tree planting with FEL/box blade?

mistermcgoo · Apr 17, 2012

I ordered 10 cedar trees, 8-10 ft high.

I have a Kioti CK-20 with FEL and box blade.

The trees will be planted 6-7 ft apart in a straight line as a privacy fence, so about 70 ft. The plan was to rent a Bobcat with the tree planter attachment, but I'm wondering if anyone has used their FEL/box blade to dig out holes to plant trees. I haven't tried something like that, so thought I'd ask if anyone else has.

If so, it would save me the time of driving out to trailer the Bobcat home and back, plus $200 rental.

ncnurseryman · Apr 17, 2012

Never used an fel before. I don't think it would made a clean hole. Are they ball and burlap tree. If you have a post hole auger you can dig out three holes and them clean them out with a shovel or rent a single with a large auger attachment. They are a bit expensive to rent but really save time and effort.

Dr_Zinj · Apr 17, 2012

Depends on the ground, and how deep you need to go.

You can dig with the FEL, but it's slow going unless it's light sandy soil with few rocks.

big bubba · Apr 17, 2012

w/only 10 trees, what's wrong with the iron bar & shovel method? although more labor intensive, i've done scores that way & can customize each planting. trying to round up equip for just that many trees may be more trouble than it's worth. sure, a phd would be a start, but not enough....how could you do it with a fel? happy planting!

IndyIan · Apr 17, 2012

mistermcgoo said:
If so, it would save me the time of driving out to trailer the Bobcat home and back, plus $200 rental.

Do you live near me? I'll do it for $150, I'll bring my own shovel

I can't imagine just ditching the whole thing with the box blade and then placing the trees and then backfilling with FEL would be very time effective. But I guess its possible if you have the space to push dirt back in from the side and ends? Depends on your soil too I guess.

KRBrouwer · Apr 17, 2012

mistermcgoo said:
I ordered 10 cedar trees, 8-10 ft high.

I have a Kioti CK-20 with FEL and box blade.

The trees will be planted 6-7 ft apart in a straight line as a privacy fence, so about 70 ft. The plan was to rent a Bobcat with the tree planter attachment, but I'm wondering if anyone has used their FEL/box blade to dig out holes to plant trees. I haven't tried something like that, so thought I'd ask if anyone else has.

If so, it would save me the time of driving out to trailer the Bobcat home and back, plus $200 rental.

That's how I planted my whole orchard. Yes, the FEL makes a bigger hole than necessary, but it doesn't seem to matter, and may even be a plus in the clay/gravel that we have on our land. The trees were planted 10 years ago, and have been very productive. It's the only way that I plant.

Ken

bcjmmac · Apr 17, 2012

I also use my FEL to plant trees &/or move them around. What works for me it to dig a shallow trench the width of the bucket, which keeps the bucket from having to break through the sod. I then use the weight of the tractor to push the bucket down to or into the subsoil. Depending on size of hole, you may have to take a few bucket fulls out. I also use that method to dig drainage ditches.
For ref, I have a JD 2520.