County line PHD...

[mkane09]

I recently bought a new PHD from TSC and used it today for the first time. After 7 holes, I hit some rock and snapped the first shear pin. Drilled about 10 more holes, hit some more rock, lost shear pin #2. About 5 more holes, shear pin #3. On the very last hole (about number 30), I hit some light rock, the shear pin did NOT shear, but one of the ears on top of the gearbox snapped off, twisting the guard, and, obviously, dropping the gearbox/auger. The top of the gearbox (well, actually, ALL of the gearbox housing) is very grainy pot metal. I'm going back to TSC tomorrow or Saturday and see what they say. I would NOT recommend buying one of these PHDs!


mkane09

 

[blueriver]

I got my PHD in about 1965 ... dad handed me one of those turn type augers and I learned quick how to dig a hole.

In reference to your dilema, I don't know if those units are designed to dig in that much rock ...

 

[Code54]

Yep - that would go back with a receipt for a refund. Maybe a good idea to get a different brand elsewhere.
Good luck

 

[coobie]

IMHO the countyline equipment is NOT quality made stuff.That is why I bought a befco post hole digger,york rake.TSC and few other stores buy the cheapest quality made equipment they can sell to the public.coobie

 

[JDGreenGrass]

IMHO the countyline equipment is NOT quality made stuff.That is why I bought a befco post hole digger,york rake.TSC and few other stores buy the cheapest quality made equipment they can sell to the public.coobie

This depends.....

If you are a homeowner and don't abuse the equipment, the equipment will give you many hours of service. Many hours.

If you are a commercial landscaper you might want to buy heavy duty versions of attachments. Or, if your always in a hurry to get things done.

Tractor HP also plays a roll in how your equipment will stand up.

I have a CountyLine blade and rake. Both have done all I have asked of them and both are in mint condition and neither attachment cost me a lot of money......

What more could I ask for.??

Coobie.... what has your experience been with CountyLine products.?? I'd like to hear them.

 

[sweettractors]

You did not happen to put a high grade shear bolt in after the second or third one? No doubt the big Box Store will do the right thing on this matter. They have nothing to lose. The mfgr loads all this stuff up and takes it back and usually cancels the Box store contract for the next year. Manufacturers hate these type stores after 1 year. Ken Sweet

 

[pitt_md]

i don't know if County Line and Speco are the same unit but I bought a Speco PHD from TSC and have been through a couple dozen shear pins. I really have beat the living crap out of this thing and had no issues.

 

[MMagis]

Did you take any pictures by chance? I'm really just curious as to what you call "pot metal". I have a hard time believing they would make a PHD out of pot metal.

 

[coobie]

This depends.....

If you are a homeowner and don't abuse the equipment, the equipment will give you many hours of service. Many hours.

If you are a commercial landscaper you might want to buy heavy duty versions of attachments. Or, if your always in a hurry to get things done.

Tractor HP also plays a roll in how your equipment will stand up.

I have a CountyLine blade and rake. Both have done all I have asked of them and both are in mint condition and neither attachment cost me a lot of money......

What more could I ask for.??

Coobie.... what has your experience been with CountyLine products.?? I'd like to hear them.

I tried one of there york rakes and was not impressed with the quality and returned it and purchased a heavy duty Befco rake.Grant you though the befco was twice the price of the countyline rake.coobie

 

[mkane09]

Did you take any pictures by chance? I'm really just curious as to what you call "pot metal". I have a hard time believing they would make a PHD out of pot metal.

I'll try to post the pictures below. The metal is very coarse, cast, grainy.





The shear pins were all from the same lot, soft 5/16 x 3".

mkane09

 

[HeyNow]

Is that ear rusted? Possibly a crack that failed? I have one I bought from TC this year and I have had no problems yet.

 

[mkane09]

Is that ear rusted? Possibly a crack that failed? I have one I bought from TC this year and I have had no problems yet.

That rust is from YESTERDAY! The pics don't show the casting very well, but it's very grainy.

mkane09

 

[mad_planter]

Just looks like cast steel to me. The stuff they call pot metal is a whole different animal, its not steel and doesn't rust.

 

[bullbreaker]

Lots of PHD's come shipped dry.Just asking ,with all due respect did you check your gearbox oil before using (80/90) ?

Boone

 

[mkane09]

Lots of PHD's come shipped dry.Just asking ,with all due respect did you check your gearbox oil before using (80/90) ?

Boone

I believe it's cast iron. Hence the immediate rust. Yes, I filled the gearbox when I put it together.

mkane09

 

[sweettractors]

Grade 3 shear bolts? No lines on the bolt head. Ken Sweet

 

[mkane09]

Grade 3 shear bolts? No lines on the bolt head. Ken Sweet

Soft as butter. No lines...

mkane09

 

[kebo]

I see you have a Kubota MX4700, is that one rated at 47hp?? Is it possible that tractor might be overpowering the PHD?? Maybe the countyline unit is not rated up to that much hp?


Also, how were you digging with it?? Have you ever dug holes with a PHD before?? The best technique is to take "small bites" with it. Let it run down a foot or so (with tractor at idle speed) on the first dig and then raise it up to throw out the excavated material. Then drop it back back down but take smaller "bites" as it digs deeper. If you have lots of rocks where you are digging though, there is no assurance that any brand of PHD will be able to take them on without some sort of damage. Good luck.

 

[mkane09]

I see you have a Kubota MX4700, is that one rated at 47hp?? Is it possible that tractor might be overpowering the PHD?? Maybe the countyline unit is not rated up to that much hp?

Well, the MX is strong, but I don't think it makes 47hp at idle. I took the gearhead back to TSC today and they called Speco (sp?) while I was there. They are shipping a new gearhead out tomorrow. Interestingly, the manager at TSC asked if I was using Grade 5 shear bolts. I said no, grade 2. He RECOMMENDED grade 5 and said that they had had several rotary cutter gearboxes go down with grade 2 bolts. Apparently, they often bend but don't break. The grade 5s, while stronger, are also more brittle and snap off when they let go. What do you think about that, Ken?

mkane09

 

[RPW]

Shear bolts should be grade 2. You want the bolt to shear before other damage occurs. As an example I loaned out my PHD to a friend. Came back all ok. Went to dig some holes and on the first one my PHD caught a root and it looked like there was a vacumn pulling it down into the dirt. At the last moment I heard a LOUD pop and the PHD stopped. I've sheared bolts before and have never heard one sound that loud. Checked tractor (all ok) and proceeded to pull PHD out of ground (took a bit of time). Went to punch out the bolt and......nothing bolt wouldn't budge. Finally had to drill it out. From the reminents of the bolt it appears to have been a grade 5 probably what my friend had on hand. I'd rather go through a hundred shear bolts rather than having to purchase another implement. As stated technique has a lot to do with how often a shear bolt will snap. I've also found that the TSC staff for the most part do not use their equipment and don't have any real training on it. Take there suggestions with a grain of salt. Glad your getting your gearbox replaced though.

Good luck.