Auger Extension

[sodamo]

I have to sink nine 4in pipes 56 inches deep in 12 inch holes as supports for my tractor/utility shed. Requirement is 1/2 the above ground height has to be in the ground (112 / 2 = 56). These are 12in diameter holes and will be filled with concrete. My 12in auger for 3pt phd is only 45 inches, 2inch shaft. Is there such a thing as an extension available? Perhaps a home-made solution? I anticipate fairly easy digging as I've hand dug about 20 holes to the 3 ft level by hand about 300 away and figure similar conditions. Guess I could get the last 11 inches by hand /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif, but prefer not to.
Thanks
David

 

[TBDonnelly]

This company lists PHD extensions for Danuser PHD's.

http://www.wikco.com

Scroll down the left side of the page till you see:

Earth Augers-Diggers/Hydraulic Powered/Backhoe, Loader, Tractor Mounted

What make and model PHD do you have?

Don

 

[RobS]

Will you be able to lift it high enough to clear the hole? Other than that little issue, I can't see any reason not to add an extension /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[sodamo]

Don

Thanks for link.
Unfortunately, I don't know the make/model and it's 6000 miles away right now.

Rob

It's only 9 holes, if I have to add/remove an extension "in the hole" I don't see that as too much an inconvenience.

David

 

[sodamo]

Here's the followup to original post.
Due to mods, the holes had to be 60 inches at the finished depth, rough depth 63-64 inches to allow for a concrete base.
I looked for an extension. The local Massey dealer could get me one from Gearmore, for $100 - and 5 week wait for no cost shipping. I could get in 2 weeks for additional $80 shipping. This was too much for my nine holes.

I bought 2 16 inch lengths of pipe - 1 2" and 1 11/2" at Home Depot and fabricated my own extension - total cost less than $15 including the 1/2 inch bolts.

The following pics resulted.

First is 6 of the 9 holes laid out and hand started (to get through packed rock and weed cloth)

David

 

[sodamo]

2nd hole std auger

 

[sodamo]

Std depth

 

[sodamo]

with extension

 

[sodamo]

Boss checking depth

 

[sodamo]

Me checking depth

 

[sodamo]

Auger w/extension

Last one

David

 

[rmonio]

This is really a good idea. I'm wondering though - was the soil such that you were able to dig reasonably and not shear pins at all - you'd think with that extension on it that it would more pressure on the shear pin (well, really the bolt) overall as it's longer.

Good idea though!

-Bob

 

[BigDogues]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have to sink nine 4in pipes 56 inches deep in 12 inch holes as supports for my tractor/utility shed. Requirement is 1/2 the above ground height has to be in the ground (112 / 2 = 56). These are 12in diameter holes and will be filled with concrete.)</font>

Good Heavens man! Why so deep?
Now don't go trying to tell me it's due to the frost line. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sodamo]

Bob

Actually, we busted 1 shear bolt (drive shaft) in the entire process and that was on a test hole, teaching my wife how to controls worked. We hit a rock, and it was just the auger without the extension.

Interesting, I had designed the extension to use two 1/2 bolts at each connection point, which is way more than on the shaft connection. Being as it was such a chore to add/remove the extension for each hole, I only used a single bolt at the auger connection point and no problem. Thankfully, we didn't hit any rocks. The clay soil was so moist that it would only clump, but not be expelled from hole. Using a narror blade shovel, I actually let the auger deposit the clumps onto the shovel which I would then remove to wheelbarrow.

David

 

[sodamo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blueclass=small">Good Heavens man! Why so deep?
Now don't go trying to tell me it's due to the frost line. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Frankly, I don't have an answer that satisfies me. " Architech says... Code requires... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Had I the luxury of time, I would have redesigned the whole thing. To my thinking, I could have poured a concrete column, maybe 3 ft deep and then anchored a 4x6 on top for adequate support and much cheaper and easier.

I think the frost line here is around 13,000 ft, we are at 1100, safely below /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

David

 

[ronjhall]

I have a Speeco PHD. It looks very much like yours. Looking at your pictures. It looks like something is wrong with your setup. I can run my PHD all the way down into the ground. To the point where PTO shaft is buried in the ground outside of drilled hole. When raised auger clears the ground about 6". Do you have boom set in highest hole at tractor end.
I like your extension and will probably make one. Just wondering why yours will not go deeper without the extension. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[sodamo]

Thanks for the observation Ron.
I don't know what brand mine is. I've wondered if perhaps my dealer perhaps just unloaded "something" on me, knowing everything was going out of state. I don't have a manual or any type instruction. My boom was in the top hole. There also appears to be adjustment where the yoke and boom bolt, but I haven't messed with it. My max depth seems to be where the auger mates to the gear box shaft. I figured that was probably normal, but raised it is more than 6 inches, but I don't recall how much.
I'm sure your extension will look profession. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

David

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have a Danuser manufactured extention on my Danuser auger. I would have to measure it to be sure but I think it is somewhere around 8" or so. The only thing special I have to do is to chain the auger up while driving around so that it does not drag on the ground. Stationary, the auger tip is near ground level. Using an extention requires more attention so you do not get stuck in the hole or break a shear pin.