Tree shovel

[MesaAZguy]

I bought a Kioti 2620 cab tractor which will be delivered in a couple weeks. I am looking to get a tree shovel to remove small bushes and 2-4" diameter trees. Does anyone have input on experience? I do not want to spend too much on this since once I am done with using it, the tool will stay in storage until I remove something I plant later down the road. I had a friend come over with his Kioti 3520 and with his 66" loader bucket made a mess of removing some plantings which I am trying to avoid.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I believe you are referring to a stump bucket. Do a search using those keywords, I remember commenting on a discussion not too long ago about that very same topic.

 

[oldnslo]

Are looking to remove these bushes and trees or move them and replant them? Stump bucket might work for transplanting but would depend on soil type and root structure of tree being moved.

 

[mikester]

I fabbed up a stump bucket with a half round bottom and it looks sort of like this. Mine is 36" wide and about 40" long. Cheap and easy to make. Smooth edged, sharpened like a digging spade and no teeth.

On a small tractor you may struggle digging 4" calliper trees. You would need a 48" or bigger bucket for 4" trees.

Dig when the ground is moist. This is hard work for SCUTs and CUTs.

 

[MesaAZguy]

Thanks guys. I spoke to my dealer. He recommended a three toothed bucket that's 277lbs. Not bad of a weight for my needs and tractor size. My plan is to remove overgrown shrubbery. Nothing to relocate. His price was $900 and discounted from $1500. Might be handy to dig for new plantings too. Ground is very moist here in Ozark.

 

[RayIN]

Depending the number of trees/shrubs you want to move, it might be cheaper and less effort to hire them moved.
I my neck of the woods, a local nursery charges $60-$80 to move one 4' tall; that's removing the root-ball, digging a new hole, moving the tree/shrub and filling-in the old hole.
That fits my needs and eliminates equipment storage, maintenance and upkeep, besides eliminating initial cost.

 

[MesaAZguy]

In my case, it's all tear out. I did find a stump bucket for the job. Most of the stuff I have are grassy plants that the previous owner placed right next to the house. Some vine plants which are growing into the crawlspace as well. Those roots will be interesting to remove... I have not taken delivery of the tractor yet since I need to make room in the shop building. Its full of crap from our move and needs to go to storage temporarily.