Still Have It... Still Fixing It

With rainy days in the forecast, I have spent my time going above and beyond on fixing up my brother's Kubota KX121-3 mini excavator. Here's the results.

[@mase9975]

That cover that you pulled off I do believe is for the track tensioner cylinder ram thing, because those machines use grease to tension the tracks and to change out the tracks, you have to pull the grease zerks and push on the tracks to get the ram to collapse so you can change out said tracks. Those idler wheels on the front and back of the tracks should be able to be greased and if not they probably need changed out or if they are not too warn you could maybe get away with spaying lithium grease on them for the squeaking, but you are working outside in dirt, mud and water, so you may have to live with it. You did a great job on fixing all the little things on it. It looks great.

[@michaelguiles3728]

Yeah it is just had to replace a track on our excavator

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you very much for the advice! I will definitely revisit that and make sure I haven't over-tensioned the tracks. I will also spray something into those track wheels. The squeak is bothering my wife, lol 🤠👍

[@robertrhodes9123]

Good job on cleaning.👍👍🍻🍻 At work we used to rent equipment we didn't have & although it was usable it was never cleaned up like it should have been so most times I took the time to power wash what needed it when we were done with it.

[@austinsnyder2414]

How come you didn't show the cardboard the next day to see if you fixed the leak?

[@samsdoinstuff]

@@austinsnyder2414 You're absolutely right! There wasn't anything to show which is actually a good thing and I should have shown that! 🤠👍

[@DarrelJones-fh2wx]

That is a funky thumb and coupler setup someone rigged up.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Yeah... it isn't the best job. But it does help to pick stuff up. Would be nice to make it better 🤠👍

[@flowerstone]

My dad taught me, as a child, that anything I borrow it gets returned in better condition than I got it. It guarantees that you could borrow it again and it’s just a good thing to do. I rented these machines for the company I retired from a couple of years ago. It was $1500 a week. Your brother is a good guy. 😊 FYI, all the rollers have their own grease Zerk.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! Your dad was right! 🤠👍

[@TheNovaNorm]

You're a really good brother! For the door and window, if the seal lets go I would advise removing the upper glass completely and then bend the frame before replacing the glass with the window weld. Tempered glass doesn't bend very well and frame flex may cause the glass to break. Really hope it doesn't and it probably won't now. Just something to be aware of. Keep having fun and doing stuff!

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you so much for saying that! It really does feel good to do what I'm doing. I was very worried when I clamped the glass, but I think it will be okay. 🤞 There wasn't too much flex once I tweaked the door back. We'll see, but for now, it's all good 🤠👍

[@roberthocking9138]

That grease point down near the tracks is a track adjuster, it uses grease pressure to push the tracks out tighter if needed. Nice job, I agree, always give machinery back to the owner better than when you got it . Greetings from AUS 🇦🇺🦘

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you very much! I'm quickly learning the ins and outs of this machine thanks to people like yourself 🤠👍

[@johnathaneaston7976]

Awesome jod Sam! I really appreciate it! That list of things I wanted to work on just evaporated thanks to you! I was at our tree farm the other day and started seeing all the things I could do with the excavator. Then I remembered I have zero time so glad you are making use of it.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank YOU! It feels so good to do the little annoying things and wow what a payoff 🤠👍

[@ivorscruton5121]

Already been said, the machine should be lifted to inspect the track tension. The blade will lift its end, the bucket the other, there should be 10 to 15 mm clearance between the rollers outer flange and where it contacts the track. The idler wheel is scheduled to be lubricated at 1000 hours, which involves removing the track after removing the grease fitting for track tension. The hydraulic oil is also scheduled for replacement along with the suction and discharge filters, something that perhaps was not done? Kubota comes around every 3 months to inspect my unit as part of the 5 year free maintenance warranty contract, I just pay for the parts and lubricants at a discounted rate.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! That maintenance contract sounds like a great deal 👌 The very next thing I do will be to get it up off the tracks and check the tension. I'll remove those grease zerks if it's too tight and get her where she should be. Thank you again for the advice 🤠👍

[@andymora5595]

Be careful, the grease nipple under the cover is for the track tension! If you put too much grease inside, the tracks are too high tensioned and in worst case, the will be destroyed. You can try to put some oil on the rollers etc., perhaps some bearings are gone and need to be replaced.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Oh my! Thank you for that information 🙏 I hope I didn't. Is there any way to let the tension off if I did? I squeezed a bunch in there.

[@andymora5595]

@@samsdoinstuff First lift the machine up and check the tension. There should be a distance X between the track and the frame. It can be found in the manual. If it is too much tension, you can remove the grease nipple with a heaxgon nut. Machine should be lifted up. Be careful ,grease can come out fast.

