posthole diggers

[63DH8]

I learned something in regards to phd and small tractors. If you don't have enough weight on the front end, you'll end up having to unscrew the PHD from the ground. Before I realized what had happened, my PHD caught on a root or rock or something, and the front end of my tractor was looking skyward! I tried to bounce the PHD out of the hole by clutching and declutching and raising and lowering the 3 point hitch, but only managed to bury the PHD to the gearbox. Because there's no reverse for the PTO, I had to unwind the auger by hand. Three hours later, the PHD got retired until I get a larger tractor.

[GeneD14]

PHD's are very dangerous if you aren't aware. What normally happens is that the auger quits digging down due to hard soil or a rock, etc... so the operator gets off of the tractor seat or has a helper lean on the PHD gearbox to add more weight. Guess what happens next? The person gets caught on the spinning auger and gets killed or seriously injured. A man that lived near us a few years back was found near his still running tractor and PHD with an arm and his head tore off.
I have used PHD's and will continue to do so but I never get off the tractor and I don't let anyone get near the PHD.

[63DH8]

Fortunately, I have a strong sense of self preservation and turned off the engine prior to getting off the tractor. I've seen too many accidents on other pieces of machinery in the past to want to join the league of victims. Besides, my daughters still need their daddy.

Someone on this site had some stickers made up saying, "Caution! Stupid People Are Not Allowed To Use This Machinery" and "Danger! Acting like an idiot can result in death or dismemberment". I'd like to put those stickers on every PTO shaft shield as well as the PHD and the rototiller. Maybe the brushhog too.

[jas67]

Originally Posted by zzvyb6

I also have the red one from TSC. My advice is to get the lightest one you can manage. The biggest problem I see most users having is the digger teeth needing replacement. So, get an auger which has replaceable teeth. I make my own out of steel plate or can buy them from stores & eBay. Once you finish the fence, you won't need one for 10 years. Can you rent one?

I can rent one here in Central PA for about $69/day, but with a wife that works (outside the home) odd hours, and a 3 year old at home, I rarely ever get a full day to work.

I bought a new Linebauch L7200 off ebay for $365. I've used it for only a few hours at a time for about 5 separate days now, doing fence work, and will probably use it another 5-8 days before I'm done. In my circumstances, renting would easily have cost me 2-3 times more, not counting my time and hastle to go pick up the rental.

Plus, I could easily resell it for nearly what I paid for it.

So, unless you only have a day's worth of hole-digging, you're better off buying a good used one, or decent, but inexpensive new one.

Just my humble opinion.....

[jas67]

Originally Posted by 63DH8

I learned something in regards to phd and small tractors. If you don't have enough weight on the front end, you'll end up having to unscrew the PHD from the ground. Before I realized what had happened, my PHD caught on a root or rock or something, and the front end of my tractor was looking skyward! I tried to bounce the PHD out of the hole by clutching and declutching and raising and lowering the 3 point hitch, but only managed to bury the PHD to the gearbox. Because there's no reverse for the PTO, I had to unwind the auger by hand. Three hours later, the PHD got retired until I get a larger tractor.

I got mine stuck a couple times in roots too, but it only takes a few minutes to unscrew it with a large pipe wrench. I didn't even disconnect the auger from the rest of the digger -- just pre-loaded the three point, and then shut to the tractor down for safety, and crank it counter-clockwise with the pipe wrench.

[teg]

If you have easy soil to dig in, you don't need an expensive PHD. (a cheap one will work fine) and you should be able to re-sell for less then a rental. I have a Linebauch 7200 that works well, Paid $365 new.

[Diamondpilot]

I bought mine out of a guys front yard for $100. It is home made out of a Ford 9" rear diff. Works great. Must be 40 years old. I gave it a coat of paint, changed the gear oil, and replaced all the bolts and nuts since most were square head. See, I told you it was old. I have dug aprox. 200 holes and not one problem except when I got it stuck once like the others. I just unhooked it at the shear bolt and hooked a chain to it and popped it out with the FEL.

Mine is built where you put the lifting part on or boom pole if you want to call it that. Then I just back up to the gear box and slide in a pin with a clip and it ready to go.

Chris

[Ridgewalker]

I've got a Leinbach, 7300 I think, it's got the stronger gear box, no guide handle. I have use it in very trying soil; rocky, clay etc with 9" auger.
So far it's been great. I do have to watch "sticking" it and have snapped one sheer pin. It cuts great holes!

[magyarbacsi]

Thanks all for the replies. I'm leaning towards a Leinbach, but cant find any dealers close to Seattle. So I may have to by from the east coast and then pay the extra for shipping. Any dealers on the west coast you know of/

[frwinks]

Originally Posted by Diamondpilot

I bought mine out of a guys front yard for $100. It is home made out of a Ford 9" rear diff. Works great. Must be 40 years old. I gave it a coat of paint, changed the gear oil, and replaced all the bolts and nuts since most were square head. See, I told you it was old. I have dug aprox. 200 holes and not one problem except when I got it stuck once like the others. I just unhooked it at the shear bolt and hooked a chain to it and popped it out with the FEL.

Mine is built where you put the lifting part on or boom pole if you want to call it that. Then I just back up to the gear box and slide in a pin with a clip and it ready to go.

Chris

any chance to get a few pics of this beast... have a few 9's hanging around looking to make themselves useful