There ya go! better than a shovel AND a sore back :)

Thanks man ... yeah, definitely a tool that gets things done

@@metaspencer For sure!

Good old Reg Coates! Much appreciated man. Nice of ya to say

Cool method

Woohoo!

It's been interesting to use for sure -- and I always appreciate your comments and suggestions. Great ideas!

I've gotta work on that smashing technique you describe ... I'm thinking bigger piles will help and give more brush to smoosh down in the end. Thanks for the tips! I'm still getting the hang of working with this machine for sure. :)

Absolutely man. So far so good

Yeah, it's been a real bonus on the job and around the farm :)

thanks for checking it out. definitely a useful machine

Yeah I'm liking it for sure

​@metaspencer hey friend thank you for the video. Can I get a one year update? How's the machine been treating you

you can also design some other tools and adapt them for the I'll devil - I wish I had one too

yes it's been very useful ... and those tools you mention are a good idea

Yeah a constant dilemma … at least I’m not alone with it! Haha

Gotta charge for that extra hour or two for your time. Think everyone with a full sized skid feels the same. Other way would be to switch up your setup, dump truck and pull a small trailer with the skid

Thanks for the tips, man .... I'm still getting the hang of it for sure. Much appreciated

do not drill a hole in the bucket, they make qt adaptors with a receiver hitch welded on for about $125, and the lift point will be 18" closer to the machine.

ya recognized that old crate! good stuff :) I'm kind of attached to that rusty box

Yeah that's my big thought too: how will it do over time ... just gotta keep up with the maintenance

The hitch receiver for the bucket is this one ... amzn.to/3YL0m05 ... it's create unless you side load it too much

I have a buddy with a Boxer and it's a beast. I've gotta do that with the hitch sleeve! great idea. thanks man

No float on this one so ya just gotta eyeball everything and go be feel. As for sloped ground it can get sketchy real quick if loaded up ... so I try to keep things flat and mellow. The bigger, heavier machines are definitely more versatile.

Real wet snow but purdy! Your idea on the color coordination is spot on

Thanks for the tips! That makes good sense

I’m still really liking it and use it most days. A heavier machine could do more but this one is great for what it is

@@metaspencer Awesome Thanks! Now I just gotta figure out how to get it! I can't make any headway with Alibaba!

You said it man: not the perfect machine but waaaaaay better than by hand in so many instances.

Excellent

So far I've had only minor maintenance: oil change, tightening some hydro fittings, putting a track back on. As for adjusting the track tension there are just some tensioning bolts: no big deal. I'll need those extra tracks tho!

that's my perspective entirely ... not perfect but pretty darn good

Thanks buddy

Just got a bucket and simple grapple with it -- nothing fancy. But it'll fun the regular mini skid attachments like an auger. Definitely a GOOD lifter of heavy stuff

sounds like a good setup!

@@metaspencer and plus are Grafos are a lot smaller than yours to where it’s not so front heavy

Yeah some mods will go a long way with this machine. I have plan to fabricate a better grapple for sure

​@metaspencer hey buddy how much did you end up paying for shipping on this guy? I'm debating on buying one but I don't wanna be stuck not being able to afford shipping. Thanks.

About $3k including everything to NY

Yeah it’s got the hydro hookups

they're generally called "clamp on hitch receivers" and here's an example from Titan Attachments amzn.to/48ddbDP

I'm thinking I'll have to fabricate a new attachment or two -- now I'm thinking of a simple snow plow for it. Nice to have a machine do the work

Yep do that each day

I have heard good stories about that attachment but don’t have one yet

You said it: the right attachment makes the machine fit the job. I have an eye on the auger

That would be pretty tough to retrofit, but you can buy one for less with tires instead of tracks

Dude, now that's an awesome idea. For a second I thought you were gonna say that you haul your trailer to the job that way :) great way to add weights and thanks for the idea

Ya think a stick on heater would work? Like one of those pads?

That makes perfect sense -- ya gotta get the tools that work well with your setup. That machine will come along ... just keep an eye out!

@@metaspencer That’s a fact. Hope all is well and the jobs keep flowing in. Keep up the good work.

I'd like to make those comparisons for sure ... thanks for checking it out!

Yeah it's great to have a machine to help out with the lifting. As for certification I avoid interacting with governing agencies whenever possible

Same one … still haven’t changed it

If you need an exact number let me know, but I'm thinking about 6' for the lift height

I haven't tried a set of forks but lifting is limited so only lighter pallets would likely work out

Yeah tracks can be both hard to replace and a hassle to get back on when you drop one out in the field. For me, I prefer tracks just because I'm always working in mud and soft ground and they seem to work (for me) a lot better. As for replacing the tracks there are a lot of dealers around the US that sell them. I'm not worried about finding new tracks, but they're not cheap

Our driveway is only 1000' and I've thought of putting a slanted snow blade on the front, but I haven't used it that way yet. I currently plow with my tractor and know that a foot of heavy snow can get heavy really fast, so you'd have to be patient plowing with this smaller machine.

