Lubricant for auger

[b2910]

I doubt that it is actually damaged, so I wouldn't worry too much in the meantime.

What has happened to me before is that the auger is turning and not digging in immediately, so I feed it a little too much downward with the position lever. Of course, the auger doesn't actually move down until whatever it's chewing on gives up, then it digs pretty fast, so much so that by the time I realized it was hogging in it was too late.

On a few occasions where it screwed itself into the ground, I have had luck with holding the position control in the raise position and bumping the PTO clutch, it pulled the auger free after a couple of turns. The L3400 is a bit heavier than the B2910, so that helps too.

Usually what I try to do now is dig a pilot hole in the sod if it's tough and thick. It does two things, first it puts the auger exactly where I want to start the hole with no skipping and sliding around at first (works well on hillsides), and secondly it starts to dig right away. If it starts to bounce on a rock or root, I'll feed in enough down travel that it can dislodge the rock, and maybe go another 6 inches but that's about it.

Once it has clear digging again I feed it down normally.

Sean

I have been digging a small shallow hole first primarily as an easy way to mark the spot where I want the hole, works much better than a small stake that I started with and as you pointed out it helps direct the auger into the exact spot. I switched back to my 9" bit and it dug hole after hole without any problem, including the spots where the 6" just hogged right in. For some reason the 9" auger doesn't seem to have that problem.

I would take a picture and try posting it but a neighborhood thief broke in an stole my DSLR which really screwed up my day on Tuesday. Digging the holes and setting some posts was pretty therapeutic. A couple of holes would not penetrate but I didn't think/remember to pour some water in them to soften the soil, after reading some other PHD threads that seems to be a well received concept. Back to the point, I noticed a difference in the auger cutting blade placement on my 9" Shaver bit, one blade is on the outer edge of the 9" cutter and the other blade is mounted about 2" inside that circumference. The 6" TSC auger has the two blades mounted so far to the edge that they actually stick out beyond the 6" spiral. That may be the reason it is so hard to control. But as you have said a 9" hole for a 4" post is easier to work with for lining up the post anyway. Thanks again for the tips.

 

[Chilly807]

The six inch auger digs more easily because it has less soil to move, and may be more aggressive to begin with.

I actually use a shovel to cut the sod out for the pilot hole if the ground is hard, like now. It pains me to do it, but the results are worth it

Good to hear you're having better luck.

Sean