At all times, tools and equipment that combined different functionality were quite popular. A similar trend applies to the technology that is usually used on your suburban area. On the market for relevant products you can find mini-tractors and walk-behind tractors. Each model has different attachments. All this allows you to carry out municipal and agricultural work. Manufacturers attachments miss one important operation, which is required from time to time in the process of maintaining household. This includes all kinds of earthworks. It is quite difficult to find additional attachments for tractors and walk-behind tractors on the market that would help in the implementation of earthworks. Of course, you can purchase a mini excavator, but it can cost upwards of $7,000. Making a mini-excavator with your own hands is quite simple; for this you will only need to stock up on a certain set of tools and materials. For the manufacture of the mentioned engine-based equipment internal combustion or walk-behind tractor, you will need to stock up on metalworking equipment, welding and
Work technology
If you need a trench, for example, for a foundation, then you can get by with a shovel, but carrying out similar works involves spending large quantity time, but using an excavator it will be possible to complete such manipulations in just 30 minutes. In order to make a mini-excavator with your own hands, you will need to carry out three stages, the first of which is preparation, the second stage is manufacturing, and the final stage will involve the need for assembly.
Preparatory work
Initially, you will need to decide on the basis of what and by what technology the homemade excavator will be manufactured. If you have a mini-tractor or walk-behind tractor, it is best to make it with fastenings, so you will have to be guided by the methodology that is used to fix snow removal equipment. If you have an engine from an old car, then you can make a mini-excavator with your own hands by creating a tractor chassis adapted for excavation work.
Let's start production
The frame will be based on a channel, which has a standard size of 8 or 10. The elements will be connected to each other by welding. A beam from a car trailer or a used car is attached to this system. In this case, the workpiece will need to be deprived of springs and leaf springs. As alternative solution favors the use of a homemade axle. When you make a mini-excavator with your own hands, the axle is installed on the wheels. At this point we can consider it ready. The entire volume of the channel, taking into account the manipulator and brackets, will require 12 meters of material.
Work methodology
If you make a mini-excavator with your own hands, you can easily draw up drawings of this equipment yourself or borrow from the article. It is recommended to make the manipulator two-knee, this will allow you to get more simple design. Manufacturing is best done from welded channels that are joined together. As a result, you should get a rectangular profile to which brackets made of metal are fixed. Their thickness should be 10 millimeters. Other structural components include brackets, pins and movement mechanisms. During manufacturing you will need to use milling, drilling and turning tools. You can make some parts, such as the bucket, yourself or purchase them ready-made.
Supplying an excavator with hydraulic equipment
If you decide to make a homemade mini-excavator with your own hands, then it is important to think about the hydraulic equipment; in this matter, the master will have enough wide choose. With my heart hydraulic system acts like NSh-10. The NSh-32 and NSh-150 varieties are also popular. If we are talking about the latest model, then it is recommended to use it exclusively in a new form. Cylinders for the operation of the bucket and manipulator can be previously used, hydraulic cylinders for raising the cab, which are borrowed from KAMAZ or MAZ, are excellent. If you are making homemade mini-excavators, you can purchase new cylinders based on the dimensions 63 x 40. You will have to pay about $100 per unit of such a product. For control, it is preferable to use a hydraulic distributor of the RGS 253-x or MRS 70.4 brand. These elements should have three or four sections. If you cannot find these add-ons that were already in use, you will need to prepare $150 to purchase them.
Carrying out installation work
Making a mini excavator with your own hands is quite simple. At the next stage, you can begin assembling the structure on the chassis. Through rubber coupling or connecting shaft you need to connect the power take-off shaft of the walk-behind tractor, as well as oil pump hydraulic system. All hydraulic equipment must be connected to each other using rubber hoses of impressive pressure. On final stage finished goods should be painted to prevent corrosion.
Manufacturing of additional parts
If you decide to make a trailed mini-excavator with your own hands, then individual parts of the boom can be made using square pipes with a side of 80 millimeters. You can use sheet metal for this, which should have a thickness ranging from 6 to 8 millimeters. Blanks are first cut out of it, bent, and then welded together. If you plan to make a ladle yourself, then you need to use metal of the above-mentioned thickness. In order to strengthen the structure, a belt will have to be welded onto it in the upper part. Among other things, the longitudinal ribs must be strengthened. In order to ensure effective work bucket, it must be equipped with fangs, which are made of high-quality steel. As a second option, fingers borrowed from tractor tracks are often used.
