Post hole digger stand

AlanB · Mar 25, 2005

Has anyone made, or seen, or have a photograph, of a stand for a standard type post hole digger that holds it in position to hook up too the tractor?

I am familiar with the display type stands, that are used for selling and you see at the stores, but I am wanting something that I could back into, or under or something and hook the PHD into and then disconnect from the tractor.

My current plan calls for 4 legs and a frame with 2 chains hanging off, and two eyes welded onto the PHD boom. Back into position, attatch chains to boom, then lower slightly so that the frame is holding the PHD and then disconnect.

We switch between PHD and BB and Rake frequently and looking for ways to make this easier.

I did do a search and was not able to find it. If I missed something, please steer me in the correct direction.

Thanks

ronjhall · Mar 25, 2005

Yours plan sounds good.
Post some pictures of your project when it is done.
Here is a link to a thread on stands. Click Here.
Be sure to follow all links in the threads. They lead to some different stands.

EddieWalker · Mar 25, 2005

I hung mine from a rafter. I doubled it up with a piece of half inch plywood in between. Then I looped a chain around it and put a hook on the end.

I can put my PHD on by myself fairly quickly now.

AlanB · Mar 25, 2005

Well, I need to go back to computer 101. That is exactly what I was looking for and am not sure why I was striking out on Searches.

Thanks for showing me those, and I apologize for not finding them. But I will spend a bit of time and see where I am going astray as I know where they are at now.

I think I will do mine slightly different than most in that I hope to hang from 2 points, then it will be sitting in "hookup" position.

It did kind of kill me when I saw the one made from a swing set. In the know bull, it really happened, I gave away that exact same swingset about 2 weeks ago. Had I thought a little more, it would have become a PHD stand /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Live and learn.

Thanks again. Will post picks if and when I get it done.

ronjhall · Mar 25, 2005

I tied to look through some threads that I saved. Could not find it. Then tried "PHD stand".
Its still on my list of projects. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

notamustang · Mar 25, 2005

Mine is basically L channel rectangle with two uprights to capture the lower links on one side and a 1" piece of round tube on the other to catch the bit holder. So if you looked at the PHD from the side the business end sits low and the lower links sit up about 6". Basically it puts the top link about 1" low of the mount and this works pretty well. I still want to make two holders for my bits and a small cradle for the drive shaft. But that will be on the list of stuff to do.

plaindave · Mar 25, 2005

I made a rolling stand out of doubled up 2x4's for a base and uprights. I back the tractor up to it, then wrap a chain around the PHD.

If I get a chance I'll move things in the garage and get it out and post some photos tomorrow.

Wall · Mar 26, 2005

I hang mine from a old swing set.

GerardC · Mar 26, 2005

The easiest and cheapest way is to find a spot, dig a hole with it, leave the auger buried in the ground and then disconnect it from the 3 point. There's your instant PHD stand /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. Gerard

PineRidge · Mar 26, 2005

You sound to me like you have a good game plan Alan.

I personally don't own a post hole digger but I can see where they would be a handful while hooking up.

I have seen a lot of ideas that might be incorporated into a usable stand but if you stored the PHD in a shed I would thing steel wheels on the dolly might be a big plus to get it to and align it with the tractor for hookup purposes.

I have even seen a few guys just drill a hole and hang the unit that way but I would think that the auger being in contact with the damp ground can't be the best thing in the world for it.

Lots of goods ideas out there to kick around.........

dullpain · Mar 26, 2005

I did what eddiewalker did. Them PHD's are evil to hookup unless hanging. I like welding and metal fabrication but just seemed like a waste when I could hang it with a chain.

EastTexFrank · Mar 26, 2005

That's what I did with mine, and for the same reason. When I got it, I hung it by a chain hoist from a tree limb. I had every intention of making a mobile stand on wheels to roll it around but .......?????? Anyway, hooking it up when hanging is so easy that I left it there. The only drawback is that it is outside in the weather but it is sheltered to some extent by the tree.

kennyd · Mar 26, 2005

( I did do a search and was not able to find it. If I missed something, please steer me in the correct direction. )

When doing a search, be sure to set the Date Range to "All Posts", It defaults to only 1 week, so often you'll get no hits.

KiotiOrange · Mar 27, 2005

AlanB,

I haven't used a PHD so if this isn't helpful I apologize...

Rather that rigging something to hold the PHD up, have you considered something trying to use a ground level device? Use your largest auger bit to bore a PH in the general area you want to store the digger, enlarge it slightly (with a shovel, pick, sharp stick, etc), place about 6 inches or so of gravel in the bottom (to aid draining water) and sink a section of drainage culvert (larger than the PHD in diameter of coarse) into the hole. I would recommend extending the culvert about 1 foot above ground level and painting it safety orange to help avoid accidents.

This would keep the attachment low to reduce the possibility of straining to position for hookup and almost completely eliminate the possibility of it falling over while stored.

Again, I haven't used a PHD, but it has been my experience that items stored lower are less apt to injure than those held up high.

Of coarse this can't be done inside (my wife would kill be if I bored a hole in the garage floor /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif .....

Hope this helps,
KiotiOrange

DavidJ · Mar 27, 2005

I'll try and take a pic of the holder I made to hold mine tomorrow. It's basically a frame of angle with feet of channel. I welded a pad eye to the boom of the PHD so it will hang perfect for hookup or unhook. All I have to do is back up to it.

BB_TX · Mar 27, 2005

Here is a stand I made out of 2" sq tubing. I can just back under it and hook up.

GerardC · Mar 27, 2005

( Here is a stand I made out of 2" sq tubing. I can just back under it and hook up. )

Clean and simple. I like it. Gerard

PineRidge · Mar 27, 2005

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. This looks like one of the stronger and better ones in my opinion. Bet it could also be used inside with castor's if someone had an inclination to add them.

ns_in_tex · Mar 27, 2005

I thought I had posted a thread on my PHD stand but did not find it, so I am not sure.

Attached is one picture of it. I store it inside, so it is on wheels. The T handle slides inside the lower frame for storage. It has a rack for spare auger. It is balanced for minimum storage space, but lifts easily with one hand to connect the top link first, then the lower links. The upright main frame is 2-1/2"x3/16 sq tube with a sliding 2" sq tube inside for the top part, with a pin below for the 2" to set on for holding it up but allowing it to be lifted by itself for connecting & unconnecting. After connecting to the tractor, just lift it 1/2" or more to put the weight on the tractor so the 2" stand portion is lifted, then remove the pin which was holding the PHD to the stand. Then there is a small sliding 3" sq tube for the bracket to hold the top of the spare auger.

AlanB · Mar 28, 2005

That is what I drew up to make Friday night. Almost exactly but my plans are using heavy fence pipe because I have some extra. I am also thinking of adding a front attatchment / hang point so that it is holding up at the "correct" height for attatchment.

NS in TX that is really sweet as well, but unfortunately, our storage lot, and customers area's, look much like what BB is showing. If I had concrete, I think I would be plagerizing your work.

This site is such a great resource I sure appreciate everyone taking the time to not only explain, but to post pictures showing what they did and came up with.

Thanks to everyone.