You can’t expect to be a good excavator operator overnight, it takes a lot of practice. I was a underground sewer operator and it takes a lot of patience and practice, just keep working and before you know it you will be nice and comfortable, you got this Sandy! ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼
A lot of people think the mini-excavators are toys etc. But once you've moved stuff with them (and the larger MIDI class!!), you never want to go back to lifting heavy stuff by hand. Keep up the food work Sandy. -Andy
Howdy Sandy- it’s always a good day cuttin and splittin firewood. You’ll have that new buggy figured out and will be running it like a pro. Take care and God bless
It's so nice to get outside without cold and weather happening when you live up north. Saw a beam of sunlight yesterday and I got so excited! Take care Sandy! ✌
Looks to me like you're running your excavator good enough and it will get better but the main thing when you're finished you don't have A sore back and that makes it all worthwhile. And you do have some good equipment to work with makes it nice great video Sandy
Good morning Sandy.. I think ( I know I shouldn’t think it’s dangerous hahaha) with have the excavator it is saving you back and chain’s a lot.. I have always tried to use my forks to lift a log up to not bend over but that doesn’t always work out so well.. So the excavator is a big help.. The learning curve will come.. Just like everything takes time.. Like you said about your sawmill.. I am very surprised at how much snow you have lost.. We have about a inch or so but that’s it.. like you this is not a normal winter.. As always stay safe and always be kind. Cheers
the wood in the air like that sure makes it easy on the back and saves a sharpening or two also, win win. your doing great with the excavator. man you lost some snow we got mild temps here to 13 c yesterday 6 today got to love winters like this. now you got a project for the spring a shelter out by your wood pile. take care
Hey Wallace! Yeah this weather here is also wild. Above zero and rain. I'm worried abotu flooding now mid winter which is wild to think about. Hope you'er doing well
Hello again from Pennsylvania! Wow, your snow sure went away fast. I think you are really starting to get the hang of your new mini excavator. I was just wondering what happened to your laser for the chainsaw. I thought that was much faster than using that magnet to mark the logs and then go back and cut what you marked. I have to say, you are living the dream. I wish I could do the things you get to do every day. I bet, for you, it isn't as glamorous as it is for people that don't get to experience what you do every day. But you, have a great life going there, and I for one, am happy for you. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to your next video.
I appreciate that! I do feel very fortunate and I appreciate your support and everyone's on the channel. After using the laser for a little bit I ended up going back to the magnet measuring tool just because I wasn't quite as accurate with the laser as I was the magnet tool. Found I could place the circle disk in the small cut I made and know right where to make the next cut whereas the laser I was a bit too shaky.
You’re doing a great job Sandy. Thanks for the information on the Acc U Mark. Have been using chalk, but went ahead and purchased an adjustable one. I’ve cutting my wood at 18 inches length but smaller pieces. Seems 16 inches is more common…so probably going to have to make the pivot.
I think you did a great job Sandy as a beginner. I promise you I would not be complaining about it being slow because I'm having to move all my Logs with a trailer and a winch and a small winch at that so I would be so glad to have that slow-moving excavator, with no complaints, LOL. Anyway I'm enjoying your videos keep up the good work. (Joseph from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.)
Hi Joseph! Hope things are well down in Myrtle Beach. Great spot! I always say if the setup does the job, it works for me so your trailer and winch sounds just perfect
@@sawingwithsandy it does the job for now. I'm getting ready to buy a log arch to move them with. I think that's going to make things easier. It's 68° in Myrtle Beach today and 70 for tomorrow. I'm really loving this warm weather. It is perfect for Sawmilling and firewood splitting. Anyway, keep the videos coming. I really enjoy them.
Morning Sandy! Practice makes perfect or at least a semblance therein. You've lost a lot of snow since your last vid, which should make working around the property easier but sucks for sledding. The forecast for these parts is calling for more snow in the coming days. Greetings from Peterborough.
That is the way to cut firewood! Easier on the back and no dirt in the chain. I see a mini excavator shed build in the near future. Great video, I broke a small sweat just watching it. Lol!
Just pondering, that if you have the terrain for it… if you could find a spot with a bit of a drop, having the splitter up higher than the top of the IBC cages, and then two cages can be next to each other with the tray of the splitter centered between them. Then, as you split logs, the next split log pushes the previous batch off the end to fall right into the cages, half in one and half in the other, and movable with the forks from the opposite side of the splitter. Just spitballin’ ideas before coffee kicks in fully… I hope it made sense!
Hey Sandy! I super enjoyed this video today and it was awesome to drop by the woodyard! I think your doing great with the mini ex! Definitely better than me lol. Some more seat time and a few upcoming projects under your belt and you’ll have it figured out buddy! I like the accu mark system there and that’s definitely a great help and now that you can get the logs off the ground and at a good height that’s definitely going to help the back out like you said! Always love seeing the Eastonmade in action an nice job getting all those round split up an into the IBCs! Ya was super surprised to see how fast the snow dropped there wow!! We don’t have to much hear really yet still.. average of about a foot here in central NB. Anyways thanks for having us over to the woodyard today Sandy, was nice dropping an seeing you! Take care and be well :). Andrew from NB :)
I"m feeling rusty probably not running the controls daily I figure. Looking forward to a bit more bloopers (hopefully not bad ones) before I get the hang of it haha
Hey Sandy, another great video as usual. Things I want to pass on are that I’m happy to see that you buckle up anytime you’re on equipment. Working alone could be fatal if you didn’t. Also, I no longer use an excavator or grapple to pick up and saw logs. There has been too many times that the hydraulics have bled off and I came close to smashing a foot or leg. I use a couple bigger log to set the logs I’m bucking on, much safer. Thirdly, I’ve tried a bunch of different log markers and I think it’s handier and just as quick to use the saw turned sideways as a gauge. Just my two cents. Stay safe out there.
Hi Sandy, weird winter here too! That little excavator is cool, you'll get used to it, such a fun channel to watch Sandy!, I never miss a video. Because of this weather I was able to do a test run on my homemade log loading chainsaw milling trailer, I used a tracking camera on my tripod for my video I think you might like, if you dont already have one, it was only $48.
