Danuser F8 Post hole Digger on L3540

Fallon · May 2, 2014

Good deal for any PHD with 2 augurs. Proabaly a better than average deal due to the brand of the PHD.

texasjohn · May 2, 2014

Anything happen, which I highly doubt, the company is still in business, parts are available and the company provides good service.

KenB2920 · May 2, 2014

Well I got it home and unfortunately had to run to my grown up job. I hope in the next few days I get to play with it and give her a test run. I'd like to test it before I commit to any jobs with it.

Both augers appear to be in rusty but great condition. I assume drilling a few holes will clean the right up.

The shaft appears to be stuck (wont extend or shrink) hopefully I can give it a few whacks and get her free. It sat all winter outside and doesn't look bent so hopefully I can get that free.

The shaft spins the auger nice and smooth so hopefully that is in good working order.

The yoke seems to have a little slop which may be bearings. Speaking with the man it seems this should run "as is" for a while without issue but may need to be addressed down the line (I hope that's the case)

So hopefully I can take the top off ( it looks as if it has never been opened) and take a leak inside at the guts of it.

The man called this the "finger pincher". Said post hole diggers in general like to pinch people during install and removal ( yikes).

A nice wife brush and fancy rattle can paint should bring out her inner beauty .

Hopefully this attachment brings good fortune as its the only brand I found that will spin a 30" auger. So my hope is to spin 18 or 24 someday comfortably.

Now I need to find augers for this as the shaft has a slightly bigger diameter than those found at local farm stores

Ok, enough rambling

Last question, does anyone have an adapter or reducer from this shaft to fit the popular bits? Just in case I run across a deal on a bit, I'd like to beside I am make it fit.

footer200 · May 2, 2014

I replaced the 2 bearings on the pinion on my F7/8 auger with the same brand as original (Timken) and they were 30 bucks at the local bearing supply company. If you open it up there may be 1, 2 or 3 gaskets, they use them like a shim to set the gear backlash. Danuser has adaptors to fit other size/brand auger to your F8. The Danuser Augers bits are pricey but far exceed any farm store auger and there are a number of different options. Attachments | Augers | Post Diggers | OEM Parts | Recoil | Danuser

footer200 · May 2, 2014

I changed my to John Deere colours.

KenB2920 · May 2, 2014

footer200 said:
I replaced the 2 bearings on the pinion on my F7/8 auger with the same brand as original (Timken) and they were 30 bucks at the local bearing supply company. If you open it up there may be 1, 2 or 3 gaskets, they use them like a shim to set the gear backlash. Danuser has adaptors to fit other size/brand auger to your F8. The Danuser Augers bits are pricey but far exceed any farm store auger and there are a number of different options. Attachments | Augers | Post Diggers | OEM Parts | Recoil | Danuser

Great info!!! Did you replace the gaskets when you did the work?

I was actually amazed when I saw the augers. They are used and old but way more solid than a new TSC etc auger.

I am excited for the new addition to my arsenal but I am also excited at what I am finding regarding the quality of this F8

footer200 · May 4, 2014

Yes I replaced the gaskets as I ordered the complete update safety kit from Danuser to make my F7 an up to date F8. That includes a new pinion, grease seals, gaskets, safety guards and complete new driveline. These augers far far exceed any Generic augers gearbox or augers themselves. The gearbox gears and bearings are very similar to a Ford 9" rear end that everyone uses because they are bullet proof.

KenB2920 · May 5, 2014

Was that the 7577 kit? This is the kit I was looking at. Is the 7577 "completed guarded drive line" mean it comes with a new PTO shaft? The SN on mine is 015828 so it is definitely an old one. This thing seems EXTREME duty. I haven't given it a once over, but since I think it was such a deal, I may just order the kit and make her like NEW. Also, it doesn't mention it, but does it come with new bearings? It sesms you bought yours separate. I'd like to throw new ones in there at well. IF IF IF, I happen to come across a 30" for a good price, I'd like to pick one up along with more auger sizes. I see so many good uses for this new(to me) attachment.

rrrkkk · May 5, 2014

I hit a rock with mine yesterday, it now sound like a rachet and you can hold the auger and stop it. My pinon moves in and out about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. In looking at the kits it appears there are no bearing or races with it. I haven't had it apart but the pinon nut is tight. I am assuming the bearing are the problem and buying the update kit wouldn't fix it. Am I right my driveshaft is fine I see no need to replace it.

footer200 · May 5, 2014

Ken 2920 Yes that is the kit I got. The only bearing that comes with the kit is 1 bearing pressed on the new pinion. I think they do this just so everything can be done by the owner easily. There would be no need to change any of the other bearings unless they were damaged or rusted from water intrusion in the gear case (like mine were). Bearings don't really wear out. They are good or damaged, rusted or pitted. The bearings are very robust in these augers and also run at a pretty slow speed in grease. Yes the kit includes a complete pto shaft with safety shields. The shield they include for the very top of the auger has 2 tabs that have to be welded to the gear box for the shield to attach to. I would not of spent the money for this kit ($550 canadian) other then I got the auger cheap and my brother paid for the kit as he has a large fence that needs lots of post holes done. The other reason I could not find U-joints to fit the shaft that came with my auger and they seemed small compared to every other part of these augers. The new shaft looks much beefier.