Cool idea ... I like how that piece of plate could come on or off depending on the job. I've worked with 1/2" plate but never that thick of a piece. I'll have to keep my eyes out and the torch warmed up

@@metaspencer I have a piece of 1 1/2" 24x24 and as I recall it weighs in at about 240#. I will have to recheck thickness. I use it for winter traction in the empty bed. So you get a very lot of weight for very little room. Stick welding with preheat is best. Just need a couple of strong brackets or beef up your standing platform and put it in there. Easier to handle with a couple of lifting eyes attached.

@@metaspencer just measured it. 16" x 22" x2" so two would be about 500#. Do it in four pieces to keep it manageable.

@@douglasthompson2740 Now that's a piece of steel! I'm jealous

@@metaspencer Until you have too. Lift it!!!

I like that idea of the receiver tube up top! Thanks for that

I have a receiver in the middle top of the bucket on my mt55. Works awesome for smaller trailers

@@taterhater2086 That sounds super handy

How about drilling a hole in the bucket and installing ball when needed? I think a lower angle (bucket near ground) would have helped with the small machine too.

@dhenschel4 yep that would be a real improvement

Thanks for that idea. Yeah lowering one wood board on the trailer would make a big difference ... and they slide right out. I've gotta modify that grapple like you say because those lower tongs are weak and too long. thanks man

9k for the machine and 3k to the port of new york ... to get it trucked to your place you'd need to hire a trucking company that works with your port, which might be in LA ... I have a later video on the importation process

@@metaspencer thanks for respond sir !!!

Agreed ... it's been great for what it is.

Agreed. Looks goofy but the dang thing lifts pretty well :) so far so good

Yeah I was a little nervous at first but the guy I was working with ended up being solid. I did it all over email and took some time. The link I've posted should bring you to the same sales guy ... it's definitely a different process than buying at a local dealer but Alibaba and your credit card offer some fraud protection

9k for the machine and 3k to get it to the port ... great on the job so far

B&S Vanguard engine 24 horse ... lifts about 500lbs

@@metaspencer thank you

The only problem I've had is that on uneven sloped ground I'll sometimes pop a track off -- easy to reinstall. The thing runs well and lifts like a beast. I haven't tried the auger attachments

@@metaspencer thanks man!

I'm with ya on the ratchet thing ... very satisfy to wrench things by hand and is the time saving of the impact really worth it? I like your ideas for attachments ... some of those ideas are definitely on my list

I should stencil on the side of the yellow sub: "Carlo Made Me Do It!"

@@metaspencer Ahhhhhhhhhhh that has a great ring to it 😁😁.. or you can call it Carlo yellow short bus..🤔🤔

Hahahahahahaah

Yeah sounds smart work workable

It works okay but I may modify those lower tines

Lifts about 500 lbs but ya gotta subtract the weight of the attachment ... yeah, that grapple is not so great :)

@@metaspencer do you think the hydraulics can lift more? Could you lift 1000 pounds with some counter weights?

@@gsmscrazycanuck9814 no even with more weight I don't think it could do 1k ... that's the lifting strength of much bigger machines

great idea and super useful

good chatting with ya on IG man

I sold the grain truck but kept the flatbed… a guys gotta have toys

@@metaspencer lol ok that makes sense. I really liked that grain truck... it was a going nowhere slowly kind of vehicle...

@@6ftS Yeah that truck was amazing ... I just didn't use it as much as I thought I would

The machine is here: www.alibaba.com/product-detail/skid-steer-loader_1600391587866.html?spm=a2747.manage.0.0.3b4171d21Akio2 ... I talk about the process in this video about getting the machine: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jr-Bg5Sb0qmmhXU.html ... basically it's a process of 1) contacting the seller, 2) working out the order, 3) picking it up at the port, or 4) having it shipped direct ... I'm happy to chat with you about it if you're gonna do it.

about $9k for the machine and $3k for all the shipping and customs. I have a full video on that importation process linked here

Heya, good to hear from you. I'm not too sure about the "shipping term" you mention but can tell you that the machine itself is about $9k right now. There are some fees, import taxes, etc. And all that added up for me to another $3k or so. The shipper charged me something like $800 in New Jersey to release the machine, and then my agent was about the same. You CAN avoid getting a shipping agent, but you'll need to apply and be approved to be an importer there the US gov. I've applied for that but it seems like a slow process. As for documentation you need at the port that came (in my case) from the shipping company which was Vanguard Logistics. After the item leaves China most of the communication is with the shipping company. Message me if you have other questions. I should probably post a video all about this process ...

