Front-End Loader BUCKET SPADE TODAY // FEL BUCKET ATTACHMENT

[GeneV]

I mean, when it comes to digging, backhoe vs the stump bucket, obviously, the hoe wins for multiple reasons. Deeper reach, don't have to move the tractor with every scoop, all that stuff. But at a fraction of the cost of a backhoe, you CAN do stuff with a stump bucket. To be honest, quite a bit of work on my property that I did with the backhoe on my GC1710, I could have probably done a lot of it with a stump bucket.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

At Jeff's request:



I posted a while back about using a quick spade on my forks with my BX1880. I also posted on a Facebook group that pertains to B, BX, L, LX tractors. According to the FB page it's the worst idea in the world, and here I got mixed opinions. Well, I decided to try one anyway.

This is the primary use I bought it for. The property I bought from my wife's grandparents had a pool and patio on it that has been here for 50 years or more, and has been kept updated and evolved with the times. The landscaping is very mature around it, and there are many healthy, large boxwoods but some were planted too close and are crowding each other.

Well, aside from that, I got tired of waiting on little guys like this to put on some size.

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It's hard to make these GROW in the sand. I need to push them harder with ferts I guess. They stay healthy and green but hardly grow at all.

Spade
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It only took me 30 min to dig this up, and that was with a learning curve in the beginning where I figured out the best ways to use it.

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I dig most of the new hole with the quick spade too. I cleaned up the edges and fine tuned it with a shovel.

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Slipped the spade off lickety split and set the fork tines appropriately to lift the shrub and set it in place

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I held it there while I worked dirt around and under it and around the roots the best I could. Gave it some phosphorus fertilizer to help the roots adjust and heal. Once I was done putting dirt around it, I was able to pull right out without disturbing the placement of my shrub.

Finished up nicely. I would never have attempted this with only a shovel, and with my bucket I would have made a big mess.

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Yes, I have to be conscientious of the limits of my machine, my fork tines, and my fork carriage. I'm sure if I went all TALLY HO! with this I could apply too much force with the leverage of my fork tines and damage something, but on the other hand it's hard to apply too much force with a BX. And yes, if I lived where there is hard clay, or rocky ground this might not be so easy. But, alas, I do not, and I cannot give a review for conditions that I did not experience.

After this task I'm extremely happy with my decision to get forks, and a quick spade to use on those forks. I have 5 more boxwoods to move just like this. Imo it'll be worth the cost just for these 6 shrubs. I haven't ever priced one this mature but I'm sure I have come out ahead vs buying them this size. Now, fingers crossed that they survive the transplant. I know that can be very taxing on a mature plant.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Backhoe would be nice but for the price I have found my stump bucket to be a very useful tool. Stumps, concrete driveways, transplanting tress and shrubs, the list goes on.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Great low priced implement, imo. Just like my ratchet rake and my drawbar with drawbar lock. Low cost, high bang/buck.

 

[GeneV]

Great low priced implement, imo. Just like my ratchet rake and my drawbar with drawbar lock. Low cost, high bang/buck.

I could attest to the ratchet rake for sure, just today used it a bunch!

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Moved one more yesterday. One thing I really like about this on my forks is the reach it gives me. Of course, that can be a double edged sword, but i understand I need to be careful and need to pay attention to my equipment as I work. I think as a SCUT owner you have to understand up front that you needn't try to force anything anyway. Take it slow, let the machine do the work.

I was able to reach in over my lillies without damaging many of them to dig this Yaupon Holly up.

Shrub in question while I was working it free.

Moment of triumph!

Transport that bad boy to the front of the house.

Set it down

Dig the new hole, while enjoying that reach I mentioned so I don't have to disturb my bed edging.

Deposit the extra dirt in my dump carts. Couldn't do that with a bucket full of dirt.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Two new, already mature and properly sized Yaupon Hollys in the bed in front of the house. They need a good trim and shape up, but I'll wait for spring to do that once I'm sure they've acclimated to the new spot.

 

[GeneV]

Yeh, nice job man. I think considering these are ssqi forks, you could more or less go to town with the spade on them. I'd be more concerned if they were clamp-on forks, would be worried about damaging the bucket.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

These are actually pin on, but I know you meant "not clamp on". Just trying to show folks you don't HAVE to have SSQA to use forks and switch attachments. It's not terribly difficult for me to switch back and forth, and I use lynch pins not to secure my loader pins. Makes switching a fairly quick process. I'd say 10 min. Lot longer than SSQA but not a deal breaker for me.

I think then I'd just have gone with a clamp on spade. That's extra steps for more damage potential .

I don't want clamp on stuff with my BX bucket if I can help it. The duty of the bucket matches the size of the tractor.

 

[69 SS]

Read all 10 posts of this thread,raining buckets outside. I bought one of these a few years ago. It works pretty good on the bucket,outstanding on the pallet forks. Didn't buy the forks till 3 yrs ago. It is not a backhoe , I'm not in a hurry, and I love working my tractor. For me the best feature is the ability to reach over things to do work. Really love it now. Plates n screws in my neck from getting rear ended in car accident, couldn't drive tractor for 7 months. Now I can plant stuff and not have to use hand shovel. Good luck to all on your projects.