I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob

Bob Minchin wrote:
[snip]
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but
I'd rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob

I'm sure that you won't, lets face it..its something you don't do every
day.
And hands on experience is no substitute for theory.

Bob Minchin wrote:
I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus
footings for an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but
I'd rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob

http://www.galaxygraphics.co.uk/illu..._sample_06.htm

AJH wrote in message ...
On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 15:19:10 GMT, "Bob Minchin"
wrote:

I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings
for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.

Most of the modern ones will have "common knowledge" controls, all
diggers of any size are about the same.

Generally there will be two hand controls and two foot controls, often
these foot controls will have extensions for hand use.

The left hand control works in two axes, left-right axis is the slew,
forward-back axis is boom up-down. Similar on rhs is for jib and
bucket crowd. The two foot controls are for track direction.

There may be a front mounted blade and/or an function to offset the
digger for working up against obstructions, these are normally hand
operated to the rhs (IIRC).

Engine is likely key start and stop, with an inhibit often fitted to
the left arm rest that raises to get in and out.

Frustrating to learn as you get older but you just have to put the
hours in. Make sure others observe your riskzone.

Its best not to drive over obstructions if you can level them first.
If you are using it on steep ground there should be a seat belt and
reversing uphill and slewing is the easiest way to throw a track.

AJH

Thanks AJH

Regards

Bob

Bob Minchin wrote:
I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus
footings for an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but
I'd rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

When they drop it off they will show you what the most important levers do.

Try and get them to park it somewhere that you can't hit anything (ie no
buildings within reach of the arm) while you get used to how it works. Also
keep any onlookers out of the danger zone.

After 5 minutes instruction from the hire company I was demolishing a WWII
air raid shelter and have since dug out foundations for a large house
extension. They're great fun to use!

Engine is likely key start and stop, with an inhibit often fitted to
the left arm rest that raises to get in and out.

Frustrating to learn as you get older

Bet this is the sort of thing a teenager would adapt to with no problems
especially if he's been playing computer games for a while).....


--
Tony Sayer

"Bob Minchin" wrote in message
...
I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings
for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob

Bob

What is the max width of these things. The access to my garden is through a
34 inch door.

Bobby

In article ,
"Bobby Bewl" says...

"Bob Minchin" wrote in message
...
I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings
for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob

Bob

What is the max width of these things. The access to my garden is through a
34 inch door.

Although that could easily be widened :-)

Spend a happy afternoon at Diggerland.

Regards
Capitol

"Rob Morley" wrote in message
t...
In article ,
"Bobby Bewl" says...

"Bob Minchin" wrote in message
...
I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings
for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but
I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob

Bob

What is the max width of these things. The access to my garden is
through a
34 inch door.

Although that could easily be widened :-)

lol. Especially with me driving a JCB

Bobby

Bobby Bewl wrote in message ...

"Bob Minchin" wrote in message
...
I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings
for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob

Bob

What is the max width of these things. The access to my garden is through
a
34 inch door.

Bobby



Hi Bobby,
This is the one I've ordered
http://www.hewden.co.uk/rsg/planthir...p?showItem=252

It claims 705mm wide which is under 28 inches. This is with the tracks
retracted especially to get though narrow openings. So it should do for your
application.

HTH

Bob

"Bob Minchin" wrote in message
...

Bobby Bewl wrote in message ...

"Bob Minchin" wrote in message
...
I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings
for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob

Bob

What is the max width of these things. The access to my garden is through
a
34 inch door.

Bobby



Hi Bobby,
This is the one I've ordered
http://www.hewden.co.uk/rsg/planthir...p?showItem=252

It claims 705mm wide which is under 28 inches. This is with the tracks
retracted especially to get though narrow openings. So it should do for
your
application.

HTH

Bob

Thanks, mate. I did not know the tracks retracted. Actually, I have just
found a couple on the net showing the width.

After we have finished our refurb (if it will ever finish) we intend to dig
out a sloping garden bank, dig a trench for foundation, build a brick,
retaining wall. Plus a trench for a lighting cable from garage to wall
lights. (stuff P regs). Need to get the mini digger through the garage side
door (without knocking down the garage wall).

Good luck with your mini dig.

Bobby

Bobby Bewl wrote:

What is the max width of these things. The access to my garden is through a
34 inch door.

Depends on the class of digger.

The smallest 750kg ones can be driven through a normal door. Typically
approx 70cm wide. They are ok, but tend to be a bit jerky and don't
shift much more soil than a fit man with a shovel.

The next size up is the 1.5 tonne class. This is typically 1m wide. The
hire shops seem to keep less of this size on hand so they are not always
easy to get. My first experience driving a mini digger was with one of
these, and the first task was to drive it through a 1.05m wide gate!
These are much more like the real thing - if you get a good one they are
quite smooth and have good finesse to the controls.

Next size up is a 3 tonne - although you could argue that is not really
a mini digger any more. IIRC these were up to 1.6m wide.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

shaun wrote:

After 5 minutes instruction from the hire company I was demolishing a WWII
air raid shelter and have since dug out foundations for a large house
extension. They're great fun to use!

