Post hole digger (3pth). Need advice.

[Luke'sScreenName]

These bigger PHDs are a pain to hook up. Like wrestling a lead octopus!

So I threw together a palletized stand. I might put a roof on it later.

 

[mark02tj]

Got any pics with the unit hanging on it? I'd like to see that if possible. THANKS!!

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

 

[mark02tj]

THANKS!! YOU are a good man! :thumbsup:


I just got a post hole digger as part of the deal when I sold my old chipper. It's laying next to the garage right now. Your design is simple (so I can build it!) and looks like it will work well.

 

[robbyr]

That's nifty. Mine hangs from a tree limb.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

THANKS!! YOU are a good man! :thumbsup:


I just got a post hole digger as part of the deal when I sold my old chipper. It's laying next to the garage right now. Your design is simple (so I can build it!) and looks like it will work well.

I used what I had. If I were to do over...

Start with a pallet in better condition.

The posts would just be PT 2x6s and would be on the outside of the pallet rails (just for more wiggle room).

I still haven't figured out how to best deal with the drive shaft. (earlier in this thread, Brian has a pic of his rack and how he holds the shaft:shocked.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

These bigger PHDs are a pain to hook up. Like wrestling a lead octopus!

So I threw together a palletized stand. I might put a roof on it later.

View attachment 506675

I know that this is a common complaint, but why would anyone leave this type of implement just lying around or go to the trouble to partially take them apart each time? :confused2: It is easy when you have a stand such as yours or similar.

Depending on how I might be feeling at any particular time, but I can always have mine off or on in 5-7 minutes. That's dealing with the hitch, PTO shaft and the hydraulic hoses for the down pressure kit. It just doesn't have to be as hard as many people make it.

Regarding:shocked: Hey, I use what is handy and the chain is always there for the PTO shaft guard.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I know that this is a common complaint, but why would anyone leave this type of implement just lying around or go to the trouble to partially take them apart each time? :confused2: It is easy when you have a stand such as yours or similar.

Depending on how I might be feeling at any particular time, but I can always have mine off or on in 5-7 minutes. That's dealing with the hitch, PTO shaft and the hydraulic hoses for the down pressure kit. It just doesn't have to be as hard as many people make it.

Regarding:shocked: Hey, I use what is handy and the chain is always there for the PTO shaft guard.

A stand certainly makes a huge difference.

 

[Fallon]

Maybe it's a difference in soils. We have that black clay type soil. When I was spinning the the auger slowly then it slowly went deeper. At some point it would reach a spot and take off much faster. The response time to get it back up was too late. Buried twice at low rpm's. Never at higher. Of course I clear the hole a few times and work it up and down a lot. First time I buried it I had it on Mahindra 4500. Dug around it just a bit. Used loader and chain on Ford tractor to pick up on it while spinning the auger.

The trick is to inch your 3pt down an inch or 2 at a time. That way the 3pt catches it before it corkscrews. Let it spin & crumble the dirt for a good few seconds before dropping it another inch or 2.

Tightning down the rate of descent knob between your knees way down may help as well, but not sure on that.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I know that this is a common complaint, but why would anyone leave this type of implement just lying around or go to the trouble to partially take them apart each time? :confused2: It is easy when you have a stand such as yours or similar.

Depending on how I might be feeling at any particular time, but I can always have mine off or on in 5-7 minutes. That's dealing with the hitch, PTO shaft and the hydraulic hoses for the down pressure kit. It just doesn't have to be as hard as many people make it.

Regarding:shocked: Hey, I use what is handy and the chain is always there for the PTO shaft guard.

I'm just saying what you do with your shaft is a personal decision.:laughing:

 

[Fallon]

I'm just saying what you do with your shaft is a personal decision.:laughing:

Hehe, knew exactly where some people's minds would go when writing that. Posted it anyway. ;-p

 

[gwstang]

Tightning down the rate of descent knob between your knees way down may help as well, but not sure on that.

Well I'll be dadgum! I have one of those little knobs and never thought to use it for this. I just dug 8 holes the other day and that would have been extremely handy. I'll remember next time. That thing will start dropping and digging so fast that it just corkscrews right on in sometimes. Lots of fun with a long breaker bar and pipe wrench to get back out.

 

[pmsmechanic]

if I don't use it for several months, it's out of oil.

This would probably solve your oil problem. Your in Texas so find an irrigation center pivot dealer and buy a 5 gal pail. "Thixoropic grease" is what you are looking for.

Thixotropic Grease- A great solution in SOME instances | Vehicles of Victory, LLC

 

[robbyr]

Well I'll be dadgum! I have one of those little knobs and never thought to use it for this. I just dug 8 holes the other day and that would have been extremely handy. I'll remember next time. That thing will start dropping and digging so fast that it just corkscrews right on in sometimes. Lots of fun with a long breaker bar and pipe wrench to get back out.

I could go just a little at a time working it up and down but when it hit the right spot it screwed itself in to quick. For some reason I could keep it from doing that at higher rpm's. Will have to look for knob y'all are referring to. There's definitely a lever that I don't know what it does and don't know where the manual is on this inherited tractor. Right now I don't use the 3pt much cuz the levers are so stiff I can't move them by hand. Don't mean to hijack this thread.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thought I would check on this thread this morning. Today I will be drilling holes for grape vines all day long and hope to average about 50 per hour. I figure by the end of the day I should be a post hole drilling expert. Not really looking forward to this project but I have 1200 holes to drill about 2' deep.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

So I put something approximating a roof on the PHD rack. Might catch more wasps than rain.

 

[gwstang]

Be real hard to dig 50 holes per hour....and not have them as crooked as a dog's hind leg...as grandpa would say. I predict you will be using some "colorful language" by the end of the day.....

 

[sdef]

Have thought about a roof but have not gotten there yet. My ETA PHD is hanging at a great balance point that allows easy movement for hooking up.

 

[robbyr]

Have thought about a roof but have not gotten there yet. My ETA PHD is hanging at a great balance point that allows easy movement for hooking up.

View attachment 507074

Mine looks like that. Chained to a big oak limb with pto resting on a five gallon bucket.