Posthole Digger Post Hole Digger Speed?

[Henro]

The danger is more for the unknowing than for the knowing.

The original poster never used a PHD before. How many incidents have you read about in the past of people being severly injured by pto type shafts, etc. ? EVEN WHEN THEY HAD EXPERIENCE AND SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER...

Those who know and respect are not the ones who are likely to be injured. It is those that do not know the risks that are open to suffer the consequences.

Personally, I doubt that I would be sucked into one of my PTO shafts if the guards were off...but you never know, do you?

Still...many don't understand the dangers...

So we who do understand should try to convey the dangers to those who may not realize what power is there, waiting to turn them into hamburger...literally, unfortunately...

 

[To20Chris]

After digging about 120 holes in the soil/clay/stones at my place, I helped a friend a couple of miles away. Once we got through the topsoil, I figred it would be clay underneath - wrong! It was sand, and I could not believe how fast that thing dropped! I was using my old TO20 then, and the hydraulics were pretty slow, so I couldn't lift it quick. Just take it easy until you get used to it. I always recommend turning it as slow as you can get away with. You aren't digging for a long time on each hole, so I don't think lugging the engine is much of a problem. Lifting it a few times before you get to the bottom is a help. And be careful when you lift it out of the hole, as it tends to flail around and make a mess of things.

 

[daedong]

here is one of many links to this topic discussed on TBN.

Click Here

EDIT: Shortened URL /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

I can see the many more possible dangers when using a PHD powered by a PTO on a tractor. My PHD is an attachment for my Bobcat, and I think is much safer. Operator must be inside cab to operate; can stop auger immediately with the push of a button; no other spinning apparatus other than auger bit.

I was just thinking there were some hidden dangers that I had not thought about which would make them so dangerous to be around.

 

[ducati996]

I would have thought by it being a giant sharp metal screw that turns rapidly and is exposed would be enough of an indicator thats its dangerous /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Call me a coward, but it does unnerve me when I use mine, and I stay the hell away from it while its spinning, and shut the tractor off for good measure, when I have to go near it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Duc

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> I would have thought by it being a giant sharp metal screw that turns rapidly and is exposed would be enough of an indicator thats its dangerous </font>

Mine certainly does not turn rapidly (32 RPM) -- mine is a high torque auger. Other than having someone stand 10 feet away while digging a hole, I don't see much other cause for fear.

 

[Freds]

My new tractor shuts the tractor down when the PTO is engaged and you get off the seat. I would imagine since it's a safety feature, that it's not limited to the Kubota L3130, but that doesn't do anything for older tractors. One push of the clutch pedal stops the auger and moving parts immediately and that's where my left foot always is, so it doesn't get away from me and bury itself.

Back to the topic, slow is the way to go. I only increase speed if the bit stops drilling by hitting a rock. Sometimes when the bit starts to hop around inside the hole it will find a way past the rock.

I'm going to call the dealer in a little bit to find out if it's possible for the PTO to engage itself, especially since I have an electric PTO switch. It might be more likely.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

JohnMC . . . despite the senseless banter about what is or is not safe when using a PHD I certainly hope that we answered your question. Start slow, work up the speed a bit, don't drop the 3pt but rather ease it down, bring it up a couple times if conditions are such that the spoils are not rising out of the hole or are caking up. You'll get the hang of it, but just stay clear of the auger and if people are working with you, then have them stay clear too.

I have a 50' rule, and that is because a running pet or child can cover a 50' distance in just under 2.5 seconds, and as I have a child and pets and as they often play while I work, I don't like them playing anywhere near the tractors I am using. I consider myself a bit ****, if others feel that I am overly cautious then so be it.

 

[Bellville]

JohnMC, one thing I will mention that I haven't seen posted above is to make sure you have extra shear bolts with you. My first time everything was going fine, I was following all the safety advice mentioned here, but I let the auger have too much down and before I knew it, I hit a clay layer and the auger drilled itself in the ground and snapped the shear bolt.

Got the auger out but my work was over until I got back with more shear bolts. I wound up drilling better than 60 holes that weekend and by the time I was finished I could drill a nice straight hole.

As you use the PHD you will realize that it tends to dig back at the tractor and you need to stop after a bit and move forward to keep the hole straight.

Best of luck to you and by all means be careful.

 

[ducati996]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I would have thought by it being a giant sharp metal screw that turns rapidly and is exposed would be enough of an indicator thats its dangerous </font>

Mine certainly does not turn rapidly (32 RPM) -- mine is a high torque auger. Other than having someone stand 10 feet away while digging a hole, I don't see much other cause for fear. )</font>

Hi Gatorboy,
I hope you didnt take my response to be directed at you - I didnt mean it like that if it appears it did...

You have the best setup hands down !! you are looking right at the auger, in a safe enclosure...Us rear PTO guy's have to either look backwards, or get off the machine and use the brake and PTO bypass to use the auger effectively. On my PHD it has a bar which you position the PHD with, at a safe distance, to position the auger...

Duc