Posthole Digger PHD Stuck Auger

   / PHD Stuck Auger #1  

ctpres

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2005
Messages
323
Location
BAR BOB Ranch, Needville Texas
Tractor
Kubota 3400HST
"Found" some hardpan while setting posts for new front fence and got auger stuck.. Hole one, dug down around auger about a foot and it pulled out. Hole two, had to dig down almost three feet and ended up using 12" pipe wrench w cheater. Hole three, left engine running with up pressure on 3pt and used 4x4 8 foot as pry bar on side of PHD tran. housing. It's hole three technique for me from now on. Can't find way yet to get a hole in hardpan w/o getting bit stuck. Once bit hits hardpan I can't hit clutch fast enough to stop it. Only running 1,500 rpm and pulling out every few inches Any ideas?
 
   / PHD Stuck Auger #2  
The real fix is to use a hydraulic PHD. They can be reversed.
 
   / PHD Stuck Auger #3  
I concur, the pto drivin ones are pretty limited in tough conditions.
Ken
 
   / PHD Stuck Auger #4  
ctpres said:
"Found" some hardpan while setting posts for new front fence and got auger stuck.. Hole one, dug down around auger about a foot and it pulled out. Hole two, had to dig down almost three feet and ended up using 12" pipe wrench w cheater. Hole three, left engine running with up pressure on 3pt and used 4x4 8 foot as pry bar on side of PHD tran. housing. It's hole three technique for me from now on. Can't find way yet to get a hole in hardpan w/o getting bit stuck. Once bit hits hardpan I can't hit clutch fast enough to stop it. Only running 1,500 rpm and pulling out every few inches Any ideas?

Are you telling us that you were prying up on gearbox with auger spinning? If so I hope it isn't your obit that is the next thing we read... This is a most dangerous operation and one that should not be done at all costs. If any part of you or you clothing gets into a rotating device you will be sucked in so fast that you won't have any idea what hit you. I hope I read what you were doing wrong, but even so I wanted to warn others.

Andy
 
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   / PHD Stuck Auger #5  
I don't think that is what he was saying, HOPE NOT! I think he had the tractor engine running, not the PTO, uplift on the 3 pt and helped pry it out?

alot of operators just have no idea how fast an accident can happen. Have you noticed there are alot of accidents involving older gentlemen that you would think to yourself "He should have known better"

Since joining TBN, I have re-addressed safety issue's!
 
   / PHD Stuck Auger #7  
It is definetely a pain at times. Best luck I have is feathering down the three point a bit at a time, and constantly lifting and clearing. Still get stuck sometimes.

ON the 12" I have a piece of pipe welded horizontally on the end of the top flight. Hammer handle, spud bar whatever in there to back it out when stuck. Need to add one on the 24" when I get time. It has not intefered with anything yet.
 
   / PHD Stuck Auger #8  
Another version of AlanB's method- We had an aluminum 48" pipe wrench to turn the auger backward to sort of unscrew it from the ground. Done with up pressure from the 3 point and the PTO off.

Steve
 
   / PHD Stuck Auger #9  
SFish said:
Another version of AlanB's method- We had an aluminum 48" pipe wrench to turn the auger backward to sort of unscrew it from the ground. Done with up pressure from the 3 point and the PTO off.

Steve
I have done the same, w/ smaller steel pipe wrench, works well.
 
   / PHD Stuck Auger #10  
I'm with alan.. I clean the hole every half inch or inch in bad soil. takes a few seconds longer.. but beats using the pipe wrench!

Soundguy
 
 
 
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