[@samsdoinstuff]

@@andymora5595 thank you again! Will do 👍

[@johnpyle8027]

Pretty big improvement! Not that I am suggesting this at all! But. in 1984 a friend of mine bought a 1967 Mustang and the paint looked exactly like that excavator, same color and faded. Really for grins more than anything, we waxed it and it took a whole tub of Turtle Wax and countless rags. When it was done, we had a show piece, the car looked new! The problem was , if you went more than two weeks it started to turn back! Okay, I'm off to cut some half inch plate with the death wheel for a project on my tractor. Seriously don't wax it! lol Keep doin stuff and I'll keep watching!

[@samsdoinstuff]

Haha! I would like to shine her up as best as I can, but that sounds like too much work for only 2 weeks. On the other hand, I definitely don't want to repaint the whole thing either. There will be a point where it'll be good enough... I think, lol 🤠👍

[@bradleykuechle7586]

Good morning Sam, the squeak is coming from the small roller that is midway down the track. There should be a grease zerk in the middle of the roller. Most times when they squeak like that they need replaced. Many years as an equipment operator. Great job in fixing up that machine. Have a great day and God Bless!

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! Very next thing is to get her up off the ground and dive into those rollers. I think they're only around $150 to replace. 🤠👍

[@robertzapatka1082]

If something doesn't break, you must not be using it enough. 😂

[@samsdoinstuff]

Truer words have never been spoken, lol 🤠👍

[@JelenOutDoors]

Good morning Sam, it's all those small repairs that make a big difference and so much more enjoyable to use the machine. The excavator looks so much better cleaned-up, no giant sticker blocking your view and the gray paint touch up. I am sure that you'll get that squeak out with some advice from one of your viewers that have more knowledge regarding the issue. Great job!

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you Paul! I can't wait to get in and work now that she's in so much better shape! 🤠👍

[@JustinUSMC0811]

That squeak is a bad bearing on the lower rollers. They are like $150 each, lift a track up and you’ll find movement on one of your rollers. Very easy to change out.

[@samsdoinstuff]

That is very encouraging! Thank you, will do 🤠👍

[@maintenancewithmike]

Nice job cleaning it up. Will be much nicer to operate it for sure. Thanks for sharing Sam. Cheers, Mike.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! It sure will 🤠👍

[@alexanderthevoice]

The squeek coming from either roller(s) or idler(s). Don't know for your Kubota, but for Yanmar, you can oil the idler but can't do anything about rollers. They both comes from factory with Diesel engine oil. When I had squeeks, I loosed tracks, looked for loose in idlers and rollers, had to replace some stuff.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you. Yeah, they are not serviceable (track rollers) but I got some lithium grease and we'll see if that helps. Probably just need replaced 🤠👍

[@davidbarnes706]

You did a great job repairing everything

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you very much! Feels really good 🤠👍

[@charleswelch249]

That's the track tensioner not a grease fitting. Whoever said it would fix your sqeeks doesn't work on equipment. But fixing the fuel return line is a good idea plus all the little things you did will make using it more comfortable. You are doing the right thing fixing the machine for your brother and his letting you use it is what a family does. Great moral lesson for the confused people today to learn. Being selfish is never the answer nor feeling entitled.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Amen! You said it 👊 And thanks for the info about the track tensioner. Others have said it's probably a track roller that needs replaced. I'll be investigating that on Monday and make sure I didn't over-tension the tracks 🤠👍

[@charleswelch249]

@@samsdoinstuff it's nothing to worry about except making sure you didn't overtightened the tracks. The noise is the wrist pins and they are unservacable. That's just what happens when they sit in mud and normal wear. You can try spraying a light oil on the pins but unlikely it will make a difference.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Nice work!

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you Mike!!! 🤠👍

[@DanishamDk]

The sqeking is one of the rolers that suports the track❤

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thanks! Gonna work on that next 🤠👍

[@Van-Diesel73]

Great job(s) Sam. I always maintain, if I lend a tool to someone and it comes back cleaner when they return it then I will lend to them again. If it comes back filthy, broken or with no gas then they needn't ask me again. Its just good courtesy I think. Keep doing stuff, and let us see your brothers reaction to all the maintenance you've done...

