoyed yet another Marty video. Thank you.

[@mickjones7180]

Good work, and always good to see Rosie

[@TheDefpom]

That little digger is certainly getting some decent use.