I'm going to be given several large shrubs and a Japanese maple this fall. I don't really want to dig those holes in clay soil by hand. I'm not going to buy a backhoe, though I would love to have one. I could rent a mini excavator for around $450-$500 (for a day). Of course, then I wouldn't have a new implement. ![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
I'm thinking of a small stump bucket which seems to be around $1000 (maybe a little less for a Titan). Or I could get an auger for the 3 point hitch. There are several used on FB marketplace for $500-600 (one comes with an 18" auger).
I don't have any experience with a stump bucket. They look pretty handy though. It's been years since I've used a 3-pt post hole digger. I know they can be difficult in hard clay as they want to just screw into the ground.
I'd love to hear opinions from people with experience on which implement you think would be better for this use.
I'm thinking of a small stump bucket which seems to be around $1000 (maybe a little less for a Titan). Or I could get an auger for the 3 point hitch. There are several used on FB marketplace for $500-600 (one comes with an 18" auger).
I don't have any experience with a stump bucket. They look pretty handy though. It's been years since I've used a 3-pt post hole digger. I know they can be difficult in hard clay as they want to just screw into the ground.
I'd love to hear opinions from people with experience on which implement you think would be better for this use.