3 pt. Post Hole Digger: Dangerous?

Freds · Feb 15, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Oh, forgot to ask, are phd's typically a "one man operation" or do you need someone on the ground assisting? )</font>

It's nice to have an extra hand for plumbing up the bit before you start drilling and telling you when to inch the tractor forward to keep it plumb, but one guy can get the hang of this while drilling. By yourself you'll need to get off the tractor to check the bit's plumbness before drilling, at least I have to. Side to side is easy, but forward/backward is a close guess while sitting on the seat.

Just work safely, don't try to be in a hurry and "Call before you dig".

Jimbrown · Feb 15, 2005

I have one and run it all the time by myself. If you leave all of the safty shields on it should not be dangerous to use. Personally I think a Back hoe, Tiller or snow blower would be a lot more dangerous.

GeneD14 · Feb 15, 2005

The key is: Stay away from the rotating auger. A local Michigan man a few months ago was found near his running tractor and post hole auger with his arm and head tore completely off. Nobody saw it happen they assume he got off the tractor to apply more down pressure.

varmint · Feb 15, 2005

Yep: everyone's comments are right on. Drilling holes is an easy one man job- you just have to get off the seat to check vertical alignment (keep in mind that the auger swings in an arc as it goes down, so you start with it tilting a bit "out" and to clean out the loose stuff at the bottom. Having just put in some 65 locust fence posts, I can tell you that there's no better way, especially for an old man who gets sore after hard work. The main safety rule is the basic one: common sense.

_RaT_ · Feb 15, 2005

The arc that the PHD goes through is dealt with exceptionally easily with my HST tractor. It's one area where it is unbelieveably handy, well that and getting the tip exaclty where you want it. My PHD also has hydraulic down.

boustany · Feb 15, 2005

Most parts of a tractor are more than happy to rip your arm off and beat you to death with it. PHDs are no more dangerous than any attachment whether a tiller, blower, or mower. They just have to be used properly.

DaveInColorado · Feb 15, 2005

Two years ago my 100% competent and intelligent neighbor was running a post-hole digger on his Ford 8N. He got too close and it grabbed his pant leg, started twisting, and wouldn't let go! If he had been using any tractor other than an old 8N he would have been in real trouble. As it was, it just stalled out the tractor! We figure my Kubota BX1500 has about the same PTO hp as his 8N.

boustany · Feb 15, 2005

I'm sure he's competant and intelligent, but unless he was in the driver's seat (or has really, really, long legs) lets just say he wasn't being that competant and intelligent when it got him.

Man, stalled the tractor. One lucky dude! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Tom_H · Feb 15, 2005

Would you say that automobiles are dangerous? Billions of people ride in them every day. Violate rule number one of operating a motor vehicle and you're dead within seconds. Can you quote rule number one for operating an automobile? Here it is: drive on the right side of the road. Violate that rule-you're dead. Follow that rule and a few other basic rules and it's a manageable risk. Still, hundreds of people die in cars every day.

Guess what rule number one for operating a PHD is? Stay in the seat while in operation. Have I ever broken that rule? I have, but I give serious respect to the machine. I gave up hunting and my guns years ago. My neighbor thought that was ridiculous. He got himself killed this past September because he allowed himself to become too casual with a powerful weapon.

Modern man has surrounded himself with powerful inventions: cars, propane tanks, electrical outlets, chainsaws, tablesaws and every other kind of power tool, guns, tractors and implements. Most are relatively safe if treated with DUE RESPECT at all times. It's when we start to take these things for granted and become casual around them that the accidents happen.