BX24 PHD

[The Gardener]

Is there a clear consensus as to which PHD is prefered for the BX24?

And, is the PHD a PTO driven device or a hydraulic driven device?

I believe the hydraulic approach allows for going in reverse whereas the PTO approach does not. Our NH soil is very rocky and root bound. I think I would definitely need a reverse option to escape a bad scenario under ground.

Many Thanks!
The Gardener

 

[hazmat]

you can get a hydraulic PHD, but you'll need to open your wallet wide... figure ~$3K and up vs. $500 - $1,500 for a PTO version. On the BX, you'll need to run a PTO hydraulic pump to provide enough flow. The auger can be mounted to the three point or bolted to your front bucket (more plumbing required) though the downforce may be worth the hassle.

Search for PHD or post hole digger and you'll find lots of threads.

 

[The Gardener]

Ouch! $3K or more is a hefty price tag especially since we're about to pull the trigger on a BX24 and/or a Kubota riding lawn mower: one before the other.

I worry that the PTO design could get hung up under ground given our soil conditions. I do like the bucket mounted design in that is offers more downward power and possibly more reach into tighter spaces.

I'll have to explore this more carefully.

Many Thanks!!!

 

[hazmat]

If you're getting the backhoe, just use that on the holes you aren't able to dig with the PHD. Of course, that might be all the holes in NH.

 

[ChuckinNH]

If you're getting the backhoe, just use that on the holes you aren't able to dig with the PHD. Of course, that might be all the holes in NH.

You are sure right about that!!!

 

[timalabim]

If you're looking for mowing, why not put a mmm on the 24 and kill two birds with one stone. My 54" standard MMM on the 24 does a much better job than my old wheel horse dedicated ride on mower. Excellent handling as well.

 

[vrman]

If you're looking for mowing, why not put a mmm on the 24 and kill two birds with one stone. My 54" standard MMM on the 24 does a much better job than my old wheel horse dedicated ride on mower. Excellent handling as well.

I have to agree. When I bought my BX23, I also picked up a ZG20 mower. After using both last summer, the BX & 60" MMM combo did a much better job than the dedicated zero turn. I upgraded to the ZD326 this year, and it cuts like the BX.

I hear you asking, so why do you have a seperate dedicated lawn mower if you like the BX cut? Convience mostly. I usually keep the FEL and an attachment on the back of the BX. Plus, if I want to get the lawn done super fast, I have someone use the ZD while I use the BX. We can get 5 acres cut within a few hours then.

 

[dfkrug]

Ouch! $3K or more is a hefty price tag especially since we're about to pull the trigger on a BX24 and/or a Kubota riding lawn mower: one before the other.

I worry that the PTO design could get hung up under ground given our soil conditions. I do like the bucket mounted design in that is offers more downward power and possibly more reach into tighter spaces.

I'll have to explore this more carefully.

Many Thanks!!!

You are right to be concerned about rocks and roots. I have the
Worksaver 714H, which I run off my backhoe, and it is "only" about
$1650 + the cost of an auger. It works great. I comes with
brackets to mount it to the side of a loader bkt, too. A version is
available for the 3-pt using the same hydraulic motor. The BX24
is rated at 6.3GPM total flow and that may be a little on the low side
but my tractor has no problem operating the PHD at 1/2-2/3
throttle and it has 8.2GPM available. If the BX24 has enough
flow for the BT601 b/h, it should work with the 714H.

The other issue to think about is if you get a PTO PHD, your tractor
may not be tall enough to use it, unless you get a special short
auger.

 

[bindian]

My Danuser 8300-2 hydraulic PHD cost right at $1400. A 9 & 12 inch auger with a 14 inch extension ran the price up to around $1800. I hang it on my BH in lieu of my bucket. I cut the lines to the bucket actuator and installed quick disconnects. The PHD hangs from a knuckle swivel and the bucket curl lever operates forward and reverse. I also modified the included knuckle swivel to fit the pin for my bucket for $115 for a piece of 2 inch round stock and machine shop labor.
hugs, Brandi

 

[The Gardener]

I cut the lines to the bucket actuator and installed quick disconnects. The PHD hangs from a knuckle swivel and the bucket curl lever operates forward and reverse. :cool: I also modified the included knuckle swivel to fit the pin for my bucket for $115 for a piece of 2 inch round stock and machine shop labor.


