3pt auger not going down all the way

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Unless you have some type of hydraulic addition providing down force/pressure on the 3 ph, it just operates by down weight. I've use 3ph post hole diggers and in some holes it would take off digging and 5' further it would just sit on top of the ground. Some times I'd drive back or forth a few inches till it would grab.
Great way to get hurt or killed is to try and put down pressure on the top of the PHD or have someone else do it since the 3ph doesn't normally do it.
As others suggested, check tips of auger or try a different spot or go to a hole you've already dug and see if it drops down into the hole, unless it already has something in it to make sure nothing is preventing it from dropping. Just be careful with it, it can some times reach out and grab you or your clothes and then it has you.

 

[955Lincoln]

If it worked ok a few months ago my guess would also be that something in the hole is keeping it from digging deeper.

One other thought. Did you change anything that would effect the PTO length? Is it possible for the PTO shaft to bottom out on a PHD. Take the auger off and see if it will lower fully.

 

[hglucky13]

thanx everybody i just got in from finally finishing the holes :thumbsup: .i think johnthomas was right on point. i went back out and re attached the auger and tried in a different spot. i for some reason thought that there was down pressure from the 3 pt. and could work through the rough stuff. is there a reason for not having that option?
anyway chock this one up to being an idiot :ashamed: i'm sure that you are gonna see me pull another winner before the summer is up
thanx
alan

 

[Earl Ohl]

thanx everybody i just got in from finally finishing the holes :thumbsup: .i think johnthomas was right on point. i went back out and re attached the auger and tried in a different spot. i for some reason thought that there was down pressure from the 3 pt. and could work through the rough stuff. is there a reason for not having that option?
anyway chock this one up to being an idiot :ashamed: i'm sure that you are gonna see me pull another winner before the summer is up
thanx
alan

No, you're not an idiot. Just obey & follow the advice John Thomas gave you. Remember that tractors & their attachments are machines & they have no conscience. They'll do alot of work for you but they can also kill you in an instant. Also when digging post holes, dig a little at a time & raise auger up, shut off PTO, & clear ground, stones, etc away. This way you won't screw it into the ground which can be a real PITA.

 

[955Lincoln]

i for some reason thought that there was down pressure from the 3 pt. and could work through the rough stuff. is there a reason for not having that option?
thanx
alan

Most tractor jobs don't need down force so only a very few tractors have that option on the 3pt. However, some PHD companies provide a hydraulic down force cylinder that can be added to the PHD itself.

Glad you got it working :thumbsup:

 

[krackerjack9]

Most of the time on mine I have a hard time keepen it from screwin its self all the way down, As soon as it starts running donw I start to pull up on it a bit then due each hole a little at a time. I got a L4400 and so far hole are not a problem for it:laughing:

 

[BoFuller]

thanx everybody i just got in from finally finishing the holes :thumbsup: .i think johnthomas was right on point. i went back out and re attached the auger and tried in a different spot. i for some reason thought that there was down pressure from the 3 pt. and could work through the rough stuff. is there a reason for not having that option?
anyway chock this one up to being an idiot :ashamed: i'm sure that you are gonna see me pull another winner before the summer is up
thanx
alan

A novice in PHD maybe, or perhaps a rookie, but a far cry from an idiot. There's a wealth of experience on this site and some of them learned it the hard way. Keep asking, especially if it keeps you from getting hurt. :thumbsup:

 

[gerard]

thanx everybody i just got in from finally finishing the holes :thumbsup: .i think johnthomas was right on point. i went back out and re attached the auger and tried in a different spot. i for some reason thought that there was down pressure from the 3 pt. and could work through the rough stuff. is there a reason for not having that option?
anyway chock this one up to being an idiot :ashamed: i'm sure that you are gonna see me pull another winner before the summer is up
thanx
alan

In the future also keep in mind that it helps a lot to take out the grass first with shovel. Getting a little grass wrapped around the cutting edges does wonders for preventing them from digging in. If your in hard clay it's gonna be tough no matter what.

 

[Deano]

Glad to hear it worked!! No harm asking questions, that is what this place is for!:thumbsup:

Deano

 

[hglucky13]

thanx for the encouragement everyone. i finally got in the last posts today. now i just have to put up the fencing and attach the gates. this weekend was in the sixties and sunny .
i hope spring is finally hear to stay.
later
alan