3 pt. Post Hole Digger: Dangerous?

kingyippie · Feb 14, 2005

Long time listener, first time caller...

A 3 pt. mounted post hole digger seems like it would be an awesome thing to have for fence / deck building. But I've never used one before and a friend of mine says he'd never ever have one because they are really dangerous. What about it? I know tractoring is fairly dangerous to begin with, but is buying this attachment really like taunting mr. death? My friend thinks so.

B7800HSD / FEL / BH on order. Have to wait two more weeks.
Might wet pants.

_RaT_ · Feb 14, 2005

Getting under the tractor while it is jacked up in the air is dangerous, standing in front of it while it is going full speed and the operator can't see you is dangerous. Likewise, sticking the auger on your body and having someone engage the PTO is very dangerous, I think you get my drift. With proper precaution, these things are not dangerous. If they were that dangerous, OSHA would never allow it and the liability the company would deal with would not make it worth their time. Read the manual, understand the danger areas and they are quite safe. I use mine all the time while on the tractor, it's pretty much the only way it works with some exceptions.

RonR · Feb 14, 2005

Well, there's lot of ways to get hurt.

The key factor on a PHD is getting caught up in the auger. Stay back. Simple and easy to do I think. I have my son (19) help me on occasion. Our rule is you don't get closer than 3 ft to the auger. Not really a reason that I can see.

An easy way to dig holes--and in my mind, safe as well.

Ron

johnk · Feb 14, 2005

A PHD is a machine and has to be treated with the respect it deserves. If it is used with common sense it isn't different than any other tool. It sure saves a lot of work. Great addition to the tractor. I dug over 100 9" holes with mine putting 4x4 posts in for fences.

John

kingyippie · Feb 14, 2005

Oh, forgot to ask, are phd's typically a "one man operation" or do you need someone on the ground assisting?

MarkLeininger · Feb 14, 2005

( Oh, forgot to ask, are phd's typically a "one man operation" or do you need someone on the ground assisting? )

The person on the ground assisting is called the victim. You don't need anyone assisting, although it's nice to find someone young who still thinks cleaning the loose stuff out of the bottom of the hole is fun. They only fall for that once.

grandad · Feb 14, 2005

Maybe it's stating the obvious , but I suspect a major reason people are tempted to get close to the auger or pto shaft while the PHD is operating is to bear down extra weight so it digs better. "Hey, Goober, how 'bout you put down your beer for a minute and lean on this thing so it drills into this hardpan better." I've seen it done, and 999 times out of 1,000, Goober gets away with it, but when the risk is loss of life or limb, those are not good odds.

kingyippie · Feb 14, 2005

That explains it. My friend's name is Goober.

NIXON · Feb 15, 2005

I guess I'm what You'd call "goober ". I do pole buildings for a living ,and can't recall the amount of "drill ins " we do every year . We do get close to the auger on every drill in to clear the dirt as it comes off the 20-24" auger . At times We're within inches of it . Is it dangerous ? YOU BET !! But we are aware of the danger . We don't treat it lightly . It's just a powerful piece of machinery . It's nothing to be afraid of ..... Just well respected ! John

Cliff_Johns · Feb 15, 2005

( That explains it. My friend's name is Goober. )

Wow, my dog's name is goober (well, actually, it's goober fish but we call him goober for short or sometimes Guppy though his real name is Shiloh)

Like any rotating machinery, you stay away from the moving parts, and you wear clothing that stays close to your body. No open coats, no untied shoes, no loose sleaves. And you keep young folk and your dog in another town.

Cliff