DIY mini tractor
If you have a house in the village, or even live there permanently, you know what real housework is like. It is simply impossible to manage without transport when running a household. The best for these purposes is a mini-tractor; with its help, you can ensure the fulfillment of all needs, from digging up land for sowing, to transporting large and small-sized cargo. But such technology is far from cheap, what should you do? There is one option - to make a mini tractor with your own hands. Yes, the task is not easy, but if you can do it, you will save a lot of money, and satisfaction from the finished device will come every time you start working with the tractor.
Which version of a homemade mini tractor to choose?
Homemade mini tractor for household use with a broken frame
The best option for a homemade mini tractor is a machine with a broken frame. Such a unit consists of 2 parts, rear and front, the coupling of which is carried out by a special hinge mechanism. The front part houses all the control mechanisms, as well as the entire chassis. Control is carried out via a steering wheel and hydraulic cylinders; the entire structure bends on a hinge and changes mutual arrangement two parts of the tractor. Thus, if you use this design, you can save on some parts designed to mount the controls, which would normally be located at the rear of the machine.
The rear part of such a mini tractor is much simpler in design than the front. It consists of rear axle, which is fixed in the cradle on the side members of the axle shaft, a seat for the driver and a device for attaching attachments from the Belorus tractor are installed on this structure. The differential and axle shafts can be taken from any loader. Suspension on the rear part can be done, but this is not very advisable; usually shock absorption is achieved due to low pressure in the wheels.
In addition to the simplest design, such a mini tractor has several advantages:
- Large production capacity, this device is capable of delivering power close to that of a large tractor, especially if you assemble an all-wheel drive tractor with an articulated frame;
- The ability to turn around in minimal areas, the turning radius of this device is minimal due to the broken frame design. The tractor can be turned 360 degrees in almost one place, this is especially useful property when plowing the land;
- Low fuel consumption, but this indicator also depends on design features cars, but most often the consumption is minimal;
- Relatively low cost of assembly of the unit. If you buy a tractor like this, assembled at a factory, the price will make your eyes widen. And if you make it yourself, you can get a significant discount, since they are used for assembly. structural elements, which can be obtained at the lowest prices.
Drawings - the first stage of assembly
Mini tractor drawing
Kinematic diagram of a mini tractor
Before you take up the tools, you need to carefully consider the entire design of the tractor itself and the coupling diagram of its two parts. Correct drawings are the basis of the basics. It is best to find reliable drawings from third-party sources, since it is very difficult to provide for all the design features, because a tractor is a very complex set of interconnected mechanisms. It is necessary to think through the arrangement of all elements of the system so that they can interact effectively with each other. First of all, the main components of the tractor and the driver’s seat are drawn on the drawing. If you are not particularly skilled in drawing up plans, you can ask an experienced mechanic to help you with this problem, and then take apart the plan and build the tractor yourself.
The second stage is reading the drawings and assembling the entire structure
When you have found the necessary drawings, you can proceed to searching for the necessary components and assembling them into a single system.
Remember, when searching for parts, pay the most attention to three groups of spare parts: engine, chassis and gearbox - they should be removed from the same type of equipment, so there will be no need to adjust them to each other.
Selection of engine and transmission
Engine UD-2
The choice of suitable engines for a homemade mini tractor is not very diverse; most often you have to choose from what is available and is most suitable. In terms of economic and production indicators, 2 types of engines UD-2 or UD-4 are best suited for installation on a tractor of this design, but, in general, you can use diesel engines with one or two cylinders. If you can find it, you can use the M-67; its main characteristics are long term services at minimum costs for service.
Before installation, such an engine must be modernized, its gear ratio is increased, and it is also necessary to come up with a cooling system, since it does not have one. For cooling, you can install a fan, which is mounted on the crankshaft with a casing attached to direct the air flow.