Hey Dennis! Great to hear the build went well. I've seen those cameras before and they are pretty slick! I appreciate you mentioning that as I had all but forgetten about them. Hope you're keeping well
Usually you have two speed ranges on these excavators. Takeuchi TB015 Mini Excavator specs: Travel Speed 1.4/2.6 (MPH), or 2.25/4.2 (KMH). There seems to be a pedal on the left side near your heel when you sit in the excavator, it might be the speed control pedal. In the TV show "Alaska Gold Rush", Tony Beets had to move his excavators over long distances. So he used a big H beam, at the end of which there were two tractor wheels. He climbed the back of the tracks on this beam, and lifted the front of the excavator with the arm and the bucket, supporting them in a dump truck. Thus he managed to make a journey of 25 minutes in only 5 minutes. RUclips Video Title: Tony Beets Takes a Huge Risk to Move an Excavator | Gold Rush Here is the link to this video: ruclips.net/video/IZD7CtrYHGg/видео.html&ab_channel=Discovery
Thanks for sharing that link. Will be helpful and something for me to consider for sure. I believe that pedal is for the aux hydraulics on the boom to run a breaker but I'm not entirely sure.Seems this machine would have two speeds so I better look a bit closer
@@sawingwithsandy On my TB025, the left heel pedal (small round pedal-mine was broken off, so I didn't even know it had 2 speeds for a while!) pressing that pedal while moving kicks in a high speed mode... much better!!
@@sawingwithsandy You know you can find the manuals for all kinds of equipment online these days. Try searching for the make and model of your mini excavator, and you're likely to find what you need.
Hey Sandy keep it up with the excavator, I have a JD35 and I was very slow to begin with but it does speed up the process greatly and saves the back as well.
Haggard weld job works, I'm giving you a 👍 even though it's a welded thumb down.Thanks for suggesting 7014 rod. I'm getting more used to the farmer rod.
This weather sure is different than what were used to this time of year. I'll take it but I just hope the ground stays frozen as the ruts I"m getting are quite big
Lots of excavators have two speeds. Normal operating speed and a faster travel speed that is usually two to three times faster than the normal operating speed. Yours may or may have it. Some people put a splitter on the excavator. Then they can pick it up and split it as they drop it into the trailer. That would save your back, you wouldn't have to pick them up by hand.
SANDY!!! save your final drives, look into a system to load your mini into your loader bucket, or a mini trailer for those longer hauls. Very pricy to fix, if you can even get parts!!!
I've never heard of a tractor carrying one around. Now you got me thinking. Lucky for me it is pretty common to get parts for this machine as I"ve got a good dealer I've found
That’s actually really smart. I have an old dual axle dump trailer frame that I was considering converting to a bare bones float trailer - just to use on the property.
@Sawing with Sandy one company I worked for had cat 420 backhoes, and what we called kangaroo mini excavators, and to transport the mini we'd use the front bucket, sometimes with a smaller road plate first off the bucket was a little smaller then others
Dang Sandy, I can't believe how much snow you had now melted away? That mini excavator sure was a nice investment.........I'll wait a bit to get mine 😅 Tractor is paid off in two years, and I have access to a mill just like yours on our property. I got my forestry winch this summer which I LOVE.....babysteps.
All in good time for sure. This snow sure is melting quick with the rain and warm temperatures. However I think we're supposed to get some more snow tomorrow so who knows what's going to happen. Good to hear about the winch. One of my favourite tools and most used around here as well
I know the feeling you have with the excavator. I just came in from running my newly acquired mini skid steer. I'm still working out the kinks in operating that thing. It's a little twitchy & quick on the controls. Was 36 F here yesterday. Crazy weather!
Blocking that wood off the ground is a deal breaker ! I use our logging cart with grapple. Can’t remember when I last blocked it on the ground I’d never do that again. Great job, that mini excavator is a sweet machine.
Glad to see you buckling up the seat belt. Wouldn’t want to fall out at half your normal walking speed! 😆 But seriously, the longer thumb tooth on the outside edge makes a big difference. Don’t make it too big because it might hinder picking up small logs. Maybe bolt-on teeth would be a safer bet?
Sandy I cut my thumb down too only to come to the same conclusion that I needed a bigger tooth on the end. Well the end that i cut off did have a larger end tooth so I figured the length I wanted then cut and welded the end tooth back on at a more aggressive angle worked out great. I pretty much trailer it for any distance but it does make life easier.
Good afternoon Sandy I can see that the snow did pack down a lot at least it did it before a wind storm the excavator is a real back saver somebody mention to use it on a bunch of small logs I wonder how it would work on the slat from the saw mill taking a bunch at the same time I think it is worth the try have a great day
Great idea with the sawmill. Think I"ll end up getting it out there before long to give it a try. Glad you came along today and hope you're all is well
Hi Sandy! I like the mini for this job. Additionally, I have seen some older guys who work in the tree business that go with a long bar so they can buck in a near upright position. Obviously, this is a back saver. You're a young buck, brother, but as you get older the last thing you want is a messed up back; take it from an old geezer that unfortunately knows.
@@peterwill3699 Hi Peter. I get that part. That is why I started off by saying "I like the mini for this job." I was thinking of those situations where getting a machine into the bucking work area is not possible.
Attention sawing with Sandy… TIM from Canada… did you know or are you aware that you can buy. An attachment head for your excavator.. that will split large or small wood rounds.. this head goes on your excavator and works as a log splitter.. this might work for you when you were out in the bush in the winter or in the rain and you want to split some wood and put it in a pile for later… i’m sure you can find something on Google.. or (on RUclips log splitters for excavators)
Need to dig some trenches or dig out some stumps to get better on that mini. Maybe in afew months not exactly the best time of year for that. It's amazing how quickly a person catches on to operating an excavator. Good wood cutting 😌 👍
That splitter is the cat’s rump! I think it’s better than a lot of so called wood processors. Dont be too hard on yourself as far as operating your excavator. Practice makes perfect. I agree a shed for storing some toys near the splitter would be ideal. Next project?😮😅😊❤
A trailer behind the tractor would get it there a little quicker, and will make getting around the property to work with it much quicker. Practice makes perfect for operation. I am sure I would be horrible at operating one at first too.
