Tree container grapple??

[CaJon Ornamentals]

My partner and I run a small wholesale nursery, mostly 30gal and 65gal Ligustrum trees. We use a Kubota L3710 with a LA681 FEL. Since this is mostly a side business and we both have full-time jobs, we are trying to come up with a more efficient way of moving and loading the large trees. Our current method requires a lot of man-handling and takes to long. (See attached picture)

I would like to add a third function to the loader and come up with some type of grapple device to grab the trees.

I assume the (Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure) kit would be the best route for us to add the third function, since I don't think we will need to do curl/dump at the same time as grabbing the tree.

I found a tree handler that would do what I would like:
Buy Skidsteer EZ SPOT UR Pot Mover from the best source Skid Steer Solutions. We are your #1 choice for Skidsteer EZ SPOT UR Pot Movers. Save time and money by shopping online.

But I think it is too heavy and too expensive for our tractor and needs.

Any input or suggestions on how to proceed would be welcome.....

Thanks.

 

[kebo]

The cheapest idea I have is to buy a pair of the quick attach (bolt-on) bucket forks (about $150 to $200) for the front bucket. These could set about 20 inches apart, that should give good support for the bottom of the 65gal bucket. The only thing is you would have to always set the 65gal buckets up on some wood blocks, that would let you drive the forks right under it, raise up the loader bucket, and then drive off. You could even weld on several chain hooks on the bucket and use some chains to secure the bucket in place while moving it.

Or, to take it one step further, you could start setting EVERY 65 gallon bucket on a standard shipping pallet, and strap the 65gal bucket down to the pallet with some nylon straps or banding material. Or maybe screw some wood blocks (onto the pallet) around the bottom of the 65gal bucket to help keep them from sliding off of the pallet should you curl the loader bucket too far in one direction.
If you use pallets, it would be a piece of cake to simply drive the forks under the pallet, raise it up a foot or two, and take off with it. Lot's of businesses will give away used pallets, or at least sell them fairly cheap.

Good luck!

 

[jake98]

But I think it is too heavy and too expensive for our tractor and needs.

Any input or suggestions on how to proceed would be welcome.....

Thanks.

That pot lifter seems like it's about 3x what it ought to cost. I'll 2nd Kebo's idea. With the forks it'll be easy.
Welcome to TBN.

 

[beenthere]

I too agree with the forks.
If you still want the use of the bucket, then put the forks on the 3 ph (then a hyd. top arm would be a good addition and this would be a great excuse to add one).

But that tub in the bucket looks like "too much work" that some flat forks would handle with ease.

 

[spruce Deere]

Hello cajon,

A fello tree farmer I see:thumbsup:

Here is what most every tree farm, nursery grower around here use.

On the bobcat track loader, those are hyd. adjustable squeeze forks made by Quality Conifers - Hash Tree Company. They might be a little heavy for a tractor loader I think, but boy do they work. I have loaded big pots like you describe two at a time, B and B trees to a 60 inch ball.

On the little 790, these are the forks I scabbed together from junk. They are manually operated, light weight and have loaded 10 foot spruce with a 36 inch ball. The one in the pic is only an 8 footer with a 32 inch ball though.

The forks themselves for such uses must be round to keep from cutting the burlap on B and B trees and is also way easier on the plastic pots.

I have loaded B and B trees and pots just like in your picture, with a bucket. The loading time was cut, I would say little more than half with the hyd. forks. Not to mention the man power and aching back

 

[Villengineer]

How about something like these. Swap the sleeves to handle pots. Take the sleeves off and you have a set of standard forks with hydraulic positioning. If you are interested PM me.

 

[J_J]

Here is a tree hugger from Power-Trac. Cost $2200.

Will open to a 60 in root ball.

A fork attachment from a fork lift with the adjustable forks with an adapter welded to each fork to support a root ball. Might be less money.

 

[CaJon Ornamentals]

An update to this projet.....

I ordered the 3rd function kit from (Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure):
3rd function auxilliary hydraulic kits for all brands of tractors and loaders! purchase online, free shipping within 1,000 miles!!

Not exactly a complete bolt-on installation, since my FEL is a little older I had to modify the bracket for the solenoid and change some fittings around. But it only took an afternoon and I am happy with how it come out.

While I was ordering from them, I went ahead and purchased the 66" compact root grapple:
Construction Attachments X-Treme Duty Compact Tractor Root Grapple Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach CAL, 1RGCMP

I didn't "have" to have the grapple, but at the same time I really wanted one! They were great people to deal with and, although I spent more than I initially wanted to, I am very happy with the grapple and how it works on my tractor. I had them modify the grapple to work on my old 4-pin style loader ($125 extra), and I ended up having to trim off some extra material so that it would work with my Kubota FEL quick attach system.

Now for the whole reason I started this thread-

I found a craigslist ad for a container grapple that was less than an hour away from me (a modified version of the Power-Trac shown above?). It seems to be in decent shape mechanically, set up for a much larger Kubota articulated loader, and only seems to need new hoses. I made an offer ($450) and now am the proud owner. I have modifed it to mate to my 4-pin loader and am having the hoses built as we speak. I should be able to try it out this weekend..... Hopefully it works as well as I think it will.

 

[spruce Deere]

Looks very nice..... My back relaxed a little seeing that ball handler

I think you will find more uses for that grapple rake than intended also:thumbsup:

Spring digging has started for us, got around 80 dug. We are about two weeks later than last year.....

 

[Villengineer]

One thing you will need to watch with the container grapple is not to squeeze the root ball too much. You'll notice in the pics of the dedicated nursery attachments that a lot of them have angled surfaces on the arms to cradle the ball as much as actually squeezing it. None of the nurseries I've worked with actually want to clamp the ball. You might want to consider welding in a sloped surface to help cradle the ball.