[Lanelle]

I'm contemplating the effectiveness of using a tree-spade bucket (also called a spoon or spade-nosed bucket). One is made by FFC and maybe there are others. I understand the versatility of the design and like how it can carry a tree, some mulch and dig a hole. How well does this work for digging holes for planting new trees? How much do you have to move the skid steer around to dig each hole? What about tight sites near structures? I just don't see them being used in our area and wonder why. We have clay soils and some shale 'soils' but regular tree spades are pretty popular here.

[Bexter]

We have one that we use all the time. Our soils are mainly clay. It works well.
I can dig a hole all from one side if need be ... if the access is there I will come at it from 2 sides.
It also works well for carrying and placing fair size rocks.

[Bexter]

Lanelle ...is this the attachment you are asking about?

[Lanelle]

That looks like the one I have in mind. This is the one I found online: http://www.ffcattachments.com/cdrom/landscaping/LN1.htm

I'm glad that it works for you. I'm thinking that it will work for us too.

[Stonehenge]

I've seen this in mags:

http://www.optimaltreespades.com/550.html

But have no expedrience with it.

[Bexter]

Yes the one in Lanelle's link looked almost identical to ours.... I took that pic of ours today after seeing the thread this AM. It's being used right now for cleaning out our caliper tree holding area, holes.

Notice that it mentioned that it is good for moving rocks .. it really is the cats meow for that task.

[Lanelle]

Thanks for the pic Kris. Yours is better than the one on the web site.

[Lanelle]

By the way, what size is your spade bucket and what size would you recommend ordering? We got prices today and hope to have it here soon.

[Bexter]

Sorry ...don't know the exact measurements of it. I'm guessing that it is about 36" long ... what size options do you have?
The one in your "link" looks to be a bit wider at the top but not quite as long as ours.

[dan deutekom]

I can see the advantage of this attachment but I will tell you what I do. We have a set of forks for our skidsteer. Forks are the most versatile attachment you can get. Beside the obvious uses they are great for ripping and digging in hard ground. They move rocks and balled trees. AND I use them like the tree spade. I slide both forks close together and dig the hole like the tree spade does. Then I slide the forks apart just wide enough to pick up the balled tree in a upright position and then drop it into the hole. Works real easy. Also forks seem to be made out of real tough "springy " metal and we just can't wear them out. Our set is on its 3rd skidsteer.

[scl]

I bought one that looks like the FFC off of E-Bay for <$500 and was close enough to have shipped for $30. I like it but it is a little limited when the ground gets hard. I even dug a 3" maple and B&B'ed it in a 36" basket. Took some finigglin" but I did it. Worth the money. The only other thing to look at might be the Bobcat style with the open back for back trenching and digging. I think they're over a grand though. Forgot to mention that I use mine on a 753 Bobcat.

[Lanelle]

The one we ordered just came in but its been too wet to plant trees. Hope we can try it out soon.

[Lanelle]

We are finally having drier weather so we got to try out the new bucket. We dug holes for 10 Foster Hollies, each 12-14' tall. The guys loved it.

[Stonehenge]

12-14'?? Coooool.

[scl]

So Lanelle, what did you buy?