tree planting with FEL/box blade?

[mistermcgoo]

Wow, except for the shovel "suggestion" , thanks a lot!

I'll play with the FEL, then if that's a no go, the shovel attachments look pretty slick; I can think of a lot of uses for that.

 

[jeff9366]

I see "BCP" above has already posted the link to Bucket Solutions, so I will not repeat it but I will post five pictures of my Bucket Solutions Bucket Spade. Effective tool. Good customer service. $369 delivered from factory in Colorado to Florida // February 2012.

Everyone wonders: Will it stay clamped TIGHT to the bucket? The threads on the clamp bolts are fine thread. You can turn down the bolts on the pads TIGHT with a Crescent wrench without much effort. Mine has never loosened. Spade weighs 100 pounds so rather than manhandle it you will want to keep your spade on a dolly or a wagon for convenience in attaching it, at least you will if you are 64 years old. My spade is on a Kubota B3300SU / 33hp. Thirty-three horsepower is ample digging in rock free Florida sandy loam.

 

[k0ua]

I built this, I have, I dunno, maybe $20 in it all told.

I have dug plenty of trench's with just the bucket too. We usually use this to plant flowers in a row.


James K0UA

 

[mistermcgoo]

Building one is a good idea, and so is buying one for that matter, but it looks like time is not on my side; Saturday is supposed to be the day. If I can postpone for a week, I just may buy one. We shall see.

Edit; I'm wondering if the Bucket Solutions would put undo stress on the FEL bucket with all the force concentrated in the middle? It seems the one with chains would give more support.

Thanks again everyone. This forum is great.

P.S. two back surgeries don't bode well for the bull work anymore.

 

[jeff9366]

The support for the Bucket Spade UNDER the bucket is 13-3/4". Tractor applied force is diffused over a wide area of the bucket. See additional photo below. With my 33 horsepower four-wheel-drive tractor I lose wheel traction before there is any indication of strain on the spade or tractor bucket.

These things have been around awhile. The shape of the attachment slot which the bucket slides into is complex, offering support from multiple angles, while still being straightforward to attach. Most of the force applied to the spade is PUSHING force which is what both the clamp-on spade and bucket are designed for.

At 100 pounds the spade is a STRONG tool.

(note: There is the RAKE portion of an ABI Gravel Rascal in background of the photo. That is why I did not post this photo with earlier ones. Spade does NOT have a beard: that is the rake.)

 

[k0ua]

email me that photo, and I could fix it pretty quick in my photo software:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks but no. I use the spade several times a month. I will shoot a better photo next time I work it and eliminate the current confusing photo in iPhoto.

Digital cameras are great.

 

[dustinfox]

I see "BCP" above has already posted the link to Bucket Solutions, so I will not repeat it but I will post five pictures of my Bucket Solutions Bucket Spade. Effective tool. Good customer service. $369 delivered from factory in Colorado to Florida // February 2012.

Everyone wonders: Will it stay clamped TIGHT to the bucket? The threads on the clamp bolts are fine thread. You can turn down the bolts on the pads TIGHT with a Crescent wrench without much effort. Mine has never loosened. Spade weighs 100 pounds so rather than manhandle it you will want to keep your spade on a dolly or a wagon for convenience in attaching it, at least you will if you are 64 years old. My spade is on a Kubota B3300SU / 33hp. Thirty-three horsepower is ample digging in rock free Florida sandy loam.

Looks like a solid tool... I'm guessing it would not mount over a tooth bar right?

 

[dustinfox]

I see "BCP" above has already posted the link to Bucket Solutions, so I will not repeat it but I will post five pictures of my Bucket Solutions Bucket Spade. Effective tool. Good customer service. $369 delivered from factory in Colorado to Florida // February 2012.

Everyone wonders: Will it stay clamped TIGHT to the bucket? The threads on the clamp bolts are fine thread. You can turn down the bolts on the pads TIGHT with a Crescent wrench without much effort. Mine has never loosened. Spade weighs 100 pounds so rather than manhandle it you will want to keep your spade on a dolly or a wagon for convenience in attaching it, at least you will if you are 64 years old. My spade is on a Kubota B3300SU / 33hp. Thirty-three horsepower is ample digging in rock free Florida sandy loam.

Hey Jeff... Looks like it might be hard to see where you are digging... No?

 

[jeff9366]

1. No, bucket spade would NOT fit over a tooth bar. Spade is a snug fit when slipped on the bucket , then you tighten down the two clamps.

2. The spade is on the far side of the bucket. The first two or three holes I excavated went a little slowly. Soon you instinctively know where the spade is and excavation rate picks up.

The spade is 36" long. So the bucket is normally up high enough so you can see where the tip of the spade is entering the dirt before you begin to move the bucket/spade combination down.