Posthole Digger Green Mfg PHD any good?

pinemountainman · Apr 30, 2007

Well my old PHD died today and I need to replace it, Called around and got prices on a few different ones. The best deal is an Green MFG FM5500 with 12" auger for $595.00, Is this worth it?

Tom_H · May 3, 2007

I have that model, purchased through N. H. Northern Tool and Supply. It's a full sized unit, tight fit if you put it on a subCUT, but works. It digs pretty well. The auger tips are pretty blunt and won't bite into soil unless pretty soft. My clay has to have been moistened and then allowed to dry down to slightly moist in order to dig well (too wet and its like trying to drill a hole in a milkshake). It won't dig in dry hard clay and when it hits my hardpan, it just spins around, even if I put 200 lb. of ballast on it. The Greene PHD performs adaquately, and might do better if you could get your auger and tip from Pengo. If the auger and tips you have left from your previous PHD have the right connection type for the Greene, you might be able to use them and not buy new ones. I'd recommending checking whether those connections are compatible, because there're a variety of styles, and if it doesn't fit..., well,....it doesn't fit.

ducati996 · May 6, 2007

Have the same model and if you get the auger from them, it will have a replaceable tip (and its shape is with a self hole starter design). The auger has held up excellent with so many holes, I lost count.

Excellent unit IMHO, the price seems in line to what I paid 4 to 5 years ago

mlauk · May 6, 2007

I have the FM5500 through Northern. For the same price range it looks heavier duty than the competition. I had a few problems digging a couple holes like Tom H described, depending on how hard the soil was, but normally digs the holes no problem.

pinemountainman · May 8, 2007

Well I pick up the Green PHD today and it came with Pengo cutters n point. I tried it out in wet red clay with roots and it did it's job well I'd say VERY DAM WELL, Set throttle at just above idle and down it went, cleaned out each hole 3 times, 40" deep no problem.