JD Post hole digger on CK-20?

[malk315]

Hi all-

Next project is new deck on the house and need to dig 6 or so sonet tube holes 3+ feet deep (for frost in new england) and was thinking of renting PHD from local renter who has a JD one for CAT-1 3 point hitch.

Do you guys know if it will work? i.e. quick connect for drive shaft etc?

This will be the first use of a rear attachment that is powered.

My 3 point arms don't have any down pressure, so I assume the PHD has a separate arm the user can use to apply down pressure w/ leverage?

Any tips would be appreciated. It's about a $100 rental and I'm thinking any holes that will be easier to do w/ the PHD can get done in a morning. If I hit too many rocks etc., I can finish by hand etc. We dug a 100 foot x 4 feet deep trench in the same area for drainage w/ a mini-excavator and didn't do too bad w/ rocks etc.

 

[coasterez]

Post hole digger should work just fine for you. Just make sure the shear pin is correct and functional. There will be no down pressure other than weight, unless the PHD has it's own down pressure valve and your tractor has remotes that can operate it. As long as the ground is not too rocky, you probably won't need overt down pressure. Just be careful with that thing. They can be dangerous for bystanders; keep them clear and keep the rpm's fairly low.

 

[malk315]

Thanks for the quick reply -- I don't have rear remotes and will find out if the unit can take them. I'm assuming I can still use it if it's got down pressure connections that I don't connect anything to.

Recommended RPMs in #'s? 1500 on tach sound reasonable? Last I checked I think mine idles at around 1000. PTO RPM of 540 is at around 2800 on the tach if I remember correctly. If I'm right then a little math reveals about 290 PTO rpms @ 1500 tach RPMS and about 200 PTO rpm at 1000 tach rpm. That's about 3 revolutions per second

Thanks again. I will be very careful to keep everything clear of PTO output shaft, and all moving parts on the PHD.

 

[malk315]

Ok -- kioti website specs say:

540 PTO rpm @ 2646 Engine rpm

My estimates above are still good even w/ the slightly lower engine RPMs.

 

[fastpat]

Thanks for the quick reply -- I don't have rear remotes and will find out if the unit can take them. I'm assuming I can still use it if it's got down pressure connections that I don't connect anything to.

Recommended RPMs in #'s? 1500 on tach sound reasonable? Last I checked I think mine idles at around 1000. PTO RPM of 540 is at around 2800 on the tach if I remember correctly. If I'm right then a little math reveals about 290 PTO rpms @ 1500 tach RPMS and about 200 PTO rpm at 1000 tach rpm. That's about 3 revolutions per second

Thanks again. I will be very careful to keep everything clear of PTO output shaft, and all moving parts on the PHD.

Most Post Hole Diggers don't have hydraulic down pressure cylinders, only the more expensive ones. My Massey-Ferg unit goes in by weight and the thrust of the auger action pulls it down about as fast as I'm comfortable with. I never run it at rated speed, often it's probably about 35% less than 540 rpm.

 

[kentrodngun]

I've used my PHD a number of times and can give you a couple of tips. Go slow, clear often by lifting up and have a big pipe wrench on hand to back the auger out when (not if) it gets stuck / hung up.
As coasterez pointed out, it is quite dangerous - keep everyone clear. Good luck.

 

[bearhawk]

I'm sure My neighbors got a smile with my phd buried all the way in as they passed by. Fortunatly the ride to the tool store for a BIG pipe wrench was short and fast.

Our rocky NH soil was a real challenge.

Go slow, 1300 rpm or so. I kept my foot on the clutch to try catch it before it it spit the 5th or 6th shear pin.

Also try to let the three point slowly, it will help keep the bit from drilling in.

Cheers

 

[ERE]

Let me chime in with bearhawk's comment of go slow. My PHD operating instructions told me to use the lowest rpm possible. I usually do it slightly about 1100 and that works fine. I think any faster and you would have problem getting it to dig in initially without spinning away from the point where you first let it touch down.

 

[bearhawk]

I think any faster and you would have problem getting it to dig in initially without spinning away from the point where you first let it touch down.

That reminds me, I had better luck digging a small starter hole first. Just a few inches down with the shovel. Then set the bit down into the depression, let a little gravity pressure hold the bit in place. Then release the clutch slowly.

Try to avoid the crick in your neck ;-)

 

[malk315]

Thanks again for everyone's tips.

Turns out a guy I work with who has an older 22hp JD machine owns a Greenline EM5000 PHD that I have borrowed and thus didn't need to rent one. It can be seen here:

Greenline EM5000 PHD

I'm all setup w/ extra sheer bolts, 9" auger, and beefy pipe wrench and we should be digging some holes pretty soon. Here's some pictures of everything ready to go. Went on nicely.