Sometimes as power plant They use engines from Muscovites or Zhiguli. At the same time, when the engines are removed from the cars, the gearbox and transmission are taken along with them, remember, in this way there is no need to make adjustments and look for additional parts.Wheels are selected based on the purposes for which the vehicle is manufactured. If you plan to use it only for transporting goods, pulling them and other similar work, then you can take wheels up to 16 inches. If you plan to use a mini tractor for field work, it is better to take more massive wheels with discs from 18 to 24 inches in order to improve the quality of wheel grip on the surface.
broken frame
The broken frame consists of two semi-frames, the coupling of which is carried out by a hinge joint. To make such a connection you can use cardan shaft from large cargo vehicles, for example, GAZ. If we talk specifically about GAZ cars, then it doesn’t matter which model it will be, because there are practically no design features in the driveshafts of any of them. The frame itself is best made from channel bars, so it will be strong enough to perform absolutely any work, and the tractor itself can withstand almost any load.
As for finishing the tractor, it can be made from a profile of any characteristics. Since strength, for example, for wings, is not the most important indicator.
Some installation features
The control system in tractors of this type must be equipped with hydraulic cylinders; this will significantly improve the controllability of the vehicle. You also need to pay attention to adjusting the gear ratio; it should be set at low speeds. This is done so that the tractor, when performing various works, did not develop too much speed.
The suspension of all wheels of the tractor is independent and rigid, so to prevent the wheels of any part, rear or front, from freezing when passing difficult sections, it is possible to provide the frame with the ability to rotate, 15 degrees is enough. This is done by introducing a swivel from the UAZ into the breakable system; it is installed in the front part of the rear semi-frame. To prevent further overturning, a limiter is welded onto the hinge plate.
In the end it turns out very practical car, which is capable of meeting all the needs that arise when running a household. You can easily attach all kinds of devices for plowing land, trailers for transporting goods, hay mowers and other devices to the tractor.Anyone can make a mini tractor with their own hands, the main thing is to stock up on the necessary tools, materials and patience. The result is a full-fledged multifunctional machine that allows you to fulfill all the economic needs of the owner. High maneuverability, ease of use, versatility - these are the advantages that you will receive after installing a homemade tractor.
Every time when carrying out excavation work, especially in small-scale construction, the question arises: to dig with a shovel (this will take a lot of time) or - 30 minutes. You can consider many options, and not get universal advice that it is better to construct a mini-excavator with your own hands, take rent or purchase such equipment. But analyze the pros and cons, difficulties and advantages of building homemade unit necessary. TO important stages let's include:
- Preparation
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Assembly.
Whether to make or buy a mini excavator yourself - that is the question.
The mini installation is multifunctional, compactness, ease of transportation and is perfect for small construction projects or private owners.
Buying or making a homemade mini excavator will depend on several details: financial capabilities and technical skills. If your budget allows you to spend $15,000 or more on the purchase of such equipment, of course it’s easier to buy and work for pleasure.
If you have one short-term task - digging a trench or foundation for a house - it may be easier to rent it.
If you still want to create a unit with your own hands, then you must have:
- A burning desire to do it yourself;
- Time to implement the idea;
- Engineering and technical knowledge and skills, including knowledge of hydraulics, electric and gas welding work, metalworking skills;
- Availability of finance - with good skills will significantly reduce costs when self-construction excavator;
- Availability of necessary tools and equipment.
Typology of excavators - let's decide what exactly we need.
Having decided to design it yourself, you must understand which type of mini excavator is right for you. There are autonomous and trailed types.
If you have a walk-behind tractor or a mini tractor at your disposal, it would be logical to create a trailed excavator with an additional attachment point.
If you have an old car engine, then you it’s easier to create an autonomous unit with a chassis and a unit for earthworks .
Having caught fire with the idea of how to make a homemade trailed mini excavator with your own hands, you should consider that the process will not be easy, you need knowledge and skills.
The design of a mini excavator and its features.
To construct a mini excavator, you need to make a diagram of your model, know the features of all elements, components, parts. The design principle of a homemade mini excavator is similar to industrial technologies.
If you have certain engineering skills, you can try to create an excavator design yourself. But much It’s easier to take advantage of the many ideas on the Internet forums.
When choosing designs, it should be noted that on foreign sites all measurements are indicated in inches, and they need to be translated into the domestic measurement system.
