Quick Spade

[mwemaxxowner]

I've found a thread or two about the quick Spade attached to the end of pallet forks and it sounds like it may be a very useful piece for me from time to time. It's also fairly cheap.

I posted a question about it in a FB group about Kubota B and BX tractors, and that turned into a huge debacle of people telling me not to because of all the damage it would surely cause, or how useless it must be and they could do more with a shovel. Note none of these folks have actually used one.

I'm convinced it would be useful for some things, but were their concerns about it being damaging to the tractor warranted? After all you could probably damage a tractor with any implement if used without care and sense or if used incorrectly. But this would also be a light duty tractor, so I do want to make sure I don't need to be concerned because of that. I have a BX1880 on order.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a Bucket Solutions (brand) bucket spade, the heaviest bucket spade on the market. I have used it regularly for seven years and it has been very useful. However, this 110 pound bucket spade is too heavy for a BX. Research lighter bucket spades.

I doubt the minimal hydraulics and minimal weight of a BX1880 will operate a light bucket spade attached to pallet forks, where leverage will be working against the tractor. Mounted directly on the FEL bucket I guesstimate a light bucket spade may allow digging to 30" - 36" depth.

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

 

[mwemaxxowner]

That helps me decide then between the combination spade that will clamp to the bucket or go to the forks or just the fork version.

I hope to use it with forks, as it would go deeper and visibility would be better, but that wouldn't be worth a hill of beans if it won't dig in. I've seen videos of it trenching very successfully on a B but not a bx. Not yet anyway.

This is the one I've been eyeballing. They also make one that will go on the forks or clamp to the bucket.

Quick Spade

Dig into your next project with the durable heavy gauge steel Quick Spade by Paumco. The Quick Spade is the perfect tool for digging, hauling boulders, transplanting trees, removing stumps, and more, making it perfect for nearly any job site. Attaches quick and easy to standard size forks.

paumco.com

 

[mwemaxxowner]

You certainly show the usefulness of a bucket spade in your thread! I will be in sand, but I see that you are as well.

 

[Smokeydog]

I have the paumco combo quick spade.

Used on B20. Great for planting orchard trees and blueberries. Cutting hedge privet and multiflora roses from near/under fences. Poor man’s backhoe. Did manage to bend the tractor bucket cutting edge. Able to straighten then reinforced with bottom plates welded in. Gathered and placed many large rocks for landscaping ( probably where I bent my bucket).

With the new B26 and ssqa quick attachment use the pallet forks. Handy for small holes and trail and driveway maintenance. Good size for cleaning drainage ditches. Have backhoes now but some places this tool has advantages. Sharpened it can cut small tree or bushes flush with the ground. With a small HST tractor loader it is quick and maneuverable. Sure beats a hand shovel. Just be careful with the amount of leverage you can generate.

 

[txndncowboy]

I use mine to get rid of pesky mesquite and cedar trees. Works best, for me, in spring with damp ground.

 

[mikester]

forks are designed for lifting not pushing and you risk bending your fork rack. I'd recommend a spade bucket.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I do not see any that pin on, but I have contemplated purchasing one and welding it on to the blank plate for the AI2 quick attach that I'll have.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I have now come across several people who use them on forks, and prefer that to using them on the bucket due to visibility and greater digging depth.

They haven't had any issues. I'm sure that depends on the specific forks being used behind the spade. And the tractor behind the forks that are behind the spade. And the nut that is behind the steering wheel of the tractor that is behind the forks that are behind the spade .

 

[Smokeydog]

Rigging the bucket spade on is a bit of a challenge. Not only to retain in place but for strength. Used a special ratchet chain binder from Northern tool. It has T-handle and attached 6’ of chain. Works good on small buckets and fork frames.

Durabilt 3/8" T-Handle Ratchet Binder w/ 6 ft Chain Extension - 7100 lbs WLL - #LDR-UR-38

 

[mwemaxxowner]

That's very cool, I've never seen one like that. Regular ratchet binders like I already have won't do the job?

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have had the spade for about 10 years. I think it is one of those things that look handier than it is. My new tractor has a different bucket and it seems to flex quite a bit under hard use. My bucket has bent some. I plan to weld mine on a quick attach plate to keep it from happening again.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I might put this in the category of something I'll purchase when I have "cash to burn" out of curiosity, or when I have a specific need for it once I start removing the shrubs and trees around our pool. The landscaping was already there and it's not ideally exactly what we want.

You mention welding yours to a QA plate. That's sort of an idea I have in mind for a spade bucket with the AI2 quick attach plate. Or I guess even welding this thing to it, which would be lighter and cheaper. It wouldn't have near the reach then, though.

View attachment 698348

 

[Smokeydog]

That's very cool, I've never seen one like that. Regular ratchet binders like I already have won't do the job?

My regular ratchet binders were too long on a B20 bucket.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Just ordered one. We have some older boxwoods around our pool we want to transplant to the house, no way I'm digging them up by hand if I don't have to. So hopefully this will help. Should be here Friday. Will update!

I wish I could get some shorter forks specifically for stuff like this, to put less leverage against the loader. I keep meaning to message Redline or Tony at AI2 to see if I can buy two more fork tines to cut down.

Anyway I have soft sand. If I'm careful hopefully all will be well.

 

[k0ua]

I made one to attach on the bucket, and have used it for years without damage to the bucket. I don't have soil here I have rocks with a small amount of clay around them. I have dug many ditches etc with this home made tool I have about $6 in.

You can read about it my trials and tribulations on getting it built right in the link below. But I prevailed. And it is a useful tool.

A "Shovel Ready" project!

I am in the process of building a "shovel" for the bucket of my Kubota L3400. It will be a chain on 18 inch long and just under 9 inch wide shovel for digging holes, and small trenches, for transplanting flowers etc. It might be useful for grubbing out smaller rocks in the lawn or other things...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[k0ua]

Just ordered one. We have some older boxwoods around our pool we want to transplant to the house, no way I'm digging them up by hand if I don't have to. So hopefully this will help. Should be here Friday. Will update!

I wish I could get some shorter forks specifically for stuff like this, to put less leverage against the loader. I keep meaning to message Redline or Tony at AI2 to see if I can buy two more forks to cut down.

Anyway I have soft sand. If I'm careful hopefully all will be well.

I think you will be fine.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I have read your thread. I like that a lot! You made it simple, and effective.

I wanted the one that can slip on the forks OR clamp on to the bucket, but that was $380 vs $180. So I just got the one for forks, and I'd like to try my hand some day at modifying it to be able to clamp onto my bucket also.

 

[BackRoad]

I picked one up to do some ditch work. It performed reasonably well on the first outing.

My logic is that when ditching on an incline, I should be able to keep the spade in a steady position should allow the ditch depth to follow the contour.

It seems to work...just need to use it more to become proficient.

The spade itself is a beast...very well built, and actually larger than I expected.

Pleasantly surprised...

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I thank y'all. That's about all the "cheap" implements I can think of to get. It's all expensive stuff from here on!