Root Grapple for Rhododendron removal

[Logan979]

our property has an excessive amount of Rhododendron on it. Has anyone ever removed it with a Root Grapple ?

 

[jeff9366]

Your location would help. Would know something of plant size and your soil composition.

I was born and raised in Seattle where old Rhododendrons are huge and would defeat grapples on all but very heavy tractors.

Where I live in Florida, Rhododendrons are of modest size and most compact tractor grapples could pull them out.

Consider a Bucket Spade if you have a tractor of around 4,000 pounds bare weight. I have used a bucket spade for seven years to remove and transplant 25 - year old Florida Rabbiteye Blueberry bushes as large as Rhododendrons in Seattle, with similar size root balls.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html?highlight=

 

[Carl_NH]

I have moved and transplanted large Rhodies 6-8' tall x 6-8' around - they are shallow rooted. I go in with my bucket and get 6- 8" or so deep and under the root ball, then wrap a strap or a chain with burlap to protect the trunk, then tilt the bucket back and take it to its new location.

IF you just want to get rid of them a root grapple will work well. If you don't want to remove topsoil, then just cut them off at ground level and grapple them away.

 

[Logan979]

Your location would help. Would know something of plant size and your soil composition.

I was born and raised in Seattle where old Rhododendrons are huge and would defeat grapples on all but very heavy tractors.

Where I live in Florida, Rhododendrons are of modest size and most compact tractor grapples could pull them out.

Consider a Bucket Spade if you have a tractor of around 4,000 pounds bare weight. I have used a bucket spade for seven years to remove and transplant 25 - year old Florida Rabbiteye Blueberry bushes as large as Rhododendrons in Seattle, with similar size root balls.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html?highlight=

Blue Ridge Mnts

 

[Logan979]

I have moved and transplanted large Rhodies 6-8' tall x 6-8' around - they are shallow rooted. I go in with my bucket and get 6- 8" or so deep and under the root ball, then wrap a strap or a chain with burlap to protect the trunk, then tilt the bucket back and take it to its new location.

IF you just want to get rid of them a root grapple will work well. If you don't want to remove topsoil, then just cut them off at ground level and grapple them away.

Just trying to get rid of them.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

our property has an excessive amount of Rhododendron on it. Has anyone ever removed it with a Root Grapple ?

What tractor do you have, Logan?
Travis

 

[Logan979]

What tractor do you have, Logan?
Travis

Kubota L3901

 

[goeduck]

As stated by Carl pthey have shallow roots. Are they large native ones, if so someone might be interested in them if you prep the roots as Carl says.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

A Wicked Grapple rake should make quick and easy work! Most choose a 239 pound Wicked 55 unless they're really gonna put a crazy beat down on it. If so, 400 pound Wicked 60. Currently, both are in stock and the free shipping zone is huge.

The dozer like geometry increases a tractor's pushing/prying ability with a design which enhances the rollback force for popping up rubbish such as your rhododendron.

Here are a few examples..
Travis

 

[Logan979]

I think these grapples have China made cylinders and nothing in the back of the grapple to prevent damage to hoses or other vital parts of Front End Loader from branches, sticks etc.. is this correct ?