Very cool! and Very impressive!

Any chance you could post some images? I suspect a lot more folks besides me would be very interested in this type of modification.

Many Thanks!
The Gardener

 

[dfkrug]

Bindi:

That's a very good price on the Danuser PHD. I wanted to use
QA fittings betw my curl cyl and the hyd motor, but there was
no clearance to put them right on the cylinders.

Here is a photo of my Worsksaver PHD. It has a homemade
plumb indicator.

 

[bindian]

Very cool! and Very impressive!

Any chance you could post some images? I suspect a lot more folks besides me would be very interested in this type of modification.

Many Thanks!
The Gardener[/QUOTE]
No problem. I haven't got any photos of the lines down to the digger. Yet.
The first photo shows the quick disconnects and clamps I installed after the hose shop cut and crimped on new fittings. The 2nd and 3rd photo show the PHD on the backhoe. You can see the machined mount in brighter yellow that is welded to the swivel knuckle, which is a flatter yellow. Sorry I didn't get a close up. Anyway, I just got the line fittings for the auger motor, so I don't have any shots of the finished line installation. I hopefully have it all ready to dig holes next weekend. The 4th photo shows the BH blocked up for line removal. The line bent up in front of my pickup tail light is where the disconnects go. The 5th photo shows the cover off of the control valves. Quite a can of worms.
hugs, Brandi

 

[The Gardener]

Fantastic! That set up is quite impressive!

Thanks So Much for sharing your images.

The Gardener

 

[bindian]

I finished my Hydraulic PHD installation today. Here are a few photos.
It runs good and sweet on low rpm. hugs, Brandi

 

[Tom_H]

I have a BX2200 that does an excellent job of mowing with the MMM and mulch kit. If I were you, I would get the BX24 with MMM. The MMM cuts well and comes on and off quickly after a little practice.

I would just use the backhoe for the holes. For really difficult ground, you can take the bucket off and use a Bro-Tek ripper on the end of the arm. If you particularly need cylindrical holes for some special reason, you could excavate with backhoe, backfill and compact, then bore your hole with an inexpensive PHD. Since you're in NH, you could drive over to N. H. Northern Tool and Supply and pick up a Greene PHD which is only about $400 and another $90 to $140 for auger, depending on diameter. Granted that's a bit more work, but if money does matter, this is an option that could save you a lot.

 

[alchemysa]

Theres a thread in another TBN forum ('Attachments' I think) that asked 'Which attachment do you wish you HADN'T bought?' The post hole digger was the number 1 choice. Seems a lot of owners use them once or twice for a few holes then never use them again. It surprised me and made me think twice. So now, unless I had a heck of a lot of holes to drill, or I could buy a second hand PHD for a bargain price, I dont think I would outlay the cash. Just hire someone to do it.

 

[The Gardener]

unless I had a heck of a lot of holes to drill, or I could buy a second hand PHD for a bargain price, I dont think I would outlay the cash. Just hire someone to do it.

It is definitely one of those purchases that you have to question over and over - I fully agree. In our case, we could easily justify a PHD, but it would have to be hydraulic so it had a reverse. There are many tree roots and submerged rocks that could be problematic if the PHD was unable to reverse direction to escape the snag.

Fencing is a long term idea that we're tossing about. A PHD would certainly move that idea to the forefront. Given that our fencing would run the outside edge of the property along the woods line, tree roots would most likely come into play.

I doubt that we'd be adding any attachments to our purchase for some time. We'll be maxed out just making the TLB purchase. It could very well turn out that we'll make do with the TLB, as is, and escape the need for a PHD altogether.

 

[crbr]

I finished my Hydraulic PHD installation today. Here are a few photos.
It runs good and sweet on low rpm. hugs, Brandi

Thanks for the pics. Very nice install and the best way to implement the PHD. I can see where this would far out-perform hole digging over a 3PH setup, realizing that it's two different methods of approach, each resulting in success in their own specific manner.

 

[Singlecoil]

Bindian,

That is an amazing setup. Very nice indeed. I can just imagine how easy that would be to dig with any time of the year.

 

[bindian]

Bindian,

That is an amazing setup. Very nice indeed. I can just imagine how easy that would be to dig with any time of the year.

Singlecoil,
It is easy after taking off the 24 inch bucket and thumb , as the PHD hangs from the same point. See photo below.
hugs, Brandi