Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wY37oKq1dc (5 min)

An impromptu safety lesson from the shop while Mike and the team prepare a new batch of attachments, fitting connectors and lubing them. He uses a Rippa mini excavator (the R18) to show two details that matter more than they look.

1. Blade spacing. On this machine the dozer blade sits about 3 inches in front of the track. If a rock or debris of that size or bigger gets between the blade and the track, it can slice or derail the track, both of which are costly and stop your job. Spacing the blade out helps keep material from getting trapped.

2. Counterweight and lifting. With about 300 lb on the end of the arm, the front of the machine tips easily on a machine without counterweight. The rated lift capacity of the R18 comes from the weight of the machine and its counterweight, which is what allows you to dig deep with a large bucket, such as when excavating a basement or a pool, without the rear lifting.

Mike's message is that safety comes first in everything the team does and teaches. Specs are on the R18 page of our website.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.