Posthole Digger Hydraulic or pto post hole auger?

[CurlyDave]

Don't forget to look on Craigslist and eBay.

About 3 years ago, I bought a Bobcat brand hydraulic auger motor with both 12" and 18" augers for $770 from an ad on eBay. This is less than, but in the same ballpark as a new PTO post hole digger, but with all the advantages of hydraulic.

The seller was in the landscape business and used them to put in a few trees & bushes, when hard times came.

It now mounts on the front of my JKD 110TLB and does an excellent job of putting in trees and bushes.

Last month I put in 20 bushes at our church.

Another advantage of a hydraulic set up is that after I use a little down pressure to start the hole, I can dig a much deeper hole than absolutely necessary. Add a little fertilizer, and hold the auger at a given depth and it will mix the fertilizer with the dirt still in the hole.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Danuser makes a 6 GPM model

http://www.everythingattachments.com/Danuser-EP-6-Skid-Steer-auger-drive-unit-p/danuser-ep6.htm

 

[JoeBuyer]

A hydraulic motor control valve is different than one you use for a cylinder. .

How so?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Another advantage of a hydraulic set up is that after I use a little down pressure to start the hole, I can dig a much deeper hole than absolutely necessary. Add a little fertilizer, and hold the auger at a given depth and it will mix the fertilizer with the dirt still in the hole.

Why is this an advantage to a hydraulic set up? :confused3: I've been doing this for years with my PTO auger.

 

[SSdoxie]

How so?

A motor valve has internal check vavles that connect both A & B work outlets to tank when valve spool is in neutral. This is used for high RPM motors with heavy load so the motor can coast down to stop when flow is shut off. Not needed for slow motor RPM as PHD.
Loader/cylinder valve normally does not have these check valves. In larger construction equipment, companies will have combination circuit reliefs with anit-cavition valves so the valve can hold load under pressure for cylinder operation but still open momentarially to prevent high shock load such shutting fast spinning motor off.

One thing to consider using a hydraulic auger on 3PH, is does the rear remote dump returning fluid direct to tank or does it Power-beyond capabilty built into it. If it returns to tank you can not keep auger rotating and lift 3PH at same time. There are tractors with factory setup that allow multi-function of rear remote and 3PH, but more that do not vs those that do.

 

[JRP]

I need a post hole auger but heard that if your soil is rocky, which mine is very, that a hydraulic auger is a better choice since they will stop when obstructed versus breaking shear pins, bolts etc. My tractor is only 30hp and the pump would'nt run a hydraulic very well, (now my dealer tells me!). Should I expect a lot of breakage with a pto auger in my extremely rocky soil?

Be careful. In our community a nam was killed with PHD this year. The shear bolt was too long and he got wrapped up. Internal bleeding. The land owner tractor operator was devastated by the lost of his friend and best help.

Make a commitment for rules and shut down the equipment if anyone gets near. Everyone should go home at night.

A hydraulic on the FEL gives greater digging depth, downforce to push down, reversing. Mount the PHD to the far right so you can see the tip from the tractor seat.

Check out Belton NC100 model. I bought the NC150.

 

[JRP]

Just so that all the options are mentioned, there are 3pt hydraulic augers and there are down pressure kits for 3pt augers. I personally prefer the 3pt augers vs the loader mounted hydraulic augers so that a person can carry fence posts in the bucket and have them right there with you as you dig the post holes.

Just my :2cents: , any of them are better than digging by hand.

Some mount for the hydraulic augers bolt to the RH side of the FEL bucket. No backing up to each hole. The posts are close.

 

[MarkV]

It was mentioned earlier but I'll say it again. If this is a one time job rent a skid steer with an auger. More versatile, better hydraulic flow, great visibly, better production and the rental company will know your local conditions and have bits designed for them. Clear the fence line with your tractor and do a weekend rental. Way cheaper than buying a hydraulic auger plus pump.

MarkV

 

[Charlesaf3]

Hydraulic all the way. On the backhoe is perfect.

 

[JoeBuyer]

A motor valve has internal check vavles that connect both A & B work outlets to tank when valve spool is in neutral. This is used for high RPM motors with heavy load so the motor can coast down to stop when flow is shut off. Not needed for slow motor RPM as PHD.
Loader/cylinder valve normally does not have these check valves. In larger construction equipment, companies will have combination circuit reliefs with anit-cavition valves so the valve can hold load under pressure for cylinder operation but still open momentarially to prevent high shock load such shutting fast spinning motor off.
.

Good write up. I use a standard aux spool for my hydraulic PHD so it doesn't sound like I have anything to worry about. My FEL spool has a relief as well as the aux spool has a relief set a little lower. These should dump to the tank if I ever had overrun from a large diameter auger bit? Or is even that not a concern?