New Build Tree Spade For The Skid Steer

[Danny Steel]

Hey guys, Its good to be back on the forum, after a long old winter up north here
I'm getting spring fever, and my welding tanks still have some gas left In them

I know last year I was looking for a way to Transplant a bunch of evergreens with the mini X ,and I still may try that Idea.......But Now I want to fab up a Tree Spade
for my skid steer.

I have never used one, or seen one up close, so any tips from you guys that have them , or used them would be appreciated:drinkup

I plan on getting some material for It this week

The size will be somewhat small, for a 24" wire basket, And I think maybe 20" stroke cylinders will work, the next size up from that jumps to a 30" stroke.

The more Information I get, the easeir It will be for me to put together....If you have some close up pics of your spade, It would help me with the concept

Thanks In Advance......I will be posting,with pictures as I go along

Danny

 

[joispoi]

opcorn

 

[Digger Dan]

Dont think it will work, you made a terrible job of that bucket last year
JK looking forward to the build

 

[Danny Steel]

opcorn

I just got the material today, Hold your horses

Dont think it will work, you made a terrible job of that bucket last year
JK looking forward to the build

I was just looking at that bucket, Its still on the machine

I'm trying to figure out the cylinder stroke, The rest of the job should go Ok.....I should have some sparks flying by tommorow

 

[dporter]

what about hardening the cutting edges?

 

[Danny Steel]

I had some time today to start this spade...I got jammed up on the math.....But after time I figured It out......I will be back on It Monday......And I now know where I'm going with It:notworthy....Its a start, Keep the pop corn machine plugged In

 

[Danny Steel]

:notworthyHey Guys, I'm back at this tree spader again.....so far Its going ok. I had 1 bad JIC SWIVEL 90 so they had to recrimp a new one on
Lots of welding and fitting on this one

 

[Danny Steel]

I have all the cylinders on now.......Working on the blades next:drinkup

 

[HarrisEquipment]

Looks good!
Are you making your blades concave or straight to fit like a 3 sided pyramid when extended?

 

[Danny Steel]

what about hardening the cutting edges?

I'm useing hard steel for the blades, the tips Imay hot oil quench them

Looks good!
Are you making your blades concave or straight to fit like a 3 sided pyramid when extended?

Concave.

 

[joispoi]

It looks like you´re well on the way, but does this help you any?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxgiOoQL9v0

 

[Danny Steel]

It looks like you´re well on the way, but does this help you any?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxgiOoQL9v0

Thanks, The spade works real good on that machine.

I have some more time to spend on this job today....I consider It free time for me, because I'm In Between seasons

 

[Danny Steel]

Things are going good on the spader......The blades are now all done, and have a coat of paint on them......I had to take all the hydraulics off......oil all over the place......what a mess, good thing I have lots of wood shaving hanging around.
The main frame Is now In the warm part of the shop, to get cleaned up, then I will zip it outside for a coat of rust paint........It preaty cold up here, and I dont like spraying In the shop.
I can see the end now.....will be done soon:notworthy:Banghead

PS.....i FORGOT A WELD on the blade, after Its painted.....Time to get that back In the cold area, and get that weld on.....then dab some paint on.......were still good to go.......It should be rigged up this week.

 

[Danny Steel]

Done Deal Pack Er Up

Had time to finish off the spade today
Al Is good except for a small drip at the contro lvalve
We still have lots of frost In the ground, So I cant get out there to use It just yet
Cheers.......on to the next project:drinkup

 

[heavylift]

You need some "Danny Steel" decals..

Look good Too

 

[Blacksmoke07]

Nice work!

 

[dporter]

Very impressive. Hopefully it holds up alright. They can put some amazing stresses on the machine and the attachment and result in cracks and bends were least expected.

Looks amazing.

 

[HarrisEquipment]

Nice looking piece of equipment!
How much $$ do you have material?

 

[Danny Steel]

Thanks all, There was close to $1000 In Hydraulics....Most of the steel I had here In my shop, from jobs that I did way back, For Instance I use to do repairs all kinds of Crane Booms, And made a lot of drilling tools, And pile driving equipment....And It was hard to throw a nice piece of steel In the scrap bin....I do have to buy the odd piece now and then, but I try to use what I have to keep the cost down.
I always consider my labor free, as long as Its In between jobs.

 

[HarrisEquipment]

I don't throw much of any steel away, it its been cut off with a torch I will trim out the good piece.
I've got a heavy duty shelf that I stack iron on from 24" to 1" long, each shelf is for flatbar, angle, round, pipe or DOM, and square tubing.

Once again, nice job.