Stump Bucket vs. Forks and Quick Spade

[Hinrix6]

Hi TBN members, I am new to tractors and a new member of the forum.
I purchased a used New Holland TC40DA with a 16LA FEL. I am researching attachments and this site has a lot of info on grapples, forks, etc., but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I have an acreage with aging shelter belts. I want a grapple so I can pick up fallen trees and lift them to a height that will be easy to cut them with my chainsaw, or throw them in the brush pit if rotten. I can't decide if a stump bucket with grapple or pallet forks with grapple would work best for me. I would like to be able to do some light digging with whichever attachment I purchase, so I would have to purchase a Quick Spade to attach to the forks. Do any of you have experience digging with a stump bucket or pallet forks with a Quick Spade attached? Would the grapple be in the way when digging with either setup? Any information you can provide me with will be appreciated.
Below are examples of the types of attachments I am looking at.

Stump grapple
Bobcat Skid Steer Extreme Duty Stump Bucket Grapple Attachment SHIP $199 | eBay
fork spade
Quick Spade Skid Steer Tractor Digger Trencher Loader Fork Attachment | eBay

 

[amigauser]

I just purchased one of these although I have not tried it yet (delivered yesterday evening and rain all day today).
Stump Bucket For Skid Steer Quick Attach

 

[Hinrix6]

Amigauser- that bucket in your link looks like a nice light weight attachment for a FEL. Like a said, I would like something that I can use for some light digging, but I need something that i can carry logs with too. I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck. From what I have read on this forum, no one seems disappointed in the purchase of pallet forks, and that stump bucket is so reasonably priced that I may be able to budget for it and pallet forks. Let us know how the bucket performs!

 

[jeff9366]

I am new to tractors and a new member of the forum.

I would like to be able to do some light digging with whichever attachment I purchase, so I would have to purchase a Quick Spade to attach to the forks. Do any of you have experience digging pallet forks with a Quick Spade attached?

A Bucket Spade is good for light digging, however in the many hours I have used mine I have never attached it to pallet forks. Why do you feel pallet forks are necessary?

Two issues: A heavy Bucket Spade will penetrate tough soil and softwood tree roots better than a light Bucket Spade. Tractor motive power can then thrust a weight-set Bucket Spade deeper, but Bucket Spade weight is key. I do not know the weight of a Paumco, but a Bucket Solutions Bucket Spade weight 110 pounds. In years of use I have never deformed it and it seems as sharp as the day it arrived, used in rock-free, Florida sandy-loam.

A Bucket Spade must be used prudently on a light bucket. I first mounted mine on the bucket of my Kubota 'B' 3300SU and used it PRUDENTLY for two years without more bucket damage than scuffed paint. Now it is mounted on Kubota's optional L2296 Heavy-Duty, Round-Back bucket, on my heavy L3560, which makes an rigid unit requiring less prudence. The BS/BS has clamps to attach it to either an FEL bucket or pallet forks.

Be aware that tractors are primarily designed to PULL. Skid Steers are primarily designed to PUSH. So a skid steer mounted Bucket Spade is going to work more effectively than the same unit mounted on a tractor.

LINKS TO MY BUCKET SPADE THREADS (2):

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html?highlight=

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...da-planting-sand-pears-kubota.html?highlight=


Equal Time For Paumco: paumco bucket spade site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[jeff9366]

I just purchased one of these although I have not tried it yet (delivered yesterday evening and rain all day today).
Stump Bucket For Skid Steer Quick Attach

Be cautious or you will damage your FEL arms ($$$), which are not designed for the application of force in this way. Tractors are designed primarily to PULL, not to PUSH. Be prudent as you explore limits with your new tool.

At 151 pounds it should penetrate well. Levering out the load will require care.

 

[Fallon]

I have a bucket spade. Don't remember if mine fits a bucket or not. It has fork pockets & I only use it on my pallet forks. My L3200 is 3,500lbs with loader & loaded tires. At times it will barely get a bite into the ground. I usually set it about 45°, lift the front tires off the ground & drive it forward into the ground with the rears. Any lighter than my machine won't have enough weight & traction to drive it into the ground unless you find a small one.

Its a very ghetto backhoe. Takes me about 10 minutes to dig a hole to plant a 6' Christmas tree. The worst aspect is needing to move the whole machine to the side to dump the spoils. And as the spade is way out there with shallow sides, spoils bounce & fall off. I've re-dug 20' of buried downspout pipe, which took 45 minutes. Probably 10 minutes with a backhoe & 5 with a mini-ex.

For $175 or so it beats a shovel in a heart beat though. I keep looking for a sub $200 stump bucket at an auction or what not though.

If it were me I see more value in pallet forks with a thumb/lid than a stump bucket & a thumb/lid.

 

[Hinrix6]

Great advice Fallon. I needed that real-world perspective from someone with experience with a similar setup. Jeff- thanks for your input too. You certainly can do a lot with a spade on the bucket, but it looks like you are digging at the beach! I don't know if my clay soil would be so forgiving.