Thanks Sandy. I see a "low Boy" Trailer build, welding Project in the future. ( Look up Skid Steer Trailer) and You'll see what I am talking about .. Even an old Car Dolly modified would haul that behind the Kioti. just needs to long enough for the Tracks Now that I have the 12" bucket for My Kioti back Hoe, I mark the log before picking it up, I pick it up between the marks so I can cut the whole log with out having to drop it and make the last cut. Since I cut 24" it is easy to do. Mike M.
Usually you have two speed ranges on these excavators. Takeuchi TB015 Mini Excavator specs: Travel Speed 1.4/2.6 (MPH), or 2.25/4.2 (KMH). There seems to be a pedal on the left side near your heel when you sit in the excavator, it might be the speed control pedal.
Hi Margaret, I was hoping there’s a hidden switch I just haven’t found yet for speed. Think that pedal you mention is for the auxiliary hydraulic lines on the boom
I saw a video a while back where they made an axle attachment for the blade and put a hitch attachment on the bucket to drag the mini ex around better for the tracks and better for time management. The dragged it around with a tractor.
I use my excavator for the same thing...saves on the back for sure and if they are too big to lift for the splitter...excavator again....LOL. Great vids. and not laughing. If and when you get a hydraulic thumb you will like it allot more for manipulation and you won't need to curl the bucket so much.. PS: Most mini's are slow to travel.
I think you're right about the thumb. I'm sure what I don't know right now is good because if I did know what it was like I'd be out getting a hydro thumb put on as we speak haha
Holy smokes, Sandy! I honestly thought this was an older video that you just uploaded because there's several feet of snow missing! Similar temps here in Vermont, but minus any snow to speak of. More mixed precipitation and rain in the forecast. Blah! At least my wood supply for the boiler is holding out.
I hear ya Mark. It's wild how much snow we lost so quick. It was almost a floor at times with so much warm temperatures and rain. Another load of mixed precipitation tomorrow so see what we end up with . Im' jealous and wish I had a boiler!
You might want to add a lower pin hole on the thumb so you can go a little lower with the thumb. Would make it easier to grab a log closer to you. If that makes sense.
@@sawingwithsandy You have three holes where the thumb attaches. Top one gets the thumb out of the way. Each position will determine how far you have to reach to clamp an object. If you drilled one more set of holes below those three you could drop the thumb lower. This would make it possible to grab objects closer to your machine. I can’t tell if you have room on the thumb mount to do this. Did you look at your machine real close to see if you have Rabbit speed?
It just might be time to consider building an equipment shed right in the area where you split your wood. It could house your splitter, excavator and other tools, equipment. I shudder when I see that new splitter covered with snow. Plus, you’re a pretty good builder too.
I think you're right. Sometime bit closer to to the job. The splitter lives in a shed but gets covered in snow sometimes as it snows out of nowhere sometimes.
Glad you are enjoying it, Are gloves in short supply up that way,...LOL I did notice you wearing some later in the video. Everything we learn in life is like that first step as a child, Sure it is hard at first, but before long we are off and running.
Hey John! I was so warm out there working today my hands were even sweating haha. Once I cooled down a bit I got the gloves back on. I find I'd prefer to not wear gloves wherever I can for some reason.
There's a long running debate with my family, friends and associates about whether to start a small engine at high throttle settings. Personally, I have opted to start my cold small engines at minimal throttle and full choke and easing into higher throttle levels. My reasoning is you wouldn't get in your vehicle and start it with your foot to the floor, why would you start your small engine that way? Cold oil, cold hydraulic fluid, grease, etc. I've brought a few people over to my camp but it seems to run about 50/50. Some don't care or ever gave it a moment of thought, some say they never hard throttle start. What's your take? Anybody?
I too always start My Engines at just above idle, Then Ramp it up. Same with Shutting down, go to Idle I can even do this with My Gen sets, just need to hand control the Governor Linkage. Mike M.
@@m9ovich785 I do exactly the same with the gov's. The little Coleman, Ryobi and Craftsman suitcase units I own have no access to the gov but they have low idle switches. The 7k Husky and 10k Honda sets are easy to shut down gently with a touch. Maybe in the grand scheme, it doesn't matter, I don't know.
Don't think I could do better with getting the hang of the excavator. That future thumb alteration looks like the cat's meow for grabbing those big logs. Nice video with loads of firewood to boot.
It's crazy that all that snow is gone! Hey, I guess I haven't seen you do it yet - do you dump those IBC cages or pull all the splits out by hand? That would be a lot of bending over to reach the bottom of the cages. Not friendly to the bad backs amongst us.
I'm shocked as well. This rain and warm temperatures sure doesn't feel like a normal winter around here. I'm happy to now be standing upright for sawing the logs. Will be a big difference I bet
Hello Sandy. The start to your title can be taken two ways. One, you're a really good excavator operator or two, you're not any good at it. I prefer to choose the first. If you had not explained the snow in the beginning, I would have thought that this had been filmed before the big snow. I noticed, like many things, that you did not show the work to get all of the wood to one pile to split. Would it work if the log could be picked up and cut the one end closest to where you want the pile to be and then rotate the excavator to cut the other end and have the pieces land on the others without having to move them all by hand except to put them on the splitter? Have good days!
From a safety viewpoint, I would cut the logs while you are the furthest away from the excavator. Which you do starting at about the 4.55 minute mark the idea being of that a hose bursts and the boom comes down. It will rotate slightly towards the cab and away from you.
Yes , you have to be careful when blocking the wood on the excavator. Sometimes when a lot of the tree has been blocked off the log will pivot in the bucket . One side will go towards the cab and the other side away from the cab . Try and get a good secure grip with the thumb. I would highly recommend a hydraulic thumb in the future if possible. Possibly tap into the boom cylinder hydraulic line and use an electric diviner valve mounted on the boom and a foot switch in the cab.
Might be more efficient to have an upright log nearby to put your pick in while you're splitting the logs. You're loosing a decent amount of time in between splits, looking for the best placed log. If you're even going for efficiency that is.
Hey Sandy, I've been watching your videos for a year or so and I was just wondering do you make a living doing this or do you have some other job? You don't have to answer if you don't want to I was just curious.
