Posthole Digger Largest Augur for PHD?

[tc4020]

I'm getting ready to purchase a PHD to use planting trees & shrubs as well as for setting some posts for a run in shed. It seems like most PHD's come with 9 or 12 inch bits but I have seen some as large as 18 inch.

My question is whether or not a 40 hp. compact tractor can run an 18 inch augur or if that's too big?

Anybody with any experience with this?

Thanks.

Tony

 

[radman1]

The answer depends on how good is the PHD? The tractor can handle the size of bit but can the PHD? I have used a 24" bobcat auger on a relatively light duty PHD for planting trees and did ok. I planted about 30 trees. Made a pipe adapter to fit the auger to the shaft of the PHD. No shear pins broken or anything else but used higher grade shear pins. Most 3 point PHD's are probably not rated for bits that large unless they are heavy duty. I suspect Danuser PHD's maybe able to take bits that big. I don't have any rocks or roots to mess with. You will still want to run the tractor at the slowest speed possible and go very slowly. I did kill the tractor (kubota 3710) a couple of times but better than breaking something. The big bits spin fairly fast in a 3 pt. PHD.
I now use a hydraulic bobcat auger and have 6", 9", 12" and 24" bits. Your 40 hp tractor probably has more torque than my bobcat hydraulic auger.

 

[weldingisfun]

I'm getting ready to purchase a PHD to use planting trees & shrubs as well as for setting some posts for a run in shed. It seems like most PHD's come with 9 or 12 inch bits but I have seen some as large as 18 inch.

My question is whether or not a 40 hp. compact tractor can run an 18 inch augur or if that's too big?

Anybody with any experience with this?

Thanks.

Tony

Check out this site. Land Pride PD25 Post Hole Diggers I think it will answer your questions.

 

[IslandTractor]

My question is whether or not a 40 hp. compact tractor can run an 18 inch augur or if that's too big?

A 30hp PowerTrac PT1430 using hydraulic flow to drive the auger can drive a 36" auger. I would imagine a 40hp tractor using a direct drive from the PTO could certainly match that. Of course the type of soil must have some influence on what you can spin too.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Getting the bit out of the way might be a problem (it might hit the PHD when in the up position)

digging post holes for trees is a really bad idea. the roots tend to grow exactly to that nice sharp edge and stop. it's ok for starting a hole, but you should try to rough it up some.
Just my experience.

 

[AlanB]

We spin an 18" on my NH 1925 (33 or so hp) all the time, it works fine. When we hit roots etc shear bolts start to popping but that is life.

We have a standing deal to go pick up one with a 24" auger, we have not gotten up there with the truck yet to pick it up. Hp will not be the problem, shear bolts are the weak link.

I think the hydrualicly driven ones act slightly differently in the way they engage etc. I know the mini skids like Toro Dingo's etc. run 36" augers...... the ability to reverse is a very good thing I believe they also spin slower then my tractor, with our PHD gearbox (Rhino SPD I think).

The shocker for me is when you price those larger augers...... OUCH!

 

[Timber]

I punch 3 or 4 holes and then just dig out the soil with a spade

 

[tc4020]

Thanks for the helpful replies everybody! I think based on advice here that I'm going to look for a little heavier duty phd like the landpride or lienbach L8000 and get an 18 inch augur.

 

[tc4020]

I bit the bullet and bought a Danuser G2040 with an 18 inch augur. The PHD came well packed in a cardboard crate attached to a pallet so it was easy to unload from my pick up. The set up instructions were excellent and the unit was very easy to put together by myself.

I have used the phd with my 40 horse tractor to drill about 50-60 holes and my first impressions are that this is a very quality built unit, much heavier and beefier than less expense ones I looked at. The digger works extremely well in loamy soil and powers right through clay. The only problem I have had is in digging in clay when the teeth of the augur get too much grass on them. Then you have to get off the tractor to remove the grass to get it to bite.

The PHD ships with 3 shear bolts which I went through in about 2 hours learning to use the augur in some ground that had some rocks in it. Other than that this has been a great implement to use.

I thought I'd report back since I got so much helpful information before. This unit has no trouble with an 18 inch augur and I think would work quite well with even a 24 inch. This was the most expensive unit I looked at but I think it was a good investment.

 

[john_bud]

This unit has no trouble with an 18 inch augur and I think would work quite well with even a 24 inch. This was the most expensive unit I looked at but I think it was a good investment.

Costs more -- works better -- lasts longer


Good deal!

jb