REBUILDING A $2,000 CLAPPED OUT EXCAVATOR... DOESNT GO AS PLANNED..

Just wanted to thank everyone for checking out my video! I appreciate everyone of you!

Very sorry that you had to uncover more mechanical failures but extremely impressive to watch you go through this methodically, and with supreme mechanical understanding

I am 65 and have been a back yard mechanic my whole life... my current project old flhri rk is broken. I love to work with my hands and fix things, You in my opinion are best back yard mechanic I have EVER had the pleasure to watch. I love your calm demeanor which is a must when trying to fix old broken stuff with no directions, shop manuals or the proper tools. There are 5-6 folks I watch here and now you are #7. Thank you for taking the time to video all of the repairs you make. Blessings

Wow, I've never seen anyone go to town on a tear down/ rebuild like this. As you're unfortunately finding out, that machine has obviously had a rough time in its past, and hasn't had a lot of love. One thing Darrell, it'll be a top notch machine when you're done, as no stone is being left unturned, and nothing left to chance. Love your patient, methodical approach, makes your videos very watchable . Keep going buddy.....I'm sure everyone is already looking forward to part three.., I know I am...😊👍

I do have a similar machine and i could not find the shaft as well.... to have it repaired would have been £500... too expensive. Mine it's a MOD 5, 13 teeth, 70 mm diameter gear end ⚙️ . As a temporary measure i decided to have it pressed out and i welded it myself, i used E6018 electrodes (didn't have E7018), turned to diameter in my lathe so ia had better grinding reference as i did it with an angle grinder by hand, no issues so far used it for 20h now. When i have time i will inspect it, if it's bad i planned to turn the teeth off and make a keyway and press a gear which i already purchased for £40.

Props man, I kinda can't believe you took that so far apart in your frickin driveway man, props. Best YouTube of the month

I can't believe you don't have more subscribers, definitely one of my favorites.

For the pinion gear, you might want to reach out to some of the machinists on YouTube like Abom79 (in Fla) or Steve Summers (in Ky?). I know Abom79 has a big shaper that could cut those teeth and they both would know what type of rod to weld it back up with and what the process would entail.

From all you are uncovering it looks like the previous owner had opened everything up like you did, found the bad teeth on the gear and swing bearing (and so much more wrong), decided to put it all back together, and not really tightened everything back up knowing he was going to sell it. Did a quick paint job and then listed it on FB marketplace. However you are a trooper and not given up. I am very happy that you are going to continue to work on the excavator. It's very possible that the excavator was used beyond it's recommended strength....in other words "Rode hard, put up wet" It will be an awesome machine once repaired. Keep up the good work and thanks for the long videos...we actually like the long videos. Take care!

“…I wasn’t going to replace this, but I decided to do it anyway.” How many times do I wish I’d taken your approach. Great work!

Sir you have the patience of an Angel , that was a lot of work in this video , can't wait for the next part !

Your abilities and calm demeanor while you locate and explain the issues you uncover with this old and abused equipment is such a pleasure to watch and learn from. Your skills and patience while you take the time to carefully document/video/explain the process is absolutely one of the best on any platform and all while outside without the fancy shop tools that most would need to accomplish what you do! Thank you so much for taking all the extra time videoing to allow us to come along on your projects. Be well.../B

This old 92 year old West Texas guy enjoys all your videos,, yours and Diesel Creek's. Keep 'em comin'.......

Gidday Darrell, I’m a recent subscriber and I’m really enjoying the content you put in your vlog, your attention to detail is awesome and it’s great that in your builds you investigate problems until you find the root cause as it saves a repeat performance. I’m working through the back log on your channel and there’s some interesting and varied subject, good to see you have a crack yourself. Enjoying this particular rebuild as it’s what got me into your channel, I remember when I started my own farm I often bought old pieces of machinery, some even garden art, and rebuilt it over time but it was what it was and keep me moving forward although I don’t think I had your patience. I can see down the track a lathe and mill will be necessary kit in your workshop. Well done, great channel.

Great job again Darrel and I look forward to part 3 of this rebuild. You’re one of the few channels on uTube that I can watch for an hour or more. Keep up the good work!!

Great video. No drama. Just fixing.

Mr. Darrell! You are a natural teacher, love your content and the fact your channel is growing. Loved hearing some of the Southern Orchestra in the background on some of the video. You do fantastic work, love to watch a fellow southerner! Great Work sir!

Thanks for posting! Bummer about that slew gear bearing, you are really taking that thing down to its bones 🦴 Man you have a lot more determination than I do, really good work 😊👍

New viewer here I was amazed to see no hydro fluid come out of anywhere! That’s a project and a half that I would have never attempted or given up on at the discovery of the broken tooth in the slew kudos to you, I’m glad it’s you and not me but thanks for doing this for my knowledge that I’ll never use but glad to know how that thing comes apart! Great video

On the bright side, tearing the machine down to this level to replace things should give the machine a nice long life. I have also never seen an excavator torn down this far so it has been very interesting to actually see the different motors and gears as you went on. Thank you for sharing this experience with us!