I think I'd scoop those rounds up with the tractor and pull around the other side of the splitter and put them level to your splitter and roll them off on the splitter save your back 🍻
After a tote or two's worth, your back will really thank you. Cutting logs at waist height is barely work. Finally got myself a mill, woodmizer lt15 GO. While trying to learn how to cut a beam longer than the mill for my mill shelter, I came across a guy who splits his firewood with a sawmill. Cuts a 16' beam to firewood size with the mill, then picks it all up with a mini ex and cuts them to firewood length. 4/6/8/10 "split" pieces at once. Can make perfect symmetrical firewood. Curious if you've seen this done or tried it yourself? Also, what's the extra pedal on the mini for!!?! lol
Hey Dan! That’s the first I’ve heard of this. I like the idea though. Sounds like a great sawmill you’ve got! I like that model. I think the pedal is for auxiliary hydraulics but I’m not 100% sure
I know eh Terry. Seems like after the big snow all it's done is rain and get warm. I just leave the totes where they are during the winter uncovered and in the spring the snow melts away and the drying kicks into full speed
Now you know why that excavator doesn't have thousands of hours on it. Nobody ever takes one of those for a joyride 😆. It gets trailered to the job site. Does what's needed, then goes back on the trailer.
Look at it this way, You never learn by sitting back and watchin the world. It is far better to make a effort and figure things out and make things operate how you feel comfortable. I have many hours warming seeats in all sorts a iron and even I still am rough lol. Adulted hood is just more dification not in a classrom. Your doing fine for a green horn,got to start somewere Brother. Remeber this Rule,Fast is Slow and Slow is Fast ,it will save your tail feathers working.
Hello Mr. Sandy, You are only a bad operator if you never improve, I know you well enough to say, one day you will master this, it will be a second nature,
You can’t expect to be a good excavator operator overnight, it takes a lot of practice. I was a underground sewer operator and it takes a lot of patience and practice, just keep working and before you know it you will be nice and comfortable, you got this Sandy! ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼
Thanks Mark. Hoping before long I"ll start to move up the apprentice ladder haha to the point I"m not looking as rusty
A lot of people think the mini-excavators are toys etc. But once you've moved stuff with them (and the larger MIDI class!!), you never want to go back to lifting heavy stuff by hand. Keep up the food work Sandy. -Andy
They sure surprise me each time I get on board. Lifts a lot and does quite the maneuvering
Being able to cut those logs up in the air looks awesome,not nearly as much bending over,and no excess dirt getting in the saw chain.
Absolutely! I'm sold on that process now. I used to dull my chain atleast once every few hours when I accidentaly cut into the dirt
You are such a true Canadian. Always humble.....but incredibly funny !
I appreciate the kind words Dora
Exactly the weather on the East Coast is equally wet and warm, totally weird. Love how you're using the excavator to save your back, great job.
Thanks! Great to have ya along for this video
Howdy Sandy- it’s always a good day cuttin and splittin firewood. You’ll have that new buggy figured out and will be running it like a pro. Take care and God bless
Thanks for that! Hoping before long I"ll get more seat time in
Sandy, You did GREAT man! 💛
Thanks for that Bruce!
It's so nice to get outside without cold and weather happening when you live up north. Saw a beam of sunlight yesterday and I got so excited! Take care Sandy! ✌
I got excited as well. That sunlight has been missing for some time around these parts it seems. I'm just about ready for summer at this point haha
Your ,Title was a bad excavator, I was going to say yea you are bad, but you really did a good job,
Thanks Brian. Sure am a bit rusty but with time think I"ll figure it out
Looks to me like you're running your excavator good enough and it will get better but the main thing when you're finished you don't have A sore back and that makes it all worthwhile. And you do have some good equipment to work with makes it nice great video Sandy
Good morning Sandy..
I think ( I know I shouldn’t think it’s dangerous hahaha) with have the excavator it is saving you back and chain’s a lot.. I have always tried to use my forks to lift a log up to not bend over but that doesn’t always work out so well..
So the excavator is a big help..
The learning curve will come.. Just like everything takes time.. Like you said about your sawmill..
I am very surprised at how much snow you have lost..
We have about a inch or so but that’s it.. like you this is not a normal winter..
As always stay safe and always be kind.
Cheers
Hi Gus! The forks would surely do the trick real well. Yeah the snow has been melting like crazy with the above freezing temperatures and lots of rain
the wood in the air like that sure makes it easy on the back and saves a sharpening or two also, win win. your doing great with the excavator. man you lost some snow we got mild temps here to 13 c yesterday 6 today got to love winters like this. now you got a project for the spring a shelter out by your wood pile. take care
Hey Wallace! Yeah this weather here is also wild. Above zero and rain. I'm worried abotu flooding now mid winter which is wild to think about. Hope you'er doing well
Looks like a handy little unit! Especially with the thumb you added!
You're having TOO MUCH FUN, Sandy! Keep it up, a lot of us are enjoying life vicariously thru you...........
hahah I know what ya mean Carl. All these "jobs" or "chores" are not really what I would call tedious.
You did fine!!! You know the drill, practice, practice!
For sure!
It won't be long and you'll be running that thing like a pro! I'm very happy for you, it sure makes things easier when you got equipment to work with.
Thanks Joseph. Yeah sure have a ways to go. Fun none-the-less
You did fine, not running a race thanks for sharing with us 😊
Thanks for that Mike!
Hello again from Pennsylvania! Wow, your snow sure went away fast. I think you are really starting to get the hang of your new mini excavator. I was just wondering what happened to your laser for the chainsaw. I thought that was much faster than using that magnet to mark the logs and then go back and cut what you marked. I have to say, you are living the dream. I wish I could do the things you get to do every day. I bet, for you, it isn't as glamorous as it is for people that don't get to experience what you do every day. But you, have a great life going there, and I for one, am happy for you. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to your next video.
I appreciate that! I do feel very fortunate and I appreciate your support and everyone's on the channel. After using the laser for a little bit I ended up going back to the magnet measuring tool just because I wasn't quite as accurate with the laser as I was the magnet tool. Found I could place the circle disk in the small cut I made and know right where to make the next cut whereas the laser I was a bit too shaky.
