Post hole digger

[danrn2500]

Just purchased my first tractor with a 12 inch PHD. Gave it a try and it dug about a foot and wouldn't go much further. Ground may have been kind of hard, but would like to know if I could do anything to help it dig a little better.

Thanks

 

[D2Cat]

Here's an elementary video of safe operations of PHD (post hole digger).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wQmOGj6PFU

Where he's digging it's extremely easy digging. Where you have harder soil you my do fine by dumping a bucket of water after you get it started and let it set for five minutes.

 

[Trex1200r]

Letting water sit in the hole really helps. In hard clay soil, the water might have to sit overnight.

Another option, but be careful not to let the big auger get too deep too fast or it will get stuck is to use a smaller auger bit to drill a pilot hole first.

The thing to remember about tractors is they don't apply any down force on the auger other than the weight of the implement itself, so they don't work nearly as good as the skid steer setups.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Letting water sit in the hole really helps. In hard clay soil, the water might have to sit overnight.

Another option, but be careful not to let the big auger get too deep too fast or it will get stuck is to use a smaller auger bit to drill a pilot hole first.

The thing to remember about tractors is they don't apply any down force on the auger other than the weight of the implement itself, so they don't work nearly as good as the skid steer setups.

Drilling a pilot hole is not a good idea. The bigger bit will not just follow the smaller hole down. This is not wood or metal, different types of bits.

If the OP is like me and doesn't have time to fool with getting holes dug having to wait for water to soften the ground, he can get a hydraulic down pressure kit for his PHD. This almost always takes care of the slow digging problems found with very hard ground.

 

[gpurp]

I'm actually considering a Landpride PHD with the down force kit. Specs claim it will add up to 500lbs extra down pressure. I think it's only available on certain models though.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm actually considering a Landpride PHD with the down force kit. Specs claim it will add up to 500lbs extra down pressure. I think it's only available on certain models though.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

I'm relatively certain that the down pressure kits are available for every 3pt PHD that they have. What I do know for sure is that on my PD35 (biggest PTO unit they have), the difference is like day and night. I went from not being able to drill hole even in a days time soaking with water to never taking more than 2 minutes in dry hard (DG) even with a 24"hole 4' deep.

Note that the PD35 has a lower gear ratio which adds a lot of torque.

 

[Caboose]

MVR, which tractor are you running and with what PTO HP? I'm looking at buying a PHD as well but only have 19.5 PTO HP. I was considering the PD15 from Land Pride. I wonder if the down-pressure kit would work with that and what extra I would need on my tractor to make that work.

Dean

 

[MtnViewRanch]

MVR, which tractor are you running and with what PTO HP? I'm looking at buying a PHD as well but only have 19.5 PTO HP. I was considering the PD15 from Land Pride. I wonder if the down-pressure kit would work with that and what extra I would need on my tractor to make that work.

Dean

That particular tractor is a 75HP machine and has 65PTO HP. You need a rear remote and a separate direct return to tank connection point.

The down pressure cylinders are single acting with a pressure relief valve. This pressure relief valve allows the 3pt to override and collapse the cylinder when the hitch is raised, thus the separate direct return to tank line.

I am a weekender. So when I need to do something, I need to do it and get it done, not wait for days to let water soak in.

This prompted me to get the down pressure kit. I have about $3600 in my whole setup, but I have 5 different good (not economy)bits at 6",9",12" 16" & 24". The PD35 is substantially more $$ than the PD25.

It comes down to what you need, what you decide you can get by with and ultimately what you are willing to spend.

 

[nickelplated5s]

Off topic but why the tires sunk into the ground on the pod? CA zoning?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Off topic but why the tires sunk into the ground on the pod? CA zoning?

Just wanted to get the floor level closer to ground level. Trailers were waaaaay less $$$ at the time vs sea containers.