Leinbach PHD

Outlander1 · Feb 6, 2005

I'm shopping for a 3 point post hole digger and one of the local machinery places sells the Leinbach 7300 at what appears to be a decent price. $375 with a 12" auger. It only has a 90 day warranty and that seems a tad light. Anyone have any experience with the Leinbach? Good? Bad? Or could someone suggest a brand that might be around $475-$500 that might be better? I was also wondering if a 12" auger is going to give a 7205 Cub (20 HP) trouble? All advice appreciated! Thanks....

deereman63 · Feb 6, 2005

i have a leinbach which i purchased on ebay from the smartfarmer. i actually drove down to tennessee to pick it up ,i also purchased the potato plough as well. I have the smaller version to fit on the 2210 , which only has a limited cat 1 hitch. I used the phd in the fall to put in 20 fruit tree with a 9 inch auger. Spend an afternoon doing this and the machine worked very well. It takes a little getting used if you are working by youself so if you have help use this is important if you are digging for post holes as they need to go down straight . also these machines are quite powerful and disappear into the ground very quickly once they bite . best of luck

Dargo · Feb 6, 2005

I picked up a Leinbach 7400 PHD with a 12" auger for $375 last fall. I've only used it a few times, but it seems fine. It will get a real workout in the spring when I plant 4800 trees with it!

EddieWalker · Feb 6, 2005

I've had mine for about a year and a half. It has the 12 inch auger and I wouldn't buy one any smaller. My tractor is a Century 2535 with 35HP. I couldn't tell you if you have enough power or not. It works great on my setup.

I haven't had a single problem with mine. I built my barn and put in dozens of fence posts with it.

It was the chaepest priced one my dealer offered, but he said it was just as good as anything else he sold for much more money. I can't prove this to be true or not.

The most dificult thing about using it is keeping the holes strait. Even when you get it lined up just perfect, you still have things in the groud that will send it off on an angle.

Roots and rocks are the main culprits.

A 12 inch hole might sound like too much for a 6 inch post, but you have to remember that you'll only have 3 inches of space around that post, and if the hole isnt' perfect, that three inches will disapear real fast.

When running a fenceline, I've found that I have to straighten up about half of my holes to get them perfectly spaced and in line. Maybe a better operator can do better.

A bigger post will make this even more difficult to get right.

I think it's a good product and wont hesitate recomending it.

Eddie Walker

Maka · Mar 7, 2005

Good price. Excellent product. Your tractor should not have a problem with it. Go with the Leinbach for that price.

Good Luck!
Maka

ducati996 · Mar 7, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I picked up a Leinbach 7400 PHD with a 12" auger for $375 last fall. I've only used it a few times, but it seems fine. It will get a real workout in the spring when I plant 4800 trees with it! )</font>

Only 4,800 trees? Have any spare augers with that? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
How many can you do in a day times how many days would that be? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Dargo · Mar 7, 2005

Man, you just had to bring up the logistics of my project on a Monday! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I sort of think I may put a bit of wear on that auger when planting my trees. Hey, I'll tell you how smart I am; I have ordered another couple hundred trees since that last post. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Let's see; 5000 trees, roughly 3 days to get them planted, 5 kids, one wife, 3 friends, (but 2 of them will have to most likely have to work those days and won't be able to help /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)...uh, that'll be about 1667 holes a day; 12 hour work day, leaves 139 holes an hour to dig, that leaves about 2.3 holes per minute to dig at roughly 20 feel apart....hmm. Are you seeing a potential issue here? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Dang, I just might have to start digging some of those holes before the trees actually get here, you think? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Charolais · Mar 7, 2005

I have one that I bought back in the mid 80's. Replaced the tip/blades several times. Loaned it out once and the guy was in reverse and didn't have the lift all the way up. Broke the output shaft off in the box about and inch inside. Tore it down and took the shaft and gear to the plant where I worked. Ground it out, welded it up and turned it back to correct size. Works like it always did. I don't use it much now since I got a post driver. But will always need one for special jobs. If there was anything wrong with this brand I expect I'd have seen it by now. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I'd buy another if I needed one.

bugstruck · Mar 7, 2005

I've been eyeballing one of the Leinbach post hole diggers too. My local TSC carries them but they are more in the $500.00 range. They are auctioned new on EBAY for about $375.00 from time to time and one of the sellers up there says he has quite a large number in service with good results. I'm not much on EBAY seller promotions but that seller is one of the better ones. I need to look around if you guys are finding them at that price though.

Dargo, saw your post on the trees. WOW! Rather an incredible number to plant. Sounds like you'll need that small army of people to help you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Hope you have a comfortable seat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Your going to be awhile.

SPIKER · Mar 7, 2005

hummm 5000 trees I planted about 3yrs back now, used my roto-tiller to till long furrows 4' wide and then used spade and hand to dig a hole for each one. planted 10~20' appart and were 1~4 yr old trees. the 3 yr maples were 24" high and 12" deep hole for roots did it with help of my brother and his son for most of the work. took 2 weeks of off hr work and 1 week full on work. good news is probably 85% survival rate /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

tiller worked very hard 0 broken tines probably 28 hrs run time on tractor for that tiller opperation alone! was GOING to use PHD but root system needs well ground up dirt as well as it kills off weeds much easier for 1st yr growth helping... have to keep weeds away form them for 1 yr.

Mark M