You’re doing a great job Sandy. Thanks for the information on the Acc U Mark. Have been using chalk, but went ahead and purchased an adjustable one. I’ve cutting my wood at 18 inches length but smaller pieces. Seems 16 inches is more common…so probably going to have to make the pivot.
I think you did a great job Sandy as a beginner. I promise you I would not be complaining about it being slow because I'm having to move all my Logs with a trailer and a winch and a small winch at that so I would be so glad to have that slow-moving excavator, with no complaints, LOL. Anyway I'm enjoying your videos keep up the good work. (Joseph from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.)
Hi Joseph! Hope things are well down in Myrtle Beach. Great spot! I always say if the setup does the job, it works for me so your trailer and winch sounds just perfect
@@sawingwithsandy it does the job for now. I'm getting ready to buy a log arch to move them with. I think that's going to make things easier. It's 68° in Myrtle Beach today and 70 for tomorrow. I'm really loving this warm weather. It is perfect for Sawmilling and firewood splitting. Anyway, keep the videos coming. I really enjoy them.
Excavator sure is a back saver no doubt 👊👍🇺🇲🇨🇦
Absolutely Tim!
Morning Sandy! Practice makes perfect or at least a semblance therein. You've lost a lot of snow since your last vid, which should make working around the property easier but sucks for sledding. The forecast for these parts is calling for more snow in the coming days. Greetings from Peterborough.
Hey Ken. Yeah the snow has melted real quick with the rain and above freezing temperatures. I think we're in for more tomorrow
Sandy use your pedals for steering keep your hands on the control's whenever possible
Another Great Video Sandy, as time goes you will be a pro Excavator operator, I can't believe all of that snow melted so fast.
Thanks TJ> Yeah this snow melt has been crazy. So warm and rainy for this time of year
That is the way to cut firewood! Easier on the back and no dirt in the chain. I see a mini excavator shed build in the near future. Great video, I broke a small sweat just watching it. Lol!
Hey Scott! Yeah I didn’t know what I was missing. Have to get some shed put up for sure!
Just pondering, that if you have the terrain for it… if you could find a spot with a bit of a drop, having the splitter up higher than the top of the IBC cages, and then two cages can be next to each other with the tray of the splitter centered between them. Then, as you split logs, the next split log pushes the previous batch off the end to fall right into the cages, half in one and half in the other, and movable with the forks from the opposite side of the splitter.
Just spitballin’ ideas before coffee kicks in fully… I hope it made sense!
Hey Sandy! I super enjoyed this video today and it was awesome to drop by the woodyard! I think your doing great with the mini ex! Definitely better than me lol. Some more seat time and a few upcoming projects under your belt and you’ll have it figured out buddy! I like the accu mark system there and that’s definitely a great help and now that you can get the logs off the ground and at a good height that’s definitely going to help the back out like you said! Always love seeing the Eastonmade in action an nice job getting all those round split up an into the IBCs! Ya was super surprised to see how fast the snow dropped there wow!! We don’t have to much hear really yet still.. average of about a foot here in central NB. Anyways thanks for having us over to the woodyard today Sandy, was nice dropping an seeing you! Take care and be well :). Andrew from NB :)
On the excavator learning curve, for me it happened at around the 30 hour experience mark before i realized I'm running the controls without thinking😄
I"m feeling rusty probably not running the controls daily I figure. Looking forward to a bit more bloopers (hopefully not bad ones) before I get the hang of it haha
Hey Sandy, another great video as usual. Things I want to pass on are that I’m happy to see that you buckle up anytime you’re on equipment. Working alone could be fatal if you didn’t. Also, I no longer use an excavator or grapple to pick up and saw logs. There has been too many times that the hydraulics have bled off and I came close to smashing a foot or leg. I use a couple bigger log to set the logs I’m bucking on, much safer. Thirdly, I’ve tried a bunch of different log markers and I think it’s handier and just as quick to use the saw turned sideways as a gauge. Just my two cents. Stay safe out there.
Hi Sandy, weird winter here too! That little excavator is cool, you'll get used to it, such a fun channel to watch Sandy!, I never miss a video. Because of this weather I was able to do a test run on my homemade log loading chainsaw milling trailer, I used a tracking camera on my tripod for my video I think you might like, if you dont already have one, it was only $48.
Hey Dennis! Great to hear the build went well. I've seen those cameras before and they are pretty slick! I appreciate you mentioning that as I had all but forgetten about them. Hope you're keeping well
Usually you have two speed ranges on these excavators.
Takeuchi TB015 Mini Excavator specs: Travel Speed 1.4/2.6 (MPH), or 2.25/4.2 (KMH).
There seems to be a pedal on the left side near your heel when you sit in the excavator, it might be the speed control pedal.
In the TV show "Alaska Gold Rush", Tony Beets had to move his excavators over long distances.
So he used a big H beam, at the end of which there were two tractor wheels.
He climbed the back of the tracks on this beam, and lifted the front of the excavator with the arm and the bucket, supporting them in a dump truck.
Thus he managed to make a journey of 25 minutes in only 5 minutes.
RUclips Video Title: Tony Beets Takes a Huge Risk to Move an Excavator | Gold Rush
Here is the link to this video: ruclips.net/video/IZD7CtrYHGg/видео.html&ab_channel=Discovery
Thanks for sharing that link. Will be helpful and something for me to consider for sure. I believe that pedal is for the aux hydraulics on the boom to run a breaker but I'm not entirely sure.Seems this machine would have two speeds so I better look a bit closer
@@sawingwithsandy On my TB025, the left heel pedal (small round pedal-mine was broken off, so I didn't even know it had 2 speeds for a while!) pressing that pedal while moving kicks in a high speed mode... much better!!
@@sawingwithsandy You know you can find the manuals for all kinds of equipment online these days. Try searching for the make and model of your mini excavator, and you're likely to find what you need.
Hey Sandy keep it up with the excavator, I have a JD35 and I was very slow to begin with but it does speed up the process greatly and saves the back as well.
Haggard weld job works, I'm giving you a 👍 even though it's a welded thumb down.Thanks for suggesting 7014 rod. I'm getting more used to the farmer rod.
Yeah those welds sure aren't going to win any awards haha. I figure as long as they hold I"m happy
Living the life, very nice! Thanks for listing the equipment you're using.