It’s gone down 3k in the last 2 months?

@@alldaydizcounts3692 I dunno about the price changes -- as of today looks like it's 9k for the machine, more for whatever attachments you get, then the fees and charges which are another 3k or so depending on where you live

Great point. SRT is still a workout but just doesn’t wear ya out like the old hip thrusts. Still, I’m glad I started on the Blake’s hitch … simple system. Thanks man

Here's a link to the machine. It runs about $9k with another $3k or so in customs fees, shipping, etc. depending on where you have it shipped. www.alibaba.com/product-detail/skid-steer-loader_1600391587866.html?spm=a2747.manage.0.0.3b4171d21Akio2

Those look pretty good. About 2x or 3x the price, but heavier and more powerful. There is a distributor in Canada

Now that's a cool no-hole method. I like it. Very smart. Thanks man

This is the loader featured in the video www.alibaba.com/product-detail/skid-steer-loader_1600391587866.html?spm=a2747.manage.0.0.3b4171d21Akio2

So this cost 3k?

@@rogerl8488 I wish. It's about $9k from the factory, but then there are about $3k or even more in shipping costs, customs fees, agent fees, etc.

I don’t have it here but I’d say about 5’6”

Cool idea ... I should fabricate a simple ball that fits right on the arms .... thanks man!

Truth!!!

Check out one of my most recent vids ... lifts a few hundred lbs

Lifts a full bucket of gravel and that's about the limit

You said it.

I paid around $10k but prices have come down quite a bit lately

Awesome thanks for sharing, love the channel and what you do 🙏

You said it

Makes it much harder to unload. I've found it best to have all the thick ends of the brush pointing backwards, so the branches don't stick out and resist getting pulled off. It's also worthwhile to tie a strap around it and compact it. That way, I can fill my trailer 4 ft high 3-4 times before driving to the dump

Check out my link for more details -- about $9k for the machine but there then are customs and shipping expenses that run another $3k or so, depending on the port. If you ship from the port that'll cost you too :)

They’re even cheaper on FB marketplace these days with lots of guys importing them

I hear ya -- both are definitely on the list. Thanks man

With some loaders and trailers that would be a great way to go ... but with my setup going up and down those ramps will make your earlobes tremble and eyebrows fall out. Super sketchy! :)

Under 100 still ...

sounds like a good design!

@@metaspencer give it a try

Heya! No that 3k thing is weird ... dunno what that is about. The machine is about 9k and another 3k to get it to the port of NY ... if you live on the west coast it would likely be cheaper

You said it -- a hitch way farther back would make a big difference. It's been on my mind for a while but just haven't gotten to it

I hear ya man -- or fabricate one. This one is kinda like trying to eat spagetti with a knife

@@metaspencer Lol. Yeah, I have been using skid steers and tractors for over 20 years. Lots of grapple time, and I have never seen one like this one you have. I think fabrication of one is definitely a good idea. You know what you need in a tool, and if you can fab your own it will have far more value to you than one you bought. Keep up the good work!

@@Just_Chuck_It Yeah, they really cooked up a doozy with that grapple :)

I use it for my business every day, but the math on that machine is hard to figure. For me it’s profitable as it saves time

@@metaspencer that’s what I was thinking from your videos it looks as if it’s doing the work of two people & if it saves your back & body from being sore that’s all that matters

@@DOGHOUSEPETSTORE Yep huge time saver

Good advice! I’ll get the hang of that grapple….

thanks for the tip! it's been a great machine

@@metaspencer i have a small project and am thinking of getting one with wheels, forks, grapple, and shovel. I have lots of use for the forks but not a lot of room to store. And not sure if they make a box blade or soil lever but would need that as well. I’m in Texas but not near the port.

around 12 or 13k all together, but they're cheaper now with the currency changes

​@@metaspencer I was quoted $3600 with shipping to a port. Im assuming customs fees will be at least $1k

@2006mrderrickh sounds good! Prices have come way down with currency fluctuations

My shipping agent charged almost $1k alone, so check those costs ahead of time@@2006mrderrickh

yeah absolutely man: it's all about deciding just what to do and then cutting into it with a vision. I absolutely appreciate your point: the dang grapple is just too long

This is true. It's nice to have the mechanical help out there :)