Delivered Post Hole Digger Issues

[yooperdave]

I just bought a Dirty Hand Tools model 110 heavy duty post hole digger from Amazon.
I also bought the 24" diameter auger bit so I could quickly plant a whole bunch of trees.

I only bought the model 110 as it would work with the 24" auger. There are 2 smaller sizes, but the auger bit selection is very limited and maxed out with 12" diameter.

Their ad clearly specifies that a Cat 1 or 2 3-point hitch will work. My LS XJ 2025H has a cat 1 hitch so we should be good to go.

After opening up the crate and looking at the booklet, the phd only attaches to a cat 2 or 3 hitch. Oops.

What are the differences with a cat 1 vs cat 2 hitch?

Can I salvage what I have or am I screwed?

I already contacted the seller to find out the options I have due to their mistake. There are no returns.
Should I ask for my money back if they will not take it back?

TIA

Yooper Dave

 

[M5farms]

Just put cat 1 pins in it and call it a day.

 

[Budweiser John]

It’s going to take a pretty fair sized tractor to turn a 24” auger and raise it out of the ground.
You might be able to swap out the lift arm pins on the auger frame for cat 1. Bushings are available to shrink down the cat 2 Top link holes to cat 1.
Proceed with caution as digging out a stuck auger with out the ability to reverse the flight is at least a 6 beer project.

B. John

 

[Tractorable]

Are the pins on the PHD removable? Can you go to Tractor Supply and replace the Cat 2 pins with Cat 1 pins?

 

[sd455dan]

Maybe get by with cat 1 pins , but maybe not i have 2 cat 2 implements that get used with cat 1 pin Some cat 2 are 26 wide like cat 1 some are wider at 32 inches iirc

if the digger will fit between the tires and clear everything the other worry will be horsepower and how strong the PTO is on your tractor.
I caught some roots running a 2 foot PHD on my Ford 3000 which had about 38 PTO hp and got all the holes dug, but broke some shear pins.

My guess is the 2 foot bit will really test the PTO on a 2025H- Especially if you have rocks, roots or just tough ground to dig in

 

[Ford850]

I see these same PH diggers listed on TSC and Home Depot sites and they list them as cat 1 or 2. I found the Dirty Hands website and product manual https://dirtyhandtools.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Post-Hole-Digger-Op-Man-Rev-D-lowres-1.pdf and it also lists these at cat 1 or 2. Are you sure yours is cat 2 or 3?

 

[wagne223]

For a "bunch" of 24 inch holes, I would rent a mini ex or a skid steer with the hydraulic auger. (Can be reversed from the hole)

Assuming you dont have a backhoe.

I used a 6 inch PTO auger for a line of fence posts, once!
Looking back over your shoulder, trying to control the speed and depth and angle, then having to disconnect and pipe wrench the bit out when I hit a root cured me of using a PTO auger years ago.
Could not imagine a 24 inch bit.

Not trying to rain on your parade, just brings back memories of fighting with that thing!

I'm sure with a lot of patience and the right operator they are good tools.
Just not for me.

 

[yooperdave]

It’s going to take a pretty fair sized tractor to turn a 24” auger and raise it out of the ground.
You might be able to swap out the lift arm pins on the auger frame for cat 1. Bushings are available to shrink down the cat 2 Top link holes to cat 1.
Proceed with caution as digging out a stuck auger with out the ability to reverse the flight is at least a 6 beer project.

B. John

I also bought a 9" auger. I was hoping to drill pilot holes with the 9" and then go back with the 24". Only drilling 24" down.

Yooper Dave

 

[yooperdave]

For a "bunch" of 24 inch holes, I would rent a mini ex or a skid steer with the hydraulic auger. (Can be reversed from the hole)

Assuming you dont have a backhoe.

I used a 6 inch PTO auger for a line of fence posts, once!
Looking back over your shoulder, trying to control the speed and depth and angle, then having to disconnect and pipe wrench the bit out when I hit a root cured me of using a PTO auger years ago.
Could not imagine a 24 inch bit.

Not trying to rain on your parade, just brings back memories of fighting with that thing!

I'm sure with a lot of patience and the right operator they are good tools.
Just not for me.

My wife will be supervising from the ground. I dug big holes prior with my front end loader for the bigger 10' trees. Topsoil on top and sand below - little to no rocks.

Yooper Dave

 

[yooperdave]

I see these same PH diggers listed on TSC and Home Depot sites and they list them as cat 1 or 2. I found the Dirty Hands website and product manual https://dirtyhandtools.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Post-Hole-Digger-Op-Man-Rev-D-lowres-1.pdf and it also lists these at cat 1 or 2. Are you sure yours is cat 2 or 3?

This is rather funny.

Your .pdf is nearly identical to my paperwork inside the shipping crate - with the exception of the cat 2 or 3 hook up.
The good news is the fix appears to be almost a no never mind. Fleet Farm will have what I need.

Upon further inspection... your .pdf is revision 'D' and my manual is revision'C'. Maybe I have an older model though the number is the same

Yooper Dave