Planting a 150 ft row of bushes. What is the best attachment to use?

[future_vision]

Me personally .... one, maybe two scoops per bush ......

That was taking one out. Putting them in would be quicker and less mess.

Got one on order. Still supply chain issues. If I had it I wouldn't have to ask this question. Regardless, I've gotten some great info as always.

 

[future_vision]

If you're sure you'll never dig another hole again after this job, you could probably rent a small mini ex ($300/day around me) + fuel & transport & be done with it. More than 2 rentals, & owning the PHD makes more sense. I've got both & for some jobs I prefer the Mini for others I like the PHD.

Not so cheap around me but then again my idea of a useful mini excavator is upwards of 18K lbs. I have no experience with the smaller ones.

 

[shooterdon]

That terrain looks challenging. There is stuff there that might need moving before a tractor with a 3 pt PHD can do what you want. BTW, a PHD can be a dangerous tool. I would not operate one alone but I have never used one. All the more reason I would want someone else there if things go south.

I have operated a gas powered two man PHD and they get the job done but it will still be a work out. IIRC we rented a 9" diameter unit.

Looking for a solution a week before you want to do the job is going to limit your options. Likely impossible to contract the job out and renting the "right" tool may be a challenge. The military calls it the 7 P's.

 

[M59]

A quick check of Home Depot excavator rental. Don't know your New England location so couldn't use zip code. See pic for rentals.
All of the walk behind skid loaders ( Toro, Vermeer, Bobcat, Kubota, etc ) are capable of running a SSQA auger. See pic.

This would be my preferred route since machine does the work and you don't do any lifting or straining of your wrists. These machines are all heavy enough to bore your holes.

 

[Eagle1]

Sure you guys are not politicians? Seem really good at spending other peoples money.

 

[ljjhouser]

They are generally expensive even for the cheapo ones and I don't think I can get my hands on one in short order. I'm hoping/needing to get the bushes in the ground sooner than later.

Wonder if you could rent a 12" 3pt auger.

 

[M59]

Sure you guys are not politicians? Seem really good at spending other peoples money.

Always fun to vicariously, however I have all the stuff I comment on so just some real life hard earned experience.

 

[M59]

Wonder if you could rent a 12" 3pt auger.

Not fond of 3 pt auger for reasons indicated in post 49. Drilling in rock laden ground is a education in frustration.

 

[MossRoad]

Another vote for a hydraulic auger with reversing valve. Mount it on the FEL for down pressure, too.

 

[M59]

Sure you guys are not politicians? Seem really good at spending other peoples money.

Eagle and future_vision,

Here is where I get to vicariously spend other peoples money. Future_vision has a Kioti DK6010 which will take a front end loader, but I don't know if loader has the SSQA attachment feature for bucket. With a loader with SSQA and a 3rd function valve you can do all sorts of fun stuff with that 57 hp tractor like use a grapple, 4 way snow plow in New England weather, run a hydraulic auger on FEL, 4in1 bucket, skid steer receiver hitch ( pic attached ). The receiver hitch is the best way to move any trailer around because you can see what you are doing and never any chance of losing a trailer like the bucket clamp on mount hitches.

The implements and attachments to the tractor are what make a tractor useful.