Stump digger bucket

[arrow]

Need to dig a culvert ditch across my drive. The ditch will need to be about 16"-18" wide and 16' long and 2' deep. With no back hoe, was thinking of a front end attachment.
The problem for me is that most of the stump buckets I've found are built like a "wedge" and widen out considerably. Not good fo what I want.
I am not trusting myself with one of these bucket "spade" attachments.It will be just like me to warp the bucket with one of those. The word "finesse" and myself are not blood brothers.
Was wondering if anyone knows of a stump type bucket that does not taper or tapers very little and is not exceeding a 5c note.

 

[4570Man]

Just use the front bucket and dig 90 degrees to the ditch instead of in line with it. It would probably work better anyway.

 

[Diggin It]

What about one of those rear mount 3 point dirt buckets?

Not sure on price, but something that could be used in the future.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

What about one of those rear mount 3 point dirt buckets?

Not sure on price, but something that could be used in the future.

Good luck getting 2 foot deep with one of those without having a really wide trench, the front bucket is the way to go...

SR

 

[arrow]

Just use the front bucket and dig 90 degrees to the ditch instead of in line with it. It would probably work better anyway.

Tried that. Couldn't get the depth i wanted.

 

[shooterdon]

That is the kind of job I give to a guy down the road with a back hoe. $150 and done.

 

[rswyan]

One day rental of their smallest mini-ex at United Rentals (General Equipment) in Smithfield, RI = $299.00

Mini-Excavator, 3,000-3,999 lbs. for Rent - United Rentals

That should get you a full 8 hours on the meter.

Check with them and see if they will allow you to pick it up late Friday and return it Monday for the one day rental fee if you don't exceed 8 hours use.

The controls should be fairly easy to master ... and you can get a lot done in 8 hours, so line up and prep for whatever other projects you need to get done on the same rental.

Assuming you don't run into any monster boulders or ledge, your culvert trench should take you no more than 2 hours, max ...

 

[arrow]

One day rental of their smallest mini-ex at United Rentals (General Equipment) in Smithfield, RI = $299.00

Mini-Excavator, 3,000-3,999 lbs. for Rent - United Rentals

That should get you a full 8 hours on the meter.



Check with them and see if they will allow you to pick it up late Friday and return it Monday for the one day rental fee if you don't exceed 8 hours use.

The controls should be fairly easy to master ... and you can get a lot done in 8 hours, so line up and prep for whatever other projects you need to get done on the same rental.

Assuming you don't run into any monster boulders or ledge, your culvert trench should take you no more than 2 hours, max ...

Sound advice Rsy. But you do take the fun out of getting another toy for the tractor.

 

[Oldpath05]

For ditch digging I prefer tooth bar.

 

[arrow]

For ditch digging I prefer tooth bar.

Had one on my tractor. The problem is the bucket bottoms out at the end of its travel length. It's as if i would have to dig a 4' wide ditch when I need just a 16" width one just to make room for the tractor tires to ramp down so the bucket can reach 2' deep.

 

[TractorGuy]

What about one of those rear mount 3 point dirt buckets?

Not sure on price, but something that could be used in the future.

I dug out a tree and replanted it with one of those. The guy I bought the scoop from said he knew a guy that dug a pond with one.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Had one on my tractor. The problem is the bucket bottoms out at the end of its travel length. It's as if i would have to dig a 4' wide ditch when I need just a 16" width one just to make room for the tractor tires to ramp down so the bucket can reach 2' deep.

That's exactly right, dig it as wide as the tractor and get it done, with little expense... It's easy to back fill the ditch!

SR

 

[Oldpath05]

That's exactly right, dig it as wide as the tractor and get it done, with little expense... It's easy to back fill the ditch!

SR

Yes I do that all he time, go 4' wide at width of bucket and I can easily go 2' deep, back fill is easy peasy.......

 

[lennyzx11]

Though I have the backhoe attachment now, in the past I dug two culvert trenches without it.
I loosened the soil up with a subsoiler in one case and a single bottom plow in the other.
Dragging them long ways repeated times till they were buried to the hilt the width of the tractor tires so I could get the tractor in the trench for the second pass. I went 4’ deep total.
Scooped out the fill with a rear dump like pictured in first case. FEL in the other.

Renting a mini ex for a weekend with plans is really really the best answer I feel though.

 

[Oldpath05]

But how long does it take to learn how to run a excavator and whats the cost of a weekend rent, providing I dont break it..........

 

[arrow]

I love coming here even if I do not get a direct answer. No, the true bebnefits for me lie in the fact of the diverse answers. This diversity allows me to sort of "pull my brain together".
So it went like this: Renting will cost around $299. Finding and purchasing a "narrow" stump bucket say $500 or more.

What I did: bought a quick attach plate on amazon 5/16" thick with Prime incentive came to $115 tax and shipping included. Went to my local welder and bought 1/4" steel plate that he will cut the shapes I want (bottom, back and sides- $85)
Welding...perhaps $20 in electricity. primer and paint...$25. So for about $245 and my time, I'll have what I want to dig a ditch, bury a duck or dog and remove stubborn over growth.

It all came together so thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Oldpath05]

Well thats a bummer, no picture of making this specialize digging utensil, I feel let down

 

[arrow]

Well thats a bummer, no picture of making this specialize digging utensil, I feel let down

Still don't have all the parts yet Old P. Will make pics as i go along when i do get them.

 

[Oldpath05]

Yahoo pics are on the way when built LG:thumbsup:

 

[Mat4644]

There are some stump buckets that are more square. Only 16 feet difficult to justify cost unless you have other projects.