Removable bucket spade

[Wyobuckaroo]

I have been interested in this kind of tool a while now.....
I have a lot of small, (4" or less) tree stumps, rocks and such to remove And hand shovel work to do.
With my tractor size and power limits, I've decided that I will build my own "spade" attachment.......

I don't have quick attachment on the FEL. I plan to use a length of 6" wide channel iron and build it into a chain on bucket type unit.
The mounting supports on the bucket edge will be wide enough to keep the spade in line with the loader arm on either end of the bucket.

Just have to clean up a bunch of other in process projects, and do some thinking over this. I have most of my materials on hand already.
Will post pictures when I get to it.....

Keep up the posting of good info and pictures....

I will start with the digging edge at 16" long to start with and cut it back to 14" or 12" as needed.....

 

[ovrszd]

In friable dirt you operate the Bucket Spade with the bucket hydraulics.

For heavier tasks you position the Bucket Spade at 45 degree angle, then one uses wheel power to drive the Bucket Spade into the dirt.

In either case, one uses wheel power to move tractor and loaded Bucket Spade to spoil pile.

My B3300SU is just heavy enough and powerful enough with 4-WD to use the potential in the design.

Bucket Spade is 110 pounds.....nothing flimsy about it.

Yep, I understand all of those operational philosophys.

Clamped to the end of the bucket you are putting forces on the loader frame and cylinders that isn't designed to handle. Be extremely careful.

 

[Sodo]

The Ratchet Rake Rip n dig is interesting too. I think I'd build a couple of them with a 10 inch channel, make a showt one and a long one.

Have you tried it at the far left or far right of your bucket? I need to dig some ATV trailbeds into a hillside, it sure seems like a bucket-spade, or RR RipnDig would be great help digging into the uphill to make a bench for the tractor to advance on.

 

[jeff9366]

Have you tried it at the far left or far right of your bucket? I need to dig some ATV trailbeds into a hillside, it sure seems like a bucket-spade, or RR RipnDig would be great help digging into the uphill to make a bench for the tractor to advance on.

No, I never did. With the light bucket and FEL on the B3300SU I was afraid of "springing" the bucket with anything but center mount.

Had bucket chain-grab-hooks mounted inline with the FEL arms for the same reason.

Far right, Far left mounting may be practical with the new L3560 HD Bucket.

Have you thought about using a Ratchet Rake, mounted a little offset, to gently chew on the hillsides?

 

[Sodo]

Much more likely to bend in the center than at the far left or right. I don't think I can chew at all on the hillside I need a bench to level the tractor as I go forward.

 

[ovrszd]

Much more likely to bend in the center than at the far left or right. I don't think I can chew at all on the hillside I need a bench to level the tractor as I go forward.

Your bending concerns should be focused on the loader frame. If you rely on the corner of the bucket to do the work you risk twisting the loader frame.

 

[IslandTractor]

Does anyone have any experience with the removable tractor bucket spade available from Bucket Forks, Tractor Forks, Loader Forks by Bucket Solutions

Tractor Forks, Bucket Forks, Loader Forks

It looks like it might be very handy for removing some of my small trees and cactus, but the attachment looks like it could be a problem.

I have a similar product that is designed to fit on the end of forks. Works well. The same device is available in a version that works either directly on the bucket or mounted on forks like mine. With the fork mounted version I can dig about four feet down.

It is certainly not a replacement for a backhoe on a big job but given the two major limitations are digging depth and the need to pivot the tractor constantly to dump the spoils, it is still a very useful tool/implement for doing smallish to medium sized jobs that would end up being done by hand and shovel otherwise. I'd guesstimate it is about five times as fast as digging by hand and for some things like getting through roots or rocks much faster. Bottom line for me is that the spade digs more easily than I can with my foot and back and each spade full is about half a dozen human spadefuls of dirt. That plus the fact that I get to supervise the digging from my perch on the tractor seat!:thumbsup:

 

[Sodo]

Your bending concerns should be focused on the loader frame. If you rely on the corner of the bucket to do the work you risk twisting the loader frame.

Could be a risk (notsomuch on a tractor with cylinders the size of my finger:laughing. For me, I can pay attention to the equipment - easier digging on the uphill side is what I'm concerned with for the moment!

For me the risky component is the hillside not the equipment. :shocked: I do have some gentle slopes to start on.

Islandtractor I like that spade. Benefit of the small tractor is it's pretty easy to make the implements (but mines a little too small). I'll think about making a shovel like that with a pinned/adjustable digging length.

 

[IslandTractor]

Could be a risk (notsomuch on a tractor with cylinders the size of my finger:laughing. For me, I can pay attention to the equipment - easier digging while operating on the hillside is what I'm concerned with for the moment! :shocked:

Islandtractor I like that spade. Benefit of the small tractor is it's pretty easy to make the implements (but mines a little too small). I'll think about making a shovel like that with a pinned/adjustable digging length.

Agree, for a small tractor all you'd need is a press and basic welding/cutting tools to make up a shovel out of 1/4 stock. The commercial ones are made with some sort of clamp to hold them in place on the bucket but even simpler would be to just have a leash from the back of the shovel to either a small hole or welded fitting at the back of the bucket. Mine uses a chain and just loops around the frame of the forks carrier but there really is very little tension needed to keep the thing from falling off so a bit of galvanized wire or light chain would work for a smaller tractor.

 

[Sodo]

I'd attach the spade somewhat directly to the end of a 2" sq tube, and then have several pinned positions (below the bucket) to increase or decrease the "shovel handle length". Similar to a classII trailer hitch where the extra handle length extends past the bucket (towards the operator) or sticks out extending the spade. I would make it quick-attach to the bucket like a lot of the CUT attachments do, with a ratchet strap or maybe a chainbinder.