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"Dirt Hole Closer" Eliminates Shovel Work
Anyone who needs to fill loose soil into holes will be interested in this new skid loader-mounted "dirt hole closer" invented by a Texas pecan grower.
   "You can use it to fill any hole from 6 to 60-in. dia. in 15 sec. or less," says Robert Hawkins.
  "It works great for planting bare root trees or any type of shrubs where you need to fill in the hole. It also works great for filling in dirt around fence posts and utility poles and for doing general landscaping work."
  The unit attaches to any 20 to 80 hp skid loader. It's equipped with a pair of 60-in. long, 10-in. high steel wings that open up 8 ft. wide via two hydraulic cylinders. The wings are curved at the end, allowing them to come together when closed. A 20-in. wide "dozer blade" mounts between the wings.
  To operate, you open the arms and lower them to the ground as you approach the hole. Dirt will accumulate between the arms as you begin to move forward, allowing you to push dirt into the hole. Then close the arms and back away slowly, to pull dirt in from the sides and opposite end of the hole. After the hole has been filled, open the arms and back away.
  "It has a low profile that allows you to easily see the work area, taking all the guesswork out of the job," says Hawkins. "It works great for moving any kind of loose material, including mulch.
  "I came up with the idea because I have a 40-acre pecan orchard and grow a lot of nursery stock that has to be frequently transplanted. After the trees were planted, it used to take several people to fill in all the holes.
  "There's a platform behind the dozer blade where someone can stand and hold a bare root tree or fence post steady as the hole is being filled.   
  Sells for $3,300 plus S&H. The seat sells for $150 plus S&H.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Robert Hawkins, 1935 FM 145, Hart, Texas 79043 (ph 877 308-5307 or cell 806 869-7487; Robert@DirtHoleCloser.com; www.DirtHoleCloser.com).


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2011 - Volume #35, Issue #1