Posthole Digger Hydraulic Post Hole Digger
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wroughtn_harv
Super Member
What kind of machine are you going to have it on?
I have used a Little Beaver Hydraulic one man auger for about ten years and love it for small jobs. I've set a bunch of gate posts in twelve inch by six feet holes all dug by myself and Rojo, my number one helper when it comes to digging holes.
I now have a JCB skid steer with a Lowes auger motor on it. I can dig twenty four inch holes eight feet deep with no problem. But, and this butt is of Barr proportions, I didn't go for the recommended auger motor the dealer offered. I stepped up to the big dog and haven't looked back.
Avoid the chain drives and go for the planetary gear version.
The motors usually break at fifteen gpm and thirty gpm. I have the thirty and run it mostly on my low side hydraulic line at fourteen. It just turns slower but still has tons of torque.
Your manufacturers are Lowes, Belltec, and then a ton more. You can go to "projects" here and read the thread on "drilling post holes".
You'll find Don and bgott great help and there's a ton of links in some of the posts.
I have used a Little Beaver Hydraulic one man auger for about ten years and love it for small jobs. I've set a bunch of gate posts in twelve inch by six feet holes all dug by myself and Rojo, my number one helper when it comes to digging holes.
I now have a JCB skid steer with a Lowes auger motor on it. I can dig twenty four inch holes eight feet deep with no problem. But, and this butt is of Barr proportions, I didn't go for the recommended auger motor the dealer offered. I stepped up to the big dog and haven't looked back.
Avoid the chain drives and go for the planetary gear version.
The motors usually break at fifteen gpm and thirty gpm. I have the thirty and run it mostly on my low side hydraulic line at fourteen. It just turns slower but still has tons of torque.
Your manufacturers are Lowes, Belltec, and then a ton more. You can go to "projects" here and read the thread on "drilling post holes".
You'll find Don and bgott great help and there's a ton of links in some of the posts.
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
Are you going for the FEL model like Belltec has or three point hook up?
centex
Gold Member
Harv, I have wondered about this but since I did not have the $2k to spend on a hydraulic unit I did not try to find the answer before. A JD 4700 like I have and like Walter has only has 10 GPM and 2500 psi available for the PHD. Is that enough to actually use one of these things especially the larger units? I assume the PHD would just run slower if the flow is low. I guess one could add a PTO driven hydraulic pump but I wonder if you could get much flow at 540 rpm.
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
Evening Don, Walter,
They have the planetary gear types that only require fifteen gpm.
I bought the thirty gpm for two reasons. The first of course was if I wanted to move up to a big tractor I wouldn't have to replace the auger motor. This includes the situation where I felt I needed to rent say a ten thousand pound skid steer for a job. I would have the big unit already.
And secondly it's along the line of why I have a big block in my truck. I'm a firm believer in the big dog loafing pulling the load is gonna last longer than the little one killing itself to do the same amount of work.
My machine has fourteen point three gpm at a top rpm on the low side auxillary hydraulics. I use this ninety percent of the time for one reason. On the low side I have a forward reverse pedal on the floor. But on the high side where it's twenty eight point six gpm I have only single direction electronic switch off and on. I lose the control, I can feather the low side, can't the high side. I lose the reverse which is handy in this clay when it bogs everything down.
So I'd say yes, that your machine would operate the auger motor at ten gpm. It just wouldn't be able to move real fast. Of course in your rock situation that wouldn't be a negative at all.
Walter, if your JD has an FEL you might seriously consider the Belltec FEL mounted hydraulic auger system. I have a bud that has one on a Ford construction tractor. He loves it because he can grab a scoop of wet sand or bags of portland cement and he now has some killer down pressure in rock.
I know Don, but you never asked...............
The FEL option also allows him to put the auger in places he'd have more trouble getting the three point to.
They have the planetary gear types that only require fifteen gpm.
I bought the thirty gpm for two reasons. The first of course was if I wanted to move up to a big tractor I wouldn't have to replace the auger motor. This includes the situation where I felt I needed to rent say a ten thousand pound skid steer for a job. I would have the big unit already.
And secondly it's along the line of why I have a big block in my truck. I'm a firm believer in the big dog loafing pulling the load is gonna last longer than the little one killing itself to do the same amount of work.
My machine has fourteen point three gpm at a top rpm on the low side auxillary hydraulics. I use this ninety percent of the time for one reason. On the low side I have a forward reverse pedal on the floor. But on the high side where it's twenty eight point six gpm I have only single direction electronic switch off and on. I lose the control, I can feather the low side, can't the high side. I lose the reverse which is handy in this clay when it bogs everything down.
So I'd say yes, that your machine would operate the auger motor at ten gpm. It just wouldn't be able to move real fast. Of course in your rock situation that wouldn't be a negative at all.
Walter, if your JD has an FEL you might seriously consider the Belltec FEL mounted hydraulic auger system. I have a bud that has one on a Ford construction tractor. He loves it because he can grab a scoop of wet sand or bags of portland cement and he now has some killer down pressure in rock.
I know Don, but you never asked...............
The FEL option also allows him to put the auger in places he'd have more trouble getting the three point to.
bgott
Veteran Member
It pays to broaden your horizons! I have seen brand new Thomas brand FEL mounted PHDs auctioned off at Ritchie Bros. auction on two separate occations for $900 bucks a pop. They came with a 9", or maybe it was a 12", auger. I didn't have the disposable cash at the time but I did buy a set of forks, brand new, for $400. I don't know if they have auctions in Austin but they have them in Ft. Worth and maybe San Antonio. Go to www.rbauction.com and sign up, they'll send you an auction flier for every auction they have in the area.
Anonymous Poster
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You can buy a new 3pt. hydraulic for under $1000 at www.easternfarmmachinery.com