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
Did I just improve my H15R's hydraulic cooling… or waste my time?
I'm back at it with TWO more modifications to my $4,000 Chinese mini excavator!
After seeing hydraulic oil temperatures climb to 150°F on a hot day, I decided to experiment with a homemade airflow baffle to help the cooler draw in fresh air instead of hot engine air.
I also installed a cheap $8 hour meter that only counts when the engine is actually running. No more recording hours because I forgot to turn off the key!
But here's the question: Will that homemade cooling modification actually make a difference?
Watch the new video and let me know what you think!
What modifications have YOU made to your Chinese mini excavator that actually improved its performance?
#JEFFSCAVATOR #MiniExcavator #ChineseMiniExcavator #H15R #EquipmentMods
7 hours ago | [YT] | 9
View 0 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
What happens to a $4,000 Chinese mini excavator after just 20 hours of use? You might be surprised at what needs attention!
Most owners know to change the oil and grease their machines. But what about the things you can't see?
I brought my H15R into the shop for its first major maintenance inspection, and I'm checking EVERYTHING!
From valve lash and hydraulic pressure to hidden grease fittings, loose bolts, and track tension, I'll show you what to inspect before small problems become expensive repairs.
I even found my hydraulic pressure was below my target setting!
NEW VIDEO: Complete H15R Maintenance — What Every Chinese Mini Excavator Owner Should Check!
QUESTION: What's the most unexpected maintenance problem you've found on your Chinese excavator?
Let us know in the comments. Your experience could help another owner avoid a costly mistake!
2 days ago | [YT] | 17
View 0 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
I FINALLY tried something I bought almost TWO YEARS AGO!
I've had this VEVOR safety cage sitting in my garage, waiting for the perfect job.
The mission? Get up high enough with my skid steer to clean a stubborn section of my metal roof that I can't reach from the ground.
Well… things didn't exactly go according to plan!
The cage did what I expected, but the roof-cleaning mission? Not so much.
In my latest JEFFSCAVATOR video, I put the cage to the test, show how it attaches to pallet forks, and find out whether it was worth buying.
⚠️ Safety note: Lifting people with equipment not specifically approved for that purpose can be extremely dangerous. This video is not an endorsement or safety demonstration.
QUESTION: Have you ever bought a piece of equipment for one specific job, only to discover it wasn't going to work?
Watch the video and let me know what you think!
👇 VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/pbayBv-AtTg
1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 8
View 0 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
Thinking About Buying a Mini Skid Steer? Watch This FIRST!
My NEW Complete Mini Skid Steer Buyer's Guide is live on JEFFSCAVATOR!
These little machines are incredibly capable, but there's a lot more to choosing the right one than horsepower and price.
Using my Derette DRT 450, I take you through the things I'd look for before spending my own money:
✅ Wheels vs. tracks and stand-on vs. sit-down
✅ Lift capacity, stability, and counterweights
✅ Hydraulic pumps, flow, and performance
✅ Attachment compatibility (watch out for this one!)
✅ Build quality, maintenance, and parts availability
✅ Features you might regret not getting
This isn't a sales pitch. It's what I've learned from actually owning and operating one of these machines.
And this is just the beginning! I'll be following up with mini skid steer buying guides at different price points.
Watch the new video and tell me: What mini skid steer are you considering—or already running?
Are you diggin or are you fillin?
1 week ago | [YT] | 21
View 0 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
I BUILT A LEAF-PUSHING MONSTER!
Every fall, I face the same problem — mountains of leaves and WAY too much yard to clean up!
So I decided to turn my SDLD25 Chinese crawler dumper into a leaf-pushing machine!
I bought a $600 JRCO leaf plow, skipped the $300 factory mounting bracket, and fabricated my own mounting system.
The results? It actually WORKS!
This isn't about replacing my leaf blower. It's about moving massive piles of leaves without breaking my back.
And the best part? The entire modification took about three hours!
🎥 Check out my latest video to see the build and its first real test!
QUESTION: What's your favorite piece of equipment for tackling fall cleanup? Would you try something like this?
👇 Let me know in the comments!
Are you diggin' or are you fillin'?
— JEFFSCAVATOR
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 22
View 2 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
IT LOOKS LIKE A TOY… UNTIL YOU PUT IT TO WORK!
How useful can an excavator this small really be?
Turns out, VERY useful!
