Posthole Digger PTO-driven post hole auger suggestions

[bullbreaker]

We don't have Agri-Supply but we do have Tractor Supply. Does anyone have any opinions about the King Kutter brand for a PHD? I would guess most opinions to be negative, but curious anyway.

Here at least where I live TSC sells the Speeco'(Farmforce) PHD's.I might be wrong but I don't think King Kutter/County Line make PHD's.


King Kutter Incorporated

BTW:Whatever PHD you decide on check oil in gearbox before using some are shipped with no oil(80/90 wt.).However every Lienbach I've seen came w/gear box oil.(but still check)

Boone

 

[rustedduck]

I recently purchased a county line from tsc. PHD is actually made by
speedco. Unit was $100 off, so picked up Phd and 9 inch auger for
$450.

PHD seems fairly well made. I only used for only a dozen holes, but it
seems to work well.

 

[Dargo]

I think the 7300 is a little more stout (look at top tabs) but doesn't come with the metal pole to position (tilt/lean) the auger (look bottom right). I like the "guide" pole but it's bent several ways, I would go with the 7300.

I had, until yesterday, a 7400. I really, really, really dislike it. Not because it's junk; it's not. It's simply a PIA to put on, take off, store and use. The dang thing bounces all around, snaps shear bolts like they are match sticks and is more trouble than it's worth. That's why I sold it.

Although it takes 2 people to operate it, I sure wish I had the Tanaka hand held one I had years ago. Even when I used the 2 person machine by myself, it was 10X easier to use than a 3 pt. PHD. There is no way I'll ever consider purchasing a 3 pt. post hold digger again in my life!

 

[teg]

I had, until yesterday, a 7400. I really, really, really dislike it. Not because it's junk; it's not. It's simply a PIA to put on, take off, store and use. The dang thing bounces all around, snaps shear bolts like they are match sticks and is more trouble than it's worth. That's why I sold it....

yea... it is a PHD... should have been spelled POS... If it's less then 10 holes, I'll dig them by hand. Some day, I'm going to try a longer point to see if that helps... So far the PHD works great for digging holes for trees... if I have lots of trees to do. I hang mine from the rafters and have not had major PITA's but it takes plenty of time.

 

[foggy1111]

I had, until yesterday, a 7400. I really, really, really dislike it. Not because it's junk; it's not. It's simply a PIA to put on, take off, store and use. The dang thing bounces all around, snaps shear bolts like they are match sticks and is more trouble than it's worth. That's why I sold it.

Although it takes 2 people to operate it, I sure wish I had the Tanaka hand held one I had years ago. Even when I used the 2 person machine by myself, it was 10X easier to use than a 3 pt. PHD. There is no way I'll ever consider purchasing a 3 pt. post hold digger again in my life!

Don't hold back Dargo.....tell us how you really feel. :laughing:

That PHD is one machine I would like to own....but have not yet succumbed to the temptation to buy one. I can well remember just what you said....in time gone by.

 

[Chilly807]

We're pretty happy with the Kubota PHD we have, it's saved us a lot of digging over the past 6 months.

Mine hangs on 2 4x4 posts buried vertically in the ground, with a removable top rail to sit the boom on. You back up to it, hook up the PTO, lift arms and pin, lift the PHD and remove the top rail, then drive away. 5 minutes tops. Same with removing it, I got the idea from mountainviewranch.

Sean

 

[Chilly807]

Nebraska, can I ask what you paid for your Woods 65? And given the three tractor's horsepowers (30, 32, and 35), do you think the 65 is too much machine (say, vs. the 35)?

The difference between the 35 and 65 is metal thickness, gearbox rating, and boom diameter. It's simply more rugged and stronger, takes no more power to run.

Sean

 

[jedjoe]

I used someone else's PHD (a Wood's, I think) last year to dig about 45 holes for some fencing. Even in our stony soils, it was a helava lot easier than hand digging. I agree that the worst part of the chore is getting the darn thing attached to the tractor. Given that none of us are younger than 50 or so, I may petition the partnership to consider looking seriously at any PHD brand that offers the stand....that way, any of us can hitch and go without needing a friend or risking more pulled back muscles....Keep it coming, guys!

 

[jedjoe]

Sean, can you post a photo of your custom hanger? I know I'd like to see it, and I think the other posters could also put it to good use!

 

[Steelstring]

We're pretty happy with the Kubota PHD we have, it's saved us a lot of digging over the past 6 months.

Mine hangs on 2 4x4 posts buried vertically in the ground, with a removable top rail to sit the boom on. You back up to it, hook up the PTO, lift arms and pin, lift the PHD and remove the top rail, then drive away. 5 minutes tops. Same with removing it, I got the idea from mountainviewranch.

Sean

:thumbsup: Got any pix of that setup?

