Posthole Digger Post Hole Digger Warning

Willl · Sep 6, 2009

Then again, I know some people that are too dangerous to handle a spoon.

dawoodwa · Sep 6, 2009

I have been farming for over 30 years and probably dug several thousand post holes. I have used tractor augers, one man augers, two man augers, pushed regular line posts in with a wheel loader, and used a post driver to set corners and pull posts. Worst injury I ever had was with the post driver when a treated 10" post exploded in my face.
We have the most respect for the tractor mount because of the pto but ours has always been shielded. We never stand on the lift arms or climb on it to help it but we will use another FEL to push it into the ground.

Knight · Sep 29, 2009

Another danger with a post hole digger most people are not aware of is when digging next to an existing fence. If the old barbed wire gets caught in, it will circle around and pull something in very fast.
Stay away from any objects likely to get caught into the auger.
Use commend cents $.

tuna · Sep 29, 2009

You guys think nothing of cruising down the road 60-70+ mph in a 1-2 ton vehicle, the like of which slaughters people on a regular basis. But a big drill bit, spinning slowly, scares the he11 out of ya'??? Your local hardware will, no doubt, be glad to sell you all the shovels and bars you want.

Reg · Sep 29, 2009

tuna said:
You guys think nothing of cruising down the road 60-70+ mph in a 1-2 ton vehicle, the like of which slaughters people on a regular basis. But a big drill bit, spinning slowly, scares the he11 out of ya'??? Your local hardware will, no doubt, be glad to sell you all the shovels and bars you want.

From having done auto body work I know what a small hammer can do to the sheet metal that "protects" us in vehicles.
The "frame" isn't a lot stronger, that can be pulled back straight with surprisingly little force.

So yes, I think a lot more than nothing of hurtling along at 60 to 70 IN a shell of sheet metal.
Two to three times that ON a two wheeler ?
Yeah, thats OK with me, but only because the clowns in cages are too slow to see me coming before I am gone.

Chilly807 · Oct 1, 2009

I've been thinking about building a hydraulic digger for a bucket mount, how hard could it really be? At least with a spring loaded lever to run the auger, as soon as you let it go the auger stops.

Agree with the posts about not standing on the lift arms, if you have to do that it's telling you you need something different to do the job.

Anyone tried adding a concrete or steel weight to the digger, it's no hardship for the tractor to lift 500 lbs as opposed to 200 for the digger alone..

Chilly

MtnViewRanch · Oct 1, 2009

Chilly807 said:
I've been thinking about building a hydraulic digger for a bucket mount, how hard could it really be? At least with a spring loaded lever to run the auger, as soon as you let it go the auger stops.

Agree with the posts about not standing on the lift arms, if you have to do that it's telling you you need something different to do the job.

Anyone tried adding a concrete or steel weight to the digger, it's no hardship for the tractor to lift 500 lbs as opposed to 200 for the digger alone..

Chilly

If weight is needed to get your holes dug, then you need a hydraulic down pressure kit.

Ken45101 · Oct 2, 2009

MtnViewRanch said:
If weight is needed to get your holes dug, then you need a hydraulic down pressure kit.

Why? Why hydraulic vs. weight?

DJ54 · Oct 2, 2009

I use my post hole digger on my old Super C with fast hitch and 3 pt. conversion. The plus of this is..., I do have down pressure. And what I do, is wear the cutters out pretty fast..!! I'd take them off, and rebuild with weld, sharpen, and get back to it.

Always thought it would be nice to have an auger like the utility companies had, with the carbide cutters.. Now that I'm done building fence, look what I find...., but rather pricey..!!

Here is the link to thier site, if you care to check out their other auger/bits..

http://www.equipmentland.com/

pitt_md · Oct 2, 2009

Ken45101 said:
In our wonderful soil here (hard clay), I usually have to stand on the 3 pt arms to get it to dig in at all.

Hmmmm, I've been thinking of getting a skid steer. Keep talking about the dangers of a 3 pt PHD and maybe I'll have to get that skid steer with an auger to go with it.

Ken, you are one brave hombre. No way in He!! would I do that. My wife likes to help when I build fence and I had a hard time getting through to her to stay back when I am drilling a hole. Had the same problem with my neighbor when I was drilling some holes for his new colt pen. I just told him it was not worth him getting killed. We put water in the holes that the auger would not bite and go down and moved on to the next one. Came back after a while and went right through.