Tree spade

[smartguyz]

Bob, It would be good for those operators that do not have a mini-hoe. It is light weight, easy to install, and can dig faster and deeper than a human.

I would love to have a tree spade. I have the mini-hoe for my 425, and there are a lot of places where a tree spade would be preferable. For example, when digging out a large shrub, the mini-hoe requires you to apply back-pressure (i.e. reverse treadle) so that the hoe is not pulling the PT forward. This action ruins any finished turf you might be on, tears it up big-time.

The tree spade would work a lot more like digging with the forks. Pointing the forks down, and then using the downward pressure of the PT lift arms causes the weight of the tractor (several hundred pounds) to be exerted downward, which does no damage to turf at all.

When trying to remove a small tree or large shrub, I therefore use the forks, but would love a tree spade, as my impression is that it would work a lot better.

-Rob

 

[smartguyz]

These videos are pretty cool. Too bad the forks on the 425 are not adjustable...

Quick Spade - Paumco

-Rob

 

[littlejohn2009]

Moss, if you want to try the tree spade I made for my 425/refine ideas, contact me. I built mine from the frame rail of a semi tractor ( high carbon heat treated steel ?} similar to the picture JJ posted. Works fine up to 4'' hardwoods, after that the tap root is to much for lift capacity of tractor

I'd be interesting in see how you did it...:thumbsup: