Question
How careful do I need to be with roots ?  Are they deep rooted with tap root,  or spread just below surface.  I would intend to scoop them up, just slightly below ground level with front end loader tractor.

At planting,  drop on my soil,  oriented N/S as suggested I mark them,  and then with front end loader,  move soil around base of plants ( very sharp points on leaves !,  hard to work around since the plants are in clumps.

atl    
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Followup To

Question -
My aunt sold her old ranch headquarters, and there are many green leaved maguey (century plants) on this rocky clay soil.  I have asked the buyer to save these before proceeding with development,  scoop them up and load them on a trailer so I can plant them at my ranch on sandy clay soil mounds.

What specifically do I need to watch for and do on removal and transplanting ?

atl

Answer -
Dear Albert,

Agave's are pretty tough plants. But, you will need to orient them north/south just the way they are in the ground now. Otherwise, they may sunburn and at the very least look damaged. I usually mark the north side with a magic marker so I won't forget which direction they were facing.

Otherwise, just don't overwater them. If it's not too hot, let them go a few weeks after you transplant them before watering. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Greg

Answer
Sear Albert,

Yes you'll need to be careful, however Agaves have roots like palm trees, many roots spreading out in all directions beneath the base of the plant. I would try to get at least a foot and a half below the surface with your front end loader.

And yes, be very careful of those spines!

Sincerely,

Greg