Small excavator vs front loader

[=M$= Oroberus]

Unlike back as I bought Goldrush, this time as I started over, I decided to go for the front loader first, instead of the small excavator and have bought the SE a while after.

After digging around for a bit now I'm kind of clueless on how I should put both to use.

In terms of fuel efficiency and time efficiency, the FL just outmatches the SE by far. Even if I would have to drive the FL all over of OA-parcel, it still would turn a better profit then the SE, at least it's the feeling I got by now.

How do you guys use both of them, if you even do so in Tier 2?

SE into washplant?
SE to dig out stuff, build a pile and then use FL into washplant?
SE not used at all?
FL not used at all?

Tbh, part of my quarrels with the SE is that I haven't found a control scheme with the PS4 controller that feels 'right'. While I love using the controller for the FL, using WASD + 789456 [numpad] for the SE feels way more satisfying.

[kubanskiloewe]

i bought SE first and load direct into washplant. Than i bought tier3 ans never use it except for installing tier3 equipment. frontloader with truck i use now with Tier 4 and someday when i bought my own claim i will gett the drillmachine for searching big spots and than i will buy big excavator it seem a simple dig out with the frontloader can ruin you only by diesel costs because the gold is not continious laying like in old Arnolds claim .

[Babalonkie]

Heres the correct use.

SE>LE = Direct to... Mobile wash plant OR Dump Truck (Then Washplant) OR Frankenstein (Then Washplant).

FL = Direct to... Washplant.

I used a SE on the mobile washplant then got a FL... quickly realised my misstake, reverted my save and got the LE instead and sold the SE. I then got a washplant and a FL... Used that until could afford a Dumptruck and Plant conveyor system, Sold the FL and went back to the LE. I use the LE to dump into a dumptruck and then use the truck to dump into a conveyorbelt washplant.


How and when is upto you but any other combination uses too much fuel and time to be a efficient way. Get the LE ASAP and look after it, it is something you will always need to efficiently gather soil in all opperations. Front loader can be used but it always needs to move around, LE can stay on the spot saving fuel and time.

End goal should be LE, 2/3 Dump trucks into a washplant. If you have the DLC you dont need a dump truck at the end game as the LE can stay on the spot dumping onto a Frankenstein. But once again, Get the LE and do not sell it.

I have the best setup i can get now. LE into 2 dumptrucks and then into a partly upgraded washplant, there is no way of improving my recovery other than getting tier 3 in smelt costs/loses and better workers (This costing me all the profits i make as i have to upgrade the expensive workers and cant sell the magnetite). It's pretty much endgame as i will not be in a positon to buy another parcel for a long time and renting is pointless, if i do get enough i will just be doing the exact same thing in a different location, for me to get better equipment i now have to pay for the DLC for the tier 4 and 5 with a frankenstein (Yes max tier is 3 on stock game). I do one day plan to get the DLC but i have priorities (i am disabled, i have to save months for games/dlcs lol).

[prostkr]

What ever you do dig in layers from the top down. I was using the front loader and following along the bedrock on Old Arnold and loading a truck. I was loosing 50% of the gold by doing it that way. To get max gold you need an excavator (skip the small one and get the big one) and dig from the top down in layers. When you see some drill results you will notice how the gold is layered. If you dig under a layer you loose some of the gold above.

[kubanskiloewe]

no, think that is gone.....i dig from ground only with frontloader at OA and i get the same amount of gold as others ! There is NO difference anymore. best result with the FL at OS Tier4 was 103oz . most times 60-80oz. OA is perfect for frontloader in combi with truck. But i i have no time.....must play Spintires Mudrunner for a while now :-)

[Metallos]

You could be in a rich spot while others are digging from up to below in a weak spot...

[=M$= Oroberus]

Mhh interesting thoughts so far

Originally posted by kubanskiloewe:

no, think that is gone.....i dig from ground only with frontloader at OA and i get the same amount of gold as others ! There is NO difference anymore. best result with the FL at OS Tier4 was 103oz . most times 60-80oz. OA is perfect for frontloader in combi with truck. But i i have no time.....must play Spintires Mudrunner for a while now :-)

Good decision and fun game!