Having decided on the design, we make an estimate, without which we will not see all the nuances of a homemade excavator construction. In the estimate we indicate:
- Required Supplies
- Spare parts and parts
- Equipment for the production of spare parts
- Tools (availability or access)
- Approximate costs for manufacturing an excavator.
Having done all this, you can decide whether it is worth building it yourself or whether it is better to rent.
Drawings are not a problem.
Having calculated your finances and decided on your capabilities, have you decided to build an excavator yourself? An excellent solution, creative pleasure will be guaranteed to you!
AND next step There will be drawings of a homemade mini excavator.
To create drawings yourself, you must have engineering skills and calculation skills. Here it will be important to draw every detail and make all the calculations.
You can use the help of Internet resources, because if you know what type of mini excavator you will be making, finding drawings on the Internet will not be so difficult.
Drawings of a trailed mini excavator will be much lighter and simpler than an autonomous excavator, the manufacture of which involves significantly more parts and assemblies.
Basic components - what are they, how to assemble them and is it worth buying?
Having found all the necessary drawings, or made them ourselves, we proceed to the main components of the mini excavator, simultaneously estimating their cost.
We will make the frame from channel 8 or 10 using electric welding. Attach to the resulting frame old beam from the car, removing the springs and springs from it. An option would be to mount the wheels on a homemade axle. Among the costs we have: about 12 meters of channel, a car beam, and your work.
It is easier to make a two-arm manipulator from the same channels welded into a rectangular profile. When manufacturing a manipulator, you will need to calculate everything, and without engineering skills it will be difficult to do this. Therefore, perhaps the manipulator is better buy ready.
As for the equipment, if you still decide to make the manipulator yourself, you will need machines - milling, turning, metalworking.
The cost of a finished manipulator will be approximately 30% less than making it yourself.
Hydraulics - the choice here is wide, oil pumps are suitable, types: NSh-10, NSh-32, NSh-150, pumps need to be bought, and preferably new ones. But the cylinders for the manipulator are also suitable for used ones from MAZ or KAMAZ, size 63x40x500. For the control unit you can find, if you try, a used hydraulic distributor RGS 253, MRS 70.4.
It is advisable to take a ready-made boom and install it together with hydraulics, since there is a high possibility of errors in calculations when designing this unit. A boom from an old loader is quite suitable.
Drive - which is better and how to choose.
Having scoured the Internet and talked on forums, you will see a strong tendency for our homemade craftsmen to use a diesel drive for hydraulics when choosing. Industrial models also use diesel. In self-manufacturing, it is cheaper to use the Chinese Lifan engine. You can, of course, experiment with domestic engines, but it depends on your skills.
Mini-excavator reliable assistant in excavation work, it is compact and convenient, but not without its drawbacks. The first of the disadvantages is the low speed, this equipment is not very mobile, and the digging depth is small due to the size of the mini excavator. But for small constructions This technique is quite suitable.
We are building a bucket - features of selection and installation.
The bucket is our workhorse. The direct load during excavation work falls on this important unit.
Buckets for mini excavators need to be made durable so that the equipment lasts long and efficiently. We make a bucket from two sides and a bottom using electric welding. During manufacturing, we will strengthen the bucket structure by welding stiffeners and fangs. We can make teeth from “fingers” from the tracks of old tractors.
You can also buy a ready-made ladle, but it’s not difficult to make it yourself, there are no complicated calculations, the choice is yours.
The choice of a mini excavator depends only on your desires and capabilities. If you have assessed your capabilities and decided to build your own mini excavator, you will get a lot of pleasure from the process and the results of your work. If your financial position allows you to buy new model- wonderful, it will last a long time and effectively.
But for a technically creative person, the real pleasure will still be to create your own model. It is important here that the results of your work do not fade after calculating the costs of construction. If you are not confident in your strengths and skills, your mini excavator may cost you more than buying a ready-made one.
Photos of homemade mini excavators
Several options for making homemade units:
Video about homemade products
A short video about one of the homemade products:
In contact with
In order not to rent equipment for earthworks, many want to assemble a mini-excavator with their own hands, but not everyone achieves this dream logical conclusion, since the manufacture of a homemade excavator requires free time, drawings and funds for the implementation of the plan.