I put my tiny micro excavator to work finishing a stone walkway project I started last year. Tight spaces, narrow passages, and plenty of digging—exactly the kind of job where a bigger excavator just won't fit.
Could I have done it with a shovel? Absolutely. Did I want to? NOT A CHANCE!
From planting blueberry bushes to digging stumps and building walkways, this little machine continues to surprise me.
Watch the video and see what this tiny excavator can actually accomplish!
Here's my question: Would you rather own a tiny excavator for jobs around the house, or spend the money on a larger, more capable machine?
Let me know in the comments!
JEFFSCAVATOR
Are you diggin' or are you fillin'?
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 25
View 7 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
SPENDING $20,000 ON A CHINESE MINI EXCAVATOR? DON'T BUY UNTIL YOU WATCH THIS!
At this price, you should be getting a LOT more machine for your money. But are you really getting what you pay for?
I dug deep into SIX Chinese mini excavators in the $15,000–$20,000 range, and there are some important differences buyers need to understand!
🚜 THE SIX CONTENDERS:
🔹 MechMaxx MEC12
🔹 Huayee SHY15
🔹 Huayee SHY20
🔹 Bull 20X
🔹 Rhinoceros RH18L
🔹 Rippa R18 Pro
We're talking piston pumps, load-sensing hydraulics, pilot controls, warranties, and something I think too many buyers overlook: replacement parts availability!
I researched the specifications, examined manuals, and contacted dealers to find out what you're actually getting for your money.
💬 HERE'S MY QUESTION:
Would YOU trust a $20,000 Chinese excavator, or would you spend more for a big-name brand?
🎥 Watch the full comparison: [INSERT VIDEO LINK]
Are you diggin' or are you fillin'?
JEFFSCAVATOR
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 13
View 2 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
FOUR BLUEBERRY BUSHES… AND ONE MINI EXCAVATOR!
My wife asked me to dig four holes to plant some blueberry bushes.
Now, I could have grabbed a shovel… but that would be ridiculous when I've got a barn full of equipment! 😂
So I fired up Speck, my Jansen MB500 mini excavator, and got to work!
This is exactly why I love these little machines. They're not just for big projects. Sometimes it's the smallest jobs that make owning one worthwhile.
🎥 Watch Speck tackle some backyard gardening in my latest video!
QUESTION: What's the smallest or most ridiculous job you've used your mini excavator for?
Let me know in the comments! 👇
Are you diggin' or are you fillin'?
#JEFFSCAVATOR #MiniExcavator #JansenMB500 #BackyardProjects
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 21
View 2 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
Why Won’t Kubota, Bobcat, or John Deere Build a $5,000 Excavator?
Chinese mini excavators are showing up EVERYWHERE — auctions, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and equipment dealers.
So why aren't the big brands competing at that price?
I dug into this question in my latest video, and the answer isn't as simple as you might think.
It comes down to two very different business models. One sells you an affordable machine. The other sells you a machine backed by an entire dealer and service network.
But here's where things get interesting…
What happens when Chinese manufacturers start offering BOTH low prices AND dealer support?
That could change the entire market.
🎥 Watch my latest video and tell me what you think!
Would you rather spend $5,000 on an excavator and do your own repairs, or $30,000 for a machine with dealer support?
Are you diggin' or are you fillin'?
— Jeff | JEFF'SCAVATOR
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 14
View 2 replies
JEFFSCAVATOR
🎉 10,000 SUBSCRIBERS!!! 🎉
WOW! We hit 10,000 subscribers!
When I started JEFF’SCAVATOR, I never imagined we'd build a community of 10,000 people who love talking about excavators, skid steers, and all kinds of equipment.
I want to personally thank every one of you who has watched, subscribed, commented, or shared one of my videos. You guys are what make this channel so much fun!
NOW FOR A LITTLE SURPRISE…
To celebrate 10,000 subscribers, I've made a brand-new equipment purchase!
I'm not going to tell you what it is just yet, but I will give you one little hint…
Sometimes BIG surprises come in VERY SMALL packages!
Stay tuned. You're not going to want to miss this one!
In the meantime, let's hear your guesses in the comments!
And remember…
ARE YOU DIGGIN' OR ARE YOU FILLIN'?
— JEFF’SCAVATOR
1 month ago | [YT] | 41
View 6 replies
Load more