Posthole Digger how do I keep from burying the auger when I use it

skipmarcy · Aug 23, 2012

Yep, I agree with everyone else - I barely run 1000 rpms when digging and work the heck out of that 3pt up & down again to keep the flights clear of dirt and to keep from snagging something too solid. I barely let the auger dig maybe 6" to no more than 12" before raising it up not quite out of the hole to keep it from flying around. It just takes a little practice to get into the repetition of it.

cowski · Aug 23, 2012

idle only ,bigger tractor would work better.

jenkinsph · Aug 23, 2012

I agree with everyone else. slowest speed the tractor will run at is fast enough. Slowly lower your hitch and keep the hole cleared as you go. Turning at a very low rate of speed my hydraulic auger will drill a 2' hole in a few seconds at 50rpm. My standard phd will turn much faster at an idle speed of 800 rpm so in this case slow is the way to go.

jimgerken · Aug 24, 2012

Yea, what they have told you is all good stuff. Idle, retract often, use care, keep others away. One other trick I added to mine: At the top end of the auger tube I welded on a short cross-tube of 1.5" square tube, a section of square tube almost as long as the auger diameter. Square tube because it was easier to weld onto the round auger center tube, compared to welding on a round tube section. Once you have this in place, when you eventually DO get the auger stuck, SHUT OFF THE TRACTOR, slip the PTO into neutral so it can be turned, slide your shovel handle thru the welded-on tube section, and turn the bit out of the earth backwards. This works so slick I can't believe the manufacturers are not putting this feature on at the factory. There, you owe me a beer.

Gary Fowler · Aug 24, 2012

I know you will likely stick the auger again so here is my way of getting out a stuck auger. Dont try to turn the auger unless you have a mighty big wrench. I find it easier to turn the PTO shaft opposite direction to screw the auger out of the ground. It takes more turns but the PTO turn easy. I would never try to dig one out, way too much work.
All other advice is spot on, low RPM, raise the auger to clean out the hole frequently. You can even stop the auger to pull it out if you worry about wobbling out the hole. When using a ground man, I like to have the spoils scraped back away from the hole before removing the auger to keep more dirt from falling back in.