Front-End Loader anyone know of a tree spade for FEL?

[RussMan]

I just built a house, so now is the time for fall landscaping. So I'm thinkin a few trees in the yard, but on Saturday's I would rather watch my Missouri Tigers play football than to be on the end of a shovel digging holes to plant a tree 6-7' tree.
I am thinkin there must be some sort of spade made that will attach to my FEL, so I can dig a hole easier and faster. Anyone know of such a device? Anyone have one to have opinion on whether they work?

 

[MicroPilot]

I've seen those for skidsteers, and I believe some one has made one for their FEL.

http://www.skidsteersolutions.com/Skid_Steer_Tree_Spades_s/10.htm



http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/124456-fel-bucket-clamp-shovel.html

Would it be possible to rent a post hole digger?

 

[mwb]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/montana/100932-quick-attach.html


I found this post when looking for pictures of Montana cabs (I am in the process of designing a cab for mine).

 

[WWhunter]

The type MicroPilot shows would work with your FEL. The type mostly seen on skidsteers have 3 hydraulics operated "spears" that surround the tree. This type can be used on tractors but you may need a PTO operated pump as the tractor hydraulics will not handle the flow. Some of the bigger tractors may but most compact types won't.
WW

 

[IslandTractor]

If you have a sturdy set of forks then consider the Quick Spade. It costs About $150 from Northern Tools. I have one and it works fine for digging holes up to about 4ft deep. It has an advantage over a BH when digging up plants because you can dig under them from the front and it is easy to manuver the tractor around as you dig.

They also make a version that fits just to the FEL bucket but that one can only dig about 18 inches deep.

 

[SuperCobra]

If you have a sturdy set of forks then consider the Quick Spade. It costs About $150 from Northern Tools. I have one and it works fine for digging holes up to about 4ft deep. It has an advantage over a BH when digging up plants because you can dig under them from the front and it is easy to manuver the tractor around as you dig.

They also make a version that fits just to the FEL bucket but that one can only dig about 18 inches deep.

I bought a Quick Spade based on Island Tractor's review (thanks). I had a couple of concerns - would it fit my cheap forks and would it work with a tooth bar - yes to both. It doesn't slide on to my forks for enough to be as secure as I want but it still works great. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. Works great for popping stumps out and also good for pickin' the dirt out of the root balls so that I can burn them.

 

[IslandTractor]

I bought a Quick Spade based on Island Tractor's review (thanks). I had a couple of concerns - would it fit my cheap forks and would it work with a tooth bar - yes to both. It doesn't slide on to my forks for enough to be as secure as I want but it still works great. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. Works great for popping stumps out and also good for pickin' the dirt out of the root balls so that I can burn them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/supercobra/NH/032.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/supercobra/NH/036.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/supercobra/NH/037.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/supercobra/NH/038.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/supercobra/NH/039.jpg

That's a pretty impressive stump to have dug out with the quick spade. I haven't tried anything that big myself (I have a BH that I bring out for that size project). Nice to know the Quick Spade was up to the task.

 

[KennyV]

This works SOOOooo good... KennyV

 

[bjcsc]

I have WR Long's tree spade. It really works great...

 

[TDVT]

This works SOOOooo good... KennyV

That is pretty cool. I have seen that brand for the skidsteers but didn't know they made a tractor version.

Do you have a QA set-up (I don't) or is that made to fit your pin configuration?

 

[KennyV]

Yes I have QA that allows me to switch to a variety of skid steer attachments well worth adding to any tractor. KennyV.

 

[IslandTractor]

I was looking to get one of those bush scooping buckets but got some feedback from a TBN member who owned one and was dissatisfied. He as I recall had a slightly different style which was angular (not the round version). He complained that it jammed full of dirt before it could get under the roots of a bush. Is the round version different in this regard?

 

[SuperCobra]

That's a pretty impressive stump to have dug out with the quick spade. I haven't tried anything that big myself (I have a BH that I bring out for that size project). Nice to know the Quick Spade was up to the task.

I guess I should have clarified that the QS didn't tackle that stump cold. Before I got it I had spent hours trying to cut it out - a little pressure washing at the roots keeps you from having to sharpen the chain every five seconds. However, the QS did make short work of it after that headstart.

 

[AndyMA]

I was looking to get one of those bush scooping buckets but got some feedback from a TBN member who owned one and was dissatisfied. He as I recall had a slightly different style which was angular (not the round version). He complained that it jammed full of dirt before it could get under the roots of a bush. Is the round version different in this regard?

Probably somewhat. I have a round type version different from all that are pictured here. I really like it for moving shrubs, pushing individal rocks and picking up single rocks etc.

Also remember that the experience you have with with andy tool is very much related to operator skill.

Andy