Despite their small size, homemade mini-excavators are in no way inferior to factory-made equipment. They even have some advantages: light weight, low fuel consumption, ease of transportation, etc.
The size of the mini excavator makes it possible to work in almost any area, even in indoors. Such mechanisms are often used on a farm or country house for digging holes and laying underground communications to premises.
Before making a mini-excavator, you need to decide on its type. The options could be:
- Excavator based on a mini-tractor or car. The equipment will be mounted. The simplest way would be to remake it on a car basis. You can create a completely autonomous model (wheeled or tracked), which moves independently or is transported with the help of auxiliary means. The main advantage of the attachment is that it can be dismantled at any time to use the equipment for its intended purpose.
- Another option is to make a homemade mini-excavator from scratch. But this option is quite labor-intensive, as it requires specific knowledge and a huge number of spare parts.
The simplest and cheap option is a mini-excavator based on a trailer, consisting of a supporting frame with a wheel pair, on which an autonomous internal combustion engine, hydraulic drive and specific equipment are installed.
Search for drawings
During manufacturing, you need to select a specific scheme according to which the special equipment will be assembled. The basis is taken from factory, but reduced in size, drawings of such excavators as “Belarus” or a home-made excavator at MTZ. You can also use ready-made diagrams and sketches, according to which craftsmen made their own homemade products. Having obtained drawings of a certain design, it is necessary to draw up an estimate. It will help you understand how much money will be needed to purchase Supplies and spare parts for making an excavator with your own hands.
Mini excavators are becoming more and more popular among Russian consumers every year. This technique, despite its modest size, has all the functionality its “older brothers” and at the same time has a number of advantages over them. These include compactness, light weight, efficiency, ease of transportation to the work site and relatively low cost.
Small sizes allow the use of mini excavators in limited spaces, including indoors, where large equipment cannot operate. They are used when carrying out various construction and earth-moving works: digging pits, trenches for laying pipelines and cables, arrangement landscape design plots, etc.
Today's market for special equipment includes: big choice models of mini excavators from foreign manufacturers. But the cost of such equipment is quite high and largely depends on the reputation of the manufacturer. Therefore, for many consumers, purchasing it becomes unaffordable and alternative option is self-production mini excavator to suit your needs, which can significantly save the cost of its purchase.
Photo of a homemade mini-excavator 
Where to begin
The first step in the process of building a mini excavator with your own hands is to determine its type, which can be of two main options:
In the form of removable attachments for existing special equipment, for example a mini tractor.
A fully autonomous model that can be self-propelled (wheeled or tracked) or in the form of a trailer transported using other vehicles.
The advantage of the first option is the versatility of mini equipment, which can perform various types of work by changing attachments. In the absence of such a possibility, the only option left is to create an autonomous mini excavator. It should be noted that making a completely self-propelled model with your own hands, especially on tracks, is a rather labor-intensive and costly process that requires appropriate technical knowledge and skills, as well as a large number of different consumables and spare parts.
The simplest and least expensive option in this case is a homemade mini excavator based on a trailer in the form of a supporting frame with one wheel pair, on which an autonomous internal combustion engine, hydraulic drive and directly excavator equipment are installed.
Where to get drawings
The next step when creating a homemade mini excavator is to select a specific model diagram that includes everything necessary elements and standard sizes of individual parts and mechanisms. In this case, it is possible to develop own design, if you have the appropriate technical knowledge and skills for this, calculating the required engine power, hydraulic pump and forces on the hydraulic cylinders, taking into account the nature of the future work performed.
You can also use already ready-made circuit, developed by other craftsmen. Ready drawings various models mini excavators and instructions for their manufacture can be found on many Russian and foreign sites on the Internet by entering the query “homemade mini excavator drawing” in the search bar of your browser. However, one should take into account the fact that in most drawings presented on foreign sites, dimensions are indicated in inches. Therefore, for convenience further work it is necessary to convert them to the metric system of measurements.
Having a specific diagram (drawing) in hand, you need to make approximate estimate for the purchase of necessary spare parts and materials, as well as the availability the necessary tool, equipment and skills in handling it. Thus, you can finally determine your capabilities and prospects for independently manufacturing a mini excavator.
