Mastering Mini Diggers: Your Garden's Ultimate Tool

For domestic use, there is no license required to use an excavator on your own property so hiring one is completely possible and common place. Watch as I show you some of the work I've carried out and how I use a mini digger and dumper around my garden.
Proper DIY Patreon page: / properdiy
🧰 The tools and equipment I use: www.amazon.co....
The Amazon links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@donf3739]

I can't believe you did that. I sure wouldn't want an engine buried in my yard.

[@philcrockford5534]

I hired a Kubota micro digger (0.8 tonne) for a weekend to help clear and level a 100ft back garden. Apart from acting as a digger, leveller and compactor all in one, and doing the job in a day or so, it was the most fun I had all lockdown! 😁

[@CyberWolfVR]

How long does it take to get the hang of it?

[@MrGman6897]

@@CyberWolfVRabout an hour I would say

[@keziasarah]

Could have spilt the engine, G/Box off, Top head off to lighten the load to transport and got £50 scrap. More environmentally friendly than burying it. Great video enjoyed it.

[@tonydaddario4706]

Totally, couldn't of shown us digging a hole though.

[@karma3101]

Must be one of the best DIY channels on KZbin. Not just informative but entertaining as well. And so professionally produced. Look forward to the next one.

[@user-bu4ze9ue4]

Your very lucky to have a garden big enough to be able to use one

[@petermcfadden9426]

Love your dry sense of humour. All very educational.

[@rupertm2542]

Tip for you I learnt from an old pro, when you’ve got something heavy like that, track up to it with blade facing it and low. Bring the arm and push squeeze it up to the blade. Lift blade and arm together and you’ll lift it up. Then just track it to where want it.

[@andyk9685]

Great, you've come across my interests. I'll need a mini digger in the next 2-3 months. I was wondering if I would make it. Now I know there's no problem. Thanks !!

[@davidsteele3037]

I hired a 3T machine for the first time last year. It was a bit like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time... Really difficult but great fun. Proper boys toys!

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one - I would like to try a bigger machine

[@Mystique-Dreams]

I've enjoyed watching this video, now I have an idea of what it is involved to level my little garden...so thank you!

[@TonyAFC85]

Been 360 driver for 15yrs now and I enjoyed watching how fast you learned the basics and some great tips for people who’ve never driven a digger 👍

[@nigelstevens3627]

drivers and operators...

[@TonyAFC85]

@@nigelstevens3627 🍅

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Tony - much appreciated

[@FultonX]

I know English and all, but for real: use the word "excavator." You will see alot less inhalation through teeth that way

[@TonyAFC85]

@@FultonX been driving diggers for 15yrs years and foreman, project managers and general labours say digger driver. It’s not that deep

[@barney992]

good way to clean up that mess .now have to get rid of it . the important thing to do with Backhoes and excavators is plan how its done and not end up with a big bog hole . the way the controls are is called ISO pattern .can be changed on most machines so the boom and the second boom ( dipper stick ) is opposite sides .

[@anthonyknight5465]

I used the exact same combination of digger and tracked dumper when excavating the footings for my house. As you say, you can learn to use a digger but an experienced operator will usually do a far quicker, more efficient job for you. If there is any complexity or risk to the work, personally I'd urge you to hire a driver with the digger. The little dumpers are great, especially if you have limited access, but they do move slowly and that costs you time as you trek back and forth to the skip. In the end I hired a digger driver and replaced the tracked dumper with a one tonne wheeled one and everything sped up significantly. I got more in the dumper each time, got to and from the skip far sooner, and the digger driver didn't have to hang around between times waiting for my return for anything like as long. All these things I learned, probably never to use again!

[@regiondeltas]

Have to agree on those tracked barrows. They're handy, in their own way and 1ton Dumpers are HUGE in the context of a garden which makes them a bit impractical even next to an excavator, but they are a huge step up in speed and efficiency.

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Once you’ve cleared your new land Stuart, maybe consider getting a couple of goats to keep it clear ( you’ve got plenty of room ). Assuming the areas not going to be a flower/vegetable garden , not only are goats good at clearing but their poo is excellent fertiliser and they’re great company . Just a thought 😁👍 Great video as always 👍

[@bluecurlygirl]

And goats are so funny too. Plenty of entertainment value. Heck he could even give them their own channel.

