Convert PHD from PTO to Hydraulic??

[Guidster]

Having seen some of the loader mounted hydraulic units with gear boxes, I see no reason why I could not use a hydraulic motor connected to the input shaft of my PTO Post hole digger. Further, I would adapt the gear box mount and loader bucket to move the digger up front like a skid steer. Has anyone done this already? Does anyone have an idea of the specs one would need to look for in a hyd. motor??

 

[gabby]

I recall reading somewhere that the power output of a hydraulic motor is just over 1 hp per gpm of hydraulic flow. That won't give you much digging power unless your tractor has a bodacious hydraulic pump.
gabby

 

[dliston]

Also I think you would have to be very careful when you pushed it downward attached to the FEL. The travel path for the FEL is not straight up and down - it travels in an arc. Might bend a auger bit... or worse, start throwing parts off of it...

Doug /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[rp425]

Checkout Worksaver's webpage on hydraulic post hole diggers. http://www.worksaver.com/product/phd-hyd.html I have always wanted to convert mine to hydraulic, just have not had the time to complete the project yet. I even went as far as purchasing a pto pump to up the GPM so that I could get a few extra hp out of the motor. If you have ever done enough holes with a pto digger and gotten it stuck around a root or worse and have to unhook and use a large pipe wrench or modified bar to uncork screw it from the ground, you can understand the desire to have this functionality. I also dread the process of unconnecting my rear quick hitch and mounting the post hole digger frame. Big waste of time.

First thing to find out is how many ft. or in. pounds of torque a standard pto driven post hole digger needs or can withstand. Finding a hydraulic motor that then meets those specs and the specs of your pump output is the really the only major issue. Low speed, high torque hydraulic motors are the type. Post hole diggers do not run at high speed, or at least they shouldn't. Most holes I have ever done have been at idle to keep from catching something and breaking shear pins or worse.

 

[rp425]

OK, check out this link http://www.servis-rhino.com/Catalog/PostHoleDiggers/HydraulicDrive/ Notice Low Volume Drive Motor specs: For Systems Delivering 5-12 GPM at 1500 to 3000 PSI; 700 Ft. Lbs. Max. Torque at Spindle, at 2500 PSI. So if my calculations are right at 1 in. lbs. = .0833333333 ft. lbs. We need a motor that has a max torque spec of a round 8400 in. lbs of torque at the output shaft with nor more than 300 rpm. White Hydraulics has a motor that would work just fine and sure thare are others out there by other manufactures but here iid Whites link: http://www.whitehydraulics.com/catalog/pdf/hb.tech.pdf Checkout under the specifications chart, code 400.

Man now you have gone and done it. I feel the need to start fabricating, oh well, I guess that means a few more late nights in the shop to create another toy, I mean tool for the tractor.

 

[Nuru]

Sounds like an interesting project good luck and let us know how you come out

 

[3054dude]

I converted mine a couple of years ago and it works great. I used a Hydraulic gear motor very slow turning. It has a planetary gear set and is very powerful. I tried to post a picture but it said the photo was over the limit for size .Let me know if you need more info

 

[skyraiderad5]

I run a "Danuser" PHD up front, mounted on a quick attach plate on my NH TC35D nearly every day this time of the year, best day yet was 135 10" holes in 6.5 hours. The system works well, Power Up, Power Down, and Reverse. Easy to see the auger at all times.