Posthole Digger Need 3pt hitch post hole digger

   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #1  

boblibido

Silver Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2012
Messages
121
Location
mt olivet KY
Tractor
kubota L3800
Since I have been reading these forums for a while, and the advice is always great, I figure it was time to ask a real question.

I have a Kubota L3800 and need a post hole digger for it. I have a relatively rocky soil in the middle of Kentucky and need to put in at least 50 posts for the first fence and then hundreds more for the next project.

So I have been looking at king kutter, land pride, and everything attachments.

Anyone have any experience or advise?

Thank you in advance.
 
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #2  
In my case, I had about 60 posts to set, so I rented a hydraulic unit for a skidsteer, worked like a charm (I've got SSQA on my tractor). I have a lot of sandstone and I was able to drill right through the stones since I was able to load up the bit with plenty of down pressure.

Jason
 
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #3  
I just completed a fence project which entailed putting in 70 locust fence posts in rocky soil. I would recommend sizing the PHD to your tractor and either gat one with a slip clutch or have plenty of sheer bolts on hand. I went through about 50 sheer bolts for 70 holes. It helps to have a helper with a digging bar to get the larger stones while you stay on the tractor.



image-361705748.jpg
 
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #4  
The EM5000 I bought at TSC is not beefy enough for hard clay soil with a few rocks . The cutting tips in the lower flights of the auger are forever being bent. Just broke the 1/2 bolt holding the spacer sleeve and auger onto the gearbox. Bolt broke with a burr and it's been a challenge to remove the sleeve without using a cutting torch.
Next PHD will be hydraulic, mounted on the loader bucket and have a HD rock auger.
 
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #5  
Hydraulic auger drives are more expensive, but will save you time and aggravation in rocky/difficult soil conditions.
The Danuser EP6 hydraulic auger drive should work great if you have a universal skidsteer quick attach loader and hydraulics to feed it. There are many guys on here with the knowledge to tell you how to provide the hydraulics.
For a tractor, i'd go with an offset mount so you'll be able to see what you're doing. It is the same price as the center mount.
Shipping is free to a commercial business or supporting freight terminal within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC.

If you want to stick with a 3pt hitch phd, the ETA Post hole diggers are great quality and will ship free to your home within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC. I would use a 6900HD model for your tractor.
I hope this helps.
Travis
 
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks everyone for your input. I was hoping to stick with the 3ph since I think I need another set of remotes to power the hydraulics.

I have a quick attach set up for my loader though...
 
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #7  
One followup question regarding post hole digger type. It seems to me that the bucket tractor attachment Danuser would allow for angled holes whereas the 3pt hitch type would not...is that correct? There are some situations(hillsides, vineyards, etc) that would require an angled approach.

Woody65 - Nice fenceline ! Those are pretty straight locust posts. Do you have a good commercial source for these?......Gary
 
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #8  
I have a Shaver that I have used some here in the Eden Shale of Central KY. It works fairly well and is pretty tough although it requires a lot of spud bar work to get through the rocks. I use a 9" auger as it seems to work a little better than a 12" in this soil. Spare bits are a must and lots of shear bolts. You can buy them by the pound at Tractor Supply.
 
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #9  
One followup question regarding post hole digger type. It seems to me that the bucket tractor attachment Danuser would allow for angled holes whereas the 3pt hitch type would not...is that correct? There are some situations(hillsides, vineyards, etc) that would require an angled approach.
.....Gary

That's true about better angling. There are several advantages that a front phd will give you over a 3pt model if the budget allows.

If you have SSQA, the skidsteer models provide a much better value vs. the bucket mounted in my opinion because you don't have to bolt onto your bucket, and they have 2" hex output shafts instead of 2" round or 2 9/16" round.
They're also less expensive than the bolt on models.
 

Attachments

  • EP_1_notches.jpg
    EP_1_notches.jpg
    8.2 KB · Views: 108
   / Need 3pt hitch post hole digger #10  
If you know you will be fighting rocks constantly, hydraulic is the better way to go whether you buy or rent. If you have a rear remote, run set of hose to the front and try it. If it is to cumbersome then you can add 3rd function up front for the bigger project. No remotes at all, I would invest in remote and rent auger for first project. Then you will have a fair judgment for the next bigger project, if buying or renting is better way to go.
 
 
 
Top