Hydraulic PHD ID and questions?

[Hammy75]

Hi all looking to put in some fencing over the next few years so we are looking at buying a PHD. I found one pretty close but it is a hydraulic unit and the seller does not not know make or model. I will attach some pics if anybody can help with IDing it. Also I found a pounder for sale for the same price. Would a 38HP Mahindra 4010 HST run a pounder ok? How well does a pounder do with rocks and roots? Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[varmint]

This oughta be an educational thread for lots of us. If that Kubota (unknown model) can operate the hydraulic auger, maybe your tractor would, as well. I know nothing about pounders, other than they make a lot of noise. Can you try them out??

 

[Hammy75]

This oughta be an educational thread for lots of us. If that Kubota (unknown model) can operate the hydraulic auger, maybe your tractor would, as well. I know nothing about pounders, other than they make a lot of noise. Can you try them out??

The Kubota he has it on is a 3940. He said it feline fine with tractor on idle. The seller of each impliment are about 1.5 hours from me so I would not be able to try either on my tractor as I don't have a way to get it there. Will be interesting g to see what kind of experiences others have with these. Thanks

 

[Jkott]

I've run Bobcat's smallest hydraulic auger on my NH Boomer 30 on the front SSQA with 15' hoses running to the rear remotes. I only have 8 gpm, but I only ran at half throttle and never really full hydraulics.

I'm curios on brand and price of this one.

 

[Xfaxman]

That is the first 3 point PHD that I have seen with a straight mast.

Here is the second one, found on an image search: Post hole Digger Hydra Bed Hydraulic fencing

This hydraulic motor that you posted, did not show up anywhere.

 

[Cataclysm]

Is the price cheap enough that you could buy both and see which you liked best then sell the other one?

I've been wanting a pile driver so I can set posts easier by myself but nothing around here other than new$$.

 

[Hammy75]

Thanks for the research and experiences guys. It is the first straight boom I have seen on a PHD as well. Not that I have seen many. Both sellers are asking $1500 (Canadian) OBO for each so will not be buying both. Considering I can get a Land Pride PH15 in town for $1300 plus tax with a 9" auger and I am looking to save a few bucks on a used model. Cash is a bit tight with all projects we have happening on the farm right now.

I am very sceptical that the pounder would work well on a tractor this small. I did some checking online and a few companies make them that work with my specs but this one is for sale is an area dominated by large scale farmers that have large scale equipment so I think I will rule it out unless I get some good I for from the seller but I am not holding my breath

I am very reluctant to buy the hydraulic unit as without knowing the manufacturer I would be up the creek if I ever needed a part. Any opinions on this?

Thanks to all who have responded so far.

 

[prichard]

The issue with either is hydraulic flow, not so much HP. As long as weight is less than 3PH and flow is less than your rear remotes can handle either would be fine. I think I'd prefer pounder. I have a PTO auger and wish I also had pounder for some of the areas.

I'd think your concern about roots and rocks may be valid though. No idea what pounders do to a post when they encounter something like that.

 

[Rustyiron]

That straight mast will require inching the tractor forward as the hole is dug. PITA!
I imagine you have similar gravel soils to mine, and that will definetly require several in & out's of the hole. I do it with my SS where the visibility and moving the machine back & fourth is simple. If you have hystat trans, that will be a big help. A pounder should work with your machine, most have a small cyl. to lift the hammer back up and do not have big hyd. requirements, the post takes the impact and some sit on the ground for the entire post driving. You'd be suprised what a sharpened post will push out of it's way. I used to have both and sometimes would drill a small (4-6") pilot hole then pound the post in in tough soils. I actually used an excavator to push them in, but same theory. No pointing the post with a pilot hole.
Is it worth hauling your tractor up to the guy with the pounder for a "test drive"? I know you said you can't do both, I'd start with the pounder. Another thing, The phd looks like it is direct drive. The one I have is chain & sprocket off the hyd motor for a mechanical advantage. The better models have a built in Planetary gear set up directly off the hyd. motor. Either way, both use a mechanical aid for power, just an observation.
edit; Oh, no down pressure. I was thinking how my phd works on the SS, that definetly makes me confirm my vote for trying the pounder first.