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you so much! We have a BIG project coming up that we will work on together. It'll be the first time he sees it since I picked it up. I'm looking forward to that! 🤠👍

[@vaughnwilliams4519]

That grease zerk is used to tighten the track, not grease a squeak. I suspect you have a roller squeak. You can spin the cab sideways and press down on the ground with the arm to raise the track off the ground. You may then be able to figure out which specific roller is the culprit.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! That's the next thing I'm going to do before I use it again 🤠👍

[@chriselliott2364]

Your doing great on it , and so far hopefully it hasn't been too expensive! The grease fitting under that cover is for adjusting the track tension, you may have a roller that is trying to lock up check each one of those they may need a little help turning again after sitting up for so long!

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you Chris! Next thing will be getting her up off the tracks and checking all of that. I spent less than $200 on all those little details. Not too bad 🤠👍

[@outdoorsinthe608]

Way better! Great job Sam👍👍

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you Jeremiah!!! I'm pretty happy 🤠👍

[@normhowes2975]

I suggest looking for a picture of the machine online as you should learn the removed pipe was for a mirror. As you told another poster it really could use one so what a good time to put it there. Keep up the great work.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you very much! Yes, I think you're right. It could use some mirrors 🤠👍

[@ewanstewart8011]

The piece of metal that you removed from the roof was in fact the mounting bracket for the rear view mirror 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! Good to know. It was broken. Maybe we'll get a new one 🤠👍

[@seansysig]

Well the track might be tensioned tighter. The squeaking is the roller bearings you added grease to the track tensioner.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! I'm learning. Checked the tracks and git them where they should be. Probably going to try some lithium grease on the rollers 🤠👍

[@scottfoster2487]

Get some good color buff from the auto parts and buff the paint,It wont totally make it look new but a bit of shiny would make her look sharp. You are giving her much needed love. You have a bad track roller from the sound of the squeak.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! Someone said those track rollers are only like $150. I may look into that. The paint buffing is also a very good rainy day idea 🤠👍

[@quaileggsvermont]

Your grease you put in just tightened up the track! Grease all the rollers in the track! Make sure they all turn easy!

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! Gonna check all of that on Monday 🤠👍

[@quaileggsvermont]

@@samsdoinstuff 👍🏼

[@450rhino1]

Another great video. I too am lucky to have close family. If they or me need help, help is always a phone call away. Machine looks greatand, yes, probably smells a lot better. Till next time.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you very much! Nothing better than friends and family you can rely on. It definitely smells better and knowing myself, I'll clean it more as I use it 🤠👍

[@rickloomis8918]

it's probably a track roller. Make sure they are greased or oiled. the zerk you greased is the track tensioner.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! 🤠👍

[@flowerstone]

Most all of these machines have a valve to switch how the controls work. Located behind the panel under the seat. Most of the time. Sometimes in back. It makes running the machine easier if it seems awkward. I always have to switch it when running these. Just so you know. 😊

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thanks! I'm getting the hang of it 🤠👍

[@WhatTheTarnation.]

And behind door #1... How about pressure washing the engine compartment and behind all the other doors? Your on the right course.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! Is it okay to pressure wash the engine compartment? I would be afraid of ruining something. She sure is better than I found her! 🤠👍

[@WhatTheTarnation.]

It would be akin to spray washing your engine compartment on a vehicle. I would soap/ degrease it first, then use the pressure washer with the fan nozel to remove the dirt and grease. Don't get to aggressive with it, it is under pressure. There are viewers with a whole bunch more experience then me that could help you with any questions. If it does not need it, don't clean it. Cleaning the engine will make it nicer to work on should the need arise. If you do clean it, it allows you to visually inspect your machine, to locate and note leaks, and have a baseline to work from.

[@artmorris2820]

Put dryer sheets inside and Engine compartment to keep mice out!!!

[@samsdoinstuff]

Great idea! Thanks! 🤠👍

[@toadhall1951]

The reason you've still got the squeak is due to the fact that not all the mice have gone. It seems you've got a squatter! Watching from south coast England.

[@Zeisslermusic]

Woow, ❤ i like it. 🇩🇰

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you!!! 🤠👍

[@MJADoingStuff]

You’re going to have lots of fun now that you don’t smell the mouse poop 💩 all that work pays off. Looks like your channel is growing fast now. 10K before New years!!! Keep it going Sam!!! Have a great weekend 😁👍🚜💨☀️

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thanks Mitch!!! Yes! A new cab filter will help too. I'll keep wiping things down from time to time. That's just me, so it'll keep getting better. 10k subs would be awesome!!! The excavator content is really helping 🤠👍

[@andrewk6844]

you need to lift up the side of the excavator with the dipper arm to do this grease nipple . It the track tentioner . squeaksounds like a track roller . I worked at a dealer for these

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! That's my next priority Monday morning 🤠👍

[@enduser1982]

