Posthole Digger Post hole digger

   / Post hole digger #1  

Ozarker

Veteran Member
Joined
May 12, 2002
Messages
1,064
Tractor
Yanmar 1500D
I am probably going to start looking for a post hole digger for my YM1500. I have never owned or used a post hole digger so I need to ask a couple of questions. First, is the 1500 too small for a post hole digger? It is small and low to the ground so there really isn't a lot of up and down travel in the 3 pt system.

I assume there are different sizes of post hole diggers. Am I correct? Is there a brand or type that is preferable for a small tractor like the YM1500?

My plan is to be able to put up a couple of pole buildings next spring.
 
   / Post hole digger #2  
The post hole digger prices most frequently quoted do not include the augers. You buy the digger and can then buy augers separately of different lengths and diameter. I think the most common sizes are 6", 9", and 12" diameter, although there are many sizes up to at least 30" available. You can also buy extensions for the augers to drill deeper holes.
 
   / Post hole digger #3  
Go to the Woods and Land Pride web sites they both make diggers specifically for the small tractors. I have the land Pride PD 10 for my BX 22. It works just fine but will not dig in really hard ground. I don't think any of them would.
 
   / Post hole digger #4  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( will not dig in really hard ground )</font>

Some (not all, or even a majority) of the post hole diggers come with an extra pipe welded onto the boom so you can stick another pipe or rod into it, sticking straight out the back, so your helper can pull down on that rod to apply down pressure. Be very careful if you use that method. A neighbor had a very old post hole digger and when we were building the fence around my garden, it simply would not dig into that rock hard dry clay at all. His did not come with that extra pipe, so he welded a pipe onto it, we stuck another pipe in it so it stuck out behind the post hole digger about two feet. Then he had two 75# sash weights he had salvaged when a commercial building was torn down and we attached those to the lever with chain and bolts. With that 150# hanging off the back end, it dug the post holes very easily.
 
   / Post hole digger #5  
I bought a Linebach off of ebay for around $350 with a 9" auger (I had my choice of 6", 9", or 12" auger). On my L2800, it "just" lifts clear of the ground, so I'm not sure how your Yanmar will do with it. The auger is 46" long, and I won't ever have to dig a hole that deep, so I'm going to cut off 3 or 4" from the top. In the mean time, I drive to the site with the auger in the loader, and then bolt it on there (2 bolts). For a "cheap" PHD, I'm really impressed with it -- it hasn't even struggled with any of the holes that I've dug yet, and the one hole had a BIG rock that it just screwed out of the ground. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'll attach a picture of it...
 

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   / Post hole digger #6  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I bought a Linebach off of ebay for around $350 with a 9" auger (I had my choice of 6", 9", or 12" auger). On my L2800, it "just" lifts clear of the ground, so I'm not sure how your Yanmar will do with it. The auger is 46" long, and I won't ever have to dig a hole that deep, so I'm going to cut off 3 or 4" from the top. In the mean time, I drive to the site with the auger in the loader, and then bolt it on there (2 bolts). For a "cheap" PHD, I'm really impressed with it -- it hasn't even struggled with any of the holes that I've dug yet, and the one hole had a BIG rock that it just screwed out of the ground. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'll attach a picture of it... )</font>

Do the vertical arms on your tractor 3pt have any adjustment or second (higher) hole in them? I see there is room for such. any little inch or so there will make a big difference on the location of the auger, anything that raises the 3pt just a little.

Hate to see you cut off any, seems about the time a person limits themselves they find they need to dig some pole barn holes or something...

--->Paul
 
   / Post hole digger #7  
<font color="blue"> I won't ever have to dig a hole that deep, so I'm going to cut off 3 or 4" from the top. </font>

I was thinking along the same lines as rambler...

Better to avoid shortening the auger if you can. There have been times when I was glad I had enough auger, not because I was digging that deep, but more because I was digging in a spot where I could for some reason not lower the PHD all the way down.

I have the same issue with my B2910 Kubota. The tip of the auger used to just about drag on the ground. It is a bit better now since I started using the lower of the two holes in the top link bracket. I used to have to tie the augar up during transport, but now I have enough space under the tip to move around OK with it in its normal hanging position...

I'll attach a photo showing the clearance I get now. I think the L2800 and the B2910 are similar in size (more or less?).
 

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   / Post hole digger
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Thanks...I'll check that out.

My guess is that no matter what I get, I'll have trouble digging these Ozarks rocks.
 
   / Post hole digger #9  
I'll be darned, the vertical arms DO have another postion! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'm really glad you guys told me that BEFORE I shortened the auger! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I'm not sure if it will go as high as Henro's, but I think it will go "high enough". Thanks!!!
 
   / Post hole digger #10  
On many tractors there is an adjustment for not only the vertical arms, but where they attach to the lift arms.
You can sometimes move the arms to one or two different positions on the lift arms causing a higher or lower lift. John
 
 
 
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