3PH Post Hole Digger vs Rim Guard?

[chrisclark]

My wife and I are on the cusp of purchasing a new tractor. The dealer offers a package of 5 implements, including a 3-point-hitch post hole digger. My wife's father advised us that a 3-point-hitch post hole digger doesn't work well in the dry, hard clay soil of southeastern Wyoming and that renting or borrowing a skid steer would work much better. I understand this is because a 3-point-hitch doesn't apply any down force.

So the dealer has offered to swap the post hole digger for filling the rear tires with Rim Guard ballast and said that the cost to fill the tires with Rim Guard is approximately the cost of a post hole digger, but didn't give actual numbers. The tractors we're considering are the LS XR4040HC and LS XR4046HC which have 12-16.5 front and 17.5-24 rear R4 tires (according to the dealer's web site). According to the Rim Guard documentation, the rear tires get 55 gal. each. Since post hole diggers seem to go for about $800, that makes the Rim Guard cost almost $8/gal. Is this in line with the current going rate for Rim Guard?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[TomSeller]

I have a hydraulic FEL mounted PHD for that very reason. Down pressure

 

[RockyNY]

That seems very high. I was tractor shopping and the John Deere dealership quoted me $450 to fill the rear tires on a 4044r. I ended up buying a Kioti and the dealer is doing it for free on 17.5-24 tires.

 

[EMB5530]

There are kits to add down force to the Post hole digger

 

[countrybumpkin]

My dealer did mine , 55 gallons each, for 200 dollars.

 

[bullbreaker]

. Since post hole diggers seem to go for about $800, that makes the Rim Guard cost almost $8/gal. Is this in line with the current going rate for Rim Guard?

Thanks,
Chris

Not trying to sway you one way or another but " What brand PHD was dealer referring too many brands price differs " DANUSER/ COUNTYLINE/ LANDPRIDE ETC " ??? What model #"s ???

 

[chrisclark]

Not trying to sway you one way or another but " What brand PHD was dealer referring too many brands price differs " DANUSER/ COUNTYLINE/ LANDPRIDE ETC " ??? What model #"s ???

I'm not sure. They use Beaver Valley Supply for all of their implements, and the only PHD brands listed there are Worksaver, Danuser, Dirty Hand Tools, or Shaver. I believe these are the most likely candidates, based on the photos on Beaver Valley Supply's site and consistency with other elements of the package that I have been able to identify.
- Worksaver WO500 ($850) or WO300 ($830)
- Shaver SH101 ($664), SH201 ($681), or SH301 ($746)

I don't anticipate a significant need to dig post holes, and I would probably rent or borrow a skid steer to do so. I've heard that 3PH post hole diggers are ineffective in this area, so the exact brand/model of PHD wasn't important to me, beyond finding a rough estimate of the price. The ones that attach to the loader bucket or have a skid steer quick attach all seem to cost 2-3 times as much. While perhaps more effective, I don't think I'll get enough use out of it to justify the cost.

I think I'm going to try to negotiate the price of the tractor + loader first, then work out attachments and add-ons (including Rim Guard) from there so the price of the Rim Guard isn't so fuzzy.

Thanks!

 

[merlynr]

My L3800 Kubota came with rim-guard because the dealer puts in every tractor that has a front loader. I had the tractor bought when the salesman told me this. Smaller tired tractor though.

 

[Fallon]

My L3800 Kubota came with rim-guard because the dealer puts in every tractor that has a front loader. I had the tractor bought when the salesman told me this. Smaller tired tractor though.

I agree, should be mandatory. My dealer didn't have the pump when I got my L3200. I got them loaded pretty quickly once I learned the need & my dealer got the pump. Makes for so much better traction & also stability when lifting.

I think mine were $300 ish to get loaded with Bio-ballast. Not RimGuard or beet juice, but similar weight & anticorossive properties. Much less sticky & smelly I hear.

A PHD starts at $450 + $150 for an augur for a low end one at the local farm store. High end for a 3pt model is around $100 with an augur.

A hydraulic SSQA one starts at over $2k on Craigslist. The nice thing there in addition to down pressure is reverse for when you get the augur stuck. No reverse on a PTO, just your arms & a huge pipe wrench.

I have a hydraulic toplink & Quick Hitch on my 3pt. I'm finishing painting my PHD after rebuilding it to fit on the QH. Really only will work on a tractor with a QH & hydraulic top link. But it should have at least some down pressure for the first part of the hole. Have to see when the snow stops & melts so I can finish the painting then try it out. There is a thread on people who have done this.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I had tubes and cacl put in mine for less than $200

 

[k0ua]

Instead of the PHD, perhaps you could ask for a bit more from the dealer.. The Rimguard fill, some hooks welded on the FEL bucket and a service and parts manual for your tractor.(often $150) I think this would be a bit more fair.. or ask about the first service, maybe he would do that or at least throw in all the filters for you to do it.. They hydraulic and hydrostatic filters are pretty expensive. The three oil filters (oil, hydro and hydraulic) are a bit over $100 on the Kioti. You can ask for air and fuel too..Air maybe $25, and fuel maybe $10.. Just some ideas.

 

[oosik]

My tractor came with around 68 gallons of Rim Guard in each tire. In this area I think its about $2.00/gallon which includes installation. If you are looking for $800 fair swap I think a complete filter package and free first service would even things a bit more.

Look at what James suggests in post #11. I'd definitely get more out of this swap than just rim guard filled tires.

Besides, unless you are planning on putting in a lot of wooden posts then you won't need an auger.

 

[JBourquin]

You could always sell the PHD and pay to have the tires filled, then pocket the difference. Rim guard around here is around $2-$3 a gallon.

 

[murphy1244]

I think I'm going to try to negotiate the price of the tractor + loader first, then work out attachments and add-ons (including Rim Guard) from there so the price of the Rim Guard isn't so fuzzy.

Smart move. Start with tractor prices, don't let him sway you towards cheap implements.

 

[TomSeller]

A hydraulic SSQA one starts at over $2k on Craigslist. The nice thing there in addition to down pressure is reverse for when you get the augur stuck. No reverse on a PTO, just your arms & a huge pipe wrench.
.

I have a SSQA hydraulic PHD on the FEL, well worth the money. Not dangerous to use like a 3pt either.