 

[Reg]

Looks like TSC has their (Speeco ?) one at $399 right now, with augers around $120 according to size.

$520... Hmm, not too bad.
I know it isn't super heavy duty, but for the price ??
I've made worse deals.

 

[jedjoe]

I'll need to pay attention to whether any suggested brand and model can fit the TC30, which is the smallest (frame and wheel-wise) of our three tractors. My neighbor would be bummed if his auger tip was draggin' on the ground! In case I didn't say it, we have a New Holland TC30, and JD 4300, and a NH TC35. HP ratings (in the above order), 30, 32, and 35 hp.

 

[Reg]

I'll need to pay attention to whether any suggested brand and model can fit the TC30, which is the smallest (frame and wheel-wise) of our three tractors. My neighbor would be bummed if his auger tip was draggin' on the ground! In case I didn't say it, we have a New Holland TC30, and JD 4300, and a NH TC35. HP ratings (in the above order), 30, 32, and 35 hp.

There's a little trick to avoid dragging the tip on the ground.
Wrap a chain or ratchet strap around the auger and tie it up tight to the frame, then lower the 3ph.
The auger lays just about horizontal when you do this right, it even works for driving up onto a trailer.

 

[jedjoe]

What do you guys think of the "down pressure" kits for some of these PHDs? The only time I've used one of these machines, it feels like the auger was almost pulled into the hole by it's action. Is the down pressure even necessary under most conditions? And can I assume that the tractor really needs a third function remote for that feature? I've already got one for my ATI grapple, but I'm not sure my pals have the TFR installed....

 

[teg]

I'll need to pay attention to whether any suggested brand and model can fit the TC30...

That's still a good size tractor??? It's not a Sub-CUT, which the 7200-Jr is for... I'll say that my PHD doesn't clear the ground by much...

 

[Reg]

What do you guys think of the "down pressure" kits for some of these PHDs? The only time I've used one of these machines, it feels like the auger was almost pulled into the hole by it's action. Is the down pressure even necessary under most conditions? And can I assume that the tractor really needs a third function remote for that feature? I've already got one for my ATI grapple, but I'm not sure my pals have the TFR installed....

I think if it doesn't pull itself in the down pressure won't help much.
The last time I said that someone else said they had some hard clay soil or something that NEEDED down pressure.
I'm in New England; where it ain't sand its rocks, so augers either go down real quick or don't go down.

I drilled a line of post holes for a guy one time in a trashy dirt yard.
Every time the auger stopped it was because it had landed on a piece (fragment) of glass, marble, tile, or other decorative stone. It had been the back yard of a tile and marble shop, so although the surface dirt was loose and trashy there were small hard spots.

I think the Speeco drill with the guide rod could be used with the guide rod turned around to come out at the back - but guys would hang on it to add down pressure.
OK until your belt (or zipper) gets caught )-;

I am NOT suggesting this as a way of adding a couple of hundred pounds of down force, I am advising AGAINST it.

 

[eepete]

As far as getting the PHD on and off, a frame or dolly helps. I did mine with two mount points so that I can back the PHD up to the tractor and just have to move the end an inch or less. Concrete floor helps. This would be the "over 50" design style of dolly :laughing:. Build out of scrap wood, that's why you see different types and sizes of wood. It's easy enough to put on and take off that I'd use it even for one hole. Like many attachments, you should be required to perform the chore by hand before you use an attachment so you can really appreciate the tool.

I'm using the Speeco PHD from TSC. I use it on my JD4520, so I can't speak as to any height issues- it fits. I also put that white electrical tape at the 1 foot and 2 foot depths, it's coming off so I'll paint those marks on this winter. It was half the cost of the Deere, but that's not important. What makes that work for me are two points:

1) I only wanted to have a 6" and 9" auger for 4x4 and 6x6 posts.

2) This area/my property has clay that is relatively easy to dig in, big rocks are more that 3 feet down, don't need down pressure.

Yes, the Speeco isn't as well made as the Deere, Woods, and Linebauch. I'm just lucky in that my requirements and soil types let me get by with it.

I grew up in New England, and would not try to get by with this up there in most places.

Pete

 

[jedjoe]

That's a great tip for avoiding the "dragging auger". And I'm glad to hear that the TC30 isn't really in the sub-compact group.

 

[jedjoe]

Here is a pic of the "two blues" the TC-30 and the TC-35. Although the camera angle makes the 30 look a bit larger than it really is in relationship to the 35, it is still a shorter tractor with a smaller frame. That's why I'm paying so much attention to not accidentally buying a PHD that would be "too tall" for the 30.

 

[jedjoe]

Yah, I'm thinking I won't need the down pressure kit, and for the other two tractors, I don't think they'd want to have to add an extra hydraulic remote.