Abstract: A tree spade system for providing a vehicle-mounted system capable of excavating large and heavy plants and transporting them while locking the system into place to prevent damage to the vehicle and plant The tree spade system includes a vehicle with a tilting mechanism, lifting mechanism and digging apparatus. The digging apparatus utilizes dual hydraulic cylinders to draw the digging blades into the soil surrounding the plant to be removed and transported. The digging apparatus is designed with the lowest profile possible to minimize the removal of lower branches from the plant to be transported. When the digging apparatus is lifted and tilted back upon the vehicle the system has a unique locking mechanism for holding the digging apparatus into place.

Abstract: A tree spade system for providing a vehicle-mounted system capable of excavating large and heavy plants and transporting them while locking the system into place to prevent damage to the vehicle and plant The tree spade system includes a vehicle with a tilting mechanism, lifting mechanism and digging apparatus. The digging apparatus utilizes dual hydraulic cylinders to draw the digging blades into the soil surrounding the plant to be removed and transported. The digging apparatus is designed with the lowest profile possible to minimize the removal of lower branches from the plant to be transported. When the digging apparatus is lifted and tilted back upon the vehicle the system has a unique locking mechanism for holding the digging apparatus into place.

Abstract: An improved tree transport trailer (10) which is adapted for use with hydraulic tree spades without additional jacks or reinforcement, comprises a frame (12) and a plurality of carriers (34 and 36) mounted for pivotal movement about offset axes (40, 44) between a loading/unloading position in direct stopped engagement with the underlying surface and a transport position out of engagement therewith. An actuator (46) is provided for effecting pivotal actuation of the carriers. A trailer (80) incorporating a second embodiment with independently actuated pivotal carriers (96) is disclosed.