How difficult to operate a mini excavator

[PILOON]

Agree totally with the ones saying there is a difference in running equipment and operating equipment. I have operated mini excavators at work for the past 8 years. I can make it dance and do things an inexperienced operator wouldn't even think of. So my answer would be to see what needs to be done and how fast do you want to do it.i have cleared property with just a mini excavator that people would say you need a bulldozer for. It all depends on your skill level,time and learning effective and efficient ways to operate the equipment.

"people would say you need a bulldozer"
sure a bulldozer might often be faster but with mini U can fill in holes, doze over as most have a mini blade.
With a mini you mess up a lot less than a dozer will.
The major difference might be time on the job.

To note, most major contractors no longer have a dozer in the inventory as a tracked hoe can do all a dozer does and at that even more effectually.

One that I know has 4 tracked hoes and a dozer that he has not used in 3 years.

 

[MossRoad]

I always get a chuckle when the runners VS operators discussions come up.

I remember back when I was a young pup, working with a journeyman electrician, and telling him I thought I felt a tingle in a box. I told him I didn't want to work in the box like that. He told me it wasn't possible because he had killed the power. He proceeded to tell me to get off the ladder kind of angrily, got up on the ladder, leaned his arm against the box and got knocked off the ladder. I made sure he was OK, then, of course, said "I told you so." Then I got a meter and we found voltage on the meta box to ground. We became pretty good friends after that, and he taught me a great deal. In return, I listened and appreciated the transfer of knowledge. I took him to the shop and taught him how to basic weld with a torch one day. He was apprreciative and thanked me. That felt good.

What really peeves me is poor teachers. I'm a very good student and eager to learn. Some folks can't teach, or won't teach. I've run into plenty of people in my life that horde information, because they think that gives them power over people, and laugh at others failures, rather than offering encouragement and help... most were union guys. I have no use for people like that.

 

[MossRoad]

Dozers are still used quite extensively around here for leveling pads for buildings and parking lots. I have a brother in law that's a union equipment operator. He mostly runs excavators, but enjoys dozer days. He says it used to take skill to operator a dozer, but with GPS and laser leveling, all he pretty much does is drive it to a starting point, and it does the rest.

 

[ovrszd]

"people would say you need a bulldozer"
sure a bulldozer might often be faster but with mini U can fill in holes, doze over as most have a mini blade.
With a mini you mess up a lot less than a dozer will.
The major difference might be time on the job.

To note, most major contractors no longer have a dozer in the inventory as a tracked hoe can do all a dozer does and at that even more effectually.

One that I know has 4 tracked hoes and a dozer that he has not used in 3 years.

Aw you were doing so good.

A track hoe cannot replace a dozer. Not today, not any day. They are specific tools and cannot replace each other. Every Contractor in my area that is serious has a Dozer.

 

[mike69440]

Aw you were doing so good.

A track hoe cannot replace a dozer. Not today, not any day. They are specific tools and cannot replace each other. Every Contractor in my area that is serious has a Dozer.

Every notice that dozers and excavators can play nice together? Dozer earth moves and grades, excavators pretty much do the rest.

 

[ovrszd]

Every notice that dozers and excavators can play nice together? Dozer earth moves and grades, excavators pretty much do the rest.

All designs of dirt moving equipment play nice together. There's a reason for each one. Never think you can replace one with the other. Just doesn't work that way productively.

 

[parhamfarms2615]

It depends on your end goal. A good man on the dozer controls can blade a level building surface to whatever grade you tell him. If you are running a grading business without a dozer you are not a big player. Every piece has its place in the hands of the right operator.

 

[edgarrian]

in this case I would not recommend that the OP rent a dozer as he will most likely destroy his back and probably ruin the machine. Excavator is what he should use. I have never used a dozer for clearing trees b/c most generally people want to use logs. Dozers certainly have their spots in the construction world and will never be replaced.

 

[Egon]

in this case I would not recommend that the OP rent a dozer as he will most likely destroy his back and probably ruin the machine. Excavator is what he should use. I have never used a dozer for clearing trees b/c most generally people want to use logs. Dozers certainly have their spots in the construction world and will never be replaced.

There have been many an acre cleared by dozers. Many had a v plow with cage for protection that sheared off trees. Followed by another cat with a bush rake blade that piled the downed trees into windrows. Followed another cat pulling a Rome plough.

 

[ovrszd]

There have been many an acre cleared by dozers.

Exclusively before trackhoes.