First time drilling post holes

[AGGIE00]

I remember those days. Now I have the hydraulic PHD on the front supplied by the third valve I use for the grapple. With this setup I can reverse the bit and apply as much pressure as I want without climbing off the tractor and hanging on the PHD.

 

[jenkinsph]

I remember those days. Now I have the hydraulic PHD on the front supplied by the third valve I use for the grapple. With this setup I can reverse the bit and apply as much pressure as I want without climbing off the tractor and hanging on the PHD.

I prefer it on the rear. Hydraulic forward and reverse with down pressure is needed in the Rocky Mountains.

 

[AGGIE00]

I prefer it on the rear. Hydraulic forward and reverse with down pressure is needed in the Rocky Mountains.

And Texas blackland. I can drill holes 3 or 4 to 1 compared to the rear mount. Plus I can drill my corners deeper without having to hand clean the bottom of the hole.

 

[MMagis]

Plus I can drill my corners deeper without having to hand clean the bottom of the hole.

Can you explain that? Unless your PHD has some sort of magic feature to prevent dirt from falling back in the hole when you lift the auger out, I can't visualize not having to clean the bottom of the hole.

 

[grsthegreat]

Can you explain that? Unless your PHD has some sort of magic feature to prevent dirt from falling back in the hole when you lift the auger out, I can't visualize not having to clean the bottom of the hole.

ive drilled in clay before, and didnt have to clean the holes either. in the decomposed granite i have...i always have to hand clean

 

[DAY]

At the bottom, when you are deep as you want, just pull the auger up real quick- while it is spinning!- and all the dirt comes up in a big, whirling tornado.

The loose soil is trapped between the sides of the hole and the auger. There's no place for it to go, but up and out. There will be a nice ring of soil around the edge of the hole, ready to put back in around the fence post.

The hardest part of the job is packing that dirt around the post with a big ol' heavy iron tamper. Pull a Tom Sawyer, and tell the kids what FUN it is. . .

 

[MMagis]

Having dug more holes than I can remember, I almost always lift the auger out while it’s spinning. That doesn’t stop dirt from falling back in.
Drilling in clay does make a difference, it’s been a while and I didn’t think if that. All that said, that has nothing to do with whether the PHD is hydraulic or not.

 

[old papa]

A lot of good info here. I would just like to add about a gallon of water poured down the hole and a few minutes wait will make the PHD a lot easier to get unstuck in heavy clay.

 

[grsthegreat]

A lot of good info here. I would just like to add about a gallon of water poured down the hole and a few minutes wait will make the PHD a lot easier to get unstuck in heavy clay.

how about gasoline or diesel fuel/fertilizer mix.

thats what i wished for the time mine got stuck HEHE :laughing:

 

[SandyTX]

Have said it before like others.Check your gear box oil(80/90).Every TSC PHD and lots of others I have seen come dry shipped.
Keep playing "SAFE" ! :thumbsup:

Boone

Thanks for the reminder. That was the first thing I checked