Older raspberry bushes to dig up, what type of tractor do I use?

shellybement · Apr 15, 2014

Hello, I'm new to this site. I've got 40+ raspberry bushes I need to dig up and don't need to save (previous owner projects) because they're too entangled with weeds. I want to clear the space and use a smaller bit of it for a garden. I'm going to rent a tractor to get it done but don't know which is the right type. Should I get a bobcat?

oosik · Apr 15, 2014

Hello Shelly- Welcome to TBN. I have no idea how much experience you have operating a tractor or a skid steer. First you may want to check and see how much a unit(tractor or skid steer) rents for a day. It may be more than you think and you might just want to hire somebody to come dig out the bushes. If I were going to dig out the bushes I would have my grapple on my tractor. The grapple should grip and pull out the root ball and not leave such a hole as a bucket would. If you have no experience on a tractor or skid steer this may not be the correct time to learn. Rushing a project because of rental costs on a piece of equipment that you have no experience operating doesn't sound like the safest situation. I hate being a wet blanket but I sure don't want to see anybody get hurt.

MossRoad · Apr 15, 2014

In my opinion, a bobcat is a skidsteer, which will tear up your yard. Also, bobcats aren't the best for excavating below grade. If you're going to have to rent something, I'd look at a mini excavator. You could scoop out the bushes fairly quickly with that in a half day rental.

Welcome to TBN!

square1 · Apr 15, 2014

Burn em with fire!
Oh, and Welcome...

eddie48 · Apr 15, 2014

I'd mow over them, first and then worry about digging them up. Might be easy once you can see what you are doing.

shellybement · Apr 15, 2014

I'm getting some great answers. Thanks so much to all who've posted to this thread so far. Based on what I'm reading, here's where I'm at now.
I will hire this out instead of rent the equipment. I've researched mini excavators and back ho's and what some are just calling tractors. At this point it sounds like the mini excavator would be the best bang for the buck. I found this ad on craigslist. Take a look if you can and let me know if this is the type of tractor I'm looking for. Excavator for Hire

Coyote machine · Apr 15, 2014

How big an area are we talking about? The mini-ex guy could definitely do the work, but so could a local landscaping crew, most likely. I'd get quotes from both and how long it would take either to do the work including total cleanup/disposal of bushes to your requirements of 'doneness'.

hunterridgefarm · Apr 15, 2014

I will second what Coyote said, landscape crew should be able to do/quote this. Get 2 or 3 different quotes.

rsallen · Apr 15, 2014

Round up.
The concentrate not the 10% stuff on the hardware shelf but the real deal Round-Up I need to mix to specs stuff.
Whack them down after they die, rototill the roots.
Repeat next year.
BECAUSE they will come back till you kill every last bit of them I don't care how much you try to dig them up........they will come back.

shellybement · Apr 15, 2014

Again, more great advice. The area is roughly 25' x 100'. Image attached if it came through (hard to tell on this message board).

My betrothed also thinks a tractor would be overkill and already mentioned round up so I'll make sure he gets this last post. I just know that I'm too old to head out there with a shovel and dig up 2500 sf of grass and roots...with or without the RoundUp.

I think I also suffer from MPD

Thanks for the great answers. Much appreciated and please keep them coming if there are others.