Good to have ya along for the video. Thanks for your support!
That splitter looks like it works great.
I’m in central Ontario as well. I’m hoping to get a bit of muddy wood cut today while it’s mild
Cheers!
This weather sure is different than what were used to this time of year. I'll take it but I just hope the ground stays frozen as the ruts I"m getting are quite big
Good video and job. Wood splitter is really fast. Take care, be safe and well.
Lots of excavators have two speeds.
Normal operating speed and a faster travel speed that is usually two to three times faster than the normal operating speed.
Yours may or may have it.
Some people put a splitter on the excavator.
Then they can pick it up and split it as they drop it into the trailer.
That would save your back, you wouldn't have to pick them up by hand.
SANDY!!! save your final drives, look into a system to load your mini into your loader bucket, or a mini trailer for those longer hauls. Very pricy to fix, if you can even get parts!!!
I've never heard of a tractor carrying one around. Now you got me thinking. Lucky for me it is pretty common to get parts for this machine as I"ve got a good dealer I've found
That’s actually really smart. I have an old dual axle dump trailer frame that I was considering converting to a bare bones float trailer - just to use on the property.
@Sawing with Sandy one company I worked for had cat 420 backhoes, and what we called kangaroo mini excavators, and to transport the mini we'd use the front bucket, sometimes with a smaller road plate first off the bucket was a little smaller then others
Dang Sandy, I can't believe how much snow you had now melted away? That mini excavator sure was a nice investment.........I'll wait a bit to get mine 😅 Tractor is paid off in two years, and I have access to a mill just like yours on our property. I got my forestry winch this summer which I LOVE.....babysteps.
All in good time for sure. This snow sure is melting quick with the rain and warm temperatures. However I think we're supposed to get some more snow tomorrow so who knows what's going to happen. Good to hear about the winch. One of my favourite tools and most used around here as well
I know the feeling you have with the excavator. I just came in from running my newly acquired mini skid steer. I'm still working out the kinks in operating that thing.
It's a little twitchy & quick on the controls. Was 36 F here yesterday.
Crazy weather!
Hey John! Yeah I"m a bit rusty on it but with time it'll come around. Wild weather all over this winter it seems
Blocking that wood off the ground is a deal breaker ! I use our logging cart with grapple. Can’t remember when I last blocked it on the ground I’d never do that again.
Great job, that mini excavator is a sweet machine.
I"m with ya there Russell. Seeing is believing and I"m a believer now
Glad to see you buckling up the seat belt. Wouldn’t want to fall out at half your normal walking speed! 😆
But seriously, the longer thumb tooth on the outside edge makes a big difference. Don’t make it too big because it might hinder picking up small logs. Maybe bolt-on teeth would be a safer bet?
I recon you’ve improved a lot,no doubt it will make life easier on your back and as usual enjoyed the content cheers
Glad to hear that Jeffrey
Sandy I cut my thumb down too only to come to the same conclusion that I needed a bigger tooth on the end. Well the end that i cut off did have a larger end tooth so I figured the length I wanted then cut and welded the end tooth back on at a more aggressive angle worked out great. I pretty much trailer it for any distance but it does make life easier.
Great to hear that Ronald. I htink I may just use your idea and do the same. Thanks again
Great work, Sandy. I am impressed with your skill level. That machine looks like it would be tough to master quickly. 👍
Good afternoon Sandy I can see that the snow did pack down a lot at least it did it before a wind storm the excavator is a real back saver somebody mention to use it on a bunch of small logs I wonder how it would work on the slat from the saw mill taking a bunch at the same time I think it is worth the try have a great day
Great idea with the sawmill. Think I"ll end up getting it out there before long to give it a try. Glad you came along today and hope you're all is well
Hi Sandy! I like the mini for this job. Additionally, I have seen some older guys who work in the tree business that go with a long bar so they can buck in a near upright position. Obviously, this is a back saver. You're a young buck, brother, but as you get older the last thing you want is a messed up back; take it from an old geezer that unfortunately knows.
That why you pick the logs up with the machine,you don't have to bend down.
@@peterwill3699 Hi Peter. I get that part. That is why I started off by saying "I like the mini for this job." I was thinking of those situations where getting a machine into the bucking work area is not possible.
I would kneel on the cold ground to buck bigger logs because my back was not cooperative most of the time
I really enjoyed watching this video. How much wood do you go through during a typical winter?
Thanks Eve! I typically burn around 6 cords of wood in a winter
Attention sawing with Sandy… TIM from Canada… did you know or are you aware that you can buy.
An attachment head for your excavator.. that will split large or small wood rounds.. this head goes on your excavator and works as a log splitter.. this might work for you when you were out in the bush in the winter or in the rain and you want to split some wood and put it in a pile for later… i’m sure you can find something on Google.. or (on RUclips log splitters for excavators)
Hey Tim! Thanks for that. I have seen others use something similar and you just reminded of that. Would be a great idea I think. Thanks again
He'd probably pay more for that than what he Paid for the Mini. AHAHA
That Mini may not have enough hydraulic power to run one of those. ??
Eastonmade couldn’t have made a better commercial.
Glad you enjoyed my video and thanks for watching.
just an idea, get a trailer store the escavator on it then when needed tow to your destanation. really depends on how far your travels are ?
That would be pretty good idea I think. Would only really need an off-road trailer as I don't take it anywhere oof my property
Keep the blade down on the heavy ones.yeah I've done this stuff all my life n love it.
Need to dig some trenches or dig out some stumps to get better on that mini. Maybe in afew months not exactly the best time of year for that. It's amazing how quickly a person catches on to operating an excavator. Good wood cutting 😌 👍
Thanks Del. Think a few big projects where I’m using the mini more will help for sure
That splitter is the cat’s rump! I think it’s better than a lot of so called wood processors. Dont be too hard on yourself as far as operating your excavator. Practice makes perfect. I agree a shed for storing some toys near the splitter would be ideal. Next project?😮😅😊❤
I'm thinking that would make for a good project for sure. Going to have to see what I can come up with
A trailer behind the tractor would get it there a little quicker, and will make getting around the property to work with it much quicker. Practice makes perfect for operation. I am sure I would be horrible at operating one at first too.