I'll bet - for years I've been wanting an excuse to hire one, but never
managed to come up with a good enough reason!

David

"John Rumm" wrote in message
...
Bobby Bewl wrote:

What is the max width of these things. The access to my garden is
through a 34 inch door.

Depends on the class of digger.

The smallest 750kg ones can be driven through a normal door. Typically
approx 70cm wide. They are ok, but tend to be a bit jerky and don't shift
much more soil than a fit man with a shovel.


Thanks for the info, John. I am not fit and a mini digger seems to be more
fun.

Later this year or early next year I intend to hire one to remove half a
sloping bank in order to build a retaining wall. If I hire the digger for a
day and return it, build the wall over a few weekends, I will then have to
shovel the soil back to make a level finish. So maybe I will need to get
fit.

Bobby

On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 13:07:12 +0000 (UTC), "Bobby Bewl"
wrote:

If I hire the digger for a
day and return it,

What are the sort of daily/weekly rates to hire one of these?

Regards

"Nobody" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 13:07:12 +0000 (UTC), "Bobby Bewl"
wrote:

If I hire the digger for a
day and return it,

What are the sort of daily/weekly rates to hire one of these?

Regards

I do not know as I have yet to enquire. I have done a web search and reckon
that:

Daily - £50 - £80;
Weekly - double the price.

Have a look at this:

http://tinyurl.co.uk/fkfc

and while you are at it, have a look at this:

http://www.free6.com/tuttar/index.php?page=1

hth

Bobby

Bobby Bewl wrote:

Thanks for the info, John. I am not fit and a mini digger seems to be more
fun.

Perhaps I ought to add however that the digger will have far more
endurance! So it may only dig a spade full at a time, but it will keep
doing it until the job is done.

(to give you a clue to the available capability, I found that the 1.5
tonne digger could just about lift and move a full dumpy bag of gravel
or sand)

Later this year or early next year I intend to hire one to remove half a
sloping bank in order to build a retaining wall. If I hire the digger for a
day and return it, build the wall over a few weekends, I will then have to
shovel the soil back to make a level finish. So maybe I will need to get
fit.

Putting it back ought not to be so hard since it won't be compacted any
more.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

"John Rumm" wrote in message
...
Bobby Bewl wrote:

Thanks for the info, John. I am not fit and a mini digger seems to be
more fun.

Perhaps I ought to add however that the digger will have far more
endurance! So it may only dig a spade full at a time, but it will keep
doing it until the job is done.


You are dead right that the digger will have far more endurance. I am well
out of condition and staying power to finish a big job.


(to give you a clue to the available capability, I found that the 1.5
tonne digger could just about lift and move a full dumpy bag of gravel or
sand)


Oh, that is nothing, John. I do that on the way home from the pub. ;-)


Later this year or early next year I intend to hire one to remove half a
sloping bank in order to build a retaining wall. If I hire the digger
for a day and return it, build the wall over a few weekends, I will then
have to shovel the soil back to make a level finish. So maybe I will
need to get fit.

Putting it back ought not to be so hard since it won't be compacted any
more.


Exactly! And it saves another £80.

If I were to use the digger, again, I am sure I would knock down the brick
wall that I had just built.

Thanks, for the vote of confidence, John, which is going to be brought to
the attention of my wife.


Cheers,


and cheers to you, mate.


John.


Bobby

Bobby Bewl wrote:

Thanks, for the vote of confidence, John, which is going to be brought to
the attention of my wife.

I had one for a few days. After about six hours of driving it becomes
second nature and you no longer even need to think about what you are
doing with the controls I found.

The only thing to look out for it trying not to move through spaces
occupied by other things! (also don't spin it through 360 when you have
your wheelbarrow placed right beside it! - (I managed to unskew its
frame mostly!)). I hit a fence panel (minor damage) and also clonked the
patio doors glass once! lucky for me it bounced off).

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

"John Rumm" wrote in message
...
Bobby Bewl wrote:

Thanks, for the vote of confidence, John, which is going to be brought to
the attention of my wife.

I had one for a few days. After about six hours of driving it becomes
second nature and you no longer even need to think about what you are
doing with the controls I found.

Being over confident is fatela for me.

The only thing to look out for it trying not to move through spaces
occupied by other things! (also don't spin it through 360 when you have
your wheelbarrow placed right beside it! - (I managed to unskew its frame
mostly!)). I hit a fence panel (minor damage) and also clonked the patio
doors glass once! lucky for me it bounced off).

Now, that sounds like the sort of thing I would be doing.

Catch you later.

Bobby

On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 19:54:27 +0000 (UTC), "Bobby Bewl"
wrote:


I do not know as I have yet to enquire. I have done a web search and reckon
that:

Sorry - I thought you already had it on order.

Daily - £50 - £80;
Weekly - double the price.

Have a look at this:

http://tinyurl.co.uk/fkfc

Thanks.

and while you are at it, have a look at this:

http://www.free6.com/tuttar/index.php?page=1

If this is the operator that comes with the digger - I'll go for the
"pair" of them :-))))

Owain wrote:
Bobby Bewl wrote:
Being over confident is fatela for me.

Isn't Fatela the girl down the kebab shop?

I looked it up, it's a small parish in portugal.

"Nobody" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 19:54:27 +0000 (UTC), "Bobby Bewl"
wrote:


I do not know as I have yet to enquire. I have done a web search and
reckon
that:

Sorry - I thought you already had it on order.

Daily - £50 - £80;
Weekly - double the price.

Have a look at this:

http://tinyurl.co.uk/fkfc

Thanks.

and while you are at it, have a look at this:

http://www.free6.com/tuttar/index.php?page=1

If this is the operator that comes with the digger - I'll go for the
"pair" of them :-))))

lol

Bobby

"Owain" wrote in message
...
Bobby Bewl wrote:
Being over confident is fatela for me.

Isn't Fatela the girl down the kebab shop?

Owain

lol

and her dad is fatel

Bobby

"Ian Stirling" wrote in message
...
Owain wrote:
Bobby Bewl wrote:
Being over confident is fatela for me.

Isn't Fatela the girl down the kebab shop?

I looked it up, it's a small parish in portugal.

I thought it was in Jordan - but who cares!

Bobby

Bob Minchin wrote:

I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob


carefully is the operative word.
Ther are two levers - one for each track - to make it move, another for
the blade - which you set it up on when digging, or use as a crude
bulldozer.

Then there are two joysticks that control tbe bucket: Its easier to just
practice than to explian - after an hour its almost intuitive: left
joystick controls cab rotation as well, so beware. there is often a
floor pedal to control the arm-to-cab angle: using this allows you to
sometiumes trench closer in to walls etc.

There is a hand throttle: Go easy on that when digging, but rev it up to
move around.

Biggest danger is bashing into things, falling into a pit you have dug
or off a mound (hint: Use the bucket to push yourself out or dig
yourself out) and losing a track due to mud getting in whilst turning -
then te tracks get levered off.

Oh and tipping it over when lifting chunks of concrete out sideways at
full strecth...

Always try and turn on a sheet of ply as the turning REALLY messes up
the ground

The Natural Philosopher wrote in message
...
Bob Minchin wrote:

I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings
for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob


carefully is the operative word.
Ther are two levers - one for each track - to make it move, another for
the blade - which you set it up on when digging, or use as a crude
bulldozer.

Then there are two joysticks that control tbe bucket: Its easier to just
practice than to explian - after an hour its almost intuitive: left
joystick controls cab rotation as well, so beware. there is often a
floor pedal to control the arm-to-cab angle: using this allows you to
sometiumes trench closer in to walls etc.

There is a hand throttle: Go easy on that when digging, but rev it up to
move around.

Biggest danger is bashing into things, falling into a pit you have dug
or off a mound (hint: Use the bucket to push yourself out or dig
yourself out) and losing a track due to mud getting in whilst turning -
then te tracks get levered off.

Oh and tipping it over when lifting chunks of concrete out sideways at
full strecth...

Always try and turn on a sheet of ply as the turning REALLY messes up
the ground



Thanks NP

I do have to travel across the lawn to get to the 'digging site' so I'll aim
to do that bit in a straight line to avoid the wrath of SWMBO.

Bob

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 15:19:10 GMT, "Bob Minchin"
wrote:

I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob


Put it in the middle of the garden, and drive with care till you have
mastered the controlls. The hire comapny should give you some lessons,
so ask.

Taks some time to think which order you will dig, so you have a good
flat place to put the machine when digging. You can always make a
digging platform.

scraping a level surface is MUCH harder than it looks, it took me a
week to get any good, my 9 year old daughter learnt in 10 minuites, so
maybe its me. Having said that, after 1 day I put a three tonne
machine in my front room :-)

Rick

In article , Rick news@pen-
y-geulan.com writes
On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 15:19:10 GMT, "Bob Minchin"
wrote:

I'm hiring a mini digger next week to do some simple groundwork in my
garden. (levelling, digging round small trees/big shrubs, plus footings for
an outbuilding)
Before it arrives I'd like to read up on basically how to drive such a
beast.
I'd sure the hire people will show me what to do when it arrives but I'd
rather not look a complete idiot by doing a little preparation.

Any pointers to online resources greatly appreciated.

TIA

Bob


Put it in the middle of the garden, and drive with care till you have
mastered the controlls. The hire comapny should give you some lessons,
so ask.

Taks some time to think which order you will dig, so you have a good
flat place to put the machine when digging. You can always make a
digging platform.

scraping a level surface is MUCH harder than it looks, it took me a
week to get any good, my 9 year old daughter learnt in 10 minuites, so
maybe its me. Having said that, after 1 day I put a three tonne
machine in my front room :-)

Did you have to, or did you, take the door off its hinges?....

--
Tony Sayer

Huge wrote:

Blimey, not the only time I hired one. I asked the bloke who delivered
it what all the controls did and he said "I dunno, mate, I only
deliver them."

If he didn't know how to drive it how did he get it off the truck?