Small update: Had a great time at Nate's last month with the excavator. After our resident electronics guru retuned the radio and changed the lights on/off switch, I put 2 batteries thru the beast with no problems other than of my own making. I keep checking the cylinders and everything else looking for leaks but happily finding none. Ordered some spare parts from RC4WD this week just to have on hand. Also ordered one of the Siberian buckets for some serious work at Nate's next time.
After saying that I would not get into the hydraulic side of the hobby for so long, I am glad that I finally did. Just running the trucks around was loosing my interest in the hobby. Now I am looking forward to the many shows- I hope- that I want to attend next year. Need to get the tracked loader and bulldozer running now!! Both are all electric