I like the idea about a little backwoods trailer. Lots of practice coming soon I"m hoping
Thanks Sandy.
I see a "low Boy" Trailer build, welding Project in the future. ( Look up Skid Steer Trailer) and You'll see what I am talking about .. Even an old Car Dolly modified would haul that behind the Kioti. just needs to long enough for the Tracks
Now that I have the 12" bucket for My Kioti back Hoe, I mark the log before picking it up, I pick it up between the marks so I can cut the whole log with out having to drop it and make the last cut. Since I cut 24" it is easy to do.
Mike M.
I like that idea Mike. Just something to move the machine around the property. Now my brain is kicking into high gear haha
great idea marking the log before picking it up!
Usually you have two speed ranges on these excavators.
Takeuchi TB015 Mini Excavator specs: Travel Speed 1.4/2.6 (MPH), or 2.25/4.2 (KMH).
There seems to be a pedal on the left side near your heel when you sit in the excavator, it might be the speed control pedal.
Hi Margaret, I was hoping there’s a hidden switch I just haven’t found yet for speed. Think that pedal you mention is for the auxiliary hydraulic lines on the boom
My pc128 has a very similar pedal for second gear
i thought u did just fine..what is the brand name on spltter thank u
Thanks Hank!
Nice setup! Dunno if you had a chance to try it but the excavator can hold up a bunch of smaller logs too. Makes fast work of small wood.
Hi Les! That's on my to try list now. Haven't had a chance but sure would be handy like you said
You do know that the boom articulates right? It makes it easier to reach things when you aren't lined up to grab it
I saw a video a while back where they made an axle attachment for the blade and put a hitch attachment on the bucket to drag the mini ex around better for the tracks and better for time management. The dragged it around with a tractor.
That's one heck of an idea! I appreciate you sharing that with me Glen
You mentioned adding something on to the end of your thumb. A couple of rail road spikes welded on or something like that, but blunted would help.
That's a great idea Andy! Thanks for that
Great job. That little machine really does help.
Thanks Jack!
I use my excavator for the same thing...saves on the back for sure and if they are too big to lift for the splitter...excavator again....LOL. Great vids. and not laughing. If and when you get a hydraulic thumb you will like it allot more for manipulation and you won't need to curl the bucket so much.. PS: Most mini's are slow to travel.
I think you're right about the thumb. I'm sure what I don't know right now is good because if I did know what it was like I'd be out getting a hydro thumb put on as we speak haha
Holy smokes, Sandy! I honestly thought this was an older video that you just uploaded because there's several feet of snow missing!
Similar temps here in Vermont, but minus any snow to speak of. More mixed precipitation and rain in the forecast. Blah! At least my wood supply for the boiler is holding out.
I hear ya Mark. It's wild how much snow we lost so quick. It was almost a floor at times with so much warm temperatures and rain. Another load of mixed precipitation tomorrow so see what we end up with . Im' jealous and wish I had a boiler!
@@sawingwithsandy I'm predicting some outdoor boiler installation videos in your future
Snow disappeared fast! Usually there is a rabbit and turtle speed on this excavators. No button on your travel controls?
Unfortunately I looked around and couldn't find anything. I"ll have to keep looking as it would seem that it should have it
@@sawingwithsandy I’ve seen it on the floor or one of the travel levers. Usually easy to get to.
Excavator are made too run full throttle so hydraulic pressure is sufficient. I ran one for 38 years in granite quarry’s.
Enjoyed the video! Thanks 😉
Thanks for coming along Don
You might want to add a lower pin hole on the thumb so you can go a little lower with the thumb. Would make it easier to grab a log closer to you. If that makes sense.
Hi Russ, I"m not to sure how I would go about doing that. Is it a weld on thing?
@@sawingwithsandy You have three holes where the thumb attaches. Top one gets the thumb out of the way. Each position will determine how far you have to reach to clamp an object. If you drilled one more set of holes below those three you could drop the thumb lower. This would make it possible to grab objects closer to your machine. I can’t tell if you have room on the thumb mount to do this.
Did you look at your machine real close to see if you have Rabbit speed?
Where do you get all your cages? What do they cost you? Thanks!
My old mini has a button for high(er) speed on the blade lever. Does your mini have one somewhere?
I haven't been able to locate one unfortunately
hoping to see your idea of a ramp for your sawmill. maybe next?
Hi Fred, I'll be back in the red pine forest real soon. Hope to see ya there
It just might be time to consider building an equipment shed right in the area where you split your wood. It could house your splitter, excavator and other tools, equipment. I shudder when I see that new splitter covered with snow. Plus, you’re a pretty good builder too.
I think you're right. Sometime bit closer to to the job. The splitter lives in a shed but gets covered in snow sometimes as it snows out of nowhere sometimes.
@@sawingwithsandy Ok I guess I missed that part (storing the splitter) either way, I love your building process...
Glad you are enjoying it, Are gloves in short supply up that way,...LOL
I did notice you wearing some later in the video.
Everything we learn in life is like that first step as a child, Sure it is hard at first, but before long we are off and running.
Hey John! I was so warm out there working today my hands were even sweating haha. Once I cooled down a bit I got the gloves back on. I find I'd prefer to not wear gloves wherever I can for some reason.
Wow...what happened to all your snow??? We are bare in the South of Ontario, but I thought you would still have feet!!!
It's been a wild weather rollercoaster that's for sure. Currently raining outside
There's a long running debate with my family, friends and associates about whether to start a small engine at high throttle settings. Personally, I have opted to start my cold small engines at minimal throttle and full choke and easing into higher throttle levels. My reasoning is you wouldn't get in your vehicle and start it with your foot to the floor, why would you start your small engine that way? Cold oil, cold hydraulic fluid, grease, etc.
I've brought a few people over to my camp but it seems to run about 50/50. Some don't care or ever gave it a moment of thought, some say they never hard throttle start.
What's your take? Anybody?
I too always start My Engines at just above idle, Then Ramp it up. Same with Shutting down, go to Idle
I can even do this with My Gen sets, just need to hand control the Governor Linkage.
Mike M.
