Posthole Digger Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole?

   / Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole? #1  

stephan

Silver Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2004
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170
Location
NSW, Australia
Tractor
Lamborghini 450 Runner, SAME Tiger 70, Kioti CS2610
I have spent the weekend putting up some new fencing and I have a very bad habit of drilling the post holes crooked. While this is not too much of a drama because I fix it when I ram the earth home it takes more effort. Can someone offer tips and hints on drilling post holes?

The PHD I'm using is similar to the one in the attachment.
 

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   / Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole? #2  
What do you mean by 'crooked'? It's not unusual to have to move the tractor slightly forward or backward (usually forward), to keep the hole perpendicular. I position the tractor so the bit is perpendicular to the ground then start digging. About half way to the depth I want, I stop the PHD, get off the tractor and look at the auger from the side. If it's not still perpendicular, I move the tractor until it is and start digging again.
 
   / Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole? #3  
Stephan,

I know what you're going through. I recently completed putting in 260 fence poles to make a pasture for horses. I imagine that when you say crooked, you mean that the bottom of the hole leans in towards the tractor when finished. What worked for me is that I would lower the bit until it contacted the spot I intended to drill, next I would move the tractor forward slightly, then engage the PTO. It takes a little getting used to, finding the right amount to move the tractor.

Remember the PHD is mounted in such a way as it will move in an arc. By moving the tractor forward (so that the bottom of the bit is slightly farther away from the tractor than the top of the bit) you'll reduce the effect of that arc. Hope that helps somewhat.

Phil
 
   / Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Yeah thats what I do most of the time but just sometimes I just get it wrong. I thought there may be some trick to always getting it right. I have noticed that there are diggers with a handle attached to the top. What is this handle for and how effective is it?
 
   / Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole? #5  
I also place the auger on the spot and move gently forward a few inches. The hardest part is getting lined up with the back tires in the center of where you want to start the hole. I put in about 200 holes and everyone was a different experience. It will all work out............
 
   / Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole? #6  
<font color="blue"> I have noticed that there are diggers with a handle attached to the top. What is this handle for and how effective is it? </font>
Some of the handles are for applying down pressure. Others for adjusting the digger from the tractor seat. My PHD had one for adjusting the digger from the seat. I found it got in the way more than it helped. I ended up tossing it away.
 
   / Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole? #7  
Nice to see someone else bring up this subject. I recently drilled 60 post holes completing a portion of fence I am working on. I experienced problems with the hole angling towards me as well as to my right due to the natural effect of the torque of the PHD.

Finally figured out to start the hole with the auger angled back abit to offset the natural effect of the auger to work in an arc. It also works to pull forward a bit about half way through the hole. Also had a problem with the hole moving to the side as a result of the torque of the auger spinning to the right.

Made sure the chains on the lower links were as tight as possible but in really clay soil conditions had to have the help of another person to hold the boom on the PHD straight.

I did not feel real comfortable about having someone so close the the PHD while operating but by using something to offset their distance from the PHD (a 2x4) I felt ok about it.

Best of luck to you, I will tell you the last 40 holes went much better than the first 20. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
   / Post Hole Digger - How to make a straight hole?
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Well I was afraid you guys would say that it's all practice. I'm a weekend farmer who digs a dozen holes then none for months. I think it takes me about 11 to get it right, the twelth is perfect then I put the digger away till next time. Nasty cycle but at least I'm outside.
 
 
 
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