First time drilling post holes

[ole farmerbuck]

I've watched my Dad dig thousands of holes and cant remember ever being stuck. We build miles of fence every year and he drills holes with a 801 Ford. He starts and goes all the way to the bottom without stopping, usually about full throttle and pulls it up while spinning. Works like a charm.

 

[Tx Jim]

Next hole; I do about 4-5 bites and its going great and the depth is good. I'll just do one more pass to clear the dirt and BAM! stuck again .

What engine speed are you trying to dig holes ?
At near idle or rated pto speed? Idle or near idle is best.

 

[DAY]

I've watched my Dad dig thousands of holes and cant remember ever being stuck. We build miles of fence every year and he drills holes with a 801 Ford. He starts and goes all the way to the bottom without stopping, usually about full throttle and pulls it up while spinning. Works like a charm.

Agreed! What is your PTO HP?

 

[MMagis]

I don’t think the RPMs have much to do with it. It’s all about the “feed” rate. If you let the auger get a bite and screw itself in the dirt, you’re stuck. At high RPMs it just happens faster, but it still happens. The operator needs to feed the auger into the dirt at a rate that allows it to dig, but not just let it drop freely. It just takes a little practice.

 

[Gizmo2]

When I go to auger holes, I always take my 24" pipe wrench with me. Many of times I have had my auger get stuck in tree roots. I shut it down and reverse the auger out of the hole with the pipe wrench. Much easier than digging. After all that is why I bought the auger was to cut down on digging with a shovel and clam shells.

Standard Operating Procedure when using an auger. You usually only have to turn it backwards a half turn or so, and it will pull free.

Well that makes at least three of us:thumbsup:

 

[DAY]

I have also used a two man, gas powered post hole auger, and you quickly learn to lift it up and down, to clear the hole, as you drill down!
Next time you see a line crew installing utility poles, watch them go down 4/5 feet with a 24" auger. Or grab your Harbor Freight cordless and ( try to!) drill a 1/2" hole in a piece of oak. It's all about applied power.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Agreed! What is your PTO HP?

I imagine around 40 04 45 hp. Diesel with 10 speed select-o-speed.

 

[DAY]

I imagine around 40 04 45 hp. Diesel with 10 speed select-o-speed.

-I didn't mean YOUR tractor, ole farmerbuck, I meant the OP!
I see now it is a JD 4300, with 27 PTO HP. That should be enough to handle a 9" auger, but I'll defer to your experience; you have drilled a lot more holes in the planet than me:thumbsup:

 

[SandyTX]

What engine speed are you trying to dig holes ?
At near idle or rated pto speed? Idle or near idle is best.

I was revving the RPM to the rated 540 PTO for the auger but I can see now its more of a feel when drilling holes.

I'll try the pipe wrench next time. Thanks for the information everyone; I guess it happens even to the best of us (though I'm far from the best).

 

[bullbreaker]

Picked up a Auger at TSC last weekend with a 9" auger bit.
All in all it was good; no one got hurt and I got in some great seat time.

Have said it before like others.Check your gear box oil(80/90).Every TSC PHD and lots of others I have seen come dry shipped.
Keep playing "SAFE" ! :thumbsup:

Boone