Posthole Digger Ajusting the PHD depth... help

Nuytsia · Apr 5, 2009

Hello everyone. I have a Iseki TA 262 with 3pt. Managed to hook up the post hole digger without breaking my back... The orger is about 1 metre in length. It will only go to a depth of about 4 inches and for the life of me I cannot seem to get it any lower. I have removed the linkage either side of the hydroic arms which in theory should have worked???? but doesn't. Has anyone had this problem before and is there a sollution? Talk about confusing. I am having the same problem with the ripper, not enough depth.

Regards
Paul

rambler · Apr 5, 2009

I do not know what linkage you are talking about where you removed them on either side of the hydraulic arms????

Please be careful, post hole diggers are more dangerous than people realize. You do not want to operate them with any linkages removed!

What type of soil are you trying to dig in? Very dry clay soils can be about impossible to bite into, the auger will just sit and spin.

The set-up on most 3pt post hole augers is a little different, you don't use a top link, and there is a U shaped piece that typically goes to the lower arms & needs to be in a proper hole. Did you get all this right?

I'm not understanding the problem, but please - do not operate the digger with any linkage removed or it could be very dangerous.

--->Paul

teg · Apr 5, 2009

Nuytsia, Welcome to TBN... not sure if I can help you but if you can you post photos... it you help us so we are taking about the same things... I posted a photo of a PHD with numbers that might help.

One thing you can try... check to see if the problem is your tractor (which I don't think it is) or the dirt that you are "digging" in. Unbolt the auger (cork screw thingy

) and see if the PHD gearbox (#5) will lower down. If it does, you might need to sharpen the auger (#4) or (if it has) a replaceable screw point (#3), get a new point made for hard clay. Is the PHD new or is it used???

If it turns out to be the dirt you are digging in and you have many holes to dig... You might have to get a PHD with a Down Pressure Unit. It uses hydraulic pressure to push the auger into the ground (pushing against the weight of your tractor). They are not cheap but you might be able to rent one.

kebo · Apr 5, 2009

Your PTO isn't turning in the direction opposite to the way most PTO shafts rotate is it?? There are some tractors like that!

dixiejimmy · Apr 5, 2009

the phd fits where the top link normaly is.

whistlepig · Apr 5, 2009

Nuytsia said:
Hello everyone. I have a Iseki TA 262 with 3pt. Managed to hook up the post hole digger without breaking my back... The orger is about 1 metre in length. It will only go to a depth of about 4 inches and for the life of me I cannot seem to get it any lower. I have removed the linkage either side of the hydroic arms which in theory should have worked???? but doesn't. Has anyone had this problem before and is there a sollution? Talk about confusing. I am having the same problem with the ripper, not enough depth.

Regards
Paul

Take the auger (orger) off. See if the post hole digger gear case will lower to the ground with the auger off. If the gear case does lower to the ground with out the auger the problem is not in your linkage. It is in the bit on the end of the auger. They make some really bad bits (teeth) on the end of some augers. The just won't dig in dry soil.

Nuytsia · Apr 6, 2009

teg said:
Nuytsia, Welcome to TBN... not sure if I can help you but if you can you post photos... it you help us so we are taking about the same things... I posted a photo of a PHD with numbers that might help.

One thing you can try... check to see if the problem is your tractor (which I don't think it is) or the dirt that you are "digging" in. Unbolt the auger (cork screw thingy ) and see if the PHD gearbox (#5) will lower down. If it does, you might need to sharpen the auger (#4) or (if it has) a replaceable screw point (#3), get a new point made for hard clay. Is the PHD new or is it used???

If it turns out to be the dirt you are digging in and you have many holes to dig... You might have to get a PHD with a Down Pressure Unit. It uses hydraulic pressure to push the auger into the ground (pushing against the weight of your tractor). They are not cheap but you might be able to rent one.

Thanks for the response everyone. It appears that there is not enough weight on the top of the PHD to push the orger down. I dug a hole by hand in sandy ground and dropped the orger into it without a problem. Solution: I'm going to mig weld a rod onto the top of the unit that will allow me to put weights onto it when required. The same for the ripper..

The Dougster · Apr 6, 2009

I had the same problem over the weekend but I know what my problem is... bone dry earth! The narrow auger did it's job wonderfully but the small ears attached on the main auger did nothing but polish the edge of the borehole.. One of my question for TBN this morning was where I might find a good source of POD parts...

Brad_Blazer · Apr 6, 2009

Amazon.com:

MarkLeininger · Apr 6, 2009

Nuytsia said:
Thanks for the response everyone. It appears that there is not enough weight on the top of the PHD to push the orger down. I dug a hole by hand in sandy ground and dropped the orger into it without a problem. Solution: I'm going to mig weld a rod onto the top of the unit that will allow me to put weights onto it when required. The same for the ripper..

You might also try reversing the teeth on the PHD. On mine if I bolt the teeth on upside down, they take a much more aggressive cut, which helps pull the auger down.