Cat® Mini Excavator Operating Tips: Blade Positioning

[USANAK]

Like Dezmona SG said, this is good advice for beginners. A lot of us are weekend warriors, only using these kinds of machines on rare occasions. To be frank, I've always dug with the blade in front. It never occurred to me to place it behind me. What's common sense and obvious to some is not so to all of us. So I for one greatly appreciate the contents of this video.

[arthurscarscustoms]

You can clearly see that you are pushing the boom down when the blade is in front and when the blade is in the rear, you are not doing that, instead you are scratching properly. Why? I can dig just fine with the blade in front. If fact the blade helps to stabilize the machine when I lift the material out of the ground and helps keep the machine from tipping forward when pulling up hard such as when lifting out something that is stuck in the soil.

[ianpentz]

Wow no other guys mention the blade position, thanks this Isa great safety-tip.

[a.krueger]

I like to track across finish grade with blade all the way down.

[micpotato]

If you are trying to go up a steep incline It’s more important to have the counterweight of the machine uphill and over the drive sprockets..the boom can be used if needed to assist your ascent and the blade can be used to stop the machine sliding can be said for loading up ramps..it’s a lot surprised to see bad advice given on this video...I generally operate with my blade in front but there are a few times when it is better to have it behind you

[ProtreeremovalbrisbaneAu]

This Mini Excavator is really handy to clearing land. But it is important to know how to operate it. Hats off you guys you have shown it so well in this video

[jesseheilman]

I primarily dig with the blade in the back up down doesn't matter it just gets the blade out of the way so you can dig more and faster

[scottpecora]

Very useful safety information, thank you! Suggestion: as one person asked, possibly offer the option of dual blades. Would provide the stability of not tipping rearward while allowing dozing in tight spits w/o having to rotate under carriage. Not an option for everyone but for some would permit additional time savings and less wear and tear on the under carriage . Would only require welding on the mounting bracket ears at the factory. Everything else would come with the options kit, including hoses, valves and all hardware. I think CAT'S design team should look at it. I should think that most of the hardware would be interchangeable? Good luck

[dezmonasg]

Some of the comments are quite useful for a beginner, for the rest of us who use these machines every day having the blade in front is more efficient and quicker digging ability tracking up hill, well your spot on there blade on the rear on trailer well I don't think so, but good video overall 👍

[LUTHERJ]

Every mini I've ran. Blade goes in front. U travel with blade in front also. It's harder on drivetrain if u use it backwards alot. U want sprockets behind u. Pushing like a bike.

[ahmadnajmi]

blade behind u will give pressure to your sprocket bearing and gearing

[bigtex]

Wait a second? An 'Official' Catepillar video saying NOT to dig over the idlers? /baffle

[qivfwst]

Thanks Greg! Do you work in Peoria Illinois?

[MildlyCurious]

Very good video. Thank you. Seems obvious now

[MasterPaulR]

I guess it isnt good all the time as the rear sprocets get dirt on tracks and you have to clean it all the time

[johnstegall]

That is why I purchased a John  Deere they did not  blow smoke at me

[xxxmikeyjock]

as soon as I see hands off the controls and on to the travel levers I disregard everything else the person has to say about safety. there are four controls on the machine and you have four limbs. if anything gets a little dicey and your hands are not on the controls you are in serious trouble. if you cant travel the machine with your feet then stay off the machine. hand travelers cant jump a curb or swing off a trench or ....

[shanilram]

Most of the time i dig with my blade at the front i find it easier to dig i think he is just pushing down the leaver too much ill bet him ill dig wit the blade at the front and dig perfectly without the machine raising up

[musibandagramuposcha]

Thank You! I bought a 301.7D 2 month ago And i have done it wrong all The time. Now i know how it is going!

[donaldmitchell]

why not build 1 with dual blades, one in front and back, probably will cut lost time on work too from having to continually repositioning