Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique

[Redlands Okie]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/327212-quick-hitch-3-point-hole-2.html

Not my idea originally & my post is at the end of the thread. You need a hydraulic toplink to pull it off because of the geometry, but I like the end result a lot. Much easier to mount & you get down pressure for the top bit of the hole (not on the bottom though).

I didn't get the boom angle perfect on mine & if you drop the 3pt before extending the top link it will hit the PTO shaft & bend it. Not sure if I could have done a better job with the angle to prevent that, or if it's just a fact of life to make the required geometry & clearances work. Just need to remember the proper order of operations when using it & things are fine.

Thanks Fallon

 

[powerscol]

From one Eagle Scout to another, congratulations.

On question - how fast are you running the auger. I barely get off idle and pull out when it stars to bog. I have a lot of sideways slop in mine, and I use baling twine attached to the top to steady. I tie it to the ROPS to create a triangle to stabilize to get started. I also recommend the 12" auger. Ill bet TSC or a rental place would donate the use of one for such a project. Last question - why 48" deep? Is it frost depth? 36 should be plenty. Also the comment on using gravel will save a lot of time. Play sand can also be used.

 

[RobS]

Hey all, thanks for the replies and advice. We had a much better day Sunday. Many small improvements: Flags instead of paint for layout, more accurate starting point, more attention to plumb of auger as it went down. Soil is great to work with both digging and backfilling. 12" auger, just off idle. Depth is more of a convenience for measurements/post lengths but is working well. Next work day we should finish all the posts and start/finish the assembly.

Thanks again for the tips!

 

[crackerjack222]

May be too late to help, but I saw your photo with you on your knees cleaning out the hole with a hand phd. I took the handles off mine and welded on longer handles so I can clean out the bottom of a 48" hole while standing up. I think the handles are about 7' long and are 3/4" pipe.

 

[Fallon]

Flags instead of paint? I went the other way. You have to move flags out of the way & end up with trash flags around. A big X on the ground let's you line up perfectly on the spot even if you can't directly see the spot, only the outside of the X.

 

[RobS]

Flags instead of paint? I went the other way. You have to move flags out of the way & end up with trash flags around. A big X on the ground let's you line up perfectly on the spot even if you can't directly see the spot, only the outside of the X.

The problem we were having with the paint was the kids working around would scuff it off. Flags stayed put and we'd put a paint dot at the flag right at the last minute.

And no worries, kids were all well away from machinery as it was being used.

 

[RobS]

May be too late to help, but I saw your photo with you on your knees cleaning out the hole with a hand phd. I took the handles off mine and welded on longer handles so I can clean out the bottom of a 48" hole while standing up. I think the handles are about 7' long and are 3/4" pipe.

What we really needed was some scissor action diggers. Couldn't get the handles spread far enough apart in the hole to hold the dirt! With practice, most of the kids mastered it...