Can my tractor handle a tree spade?

[Komrade]

Or should I just use the backhoe attachment to dig up bushes (need to create a private space by moving some bushes around from other areas of the property)...

Maybe the backhoe + grapple to move it is "good enough"... but I do need to harvest and move about 50 bushes..

Tractor is 35hp Kubota L3430

 

[Thomas]

Give it shot and see what happens.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota L3430 - dimensions

2003 - 2007 L30 Series
Compact Utility tractor
Previous model: Kubota L3410
Next model: Kubota L3540
Series next: Kubota L3830
Series back: Kubota L3130

Dimensions:
Weight: 3305 lbs [1499 kg]
Wheelbase: 71.1 inches [180 cm]
Length: 114.8 inches [291 cm]
Width: 59.8 inches [151 cm]
Height: 84.3 inches [214 cm]
Ground clearance: 14 inches [35 cm]
2WD turn radius: 8.9 feet [2.7 m]

Page information:
Last update: August 2, 2018
Copyright: Copyright 2018 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com

 

[jeff9366]

An L3430 is way too light to handle a tree spade. Tree spades require a tractor of at least 6,000 pounds bare tractor weight or a skid steer.

If your FEL bucket is fairly rigid you might be pleased with a bucket spade.

VENDER: Tractor and Skidsteer bucket spade shovel

Maybe the backhoe + grapple to move it is "good enough"... but I do need to harvest and move about 50 bushes..

Yes. You will need the backhoe to dig holes for your bushes in their new locations. Wait for cool weather and rain to transplant mature bushes.

 

[tree grower]

I used a small Caretree spade on the tph of a Ford 850 for several years, but it became too small for my needs. My current Caretree 501 was originally on the FEL of a larger Ford --approx 5000 size, but I use it on my Bobcat 742B. The 501 weighs 1100-1200 lbs w/o the tree and root ball, which is pretty heavy for your tractor. If the trees and bushes you wish to move are small enough to be dug with an excavator, that's the way to go, imho.

 

[Jstpssng]

You can also get one to go on your 3 pth. The landscaper that I worked for years ago had one for smaller trees (3-5 feet) mounted on a tractor about the size of yours.

 

[i7win7]

I'd go with a stump bucket
#28 Stump Removal. Stump Bucket. Double Maple Stump. Kubota B261 Compact Tractor. outdoor channel. - YouTube

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^^
I looked at those but they're for digging stumps. I'm not sure that a tree would survive.
As so often happens there was a similar discussion here 12 years ago; check out post #11.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/124992-want-need-tree-spade-solution-2.html

Again though, his build was designed for stump removal, not digging landscape material. The OP of my linked thread is still around though, so he might be able to give some insight to how he ended up digging his trees.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

If you are doing shrubs, tie them up tight, root prune with a tree spade shovel, then scoop them up with your bucket. I have moved some decent sized trees that way as well.

 

[Komrade]

I'll try combination of existing tools (Shovel, Backhoe, Bucket, Grapple)

The Woods backhoe is on most of the time, and helps a lot (with additional weight) with lifting things and pushing snow.

I like the bucket bolt on tree spade.. relatively cheap for under $500

I don't like the stump bucket.. too big of a mess, IMO. The backhoe should do a better job with stumps and be a lot cleaner with digging out bushes.
The bolt on spade seems to be better but similar solution (meant for slicing, not digging)

I do think tying them up and loosening soil and either bucket with spade, or backhoe should be good enough... And it's nearly always moist in the woods.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[greenrider1]

I recently transplanted a fairly large spruce tree, probably around 16' height, 5-6" diameter base, by digging a trench around the tree with my backhoe and then lifting under the root ball with my quick attach pallet forks. I did this around a month ago when the ground was pretty wet still, and it was all my loader wanted just lifting the tree and root/dirt ball. The root ball was around 6' diameter and very heavy. I would have needed a huge spade to accomplish the same thing, and my loader wouldn't have been able to lift the spade and tree. The tree seems to be doing well with no browning, so I plan to do about a dozen more the same way this fall. My tractor is an L5740.