LoL all you did was tighten the track. Probably overtightened now. You need to replace the idler wheels, the bearings within are worn out. Fix the bucket slop, go to Kubota and get the door seal.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thanks! Checking that track tension is priority #1 Monday morning 🤠👍

[@astonmartin2727]

You should have done a full video cleaning up the machine. When you took off the covers there surprise was scary. Maybe do a video open up the covers and keep all the parts clean. A pig does not have to be dirty 😂😂😂

[@samsdoinstuff]

"A pig does not have to be dirty." I like that! Thank you 🤠👍

[@barrygrant2907]

Yeah, that decal had to go. If you heat stickers with a heat gun, they will often peel right off also. Amazing that owners won't spend a few bucks to replace a simple window latch.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! I was actually pretty surprised at how well the sticker came off. So happy it did. The biggest problem wasn't the money, it was having the time to do it. Those little repairs took me the better part of 2 days. I'm "retired" so I just love spending my time like that 🤠👍

[@richardschaffling9882]

You are so like that little kid in the candy store and it looks a lot better

[@samsdoinstuff]

Hahaha! Thank you! It really feels good 🤠👍

[@hereandtheretrucking]

I just got first mini excavator also… I am starting the same process

[@samsdoinstuff]

Fantastic! Good luck! 🤠👍

[@johngracie4597]

You can check the final drives the ones with the sprocket top plug is fill and bottom is drain.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! I did change the gear oil in the final drives. The squeak is coming from one of the track rollers. Probably needs replacing 🤠👍

[@uncletom1986]

Hook a chain to the bucket and to that bent hand rail and ease that rail back straight

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! You're the 2nd or 3rd person to suggest that. I'm afraid I'll rip it off, but maybe I should give it a try? 🤠👍

[@uncletom1986]

@@samsdoinstuff yeah just light and easy don’t jerk it

[@Harry-qf8gh]

All good. Just wondering, the piece you removed at approximately 13:25, looked kinda tubular, maybe it was a rear view mirror? Machine should be more of a pleasure to use! 🙂

[@samsdoinstuff]

That piece I removed was just a bent and broken pipe that I have no idea what its purpose was. It could use some mirrors though, now that you mention it 🤠👍

[@Rusty_ok]

Use a heat gun to warm up the decal or sticker. It will come off easily.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thanks for the advice! 🤠👍

[@stsid1]

That window needed to have came out of the weatherstrip and reinstalled into it unless the strip is hard, then it would need to be replaced.

[@samsdoinstuff]

If it comes loose, I'll fix it again. It's holding so it's a successful repair... for now 🤠👍

[@chestervweed8695]

Check the rollers. See if they all turn

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! I have found the culprit and used copious amounts of lithium grease. No more squeak! 🤠👍

[@user-fe4ym6hb3z]

Pick it up with bucket each side u should b able to turn them little rollers by hand c witch one sqeakes

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! I've found the culprit and I keep lithium grease in the cab for when it starts acting up 🤠👍

[@robertwikeljr-1522]

Could that "squeak" be a bearing partially seized on one of the track boggy wheels ?

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! I'm pretty sure it's a track roller. Probably needs replacing 🤠👍

[@ComputerTechNL]

I saw i some videos before the roof window rubber is not in place. 😊

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thanks! 🤠👍

[@user-fe4ym6hb3z]

It’s a top roller what’s squeaking or bottom one

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thank you! I've found it and I keep a can of lithium grease on hand for when it starts chirping 🤠👍

[@outdoors-fun]

The confusion with "If i can fix it, I can have it" stems from your definition of "have it". "Have it" would indicate you own it, not borrowing it.

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thanks for that. But, possession is 9/10 of the law. 🤠👍 and I was clear about the conditions of the deal from the very beginning. I fixed it and I have it. The rest is just semantics.

[@tomasisp]

The handle pipe is still bent 😔

[@samsdoinstuff]

Thanks for noticing 😂👍

[@tomasisp]

Looks like an easy fix. All you need is chain and excavator book to bend it.

[@samsdoinstuff]

@tomasisp I'm worried about ripping it off the cab. Maybe if I heat it too??? It just seems like an eyesore and it still functions, so is it really worth it?

[@tomasisp]

@@samsdoinstuff good idea to heat both ends before bending. After paint it in black. And nobody is gonna know.

[@skasy8440]

U need to grease the mouse,,,

[@samsdoinstuff]

I installed a cat to chase it, good enough? 🤠👍

[@jamesallen712]

Oh, please just stop the unit squeaking.

[@samsdoinstuff]

I'm working on it! 🤠👍