scared myself silly this weekend on excavator

[mlinnane]

Of course you guys are not the only ones that have to play with their toys. I was digging out a bank this weekend and
of course the soil around me is a whole lot of rocks and some dirt sprinkled in. As I was digging I kept getting into some ledge which to my surprise I was able to get through and then I get into a rock and tried to pull it out and almost tipped the machine. The rock was the size of an old fashion bathtub. I did not know it was that big when I was trying to pull it out.
So I decided to run the machine in about 1/2 throttle and go slow. MY question is this bad for the machine so long as I do not hear it strain? Another question I have is I have a blade on the front. Should I dig with blade on the ground in front of me or in back of me? Or does it not make a difference and I promise I will post some pictures. Also I let my neighbor have a turn and he went slowly neither of us are trying to break a speed record. But the bank is coming out and then when I have a good size dozer come in it will take as long as the dirt will be in piles and easier to push our soil is very heavy with many many big rocks. IT will make great fill for the parking lot. The bank in backs of the barn it going to the stem of the T for a parking lot. this link will take you to aerial photo of site.
These are pictures I already have on my web site
http://www.stonewallboarding.com/airpic3.jpg
http://www.stonewallboarding.com/aerial3w.jpg
http://207.234.238.110/pro1.jpg
I figure I am going to have a dozer come into to push the fill so this is a good project to work on. I need to dig the bank far enough to I can pitch the water from the barn and I cannot do that now. Then I will install a curtain drain. The barn is pretty good size 5540 sq feet. this will give me time in the seat and it does not matter if I do not get everything level and perfect. But if I can have 70 to 80 % percent of the dirt shifted it will not take some long to push it.
Any tips you can think about operating the machine would be appreciated. I will do a post next week of all the stuff I am going to do on the outside.

 

[JoshJ]

Don't know much about throttle position, but I would say that as you get more accustomed to your machine you will run it faster anyway. I would *think* that you can't hurt anything by running it slow. They normally dont run backhoes wide open. Others would have a better opinion.

As for the blade, you want that in front of you, and down, when digging. (Don't need to lift the treads, though.) It'll give you more leverage it prevent some tipping. Also, if it is in front, then controlling your tracks would be more intuitive (left control is left track, etc.) They would be switched if your blade is in back and you are facing the back of the machine. With all the moving you will do on the machine, this really isnt a big deal. The leverage is more important.

 

[flyers]

Michelle

Nice barn is it new, is it a pole barn who put it up. What kind of steel is on it. Yes you want the blade in front. It is not bad at 1/2 speed.The new IHI with piston pumps you can run at 1/2 speed and not give up any hydraulic power but with the gear pumps on yours you will give up some power at 1/2 speed.

 

[nobull1]

Here is my opinions, and they are just opinions. Blade should be in the front and down as was previously stated. The reasons listed make good sense. The only time that comes to mind that I would have the blade behind me is when I am going up hill and working on the higher side of the hill and want to level the machine for stability. As far as throttle goes I am wide open 95% of the time. The only time I throttle down is when I am in a spot that I want to go very slow. As you get used to using the machine you will find few times you will want less than full throttle. After awhile you will be wondering how you can get more throttle /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Damage to the machine is common sense as far as I'm concerned. Don't try to pick up the biggest rock you can if you don't have to. Usually you can pull the rock back than push with the blade. This is a lot easier on the boom and arm then lifting. Although I have never broke a boom or arm I have heard numerous stories of such, as well as the cost of repairs. One thing to be carefully of is spinning around and hitting a non moving object. This is a good way to damage the turning circle as well as the arm or boom. This does happen as I can attest to(no damage but it is like the sound of glass breaking in a car accident, not a good feeling until all is checked out and safe) . Just having the arm too low and and a second of not contemplating the place you are going to. Also as bad as this may sound don't let anyone drive your machine. One slip by a inexperienced operator/friend and you could be out thousands. Hard to charge your buddy when you were the one that should have known better.

 

[dubba]

Throttle control on larger excavators is usually not user controlled. The engine runs up & down in response to demand placed on it's pumps.

 

[mlinnane]

The pole was put up by conestoga buildings. I do not remember the guage of steel that used as it has been up for two years now. It will be an indoor boarding kennel. I am having someone do the stone work now.
http://www.conestogabuildings.com/