 

[Xfaxman]

One big advantage of the hydraulic PHD is that it is reversible. If it gets hung on a root or rock, just reverse it and back it out, then try again, dropping it slower.

Another advantage is you can hang it on the front end loader, now you have down pressure. :thumbsup:

 

[Hammy75]

Thanks for the new info/opinions guys. I think i am just a bit too concerned about not knowing the make and model of the hydraulic auger. We will be using what ever we buy for many years and don't want to spend the cash on something that is garbage and/or ha huge hassle when it needs to be fixed. I really like the idea of the pounder as it won't require any concrete or tamping to set the posts. This will save time and money, both of which are at at premium right now. I got the guys number and will try to call him tomorrow.

Incase neither of these work out any opinions on a Land Pride PH15? The Woods PHD35 is $300 more so I am leaning towards the Land Pride if I have to go new if it's about the same quality as the Woods. Thanks for the info so far.

 

[buickanddeere]

Buy it quick

 

[oldnslo]

On most if not all augers or pounders less flow just makes them run slower but they still do the same job. The size of the pounder, shape and size of posts, size of rocks, your patience.. all determine how well the post can be driven.

 

[buickanddeere]

Flow means little to a PHD . Nobody wails it at high rpm more than once . A pounder is a hydraulic hog.

 

[Hammy75]

I talked to the guy with the pounder and it hasn't been used for about 25 years. It was on an International 656 that from the quick google search I did does. It have a standard 3 point hitch and has a hydraulic flow of 12gpm (mine only has 8.2gpm). He also said it only has 1 quick connect and can't remember how the other hose hooked up. Sounds like a bit out of my league for rigging it up and he said it is very heavy... Almost lifted the back fires off the ground when he lifted it with the FEL on his 32HP Kubota. Thinking this might be a bit heavy to haul around with my Mahindra.

Buickanddeere are you thinking I should just go for the hydraulic auger? I also had a response to my wanted add from a guy who said he had a heavy duty Land Pride but no other details. I replied back this morning with questions but haven't heard back. Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

 

[varmint]

I'm thinking the hydraulic auger might be your best bet. If it isn't leaking, it should be pretty bullet proof and trouble free, plus it would be nice and heavy, a handy feature.

PTO driven PHD's certainly work, but if you are dealing with lots of rocky soil, then expecting to replace shear bolts should be part of the equation. And controlling them isn't as easy a tweaking a valve lever.

The hydraulic would have "power reverse", unlike a mechanical one?

 

[r porter]

get the driver [pounder], driving 50 posts before lunch is priceless. but you must drive them when it is wet, if summer dries out the ground you may not be able to drive them. that means drive now! the best time is right after the spring thaw.

i put in a bunch with an ol farmall 300 with a shaver mounted on it. i still have the shaver- it paid for itself in a week.

 

[Rustyiron]

I talked to the guy with the pounder and it hasn't been used for about 25 years. It was on an International 656 that from the quick google search I did does. It have a standard 3 point hitch and has a hydraulic flow of 12gpm (mine only has 8.2gpm).

All that means is that just as the auger would be slower, so will the hammer. as far as the single hose set up, I'm sure that the cyl is single acting and the 2nd hose is a secondary "dump" or "return to sump" line that can just be put into your trans fill with no "qc" on the end. This allows a faster return of fluid for a faster hammer drop.
I wouldn't give up on it yet, 3 pt. tractor PHD's are not the answer that they look like they should be, and unless you think you might need reverse, a mechanical phd can be had for a lot less money. If you've never use a 3 pt PHD, see if you can rent or borrow one, you'll see.

 

[Hammy75]

Thanks rustyiron. I really have no idea how they work nor do I know anybody who does. My own ignorance with these implements is what's got me concerned about buying them. I was buying hay at my buddies dairy farm yesterday and is a big fan of his hydraulic auger. He has the 3rd function installed on his loader for it but I am thinking about pricing a couple 15' extensions to run to my rear remotes. Any feedback on doing something like that?

 

[Jkott]

He has the 3rd function installed on his loader for it but I am thinking about pricing a couple 15' extensions to run to my rear remotes. Any feedback on doing something like that?

Running hoses to my rear remote is exactly what I did and it worked really well for me. Stock fleet farm hoses were pretty cheap and I just put the correct quick connects on.