[@ProperDIY]

I've heard goats and pigs do wonderful things - need to discuss that with my wife!

[@mrnormski9005]

Got to agree, we had goats & the milk, once you get used to the taste it's fantastic! It's also good as a skin cleanser.

[@ewanstevenson]

Bloody-minded creatures, goats! We had some years ago and my mum still twitches at the mention of them!😂

[@Norfolkonsea]

Years ago I watched a lad on a big old digger on a Persimmon site swing round and knock down a part built house wall so a wooden fence is small beer! 😉

[@regiondeltas]

I've hired a 1.5t digger a few times now. First time I was a bit nervous, and it was a proper project too - digging out foundations for a DIY extension. Lots of people said to get a driver, or pay a pro, but int he end frankly, I wanted to have fun on a digger and whats' the point in doing DIY and then paying somebody for the fun stuff. Took my time, yes, I messed up a bit a times, but all in all it was a great experience. Then over the years I've hired them to move, all in all, probably 100 tons of material one way or another. Great bits of kit, and it's really not hard to operate so long as you take it easy. Also hired a telehandler once, that was awesome

[@bobuk5722]

Hi Stuart, thanks for this, really useful to see. I had a patio cleared and relaid by a good local team and told them to hire in a digger and skip loader at my expense. They found it really useful - the old cast concrete slabs were 35 to 45 kgs a throw - we put one on my bathroom scales. One thing I would add though, if digging down make sure you know where any service pipes and electric cables are and stay well clear. Damaging any underground services would prove VERY expensive. Usually services are at least one spade handle's depth down but you can never be certain of that.

[@marksweetman8765]

Just in time. I’m about to hire one myself for some big laurel roots. Thanks for sharing.

[@timwrigley54]

Perfect timing as I've got a hire arriving on Monday! At least I'll be able to understand what they are talking about when they deliver it. Interesting and informative as always.

[@MrCraigShepheard]

You should have contacted a scrap merchant who could have taken all of your scrap metal away, including the engine. The machine could have dragged the engine along to the front of your property.

[@paulf2529]

On a kubota on the dozer blade lever the green button on top of the leaver is the fast tracking giving a faster ground speed for moving the machine. Other tip is if you have a slope to climb then go up with the front dozer blade to the rear. The track drive motors are at the back of the machine at the oposite end to the dozing blade and doing this puts the weight of the machine directly over the drive motots giving better traction.

[@C4sp3r123]

Glad you included the hire prices, really useful to know what to expect to pay. The tracked barrow looks ideal for an upcoming project I have when combined with the digger and the skip 👍

[@andyjackson2269]

I would those prices were really cheap,I payed £250 for a weekend for a similar digger.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@smashyrashy]

​@@andyjackson2269 robbery

[@mgastra]

I paid £90 for 1st day and £60 2nd

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿 Good to see you dug in and got the job done. No matter how many certificates or qualifications you have nothing ever beats hands on experience and confidence 🥊🥊🥊🥊

[@ProperDIY]

Well said

[@daratheprofessional1827]

You should have ask the hire company for a land rake or riddle bucket for the mini digger. That way you could take the roots out without getting out of the mini digger.

[@dmswallowuk]

I'm sat here in hysterics over the fact that you've decided to just bury that engine! Hopefully one day someones going to be really confused digging that up 😂 fantastic stuff!

[@jemijona]

Almost as intriguing as finding a complete motorbike buried in the backyard. It happened in America.

[@David-xc4us]

That mini dumper is such a good tool

[@ProperDIY]

It certainly is

[@fionam8284]

Just discovered your channel, found this really interesting, your the sort of person that people can learn loads from! Thanks for a very informative video 😊♥️

[@trakside1]

Cracking work as always 👌 Handled the machine like a pro 👏

[@lujesta]

Excellent, entertaining and informative, as usual Stuart. Thank you!

[@philproctor4443]

A few bolts removed you could have split the engine and box, the digger would have picked up the 2 parts for the skip

[@fenners1290]

Fascinating as always. I had someone in to level our lawn. Wish I’d have done it myself now!

[@DiHandley]

You’re a real DIY Demon out there Stuart. I’m very impressed with your never ending list of skills. Wish I could say the same. Cheers.

