The post auger is finally home. I took some time yesterday to get it mounted and hooked up. The major 'How do I' was routing the hoses. The 3rd function connections are oriented pointing straight forward on the loader arm. I was concerned the hoses would get pinched when the auger is all the way curled. I adjusted the connection bracket to angle slightly in and give some relief, and the auger end fittings have a 45" on them so I oriented those pointed out/forward, instead of back.
I got the auger bit mounted after a good wrestling match. I finally wised up and stood the bit upright against the wood rack and dropped the auger down into the bit cup and secured it. Thinking forward, I think some kind of bit stand would work wonders for dis/connecting.
I took the auger out for a spin, drilled a test hole. I was a little nervous but it worked fine. I did scare myself when I applied a little too much down force and lifted the front end off the ground. I recall doing that several times using the Toolcat. I don't like that feeling.
I've seen videos advising using the float setting on the loader to drill but I don't know. It seems like maintaining control of the downforce is ideal. Anyone have a preference or experience using it either way?
I do have a hose size question. The Danuser manual recommends 1/2" hoses. My dealer made me 3/8" hoses. How does that affect performance? Any issues I should keep an eye on for? The tractor's 3rd function hoses are also sized at 3/8". Out of curiosity, I roughly counted the rounds of the auger per 30/sec. It was about 16, multiplying ends up at 32rpm. On the test drive digging, it didn't seem too fast nor frustratingly slow. I'll see how it goes when actually in the harder dried packed red clay.
I did want to revisit what I said here:
I did consider that and why I ended up deciding against the offset was I was afraid that, generally, long term use of downforce would over time tweak the loader arms. I opted to go with a centerline mount. I thought once the arms/auger is up in the air, it allows for visibility of the bit tip at the ground. Plus with a spotter it helps to get in line and stay vertical.
Least that's what my thought process took me through, based on the type of soil layers I have dug through here so far in this fence build. This soil is very sandy the first 1-2', then it compacts in a hard sandstone then compact red clay. That combo caused us to switch from a one man auger and rock bar to renting a Bobcat Toolcat with the post hole auger to get 11 of the 27 posts in the ground now. The downforce I used to get some of those holes dug I thought I'd leverage myself up and tip over....weeeeeee!!
I need to correct myself about being able to see the bit landing out in front of the tractor. I cannot. Even standing up. I'd still need and still use a spotter (especially to keep the bit plumb while digging). I can see it if I stand along side the tractor and operate the joystick but still need help watching the front to back plumbness.
The mounting plate does have the option to mount the auger head on the right side. It appears that I would be able to see the bit point on the ground if I do move it there. I do still think though that digging with the auger off-center isn't great for the loader arm symmetry/wear. I guess I won't know until I use it that way.
Anyway, I've got pics of anyone needs photos I can put them up. I appreciate yalls help, this is all brand new to me.
