Posthole Digger Post hole digger

[TEV]

I've got a new Rhino SPHD post hole digger with a 9" auger. The auger has a fish tail bit that is supposed to be good for hard soils with flat rocks. I'm using a New Holland TN75 tractor. I'm trying to dig in dry hard ground - fairly rocky sand stone formation. Even without hitting any rocks, the auger is barely digging into the ground. I'm running the PTO around 300 rpm and lowering the rear arms as far down as they will go but the auger just bounces around. I tried wetting the hole, but it didn't help. Anybody have any ideas??

 

[755inNY]

TEV,

I'm sure if this will help in your soil conditions, but when I was digging holes in hard clay I found that if I broke up the first 6" or so using a shovel or bar, the auger could do its job. You may also add weight to the auger for more down pressure to help it dig in.

Jeff

 

[sweettractors]

My son and I just attempted to dig 50 holes last weekend for a landscape project and we could not dig in our tight, dry, clay soil at all. We eventually put on a special 4 inch pilot auger and it took the ground very well. After drilling all the pilot holes to the desired depth, we changed to the bigger 9 and 12 inch augers and everything went like clockwork--Ken Sweet

 

[TimP]

Maybe you can try to give the PHD a little help by starting the hole with a big digging bar to break up the harder top layer first ?

Tim

 

[Freds]

I'm sure you already thought of this, but I'll say it anyway... make sure the valve is opened to allow the 3PH to drop freely. The weight of a PHD may not be enough to lower the arms if you have the valve set to lower a heavier implement very slowly.

 

[heehaw]

ok, how about a pic of that special auger? is it just a 4 inch auger? sure sounds like something that would be handy to have.
heehaw