[@tepidtuna7450]

Nice one. Time Team will dig that up and marvel at it in a future episode in say 2,000 years.

[@martinhunt6004]

Most splendid Stuart! A great task well done.

[@Gord]

Great end shot by the drone, shows how much work you've done so far 😲 Fair play to you. Another great video 👍

[@denisoriordan6739]

Amazing looking soil Stuart.

[@jamesmartin2325]

Great video! Although now I’m looking for reasons to hire a mini digger! The only thing I would add to anyone planning there own excavations, check with your local electric, gas and water operators as digging and damaging their buried cables and pipes can be dangerous and expensive!

[@stephenmcgeown]

Very interesting video, Stuart. I have no need to ever rent one of these things but I still found it great to watch your stuff as usual! Great camera work as well, I can tell that must have taken a lot of effort to set up the angles and edit.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Stephen - nice to see you appreciate something that most people miss - yes it does!

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@ProperDIYJeremy Clarkson in one of columns said everyman should use a mini digger once

[@williamwales6619]

Ah need to get me one of these. I believe that was a quote from a movie back in the day.🤣

[@ProperDIY]

I didn't think of that!

[@jemijona]

A couple of things. When you were padding down, put the blade down behind you. You will get more padding power. When opening and closing the tracks, take the weight off the tracks by lowering the blade behind you and booming down at the front to lift the machine, then move the tracks. Also, if you lift the engine closer to the machine, you may be able to lift the engine off the ground. But don't boom or stick out when lifting. You could tip over.

[@jstubbs8016]

you sir know your stuff , i'm always impressed with your skills and your wit.😀

[@ProperDIY]

I appreciate that!

[@peterlofstrand]

Come on, thought you dug a hole to drive the mini dumper into and then push the engine into it's bucket, to then move it so it could be recycled. Anyways, good video as always for the rest part, and using some proper toys is always fun.

[@ConcreteLand]

Hoping you include the before and after pics next video. 🇨🇦

[@ramsaysg]

Good timing and video, looking at hiring one myself for a regrading job. 👍

[@patburke5740]

The scrap metal you unearthed would put a hole in the costs of the hiring of the machines, pity you had to Bury the engine, it would have brought the weight of the scrap metal up and therefore the value of your find.

[@NotTheRealRyan]

Love the Digger and Dumper combo, smashing little machines. Would be funny if in a few years from now someone sees this and says its a million dollar engine and you need to remember where you buried it. Sort of like the guy that lost his bitcoin hard drive in a garbage dump.

[@buonafortuna8928]

All good to know. Thank you. That was both entertaining and educational.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Ooooh garden toys! Ace! PS second bit of the boom is called a Dipper.

[@ProperDIY]

Yes of course, a dipper - I should know that.

[@nedcoburn6421]

Great video, really well explained, many thanks!

[@Mike_5]

One of the best videos out there on this and a super good tool to get the job done but you need to be careful of neighbours who want you to do work for them while you have it on hire!

[@Andy-sj2hl]

If you have the space and an excuse to use one of these you should. It's just as fun as you thought it would be as a kid. Don't expect too much of yourself first time as doing a really good job fast takes a lot of skill and practice, but doing a reasonable job slowly isn't that hard and it's a great experience.

[@hardlines5472]

Synchronicity is defined as the occurrence of meaningful coincidences that seem to have no cause. That would be me driving a digger!🤣

[@adeh503]

Considering you're not a machine operator you looked very at home on both pieces of equipment 👍👍

[@janebutz5375]

A. I envy your dirt. For 30 years I lived on a shale ridge. If you wanted a garden, it had to be raised beds, and then they drained like a sieve. Where’s John the Scottish detectorist when you need him!

[@BillsCountrysideAdventures]

That soil looked great, no wonder the bloody horrible brambles done so well. Yes all been there, took the gate out, but funny the post I put in was solid, didn't even move. So asked mate round that I'd so good at diggers, should have got him to do in the first place. That nice big area, I'd put in planning for house build if I was you.

[@ferrworxeinside3985]

Major whiplash at 4.44 😂

[@bluecurlygirl]

Great job. Good to know the prices too.

