Posthole Digger post hole digger...need advice

[lmgray]

I will be fencing appx. 50 acres, about 1/4 will be 4 board wood fence using 4x4 posts. My tractor is a Kubota M9000 (90 HP). Do I need a PH digger that is heavy duty, are there different types of hookups, etc. Any advice would be appreciated. I have looked at the Leinbach, Speeco(?), and a Bush Hog 2102. I like the Bush Hog but it is $900 vs. about $400. Is it common to break shear bolts (as on the BH brand), if so would it be worth paying $1500 for the BH 2103 with the slip clutch. I don't suspect the land is rocky or has a lot of roots.

Thank You

 

[To20Chris]

Depending on how rocky your soil is, yes it's quite common to break shear bolts. I get a big bag of bolts, nuts, and washers B4 I do a project. It's an interruption for sure, but you do develop a technique, and by now I can tell you when I'm getting close to popping one. I guess with a slip clutch, I'd be more likely to let it down there and try to get through, but knowing I'll probably have to put in a new bolt makes me more conservative.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Imgray, most likely you could get by with the $900 or even the $400 model. But if you want to know that you won't have any problems, get the PHD that is rated for your pto hp rating. How much do you like to get off and on your tractor? When you're trying to drill holes, and you have to stop and put in a new sheer bolt to get done, well it doesn't seem like much fun, or productive to me. Thats just MHO of course.
Something else to think about, the heavy duty PHD's are geared differently and are easier to control. Good luck with your decision. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[gotrocks]

I purchased Leinbach with 12" in '95. I have worn the cutting edge out once and Leinbach sent me two replacements for a nominal charge. No broken shear bolt YET.

 

[skipmarcy]

I've worked my Leinbach very hard with a 12" auger in a rocky creekbed putting poles in for bulkheading - have turned up many huge rocks and a few old pieces of metal framing etc. and have never sheared a bolt. My Mahindra is only putting out 38 pto hp as compared to your 90 hp, but most holes are done at close to idle speed or just slightly above anyway and I really don't think hp is a big concern. I would recommend the Leinbach for the money.

 

[Ryno1]

I have a Leinbach with 9" auger. I use it on a 30hp tractor and on a recent project broke 4 or 5 shear bolts. Better the bolts then the tractor. Takes maybe 10 minutes to replace.

 

[TheSmartFarmer]

We used our Leinbach L7300 on my neighbor’s fence and put in over 300 holes in before we had to switch the cutting blade. After we switch the replacement cutting edge we could easily get that much more out of it, but the excellent thing is that all we had to do to get the old one operational again is to take it to a grinder and sharpen it just like a lawnmower blade.

 

[lmgray]

Thank you very much, all of you, for taking your time to reply to my question. I very much appreciate it.

Michael