Front-End Loader attachment or device to slide under cactus and uproot

[oldpilgrim]

sounds like a hard to solve problem without some serious machinery.

If every piece of root needs removing, is that even possible?

 

[texasjohn]

Code54, your photo of a stump bucket is about as close as it comes to what will work best. It is strong enough to get into tough dirt and rocks, both of which he will have to contend with. It will tilt so, with skill and some luck, most of the plant will remain in the FEL and he can then place it in a pile. It can also be used to root out mesquite, which he says he has. And, it will not break.

roots are reasonably shallow and the plant spangles out from a central root system. Regrowth comes almost 100% from dropped pads and pieces, not remaining roots. Pads are best picked up using a hay fork with sharp, round tines.

Hmm...just noticed the OP asked the same question in 2013 and got almost exactly the same answer.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/299101-attachment-catus-removal.html?highlight=#post3582568

Hope the OP comes back soon to comment on the various ideas presented.

The fact is, from personal experience, the most effective and least expensive method is chemical control, which may require a pesticide applicator's license, which is not too difficult to obtain for around $150, IIRC.

 

[davrow]

For my TBN friends from more northern climes....take a look here to get an idea of the problem we face here in Texas regarding cactus.
Pricklypear ｫ Texas Natural Resources Server

From that link: "without damaging your desirable trees, shrubs, forbs or grasses."

What is a forb?

Sorry, why didn't I just look it up?

From Wikipedia: "A forb (sometimes spelled phorb) is a herbaceous flowering plant that is not a graminoid (grasses, sedges and rushes)."

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Hmmmm, now there's an idea...maybe put an ad in Craig's List....Dig your own Cactus...1.00 per hundred weight!!

Certainly, here in Central Texas this is a thorny issue!

Are you going to leave the mesquite...or deal with it somehow?

Should cut the mesquite up into small chunks and sell it for barbequing. Why else would they be selling mesquite charcoal for twice as much as regular charcoal?

 

[texasjohn]

Well, they could have just said "weeds," but you know how those Texas A&M fellers are....they always go and get all edumacated on us and have to be specific

As for mesquite charcoal, it is very dense and makes a hot, long lasting fire...with a unique flavor, in my opinion, not matched by regular charcoal.

However, I am certain that almost all of the mesquite the OP has is of a trunk size less than two inches...thus not useful for anything but putting holes in tires.

What is a forb?

From Wikipedia: "A forb (sometimes spelled phorb) is a herbaceous flowering plant that is not a graminoid (grasses, sedges and rushes)."