[@welshrambler1893]

Big boys toys Stuart and you certainly got to grips with it. I think I saw that bit of fencing move in the wind LOL. Regards Keith

[@steves5392]

I looked into hiring a “micro” digger but I found the additional plant insurance a big hit, now considering if digger and driver for a couple of days is cheaper than digger & insurance for a week. You don’t mention insurance, so can I assume that was included in the hire rate? I was given a link to JCB insurance for a quote, has anyone a more pocket friendly option? Thanks

[@Super690Motard]

Don’t think burying the engine was the best idea personally, you’re just polluting the land. Especially if you want to grow fruit and vegetables on it. I would have separated the gearbox from the engine and got a recycling centre to drop off a metal skip. There’s a lot of money in old metal which you seem to have a good ton of it!

[@geoffwoollen]

Can you clarify insurance situation? When I have hired this kind of machine I find typical contract says I am liable for damage etc. I had building project insurance at the time. I don't think house insurance will cover it. Also worth mentioning that diggers are inherently top heavy and especially on a slope easy to tip over.

[@TheWardagh]

Great job, very enjoyable video 👏🏼

[@nickh2519]

For a moment I thought you were digging a canal to float the engine away! All the best

[@frigbychilwether]

Hi, some future archeologist is going to find that engine and believe that people in the 21st century mourned and buried their old engines - perhaps a symbol of the switch to electric.

[@alant84]

All that’s missing is a “Rust In Pieces” headstone.

[@raydebbiemcdonald3208]

Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust Lets bury the engine And leave it to rust 😅😅😅

[@kathrynwhitby9799]

@@raydebbiemcdonald3208 😁😁😁

[@awantamta]

You could have made a car with all those parts you found ! Great job.

[@marks-0-0]

I'm suprised you buried the engine, thought you were joking. With no oil in it it could have been broken apart with a sledge quite easily as the casing is normally quite brittle.

[@richzulewski7185]

As for the engine, I was thinking on just dis-assembling it into it's basic components and then dispose of it. I'm sure an engine block minus the transmission is a lot lighter. And why stop there? Just keep going until you have now gained new mechanical knowledge to work on your car! The wife might appreciate that and you could then rationalize the cost of the rental of the excavator. Great idea, though.

[@andrewbeaumont5492]

Yes, taking it apart was my thought too. My guess is that bolts & nuts were be too rusty to make it possible.

[@olson.pamela]

Stuart! You have once again inspired me to do something myself! A couple observations… looks like you have good soil! And there were no rocks visible! Sweet! You did not emphasize how “fun” it was tho. Lots of work you got done. Ps .. we’re t you going to dig a trench for utilities?

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Pamela. I ran out of time this week and planning to get the water and electric in next week - I'll put something up for Patreons only.

[@markg25]

Can't believe you buried it 😲 so much scrap metal there.

[@NAFO_Badger_Brigade]

Burying the engine!!! Ha, ha, ha!!!! You prove the theory that handymen/women will always find a solution!

[@TheFlyingBusman]

The simplest option would have been split the engine and gearbox which would have made them much more manageable. With scrap values as they are, weighing that lot in would have got you a free mini digger for a week 👍

[@idi0tdetectioninprogress]

Yep, I would have had an adventure splitting it, and learn a bit without consequence. I'd want to know what vehicle it was from. As you say, scrap value would go a long way towards hire costs. Or another route is to get a skip for the metal, free of charge.

[@stephenwest9757]

I would have split them at the Bell Housing and had them recycled. You get the money and much better for the environment too.

[@andrewkightley3798]

Hi Stuart. I have been watching all your videos since the lockdown years in 2021. Have loved them all. Clear descriptions with a slight edge of humour. Have recommended them to several people now. I was a little disappointed you felt the only option left to you was to bury the engine and gearbox in a hole for someone else to worry about in the future. Its your land and your decision but in the current climate of pollution in rivers and seas it seems to me to be an error in judgment. Just my opinion. Wont stop me looking forward to your next video though.

[@xani666]

I guess other option would be to take the engine block apart but the bolts are probably rusted over so drilling thru all of that would take hours

[@terrytopliss9506]

Thanks for the video Stuart,really interesting.👍👍

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nilpezdel888]

I thought it was a joke and waited for the end where the local scrap man was collecting the engine. 😮

[@sikkepossu]

14:53 WTF?! Did you really bury the engine?!! 😲

[@nateellis628]

How apt, I have one coming tomorrow for the day. 25mtrs of sandstone to lay over the next week

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one - good luck

[@MrSmid888]

Could you not have dragged the engine with a chain or strap using the excavator?

[@RonnieToo]

I'm glad you never uncovered the vehicle the engine & transmission it came out of while you were digging the hole... lol Out of curiosity what was on the land before you acquired it or all the homes were built there... was it a farm yard?

[@outoftheburrough]

How long was Mrs ProperDIY stood yelling at you telling you to come indoors after playing on that thing & how did Keith Brown not appear in this video to play on the equipment?! 🤣

[@handle1196]

How much fuel did the digger use over a day or period?

[@Andy-sj2hl]

Here's a question for you - can you spin off a trench in a mini digger like the big boys can? I hired one to lay some pipes in the garden but the trench was almost exactly the width of the gap between the tracks and I didn't have the bottle to risk ending up stranded over it so I had to join them slowly and awkwardly by digging from next to it, not over it.

[@Imcrikee]

I would slide that engine on to a piece of plywood or something and drag it out to the curb by using the the equipment you rented.

[@jassman1]

Shame you could have Ofset some of your costs with the scrap. Great Video including an Engine "Time Machine" ! 📌📍🚩 Better put it on "What 3 Words" too ! 🤣😂👍

[@KiwiBro8]

I probably would have split the gearbox and engine. Surely could have lifted one or both then. Quite a bit of scrap value

[@northernangler1878]

I passed my telehandler in 4 days training 1 day for test well an hour or so I've got my which was 2 days training Same for test and paperwork ect road roller passed in same time as dumper one of these is 5 days training well 4 even then test on 5th day

[@guydudley]

I'd love to know who you hired from, local places I've tried were a lot more expensive for a week.

[@meldrew728]

Another interesting and informative video. How did you deal with the brambles?

[@everythingisnand]

The neighbours after seeing the "grave": "Holy cow the man's gone mad and offed someone!"

[@ProperDIY]

I'm sure the neighbours think a lot of things when they see what I get up to!

[@Sendit123]

Just bury an engine fukit😂 love it. Thanks for the watch👍

[@srcruls]

Someone will be dissapointed one day when they get their metal detector out. :)

[@Godonstilts]

The real question... what part of Britain did you manage to find a property with SO MUCH LAND attached to it?! That Garden alone is bigger than my house & garden :(

[@outoftheburrough]

He bought the field past the post & rail fence that he's working in separately to the house. He's over in my neck of the woods (East Anglia) somewhere as Keith from Rag&Bone Brown definitely is near me and they've shared equipment & helped each other out (I'm surprised Keith didn't pop up in this video to have a play on the machines). Stu i's lucky to find such a lovely plot, there are new builds near me which is pretty rural who get not much more than a postage stamp for a garden

[@radharcanna]

A good job. Archaeologists are going to be confused in a 1000 years, finding a strange metal contraption buried in the ground!

[@johnhendy803]

great vid, very useful. :)

[@noahswann]

buying the engine instead of either A) splitting the gearbox and engine or B) rolling it on to a sheet of that scrap steel and skidding it out with the digger to somewhere more accessible seems REALLY sensible......

[@gkinlen]

Future generations of archaeologists will appreciate our love of the internal combustion engine. We gave it ceremonial burial.

[@ProperDIY]

I think so

[@davidketley5359]

One of the few uses of Glyphosate weed killer. Spay on early in the season or after the brambles have fruited. It will kill them outright.

[@mrgunn2726]

Not sure I agree with the decision to bury the engine, seems like it is creating a future problem and may be ecologically unsound. You might have partially dismantled the engine first. Otherwise fantastic video!

[@__Timo__]

There are rests of engine fluids which will spill over the time. He could move the engine on a wooden board and use that as a sled towards the front door. And then make some small money from scrap hunters?

[@dabogeyman6280]

When will the engine be ready for Harvest? Asking for a friend 😂

[@ProperDIY]

It fruits in June I'm told

[@mingueyox]

Bought a cottage in Ireland and find myself to deal wirh with this exact same situation : fighting the brambles and discovering garbage buried throughout the entire property 😬