Back to Barlows...Post hole digger for B3200

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Bought 61 shade , ornamental and fruit trees from Lowes yesterday and picked them up today. Took all they had on clearance for major discount. Now justified purchase of another implement for tractor. Post hole digger! Watched a video of how easy it is to assemble and install a post hole digger from an internet seller. Stopped at Barlows and bought one today of better quality (per Steve Barlow) for very little more money. Had B3200 on my trailer taking it home and he had the post hole digger installed for me while I waited. As I watched the experienced service man assemble and install it I was thanking God that I am Blessed by his protecting me from bad things like tackleing a job that I couldn't do but looks so easy on a video demonstration. I don't think I could have done it by myself, in fact I'm positive I couldn't have done it. It took 2 experienced men part of the time and at one point there were 3 of them on it. I've wanted one of these for a long time but removing and reattaching looks like a bear of a job. You that have one of these and take it off and on please share secrets. As of now I'm thinking of attaching a pulley to ceiling in tractor building and hoisting it up and letting it hang. After unloading tractor I dug 2 holes and it did good and with practice I believe it will be fun and easy. Just getting it off and on looks like the issue.

 

[ChuckinNH]

The search function isn't working for me tonight, but there have been a few threads showing stands that folks have built to store their post hole diggers on. The stands are also designed to hold the floppy things in the right position for removing, and reinstalling. Hope you can find some good ideas.

 

[newbury]

<snip>I've wanted one of these for a long time but removing and reattaching looks like a bear of a job..

I keep telling y'all - it's a 3pt hitch
not unhitch.
Buy more tractors

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I keep telling y'all - it's a 3pt hitch
not unhitch.
Buy more tractors

I've got 3 now, well the F2880E really isn't a tractor, so I can't afford any more. But I will leave this thing hitched as long as possible.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

I hate to burst your bubble, but a PHD is not a good way to plant trees...

From treehelp.com:

"The most common mistake when planting a tree is a digging hole, which is both too deep and too narrow. Too deep and the roots don't have access to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too narrow and the root structure can't expand sufficiently to nourish and properly anchor the tree.

As a general rule, trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which they were originally grown. The width of the hole should be at least 3 times the diameter of the root ball or container or the spread of the roots in the case of bare root trees. This will provide the tree with enough worked earth for its root structure to establish itself."

 

[Tom_H]

The generic "attachments" forum does have a lot of threads on this. I have a chain hoist mounted in the garage trusses just out from the wall. There's a long-winded description in the Kubota Owning and Operating archives if you want to search. It deals with how I uncouple the U-bar, spin the rest of the unit and lock it securely to the wall.

I hate to say it, but what Evil the Weasel says is completely accurate: the hole is too narrow. As to depth, if you have hard ground and are planting trees with major taproots, augering a deep hole and backfilling before planting the tree can be a good idea. After that, widening out the diameter of the hole around the top with a backhoe would be far better than just the narrow diameter of the PHD's auger.

 

[ultrarunner]

I hate to burst your bubble, but a PHD is not a good way to plant trees...

From treehelp.com:

"The most common mistake when planting a tree is a digging hole, which is both too deep and too narrow. Too deep and the roots don't have access to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too narrow and the root structure can't expand sufficiently to nourish and properly anchor the tree.

As a general rule, trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which they were originally grown. The width of the hole should be at least 3 times the diameter of the root ball or container or the spread of the roots in the case of bare root trees. This will provide the tree with enough worked earth for its root structure to establish itself."

I have a question for someone in the know...

There is a botanical garden here in CA with rows Redwood Trees... I commented that they must have liked the first plantings so much that they decided to plant more.

The stunted or small trees 25' tall were planted years before the super lush and healthy trees.

It was explained the young healthy trees were planted by a Japanese Gardner and part of his preparation was digging down 7' and back filling and tamping with his own planting mix consisting of lots of Fish Heads and other things... apparently in Japan it is common to plant with fish parts.

Wouldn't having such a deep hole prevent the young trees from surpassing the older ones?

 

[bandit67]

Wouldn't having such a deep hole prevent the young trees from surpassing the older ones?

With Redwoods, along with some other conifers, I don't think that would be the case.

Many conifers are taller than they are wide, and as such, have a very large, deep penetrating, main tap root. I suspect the 7' prepared hole would allow the trees tap roots to grow fast and furious. Add to that the fish based soil prep, and you'd have some serious, fast, healthy growth.

With many deciduous trees, you tend to dig a wider, shallow hole, but some spruce trees also need a wider, shallow hole (I just transplanted 18 green & Engleman spruce that had wider, shallow roots). Lodge pole, poderosa, redwoods, etc. have narrower, deep root structures.

As for preparing holes for trees, I prefer using a backhoe - I find it easier to dig the required hole shape for the trees you are planting. When using a post hole digger, many folks drill 3 holes in a triangular shape, then clean them out with a shovel. Too much hand shovel work for me, thus my preference of a backhoe.

 

[Barneyhunts]

I dig three holes and then open them up with a shovel and it works well for me. I also put the dirt in a wheelbarrow as I remove it which helps in the clean up and if you're mixing anything with it B4 backfilling. Good luck John with your new toy.....have fun planting your trees!

 

[ultrarunner]

Thanks for the clarification... much appreciated