Tree spades, 3ph 24" tree toads

[Anonymous Poster]

Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

I have (250) 5'-7' tall 3/4" to 1 1/2" diameter trees to move
A project started when we built, and I now have a TC-30, 7308 loader I want to end this project. It does not appear I can hang a hydrualic tree spade off the 3ph (weight, lacking pressure, and cost). So the question #1 is do I get a spade attachment for the fel and try that? It looks like it would take some practice and a few damaged/mangled trees learning to use it. Question #2 has anyone have experience with one of these tree toads. I did run a search on tree spades and their is no mention of actual hands on experiences with a tree toad. At $2495 I am looking for independent opinions on there ability to do the job.

 

[BubbaJr]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

Hello,
I was looking at the tree toads last year for the same reason as you, but I haven't bought one yet. I'm puzzled by your reasons for not buying one. Cost, I can understand, that's been my biggest factor for not making the purchase. But the other 2 reasons I have to question. According to what I found on the internet, your tractor is rated at 1635 lbs lift at the 3PH. The 3PH tree toad weighs about 350 lbs, and the average tree with a 24" root ball weighs about 250 lbs (according to tree toad). That leaves you with over 1000 lbs lifting force left over, and should tackle the most stubborn roots. The other reason, I'm guessing you mean down force of the 3PH, is not a factor for the tree toad to work. You position the toad over the tree roots and hand drive the 4 spades with a fence post type driver until you are under the root ball. Then you use the 3PH to raise the tree out of the hole.
Maybe I misunderstood your question, and if I did I apologize.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

I will in all liklyhood either buy a tree toad, or hire the job out. I am aware that the tree toad will fit on my tractor and my lift capacity of my 3ph , but I have read a lot of discussions about transplanting trees, tree spades and the tree toad itself in this and other forums, but not from anybody that has actually owned or used a tree toad. At first I was looking for a used hydrualic tree spade to hang on the back of my compact and I found a couple promising ones in the $3500-$4500 range.
Then discovered my TC-30 is to small to run them.
So I can either buy a tree shovel(spade) $600, and mount it on my fel and learn to dig with it, or buy the tree toad and hope I am happy with the results. I am leaning toward the tree toad. First I would like to here good stories about them before I send the check. thanks

 

[kubotasaurus]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

If I were you I would hire in the right equipment to get it done. Those tree toads look like they could take a long time to work for each tree unless you are lucky and don't hit big rocks / heavy roots or heavy clay. The hydraulics on a bigger piece of equipment would get it done in no time.

However you look at it you're looking at a decent sized project. You may be spending most of your vacation this year on a skidsteer with a tree spade!

Would it be possible just to thin the trees you have and then re-plant seedlings where you were going to move them to?

That would be a whole lot cheaper and faster.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

None of the rental yards in SE Michigan rent tree spades, I did get one quote to hire it out at $40 per tree and that would destroy every other one because of the size of the spade, I have moved about 50 of them by hand over the last three years with OK results, At $40 a tree I can go buy new container trees of similar size, and brushhog and till these into tree heaven, tho they are pretty little trees and would look great on my property lines. anyway nothing to do untill fall now except continue working on the plan. Also going to find cheaper quotes.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

<font color="blue"> At $2495 I am looking for independent opinions on there ability to do the job. </font>

WOW! $2500.00 and you have to pound it in by hand? Ouch!

Do any rental yards have skid steers with a tree spade near you? How often are you going to use a tree spade if you own one? Are these special trees or ordinary trees? Could you replace them for less than the cost of a tree spade? About 10 years ago we had over two thousand trees planted and side sprayed for $265.00. They are all 20-30 feet tall now.

EDIT: Whoops, see you've already answered the rental question.


Also, http://www.treetoad.com/ is located here, for anyone who is interested.

 

[Darren]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

Just get one of those air powered post drivers and you'll have those spades buried in no time. Then it's up, up and away. Hi Ho Tree!

 

[MarkV]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

No experience with the tree toad but I did use a tree shovel on a loader one time. First I want to make sure I am calling the FEL attachment the same thing you are. The landscaper friend that had one mounted on a 30 something hp Kubota FEL moved lots of trees. It replaced the bucket, was roughly "U" shaped, open on the front and back and the leading edge was sharpened. She could cut a pretty nice root ball and then lift the tree and ball for transport.

I had never seen one so I dug up a couple of smaller trees and found it very easy to use in Florida's sandy soil. The trees she was moving were at least double of the ones you mentioned. Could be worth a look and it has to be cheaper than a tree spade for ¾" to 1 ½" trees.

MarkV

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

MarkV
is this it ? I have considered this. I have heavy clay, so the concern with this is, could I sink it? they are about $600. I'm sure I would have to make up a mounting plate to get it on my 7308 loader, which I can do with relitive ease, then spend some time learning to use it

 

[CGranat]

Re: Tree spades, 3ph 24\" tree toads

I have a 24" trailer mounted Tree-Toad. I bought it last year used for $500. As Darren suggested, a hydraulic or electric driver would be a good idea. The post driver will wear you out. We looked into renting a skid steer with a tree spade, came to something like $450 per day. There were no 3PH ones available around here. One of the benefits of owning the Tree-Toad is that we can do it when we want to and at our own pace. The process of moving a tree is not really easy but, it does the job just fine. Let me know if you need more.