TREE SPADE
BIG JOHN
40+ Years of Tree Spades & Transplanting Equipment in the USA
BIG JOHN Manufacturing has a long history of innovation, starting with the first tree spade in 1975. Today, BIG JOHN is the leading manufacturer of tree spades in the United States, exporting tree spades to customers around the globe from Heber Springs, Arkansas.
Birth of BIG JOHN
John May approached the late Tucker Blankenship and his son the late Charles Blankenship in November 1975. He sold May Manufacturing to The Blankenships and BIG JOHN Tree Transplanter Manufacturing Inc. was formed January 21st, 1976. Many endeavors came from that November 1975 meeting. The first tree transplanter manufactured under the BIG JOHN banner was the Model 78. The Model 78’s nomenclature is derived from the diameter of its root ball and could dig up nine inch caliper trees. The Model 78 led BIG JOHN into the inspiration of manufacturing multiple models and sizes of tree transplanters.
John May’s enthusiasm led him to the creation of a working prototype of the Model 50 in less than four months. The Model 50 could dig up five inch caliper trees. The Model 50 is no longer manufactured at BIG JOHN, but its creation was the stepping stone to build the biggest machine of that time within legal requirements. Ninety days later John May presented a working prototype of the Model 88 to Mr. Blankenship. The Model 88 could dig up a twelve inch caliper tree.
BIG JOHN Adds Skid Steer Spades
The new BIG JOHN team started producing a line of smaller & lighter-weight skid steer-mounted nursery production tree spades. Numerous requests from long-time and new customers wanting to be part of the BIG JOHN family led to the “baby diggers” or nursery tree spades designed in multiple configurations and tree sizes. Due to the challenges and adventures of developing, rigorously testing & satisfying customer’s applications, the BIG JOHN crew is focused on new developments and always improving products to meet the needs of customers. Stay tuned!
40+ Years of Tree Spades & Transplanting Equipment in the USA
BIG JOHN Manufacturing has a long history of innovation, starting with the first tree spade in 1975. Today, BIG JOHN is the leading manufacturer of tree spades in the United States, exporting tree spades to customers around the globe from Heber Springs, Arkansas.
Birth of BIG JOHN
John May approached the late Tucker Blankenship and his son the late Charles Blankenship in November 1975. He sold May Manufacturing to The Blankenships and BIG JOHN Tree Transplanter Manufacturing Inc. was formed January 21st, 1976. Many endeavors came from that November 1975 meeting. The first tree transplanter manufactured under the BIG JOHN banner was the Model 78. The Model 78’s nomenclature is derived from the diameter of its root ball and could dig up nine inch caliper trees. The Model 78 led BIG JOHN into the inspiration of manufacturing multiple models and sizes of tree transplanters.
John May’s enthusiasm led him to the creation of a working prototype of the Model 50 in less than four months. The Model 50 could dig up five inch caliper trees. The Model 50 is no longer manufactured at BIG JOHN, but its creation was the stepping stone to build the biggest machine of that time within legal requirements. Ninety days later John May presented a working prototype of the Model 88 to Mr. Blankenship. The Model 88 could dig up a twelve inch caliper tree.
BIG JOHN Adds Skid Steer Spades
The new BIG JOHN team started producing a line of smaller & lighter-weight skid steer-mounted nursery production tree spades. Numerous requests from long-time and new customers wanting to be part of the BIG JOHN family led to the “baby diggers” or nursery tree spades designed in multiple configurations and tree sizes. Due to the challenges and adventures of developing, rigorously testing & satisfying customer’s applications, the BIG JOHN crew is focused on new developments and always improving products to meet the needs of customers. Stay tuned!