Posthole Digger Home built post hole digger

[Steve C]

I expect to see your picture on a wanted poster at the post office, you stole that thing.

Actualy I paid to much for it. It was advertized on Craigs list for $160 with the cedar posts. I responded to the add with an e-mail from a burger king in Reed City Michigan, we were on the road on our way to a craft show in Berrian Springs and I used my little Dell computer to access the internet. The man called me and told me he had 8 replies to his add. I couldn't get there right away so I offerd him more money if he would hold it for me. He agreed to that. I think we are both happy. I had to make some adjustments to the mounts but I got it in my tractor and it seems to work great. It goes around and wants to dig dirt and doessn't make any sttrange noises. Cant ask for anything more than that.

 

[Steve C]

I built a digger some years ago using a Ford diff it worked well and as far as I know is still being used.
Didn't notice a slip clutch in the photos, if it hasn't got one I'd fit one. Over all you
seem to be getting a good deal.

That bothers me a little. I think I need to put a shear pin or slip clutch somewhere in the driveline.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have one that is identical but black. I mean IDENTICAL! I have used it to dig about 100 post. As for the gear ratio mine is a 3.53 and the factory ones are 3.5 so it works perfect. I only have a 9" auger but need to get a 12". I gave $100 for mine about 5 years ago and it runs great off my Jinma 254.

Mine has a shear pin on the auger and the pto shaft to the gear box.

Chris

 

[R W]

That bothers me a little. I think I need to put a shear pin or slip clutch somewhere in the driveline.

I used a slip clutch from a disused header, fitted to the gearbox input shaft,
and always used a 1/2" soft bolt to to hold the auger on.

 

[studor]

Look at the drive shaft and there is probably a shear bolt in it around the first universal joint . Like RW I use a soft bolt to hold on the auger and there is a shear bolt in the driveline right after the PTO coupler.

 

[kebo]

Actualy I paid to much for it. It was advertized on Craigs list for $160 with the cedar posts. I responded to the add with an e-mail from a burger king in Reed City Michigan, we were on the road on our way to a craft show in Berrian Springs and I used my little Dell 10 inch computer to access the internet. The man called me and told me he had 8 replies to his add. I couldn't get there right away so I offerd him more money if he would hold it for me. He agreed to that. I think we are both happy. I had to make some adjustments to the mounts but I got it in my tractor and it seems to work great. It goes around and wants to dig dirt and doessn't make any strange noises. Cant ask for anything more than that.

Oh and it is a heavy P.O.S. to move around. While dragging it out of the trailer it got away from me a little and almost pinched my finger off. I should have had gloves on. I will have a little scar on the top and bottom of my left index finger to remind me to be more careful.

You got yourself a great deal it would seem! Congrats to you, I'm a craigslist junkie myself and have made many great deals though it over the years, even turned around and resold some of them for small profit.

I have always thought of a PHD as the most unwieldy and rather dangerous imlement to ever attach to a tractor IF you are picking it up off the ground (with it assembled). It can fold up quite easily and pinch not just a finger, but a whole hand. Yours looks like you could attach the main I-beam first, then attach the gearbox. Next time get someone to help you! Better yet, build a A-frame type rest out of wood to park it on.

I would like to see a picture of it attached to the tractor, if you get a chance.

 

[Big Bri]

That thing just looks neat! ! !

 

[buck12]

My Grandfather had one that I helped him use as a kid. I new it was in a pile at the farm but hadn't tried to use it because I got a PHD and two augers with my used tractor. I went to see my cousin's new land a couple weeks ago and there was Granddaddy's PHD on his tractor. Glad someone is getting some use out of it. Best I remember it worked fine.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yours looks like you could attach the main I-beam first, then attach the gearbox. Next time get someone to help you! Better yet, build a A-frame type rest out of wood to park it on.

Like I said I have one identical. What I do is chain the auger/gear box to a pole in my pole barn. I then hook up the beam and back the tractor into position, slide in the pin between the pole and gear box, and hook up the pto shaft. Works good and I can hook it up in 5 minutes by myself.

Chris

 

[Mighty Dodge]

I like the design but what it it gets caught on a root or rock. What keeps the gearbox from twisting off the hook?

M.D.