Quick Hitches Harbor Freight 3-point Quick Attach and post hole auger

[LouB]

Here is a link to one of the threads about modifying PHD to Quick Hitch. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/327212-quick-hitch-3-point-hole.html

Hydraulic top link is necessary to make this work. Top link retracted to carry auger off the ground and link extended to allow auger to go full depth.

Having the PHD mount to Quick Hitch does not make hooking to tractor any easier. Only advantage is NOT having to remove the QH.

Perfect, exception thread with details and photos of a modification. Don't quite understand why a hydraulic top like is required, just in my own mind. Thanks SSdoxie

 

[5030]

Perfect, exception thread with details and photos of a modification. Don't quite understand why a hydraulic top like is required, just in my own mind. Thanks SSdoxie

Looks to me like the hydraulic top link applies down pressure to the PHD. Not a bad idea really.

 

[TMGT]

Perfect, exception thread with details and photos of a modification. Don't quite understand why a hydraulic top like is required, just in my own mind. Thanks SSdoxie

The hyd top link helps get enough travel for the auger, the typical 3pt on compact/utility tractors wont have enough travel to get much depth and still be able to clear the ground when raised.

By eliminating the original top link connection on the post hole digger you lose the compound linkage and increased travel it provides.
Sometimes you can compensate with a short top link and using a low top link hole on the tractor, if it has one, but most tractors still don't seem to be able to get enough travel.

 

[lennyzx11]

I think Fallon had modified one to work that way.

 

[Fallon]

I think Fallon had modified one to work that way.

It was easier to hitch up with the QH, but still not super easy, especially compared to the hydraulic SSQA one on my new tractor.

I didn't get the angle quite right & would bend the PTO shaft of I lowered the 3pt without extending the toplink when there was no auger on or it was part way in a hole.

You absolutely need a hydraulic toplink to do this. A PHD is a lever, 1' of 3pt movement translates into 3' of PHD movement. With the QH removing the lever aspect, you need the toplink to act as a lever or extra lift & get the travel for a full sized auger. The hydraulic toplink does give you down pressure on the first 1-1.5' of hole. Not sure if that could damage things due to unexpected forces on the 3pt. I never had any issues.

I added extra bracing to mine when I welded it up. That also let me add 200lbs of scrap steel over the gearbox for extra downforce.

It was a good project & I don't regret it. But I sold the PHD with my old tractor. As I do side work with my tractor, I've barely been able to justify replacing it with a hydraulic SSQA unit. I don't regret it even though it was spendy. My 40hp tractor only puts out 15hp at best via hydraulics. I can feel the fact that's half the usable power my old 32hp machine had on the PTO. The ease of hitching, down pressure & reverse make up for it though.