Using a Mini X going downhill/uphill.....advice please.

[Rmally]

Hey folks,

A few weeks ago I rented a Mini X to dig some trenches for electrical, it took me a about 45 mins to really get the feel for it but I knocked out the trench with no issues.....actually enjoyed every minute of it.

I have the same Mini coming this weekend (Kubota U17) and need to cut in some drainage ditches to divert water. The ground will be a lot softer since it rained a few days ago and I don't have to go that deep. Had to go 4 feet for electrical but these will only be about a foot or so deep. The difference is the electrical trench was pretty straight but these upcoming ditches I will be going down/up the driveway. It's not super steep but does have some slope.....heres a picture looking down. My question is do I start at the top and put the blade behind me and dig going down or put the blade in front. Or do I start at the bottom and whats the best position for the blade.

Any tips would be welcomed, just don't want to risk turning over the machine.

Thanks!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Whoever graded the drive should have cut in a ditch before the gravel went down.

 

[Wagtail]

Whoever graded the drive should have cut in a ditch before the gravel went down.

True, but it's a wee bit late to be bringing that point up.
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I have no personal experience in operating a Mini-X, however what I've read (here on TBN, over the years) is that you should basically keep the blade 'downhill', the same as generally keeping the arm/bucket 'downslope'.

Now, if memory serves me, that advice was mostly for when you're travelling/moving but it makes sense for working too.

As for starting from the bottom or the top... I'll let others advise.

 

[kf4uda]

Start at the top with the blade downhill.

 

[SimS]

X2, I always keep the blade opposite of the boom when digging per the operator's manual. That orientation keeps the digging loads off the drive motors.

SimS

 

[Rmally]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. I'll keep the blade to the back and start at the top.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

True, but it's a wee bit late to be bringing that point up.
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True, but now he either has to cut the bank back to make room for the ditch, or probaby cheaper to just waste some of the gravel. Maybe he can use the blade on the mini to push the gravel over some.

 

[laurencen]

would it not be easier to get a grader to grade the side of the road and cut a ditch? he could grade the gravel back before cutting and grade it back, be faster than a mini x

 

[dfkrug]

would it not be easier to get a grader to grade the side of the road and cut a ditch?

I agree that a grader, whether a large motor-grader, or a 3-pt box scraper, is the better choice. The ditch does not have to be very deep after all.

As for using a mini-X on slopes, I have tried it all 4 ways: digging going up the slope with blade on the downhill side, and the other 3 combinations. My conclusion is that it depends on the grade. I was able to do as steep as 40%, but that is at the extreme. Many were at 33% grade (4:12 pitch). In those kinds of slopes I was usually digging going up with blade on the downhill side. I could not do it at that grade with the blade on the digging side. Since the blade was on the downhill side, all sorts of rocks and dirt would get under the mini, and sometimes hit my wheel motors. Not ideal.

OP: I suggest you try it all 4 ways, and see the pros/cons of each one.

 

[Boondox]

@Rmally - So how did this turn out, and what method worked best for you?

My wife and I needed a mini-x for some projects around the house and decided that instead of renting ($$$) it made more sense to buy one and sell it when the projects were done. That was 12 years ago and we still have the KX-121-3S. Just can't bear to part with it!

Pete