Posthole Digger Removing a buried auger... or not.

[daddykirbs]

It's stories like this that makes me covet a hydraulic auger that goes on the FEL. That way I'll have reversability AND lift capabilities. Now all I need is lots of $$!

BOB

I'm such a NOOB that I wasn't really aware that my PHD didn't have a reverse! I know now

 

[Verticaltrx]

Just an FYI, sometimes the reason augers will do this is simply because of their design (the auger bit itself). The basically turn into a screw instead of an auger and literally screw themselves into the ground. Often they will do this even in good 'clean' ground and do so with so much force it overpowers the tractors hydraulics and the only way to stop it is stop the PTO. I bought a 9" auger from TSC and it would do this almost every time I used it unless I was very careful. The combination of the screw type point and the angle of the auger teeth made it do this, a real piece of crap it was. I also have an old 12" auger with better teeth and a 'fishtail' point on it. It has never screwed itself into the ground and works like a charm. It is worth it to spend a little extra on a good auger, take a close look at how the cheap ones vs the expensive ones are made and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[pat32rf]

I've always made out OK with a 24" pipe wrench, 48" pipe and a 14yr old helper to unwind things

 

[bcp]

If I had a post hole digger, I'd get a couple of old transmission gears and build a simple reversing gearbox like this. It wouldn't have to be high precision. The reverse would only be used if the auger got stuck. Just attach the shaft to the reverse gear and run it for a few seconds.

You could even use a whole old transmission, and add more weight to the system, too.

Bruce

 

[Cat_Driver]

Soak it with water for a LONG tine it will pop right out because it will be in MUD/ If it's not wrapped around a root or cable.

 

[two_bit_score]

All this makes me really glad I have a backhoe.

 

[Redneck in training]

Welcome to the club. I have done it too. Screwed it in, sheared the bolt in the same time. I don't remember how I got it out but remember it took for a while and a lot choice words.

 

[wcampbell47]

When I do it... I like to go all out! LOL.

I do love my little tractor, but this attachment isn't winning me over.

Underscore go slow and raise often to clear the screw.

Think about the alternative ways of digging a post hole. For sure a hand held power auger does not look like fun - and what if you get it stuck. I would not last 20 minutes on a pair of post hole diggers.

Operate at lower RPM's, listen to the motor - you can tell when it starts to pull, keep your hand on the pto lever always ready to raise in an instant.

 

[Ken45101]

Probably the key is to keep the 3pt under control so that it cannot dig itself in. Even use the depth control (if you have one) to automatically pull it out if it starts going too deep.

But yeah, I've been looking at the skid steer mount hydraulic units that will work their way through rock with down pressure instead of busting a shear pin. Darned expensive though for the few holes I would use it on each year, especially since I have a (poorly working) 3pt unit already. Maybe I'll start watching Craig's list.

Ken

 

[Andrewnewy]

The other thing is hole size, dig a hole of a size suitable to your tractor/ soil , it looks like that is a big auger, and I presume you have a small tractor so use a smaller auger to drill a "pilot" hole, the if you really need it expand, the bigger hole is always a bit harder to drill as it has no centre, but it is possible and means you will get the hole you want without overloading your tractor. The golden rule with tractors is if your tractor can't lift / pull / turn something then it simply wasn't designed to do it, so your just overloading it, and should be happy in this case it hasn't become a costly repair bill!