Posthole Digger More Post hole digger questions

Mark4510 · Jul 6, 2004

I am looking at getting my own Post hole digger and am a bit overwhelmed by the choices. I plan on using it for fencing and planting in ground that has a lot of clay along with a type of rock that is pretty soft when wet but gets really hard in the summer.

Based on this I am thinking a 12" auger is ideal but most of the units I have been looking at (Gearmore, Rhino, Leinbach, etc) in the $500-$700 price range list that as the max size auger. Considering I need to go about 3 feet down on many of the holes do I need to be concerned about stressing the gear head using the max size?

So after reading previous threads I want to know peoples preference on the unit itself and more importantly what I should be looking for in the auger. I had one advertiser here told me their unit was a good one but the auger was really cheap and would wear out quickly. Are all auger interchangable?

I was told that if I get an auger that has variable rate on the spirals its less likely to corksrew into the dirt. I also think I should be looking at replacable teeth that are set at a steep angle.

Last thing (and I am pleading ignorance here) do some of these units come with a clutch and, if so, how does it work?

thanks in advance......

Henro · Jul 6, 2004

I have a Rhino HPHD that I think will take up to 18" augers...I don't know, but I do have a 9 and 14 inch auger...

Might help if you indicated more about what you really want to do with it. How many holes per year do you want to dig?

I doubt I could give you the answers, but I can see that those who might may need a little more specifics so that they can...

Wish I could do more....but if you counted the number of holes I have dug so far with my PHD you would call me crazy for buying one probably... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

GRUMPA · Jul 6, 2004

I dont actually own one of these (YET) but I'll try to do my best here. In other posts I've read Its not the size of the auger thats important its how you use it (no punn intended here). If you plan on using it for post holes most use a 9", if you plan on using it for planting trees you simply drill one hole and plant your tree with the same size auger, after you got the tree in simply drill with the same auger around the first thus giving the young tree a good head start with loose soil in which to spread its roots.

When I get mine I'm going with a 9" auger, I'll just really loosen up the surrounding soil by drill more holes around the first, (kinda like a rosebud tip on a torch). If its a question of how much can my machine handle I would go with the small one. For my personal tastes I wont be doing anything fancy with it.

varmint · Jul 6, 2004

Mark: what you don't say is what tractor will you be using to drive this auger. Many CUT rely on gravity and corkscrewing to drill the hole, and in some soils, this can be a problem. 9" works fine for most fence applications, and if you are drilling a hundred holes, the smaller back-fill will make a difference. A 12" auger can be a handfull for a smaller tractor, especially when you hit a rock next to a tree root, for example, and the shear bolt shears, and you have to find that 36" pipe wrench to unscrew the stuck auger. On the other hand, there's no easier way to do a hard job!

MikePA · Jul 6, 2004

On the other hand, there's no easier way to do a hard job! 
For installing fence posts, a post driver is easier than a post hole digger. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rozett · Jul 6, 2004

I have a Leinbach 7300 and so far, I am pleased with it. The auger is at the welders as we 'speak'. I live in an area that was the leading edge of a glacier and is just loaded with rock, and I have ledge pretty close to the surface in places. The ledge did a number on the auger tip. I'm using 4-5" posts and the 9" auger gives you some slack in placing the post. I would not want a larger one.

I have realized that using the PHD is a learned experience. There are a number of techniques, sounds, etc that are learned as you use it. The first few holes were a lot of work... and a lot of disassembly/assembly to replace shear bolts. But the last few holes went much better.

To20Chris · Jul 6, 2004

I think you're right, technique is everything. I did about 135 holes last summer, and by the end I was far better at it. I also think the local soil condidtions determine what works best. However, I still think the one universal tip is TURN IT SLOW!

Mark4510 · Jul 7, 2004

I will be using it with a JD 4510. I will have to sink about 50 posts for the first pasture with 3 of them hanging 12' gates that I guess weigh about 100-150lbs each. I think that the real challenge with these will be the fact that many of these will be sunk into compacted fill that has a fair amount of this rock that sort of breaks up when wet but is hard when dry.

Are augers interchangable between brands? Is any one design better than the next?

After reading many of the posts I assume I will have a lot shear pins on hand. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It is also clear that I will make sure the dumb dog stays in the house while I am working....

Thanks,
Mark

MikePA · Jul 7, 2004

Are augers interchangable between brands?
Some are, some aren't. I've seen augers that are round (different diameters) and six sided (I think, maybe it was octangonal).

Is any one design better than the next? 
I have a Leinbach 7300 that uses 2 bolts at the top of the auger to attach to the gear box. the bolts are a few inches apart (vertically) and at right angles. When they'd get worn, they were a pain to remove...a drift pin and lots of hammering. They also tended to elongate the holes in the auger, forcing me to replace it.

I'd think the augers that are not round would be better since they would not be relying solely on the attachment bolts to keep the auger from turning on the shaft.

rozett · Jul 7, 2004

I have had the same experience as Mike. The two augur attachment bolts get bent out of shape, making them difficult to replace. I am thinking of trying grade 5 or 8 bolts there. The bolt that shears attaches the PTO universal to the input side of the gearbox. It is smaller than the augur bolts and there is only one of them. Two of the three local hardware stores don't carry grade 2 bolts. They use grade 5 as standard. The third offers grades 5 & 8, but their standard is grade 2. Go figure. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif