Putting The Hitachi To Work

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[@wi11y1960]

Your skills make it look easy. Glad your putting the Hitachi to work.

[@richwielechowski5191]

Just got done watching the fix now get to watch the break.

[@KyleHaley864]

Great machine! We have 3 Hitachi 200 LC's. Two that are the same year as your's with the same hours and all. Durable and easy to work on. We'd buy another in a heartbeat.

[@johnapel2856]

Project is taking shape. I'm interested to see how you build up the wet areas, and I enjoy watching you cut swales. Masterful. Thanks.

[@Guust_Flater]

Hey Chris about your thumb, I saw it in your other video that it has 3 pin holes (2 for use and 1 for store away), but you are using a 4th position (not in a pin hole). You put the pin in behind the pin hole plate and now it can slide position between plate and against the arm.

[@bparsons72007]

That's what I said in that other video.

[@gimiesome]

This is making sense now, I was trying to figure out were that pile o dirt came from yesterday.

[@kevincosgrove4147]

Craig Jensen ok so it isn’t just me I’m like wait there was 2 big piles of dirt yesterday by the pond 😂

[@genemayfield4949]

Look up cotontop3 to see the rest of the story 😄🤣🤣

[@masternus]

Same here, now I know these videos are in back kack order LOL

[@thomassojka2704]

Thanks for taking us along.,.... No drama, just good solid work

[@inazuma1]

8:45 definitely need to remember this trick. Should work with a front loader too in theory.

[@brutebusta]

Looks like the Hitachi is going to work out well for you. I like how you've done some of the past several videos with a combination of both in cab footage and getting to see the machine in action.

[@eagleknight2701]

That move where you curled out the bucket and put it on top the stump then curled in to keep in the bucket was sweet.

[@arkansas1336]

Nice progress, shaping up really well!

[@briangardiner1015]

It seems that alot of people think you need a hydraulic thumb and go into business for yourself. I say keep doing what you are doing, you seem happy (well until a hose blows on a holiday weekend.)

[@pook6212]

You just wanted to demonstrate your excellent skills without the thumb - and you DID!!! You can make the big girl sit up and beg!

[@grahamefreestone5309]

I enjoyed that Chris. It might be worth looking at drilling a new pin hole for the thumb so that it's nearly in the locked away position for normal digging, but down far enough to use on big stumps etc. Nice to see the Hitachi working well. 👍 🇬🇧

[@PMPCMining]

Always liked the orange John deer's. They are a smooth machine.

[@mdavidopie6993]

Spent a couple thousand hours laying pipe and topping with my mainline digger operating one of those machines. Very familiar sounds even after being out of excavating for 9 years.

[@vhostovich]

As always pleasure to watch. looks like you made a wise buying decision with the Hitachi.

[@smalldoseofmeful]

Either i dont know shit about operating an excavator (which i dont) or youve got one hell of a touch with them (which you do). So both. Lol

[@jasonjones6328]

I knew that wouldn't stay at the house like you said!! lol gotta pay for the fixes..

[@larrylittletonjr9644]

Nice work. I like how you don't dead head your bucket cylinder. Not many operators care about that anymore

[@nickolascrego5716]

Hell of a smooth operator you are.

[@maine_life_207]

Nice to see the new addition getting worked🌲

[@nielsp914]

That was slick the way you picked up that stump without the thumb, pretty cool

[@jeremys959]

8:47, that's some skill

[@BorisFett]

Cool video. Interesting project, im looking forward to seeing the end results.

[@mrs.eliteearthworks]

Looks like your Hitachi is running smooth, or maybe it’s just the operator 😎

[@Blazer02LS]

Until it broke...

[@jasonjones6328]

I see what yah did there....

[@justinhenry8745]

It's the machine lol he is a great operator

[@shipwrecked2006]

nice work, stickers came 2-day fast,look great,real good graphics couldnt be happier. thanks Chris

[@DIRT-BOSS]

Big 🍊 making money! Gotta love it! Thanks Mike

[@billmacartney201]

Chris, You could probably use a Hydraulic solenoid operated selector diverter valve, on the bucket hydraulics placed up near the bucket to work a cylinder for the thumb. Not much plumbing just a bit of electrical work to activate the solenoid. Cant see why it would'ent work? Activate the valve and use the bucket leaver to move the thumb. De-avtivate the valve to go back to the bucket. I dont know how many gallons a minute you need, found one on e-bay that could handle 20 gal/Min. Just a thaught!

[@johnnyholland8765]

Sometimes you have to "finish" a place to find the problem areas. This owner appears to have done just that. Now the adjustments can be made. You know where the water goes or doesn't go and how to fix it. He has a very nice place going and with your corrections it will be even better. I know this is your first paying job with the "new" machine but it appears to be doing the job. The engine seems to labor a bit more than the Volvo machines. Could be just me. I think the owner will be pleased.

[@sgtmayhem]

Doesn't pay for itself sitting under the shed :)

[@Backwoods251]

We have that same thumb, we found out that spring in the first release was just worn and wouldn't hold letting it fall to the second release. It does get on your nerves.

[@achum2sum]

Jeopardy question: The clanging sound that an excavator makes when the bucket linkage is jerked by an inexperienced operator. Me: What is something you never hear on LetsDig18

[@forky-reviews-and-rants]

Great video...seems the Hitachi is coping well for her age looks like a pretty decent work horse..will you be giving us viewers an insight on what its like to work the Hitachi other than the Volvos you use

[@mischef18]

By the sound it makes it seams to be running sweet bro. Bit of a change than seeing yellow and grey swinging all over the place too.

[@Donkusdelux]

the smooth move at 8:47 impressed me lol

[@janvandenbos7085]

Very nice again Chris, Hitachi does a good Job 👍👌😎

[@DigginLife21]

🔥ya got that Hiiiiitachi running smooth Chris!!!

[@ZeZeBatata69]

3 employees, 4 excavators.

[@letsdig18]

5 excavators lol

[@ZeZeBatata69]

@William Matthews He might be referring to the mini.

[@johnm.evangelis693]

With or without the thumb Chris you're the man in the Carolina's!!!

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

Amen to that !

[@markbrittell2001]

Not the same machine but you can tell it's the same operator. Smooth

[@brookwalford706]

You have the old girl humming like a bird, that Hitachi will make you back 10 times what you spent on her!

[@george8873]

Which of the Volvo's buckets does the Hitachi's bucket compare to? Also, are you going to tint the Hitachi's windows too? You can hear the bucket breaking through wood as you're digging by the pond on the exterior shot.

[@tituspullo1957]

Jpaydirt got me here.Watched several videos really liked what I saw.Became a subscriber.Your one heck of a good operator Chris.

[@davestinson5691]

Congrats on ol girl. Makin her earn her keep. I hope 1 day i can afford 1 similar 4 my farm

[@jasonlyijnen84]

Next weekend project. How to add a hydraulic thumb to to my excavator

[@1001ewaste]

Exactly my thoughts but damn it's expensive to add one :(

[@drdraws9597]

@@1001ewaste I don`t see why tee off a low pressure port cause i think thumbs are low pressure?

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Yes, it needs a cylinder on the thumb.

[@KeepItReal33]

Jason Lyijnen , Another KZbinr that does similar videos would have said “the thumb stopped working. Let’s get it fixed.” And would have fixed it on-site. Lmao

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

Not as easy as you all think.. first off a hydraulic thumb uses the bucket pin and the mechanical thumb uses a separate pin mounted on the stick... I'm in the process of converting my John Deere excavator to a hydraulic thumb and it requires a 3rd valve to run the hydraulics, all the steel tubing/ hydraulic lines, wiring harness and fabrication of the lines/ welds on the stick, very labor intensive but still more cost effective than buying a new machine or something else that's already has a hydraulic thumb because I bought my machine new & know what I have... and it's a one owner/ operator machine...not beat to crap by others !!!

[@deanreinke1148]

So what’s the first impression with using the Hitachi? Looks like a beast!

[@kennydean2595]

Glad cotton top got you fixed up. 😉

[@briangardiner1015]

I'm pretty sure this was before Cottontop showed up.

[@mikehornsby599]

Great job enjoyed that!!!!! Looking good!!!!!

[@jasonking2943]

Boy that's some fine dirt. It's gonna take three videos to show us picking all the sticks out!

[@ronthacker211]

Loads of fun... playing in the dirt.

[@juniorraines1042]

Great video looking good so far

[@colonialroofingofnorthcaro441]

Knew you wasnt going to just let that thing sit around the farm, dont blame you and as good a they are that Volvo is still the bomb

[@jimc181]

I hear a floppy bucket ringing in $$

[@keithdunlap2701]

Ain't but, a few minutes into the video , and can already see that "Thumb" is gonna drive you Bat-shit crazy !! knowing you ain't gonna put up with that mess...lolol

[@TrevorDennis100]

Keith you are not wrong, but did you notice the finesse with the way Chris loaded the stump at 8:45? That was impressive!

[@keithdunlap2701]

@@TrevorDennis100 Yes, i seen the flip...lolol... i don't think many did noticed that, He's a Pro for sure !! I do catch a lot of things he does, he is really good at what he does and takes pride in his work...

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Skill.... years of practice.. Well done!

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

Seat time makes him the excellent operator he is !!!.....

[@killstrees]

@@delcasaleexcavating9508 My previous employer at an operators meeting said ..."90% of your success is showing up to work on time and ass in the seat. We can help you with the rest" They did have some impressive operators.

[@neb4x4]

I already know how the next video will be. Someone let the cat out of the bag! 😂🤣😂🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧

[@elifowler3288]

I thought that the hitachi was a farm excavator 😂

[@Big_John_C]

$$$$ is a great motivator, soon he'll be running his own business and not working for someone else.... exactly how I got started!

[@gimiesome]

How nice it would be to have a spare excavator just sitting at home. He should pay for all the cylinder work with this job.

[@jimwesselman]

roguesquatcher I thought he did have his own business. Does he work for his uncle?

[@troyr57]

He needed to pay for the cylinder rebuilds some how.

[@keithbrettell2058]

It's the family business which he's planning to take over someday.@@jimwesselman

[@dewainwoodard4840]

Great video Chris thanks for sharing have a great day and stay safe out there

[@donbraden8533]

She's going to make you some money that will help on the repairs nothing wrong with that old machine old man operating her LOL 😂😂

[@royceabbottsexcavation3709]

Good thing Tim showed you lol😂🤣

[@DonnaMSchmid]

Ahhh... So the little Hitachi starts paying for itself!

[@kirk467]

Yeah, it would be great if you could fix a hydraulic thumb on the Hatachi, would be one of your best machines! I like it!

[@pbcarney233]

Looks like that bucket didn’t get the shims in it yet

[@Big_John_C]

Did you miss the vid?

[@smalldoseofmeful]

Shims are in. One of the pins never lined back up completely and idk if it was the short one

[@ntomnia585]

I think he said the pins have some wear as well.

[@pbcarney233]

I saw the video I was just being a smart ass cause the bucket still had a ton of play in it

[@ThatcherKSA]

2:11 "oh nice he got a hydraulic thumb"

[@alexosborne5629]

Oh no Chris, you have been Cottontopped!!!! Even the best have breakdowns 🤯

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

What you should have said is...you don't know how handy a hydraulic thumb is until you don't have one on this machine and your stuck with a mechanical thumb like I am ! Lol

[@brucebasil4164]

Seems as though everyone in South Carolina has a pond and a lot of land.

[@briangardiner1015]

I'm pretty sure he is in North Carolina.

[@TrevorDennis100]

The company is based out of Wendell NC.

[@grahamefreestone5309]

They have ponds in South Carolina too. Lol. 🇬🇧

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

Some of us have Lakes......Just sayin.... ;-)

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

@@southernhomesteadtransformatio yes you do !! And a beautiful one at that

[@John-viheavyequipment]

you worked that hitachi harder then expected

[@onewhitestone]

the hitachi seems to be much quieter than the 160. Nice machine.

[@keerinchannel]

Good job

[@BeytekinConstructionMachinery]

Wanna see the excavator little bit in the water! :-)

[@Olliegunns]

The old girls got some life in her yet!

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Ideally, the pivot for the thumb should be on same axis as the bucket pivot pin , but it will work as is... but by gosh, it NEEDS a cylinder on it to grab and go, and then pull out of the way to dig.. I agree with the others here, lets get a cylinder on it👍👍👍👍

[@oz1vlh]

Well, then lets start a donation for it

[@earlsmithson4749]

Chris, no question the “V” is a good looking machine, however the “H” is Corvette sexy.

[@ronaldclark1178]

just like someone else said, " I see a hydraulic thumb in the future "

[@bigscout1584]

I now see the advantage of a hydraulic thumb

[@MrDaniel3105]

Big girl turned into old faithful

[@teunvisser9805]

Nice HITACHI

[@Todd.Roberts]

Looks like ole Betsy done pretty good

[@countrywoodsman7734]

Look like good running machine 👍 video.

[@ajc7166]

Very rarely see a thumb on an excavator over here in the UK. could be down to the lifting regs?

[@edmundappel206]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 opps... its locked in the upright position.

[@CK-bx7zb]

Just curious. Is there an economical method to sifting some of the debris out of dirt? Seems like it would make sense, but I can imagine someone would charge a pretty penny for something like that and make it to expensive to do.

[@mestizoster]

Looking Good Brother

[@davemi00]

We’re on Hitachi Hours wooooo gimme gimme sum thumbing everie day 🎶 🎼 🎵

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

How 'bout this.... Andrew Cameratta takes a road trip with tools, and then he and Chris rig up a cylinder! That would be youtube epic! "There, thats fixed, on to the next job!"

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

Great idea Jennifer ! Only you and I both know Andrew doesn't leave without Levi's permission !!!

[@The_blindpizzaguy1300]

I love the sound of it. Now I’ll know what it is if I hear it somewhere. I wonder how you actually felt about the performance of it?

[@TheLinkssuper75]

How long after you cut the camera off did she go boom

[@jayirving6996]

Damn I think ya run that orange iron better than the grey/yellow!

[@ut000bs]

I can imagine what it's like to lose a 'thumb' when you're used to picking up stuff with your hands instead of pushing it with your fingers. 🤷‍♂️ You did pretty good without it, though. 🎯👍

[@silentepsilon888]

thumb up, thumb down .... thumb up, thumb down ... well even the Hitachi can't make up its mind, I give this video a thumb up

[@kevinpowell982]

You are going to be smooth on any put it doesn't look like you are whipping it quite like that 220. Haha.

[@dustinpryde3121]

What's an older excavator like that run price wise? I do paving but i keep getting more and more jobs that an excavator would make easy work of instead of my 2 skid steers beating themselves to death. I don't know how much I'd use it is the only reason I would buy an older one. But I'm sure one of my properties would need a pond for sure. I have a 3 acre pond at my house now but im getting ready to move so it wouldn't hurt my feelings to dig me a big hole at my new place or one of my other properties.

[@letsdig18]

its hard to get anything worth a darn for under 40-50k

[@dustinpryde3121]

@@letsdig18 that's what I was seeing. You can find them for 20 25 but I'm sure you get what you pay for. Just like any equipment. Everything I have now, I bought new but something like an excavator that wouldn't be used daily, I would feel a pain deep in my pocket. Lol.

[@jimc181]

All you need is a hydraulic thumb and a small dozen, a dump truck or dump trailer a semi with lowboy and your in business. Let's don't forget insurance and jobs to keep it all rolling and the bills paid. I'd almost say its less headache and heart ache to work for somebody else and get a paycheck. I farmed for 17 years went to town and got a job.2200 acres of dryland peanuts and cotton will drive you crazy. I can go home at night and sleep now and not worry about how I'm gonna hold on one more year.

[@makingithappen9722]

The hitachi got pretty good when you had fixed it.

[@benjimenfranklin7650]

Word of warning never let it run out of fuel . You'll be sorry if you do.

[@bradmorgan1234]

Okay so it might have blowed a oil line, but the more important question is does the air blow cold?

[@letsdig18]

it will keep you comfortable

[@bradmorgan1234]

@@letsdig18 👍mine blowed a turbo line one time and oil sprayed on manifold in July. Like you told Tim I made a whole new vocabulary!

[@timcavazos4199]

No I'm not gonna call it GODZILLA! 😂👍

[@suzylarry1]

maybe you could move the camera to the right hand window guard as it pick up the vibration sound from the motor and chassis metal, it is hard to hear you most of the time.

[@pippaseaspirit4415]

I really enjoy your videos; I think that using time lapse or speeding up on some sections would improve the enjoyment of them. We'd see more work in the same length of video. What do you think about doing that?