About Jeffscavator
Welcome to the channel! I’m Jeff, and I’m dedicated to sharing the reality of owning and operating mini excavators. From my H15R mods and Derette 450 projects to yard drainage, patios, and stone retaining walls, I’m here to show you the real work—no fluff.
Transparency & Review Policy
Trust is everything. Most gear you see is bought with my own money. If a company sends a product for review, I will always disclose it. I don’t accept paid scripts; my reviews are honest first impressions based on how tools actually perform on my property.
Some links in my descriptions are affiliate links, which supports the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I’d actually use in my own barn.
Thanks for being part of the crew. Now, let's get back to work.
Are you diggin or are you fillin?
JEFFSCAVATOR
How can China build a complete mini excavator, ship it halfway around the world, and still sell it in the U.S. for around $4,000? 🤯
A lot of people say the answer is simple:
“Cheap labor.”
But after digging into it, I found there’s a lot more going on.
In my latest video, I look at the massive supplier network, manufacturing clusters, economies of scale, competition, e-commerce, and shipping system that make these ultra-cheap excavators possible.
And it raises an interesting question:
If cheap labor is the main reason… why aren’t India and Mexico flooding the U.S. with $4,000 excavators too?
👇 What do you think is China’s biggest advantage — labor, supply chain, scale, or something else?
Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’?
2 days ago | [YT] | 6
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JEFFSCAVATOR
🚨 NEW CHINESE EQUIPMENT AUCTION! 🚨
I’m back in Middlefield, Ohio checking out the latest equipment that just came in for the September 23rd Brightar Timed Auction.
There are some interesting new machines this time — including skid steers, mini excavators, crawler dumpers, remote-control mowers…and one BIG skid steer that might be the most impressive Chinese auction machine I’ve seen yet. 👀
I’ll show you what’s here, what I think of the machines, and after the auction I’ll come back with the actual selling prices so we can see where the Chinese equipment market stands right now.
👇 What would YOU bid on at one of these auctions?
Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’? 🚜
#Jeffscavator #MiniExcavator #SkidSteer #ChineseEquipment #EquipmentAuction
2 days ago | [YT] | 11
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JEFFSCAVATOR
🚜 How much mini excavator can you really get for UNDER $5,000?
I went through the market and found everything from tiny half-ton machines to 1-ton+ excavators — sold on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Amazon, Temu, dealers and even auctions.
The biggest thing I learned?
DON’T BUY THE NAME ON THE SIDE. BUY THE DESIGN.
There are a LOT of different brand names, but many of these machines share very similar platforms and components.
In my newest video I break down:
✅ Where to buy
✅ The different size classes
✅ What features actually matter
✅ Which machines stood out
✅ Which one I would NOT buy 😬
👇 Before you watch — if you had $5,000, which mini excavator would you buy?
🎥 New video is up now on JEFF’SCAVATOR
Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’?
1 week ago | [YT] | 16
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JEFFSCAVATOR
ONE YEAR LATER… WOULD WE BUY IT AGAIN? 🍂💨
Rick and I bought the Husqvarna 590 BTS a year ago because we wanted the biggest, baddest backpack blower we could get.
After a full leaf season and a year of ownership, we finally scored it on power, comfort, fuel use, reliability, build quality and value.
And we both answered the big question:
Would we buy it again?
▶️ YES — but there are a few things you definitely need to know before buying one.
New video is up now!
590 BTS owners — what would YOU score yours out of 10? 👇
1 week ago | [YT] | 7
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JEFFSCAVATOR
🚜 Thinking about buying a mini excavator?
I just put together a complete Mini Excavator Buyer’s Guide covering the things I wish I knew before I bought my first one.
We talk about:
• What size machine actually makes sense
• Cheap auction machines vs better-built machines
• Gas vs diesel
• Hydraulics, pumps and controls
• Build quality, welds, steel and serviceability
• Where to buy — dealer, reseller, auction or direct from China
• What’s worth paying extra for…and what probably isn’t
I’ve bought these machines several different ways, spent my own money, made some mistakes, and learned a LOT.
If you were buying one today, what would be your #1 question before handing over the money?
🎥 New Buyer’s Guide is up now.
Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’?
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 29
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JEFFSCAVATOR
🚜 Are cheap Chinese excavators and skid steers starting to hurt compact tractor sales?
I went digging through U.S. Census import data and tractor sales numbers, and the trend is pretty interesting.
Compact tractor sales have dropped significantly from their 2021 peak, while imports of inexpensive Chinese excavators and loaders have exploded.
That doesn’t prove one caused the other—but homeowners now have choices that barely existed a few years ago.
If you had $20,000 to spend on equipment, what would you buy?
🚜 One compact tractor with a loader/backhoe
OR
🚧 A mini excavator + mini skid steer + crawler dumper
New video is up now. I’d really like to hear what you guys think. 👇
Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’?
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 21
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JEFFSCAVATOR
I bought this little SDLD25 crawler dumper for about $2,800 at auction… and then I started fixing everything I didn’t like about it. 😂
I changed the fluids, added rear ballast, a hand throttle, hour meter, fuse box, heat shield, fire extinguisher, new exhaust and several other upgrades.
Some ideas worked great. A couple were complete failures. But that’s part of the fun with these inexpensive Chinese machines.
The full video is now up — from the day I brought it home through all the modifications and finally putting it to work.
👇 Would you buy one of these little crawler dumpers for $2,800?
Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’?
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 23
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JEFFSCAVATOR
🔧 NEW VIDEO IS LIVE!
If you own a mini excavator, skid steer, or other small equipment, eventually you’re going to have to work on it yourself.
In this video, I go through the tools I actually keep on hand—from the basic socket and wrench sets all the way up to hydraulic pressure gauges, electrical testers, grease guns, and a few tools that have saved me a ton of frustration.
I bought every tool shown myself. No sponsors—just the stuff I actually use.
👉 The Only Tools Mini Excavator Owners Actually Need
What’s the one tool you think EVERY equipment owner should have? Drop it in the comments. 👇
Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’?
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 14
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JEFFSCAVATOR
ARE CHINESE EQUIPMENT PRICES STARTING TO CRASH?
The August 20 Bright Star auction is over, and I’ve broken down what everything actually sold for.
Some highlights:
🔹 Mini excavators sold for as little as $1,650
🔹 Skid steers started at $1,950
🔹 Yanmar diesel excavators brought $6,400–$7,000
🔹 Crawler dumpers sold for $1,500–$1,600
Most prices remained surprisingly close to previous auctions—but the crawler dumpers were noticeably cheaper.
Watch my newest video for the complete results, then tell me: Is the market beginning to soften, or are prices still holding strong?
Prices shown are hammer prices. Add the 13% buyer’s premium and applicable sales tax.
1 month ago | [YT] | 12
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JEFFSCAVATOR
Ten years ago, the idea of an ordinary homeowner owning an excavator was almost unthinkable. Today, you can buy one for around $4,000.
My new video tells the story of how affordable Chinese mini excavators opened an entire industry to homeowners, farmers and small businesses—and why the market may never be the same.
Watch it here: https://youtu.be/lm4UVGU6qBY?si=3caiG...
Would you trust a $4,000 excavator on your property? 🚜
1 month ago | [YT] | 10
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