@@m9ovich785 I do exactly the same with the gov's. The little Coleman, Ryobi and Craftsman suitcase units I own have no access to the gov but they have low idle switches. The 7k Husky and 10k Honda sets are easy to shut down gently with a touch.
Maybe in the grand scheme, it doesn't matter, I don't know.
Lots of good things to consider there Mark. I've never really thought about it but now you got me thinking
Don't think I could do better with getting the hang of the excavator. That future thumb alteration looks like the cat's meow for grabbing those big logs. Nice video with loads of firewood to boot.
Thanks for the support and glad to have ya along for the splitting today
It's crazy that all that snow is gone! Hey, I guess I haven't seen you do it yet - do you dump those IBC cages or pull all the splits out by hand? That would be a lot of bending over to reach the bottom of the cages. Not friendly to the bad backs amongst us.
I'm shocked as well. This rain and warm temperatures sure doesn't feel like a normal winter around here. I'm happy to now be standing upright for sawing the logs. Will be a big difference I bet
You might think about a sled/trailer to move the excavator about your property.
Think you're right. I"d like to find a cheap old one for offroad use only. hmmm
Hello Sandy. The start to your title can be taken two ways. One, you're a really good excavator operator or two, you're not any good at it. I prefer to choose the first. If you had not explained the snow in the beginning, I would have thought that this had been filmed before the big snow. I noticed, like many things, that you did not show the work to get all of the wood to one pile to split. Would it work if the log could be picked up and cut the one end closest to where you want the pile to be and then rotate the excavator to cut the other end and have the pieces land on the others without having to move them all by hand except to put them on the splitter? Have good days!
From a safety viewpoint, I would cut the logs while you are the furthest away from the excavator. Which you do starting at about the 4.55 minute mark the idea being of that a hose bursts and the boom comes down. It will rotate slightly towards the cab and away from you.
Great point there Tony. Thanks for sharing that.
Yes , you have to be careful when blocking the wood on the excavator. Sometimes when a lot of the tree has been blocked off the log will pivot in the bucket . One side will go towards the cab and the other side away from the cab . Try and get a good secure grip with the thumb. I would highly recommend a hydraulic thumb in the future if possible. Possibly tap into the boom cylinder hydraulic line and use an electric diviner valve mounted on the boom and a foot switch in the cab.
Man, that wood splitter really does the job! Does one of those totes hold about half a cord?
Thanks Joseph. One tote will hold about 1/6 of a cord (4x4x8') give or take
Noticed this before but forgot to ask. What do you have hanging on the sides of your winch to protect it from the chains?
Hi Terry. They’re just some rubber mats
Thanks again for the great content.
Great to have ya along each video Chris
That's a kool set up
Thanks Stephen!
Might be more efficient to have an upright log nearby to put your pick in while you're splitting the logs. You're loosing a decent amount of time in between splits, looking for the best placed log.
If you're even going for efficiency that is.
I think you're right about that one Stan
what happened to the chain saw laser magnet?
I think my preference is the magnetic one I’m using in this video as I’m finding the laser is good but I’m. It that accurate with it yet
Hey Sandy, I've been watching your videos for a year or so and I was just wondering do you make a living doing this or do you have some other job? You don't have to answer if you don't want to I was just curious.
I think I'd scoop those rounds up with the tractor and pull around the other side of the splitter and put them level to your splitter and roll them off on the splitter save your back 🍻
That's a good idea there Jake. I may have to try that one out in the future. Thanks for that
After a tote or two's worth, your back will really thank you. Cutting logs at waist height is barely work.
Finally got myself a mill, woodmizer lt15 GO. While trying to learn how to cut a beam longer than the mill for my mill shelter, I came across a guy who splits his firewood with a sawmill. Cuts a 16' beam to firewood size with the mill, then picks it all up with a mini ex and cuts them to firewood length. 4/6/8/10 "split" pieces at once. Can make perfect symmetrical firewood. Curious if you've seen this done or tried it yourself? Also, what's the extra pedal on the mini for!!?! lol
Hey Dan! That’s the first I’ve heard of this. I like the idea though. Sounds like a great sawmill you’ve got! I like that model. I think the pedal is for auxiliary hydraulics but I’m not 100% sure
can't believe how much your snow has shrunk.
do you cover your totes or just let them season as is?
I know eh Terry. Seems like after the big snow all it's done is rain and get warm. I just leave the totes where they are during the winter uncovered and in the spring the snow melts away and the drying kicks into full speed
lot of snow gone?
Huge amount melted off with rain and warm temperatures lately. Crazy winter
for the winter time why don't you build a skid that you could pull with the tractor and haul your excavator
That should have a pedal on the floor to kick it in to high speed you have to hold it down as you travel
I’m wondering whether the pedal that I thought was for the auxiliary hydraulics is actually for a faster speed. Now I better try it. Thanks for that!
Now you know why that excavator doesn't have thousands of hours on it. Nobody ever takes one of those for a joyride 😆. It gets trailered to the job site. Does what's needed, then goes back on the trailer.
hahah no joyride for this thing. Would need a week's holidays for that haha.
@@sawingwithsandy 😆 you spend a week on that. You'll need your vertebrae fused!
Might be a good idea to put a counter weight on the back of the excavator.
I think you're right Kevin. I"m hoping I can wrangle something up before long
Build a trailer to haul the excavator around behind your tractor. Princesses auto sells tons of stuff to build a trailer.
Thinking that's a great idea Laurie. I"ll have to see if I can get some sort of a bush trailer put together
Look at it this way, You never learn by sitting back and watchin the world. It is far better to make a effort and figure things out and make things operate how you feel comfortable. I have many hours warming seeats in all sorts a iron and even I still am rough lol. Adulted hood is just more dification not in a classrom. Your doing fine for a green horn,got to start somewere Brother. Remeber this Rule,Fast is Slow and Slow is Fast ,it will save your tail feathers working.
Great point of view Scott! Got to start somewhere.
Hello Mr. Sandy, You are only a bad operator if you never improve, I know you well enough to say, one day you will master this, it will be a second nature,
Thanks for that Ben. Sure will be a slow process but I think you're right
Wow you lost a lot of that 3' snow storm!
It almost seems like it's been edited out but it actually has melted away a good 3' of snow with the warm temperatures and rain. Crazy what can happen