Design Features
A homemade mini excavator, as a rule, has a classic layout and operating cycle diagram based on the “backhoe” principle, like most industrially produced models of similar special equipment.
The main elements of such a scheme include:
- supporting frame on wheels or tracks;
- engine driving the hydraulic pump;
- a rotating support platform on which the working equipment is mounted;
- hydraulic system, including a hydraulic pump, oil filter, hydraulic tank, distributor with control handles, working hydraulic cylinders and connecting pipelines (hoses);
- working equipment in the form of a two-section rotating boom with a bucket.
As a supporting element, you can take as a basis a frame from an old tractor or trailer, or make it yourself, installing an engine, a fuel tank and at least one wheel axle on it, for example from a car. For greater stability and to prevent possible tipping during work, it is advisable to install two or four support shoes on the sides of the supporting frame.
In such homemade products, Japanese engines with a power of 6.5 to 15 kW are most often used, distinguished by their compactness and reliability in operation.
IN Lately Their Chinese analogues are also popular, which are actually not inferior to them in reliability and have a much lower cost (for example, Lifan brand motors). Less commonly, various domestically produced engines are used for this purpose.
Selection of individual mini excavator components
Most simple option Assembling a homemade mini excavator involves purchasing a ready-made boom with a hydraulic system, which is offered today by some manufacturers, and installing it on existing mini equipment or homemade frame with engine and hydraulic drive. This allows you to avoid many problems with setting up this equipment and purchasing consumables and spare parts during its further operation.
However, the cost of such new equipment is quite high, so many do-it-yourselfers try to make its individual components on their own, using scrap materials or parts from old special equipment with some modification.
Hydraulic system
The classic diagram of the excavator hydraulic system includes 4 main sections that control the operation of the support turntable, lifting boom, arm and bucket. To simplify the assembly of a homemade mini excavator, you can dispense with the rotary platform device, limiting yourself to installing the boom on a slewing support column directly attached to the supporting frame.
For homemade version you will need 4 hydraulic cylinders to ensure rotation and raising/lowering of the boom, the working stroke of the handle and control of the bucket.
Hydraulic cylinders with suitable parameters from various types special equipment, for example, used for lifting the cabin of heavy vehicles (MAZ, KAMAZ, etc.).
Hydraulic drive
The choice of hydraulic pump depends entirely on the preferences and financial capabilities of the master. The gear pump is characterized by its simple design, ease of operation and low cost. In contrast, an axial piston pump is more expensive, but has more high power with the same overall dimensions.
As practice shows, in home-made mini equipment the NSh-10 gear pump complete with an R-16A distributor is most often used. For increase required power it is possible to use two such pumps and distributors simultaneously, which is often practiced domestic producers special equipment.
Gear pump 
Working equipment
As mentioned above, the easiest way is to buy ready-made excavator equipment with an installed hydraulic system. If existing finances do not allow this, then it is cheaper to make a lifting boom and handle by welding from profiled pipes and blanks sheet metal required thickness, cut according to existing drawings. Also, if possible, you can remove the boom from the old front loader, but it will have to be thoroughly modified.
The photo shows working equipment ready for installation. 
Ladle
The bucket of a mini excavator is its main working body, which takes the main load when removing soil. Therefore, its production requires high-quality sheet steel with a thickness of at least 6-8 mm. The blanks cut according to the drawings are thoroughly welded along all seams. To strengthen the structure, the bottom and top edge along the entire perimeter are additionally reinforced with steel plates. “Fangs” made of particularly hard alloys, for example fingers from caterpillar tractors, are additionally welded onto the outer front edge of the bucket.
It is necessary to take into account that to assemble a homemade mini excavator you will need certain spare parts and materials, as well as the need to carry out various types of plumbing, welding, turning and milling and other types of work.
Before deciding to make it yourself, you need to assess the availability of the necessary parts and materials, your technical knowledge, skills and abilities, and the availability of the necessary tools.
Otherwise, it may turn out that making a mini excavator yourself will cost more than buying an industrially produced model, which has much better technical characteristics and more convenient to use.
The video shows a homemade mini-excavator in action: