18 inch auger on a 3 pt post hole digger

[BRBurns]

I am going to be building a new pole barn this summer and will need to dig 25 18" diameter holes for the posts. My dad has a older 3 pt post hole digger that I can use, but I don't know if it can handle an 18" auger. It also does not have down force, so I know that it will be slow. Anyone tried running an auger that large on a standard post hole digger?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Can't say for sure about your dads PHD. Unless you already have the 18" auger though, might as well just rent a machine to do it all. I hope that you aren't planning on purchasing an 18" auger to drill 25 holes. Good 18" bits are pretty big money, like you can rent the machine to do this for less money.

Good luck.

Oh, check to see what the gear ratio is. If it is around 3-1, I believe that most of those don't recommend going larger than 12".

 

[schmism]

i think soil conditions is something to keep in mind. FL sand vs denver granit vs IL clay.

 

[wsp617]

I agree...rent a 2-man unit. I rented one years ago for building my deck. Had all the holes marked with spray paint. What would have taken me over an hour to dig was done in less than 5 minutes. I'm sure 25 holes will take some time but it's just one of those cases where renting makes more "cents".....

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I agree...rent a 2-man unit. I rented one years ago for building my deck. Had all the holes marked with spray paint. What would have taken me over an hour to dig was done in less than 5 minutes. I'm sure 25 holes will take some time but it's just one of those cases where renting makes more "cents".....

I was thinking more along the lines of renting a skid steer with an auger would be less than the $400 or so that an 18" auger would cost to buy. I would not even try a 2 man unit myself, even for softer ground.

 

[saltbranch]

Can't say for sure about your dads PHD. Unless you already have the 18" auger though, might as well just rent a machine to do it all. I hope that you aren't planning on purchasing an 18" auger to drill 25 holes. Good 18" bits are pretty big money, like you can rent the machine to do this for less money.

Good luck.


Oh, check to see what the gear ratio is. If it is around 3-1, I believe that most of those don't recommend going larger than 12".

This^^^, I run a 12" on a standard low end PHD and break shear bolts every 10-15 holes it seems. A neighbor has a top line Danhuser(sp?) and runs 16,18 and 20" without much trouble, buts its HD PHD. A skid steer would be money well spent for that many holes that big and would be useful for helping set the poles. A couple of months ago I priced renting one, it was 400.00 for the weekend. I paid the neighbor to drill the 6 holes i needed. No way a 2 man auger would work

 

[BRBurns]

Thanks for the responses. I would rent the 18" auger and not buy one. I can't remember the brand name of the post hole diger, but it stats with a v. I doubt it is heavy duty. my other option is to rent a skid steer with a post hole digger. I was just hoping not to spend the $300+ dollars for the rental.

 

[art]

In our area many electric contractors have truck mounted units that work great in most all conditions and can go deep enough to give a good area for a concrete base. Prices are reasonable for that many holes.

 

[michael.white]

I've got the low end Danuser PHD with a 24" auger. It'll dig through heavy clay without much problem, although the dirt can get pretty heavy. I don't think that Marysville is very rocky (I grew up just north of Columbus), so you'll probably be OK as long as the PHD can handle the auger, and you get a decent auger.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I've got the low end Danuser PHD with a 24" auger. It'll dig through heavy clay without much problem, although the dirt can get pretty heavy. I don't think that Marysville is very rocky (I grew up just north of Columbus), so you'll probably be OK as long as the PHD can handle the auger, and you get a decent auger.

I didn't know there was a low end Danuser PHD!!
I know what you meant though. Great, top of the line products! :thumbsup: