Need some help with post hole digger

merlebo02 · Sep 1, 2016

Ok guys/gals, acquired a post hole digger and it seems to work as it should.. It has a 9" auger on it and had it hooked up to a 30 hp New Holland tractor.. The problem is it will only dig down into the ground 1 maybe 2 feet at best. It will continue to spin strong, no sign of it bogging down, but will not go down any deeper.. We have it set on the third setting which makes it go down as low as it can when the arms are in their lowest position.. What could possibly be our problem??

Disclaimer: this is our first time using a post hole digger so the problem could be something really simple that we are not doing correctly..

Thanks in advance of any tips/replies

bcp · Sep 1, 2016

See how far down it will go with the auger removed.

See if there is a BIG rock 1-2 feet down where you are testing it.

Bruce

merlebo02 · Sep 1, 2016

We are wanting to replace the 9" auger with a 12" so we will give that a try next time.. We drilled in several different spots so no rock was in the area.. It would just got down about 1 ft and sit there and spin not going any deeper.

newbury · Sep 1, 2016

Where in Mississippi?

Do you have a layer of heavy clay? If it was Texas I might expect caliche, but not Mississippi.

Pics would help.

MF283 · Sep 2, 2016

Draft Control?????

gwdixon · Sep 2, 2016

As already implied, move the auger out of the way (put it at an angle) and see how far the drive head will go down. Or you can remove the auger and do the same thing.

The 1' to 2' drop may be as low as the 3PH can go.

If your vertical lift arms have several holes where they attach to the horizontal lift arms, make sure the vertical lift arms are at their lowest setting. (lowest holes.) This will make the arm longer and it will penetrate a bit more.

The upper (top link) attachment point won't make a great deal of difference but it should be on the lowest (bottom) hole.

Here is a video from EA.

Post Hole Digger - YouTube

CharlieS · Sep 2, 2016

The problem may be as simple as soil compaction. This time of year red clay can get as hard as concrete. I've seen, and done myself, welded a piece of 2 inch pipe on the top bar of my post hole, then using a long bar one or two men can pull down applying additional "down weight" to help the auger engage the soil. I've also seen ground so hard it would actually get hot enough you'd see smoke coming out of the hole.
What we did to partially solve that problem was made a more agressive digger point with some steeply angled cutting teeth similar to ripping teeth to break up the smooth surface at the bottom of the hole and enhance digging a little. While not a cure-all it has helped some.
Note too, if it is a hard soil/compaction issue the larger the auger the more pronounced the problem will be.

bspeedy · Sep 2, 2016

PTO shaft length is my guess (too long). Remove the auger and lower the 3 pt. It will stop when the shaft bottoms out on itself. Solution is to cut the shaft to allow it the full travel of the length of the auger bit.

prichard · Sep 2, 2016

Is the auger new? You realize there is no down pressure on 3 point, weight is the only thing lowering the auger.

Could be physical like has been pointed out. Often this is due to the ground. Hitting hard packed dirt, clay stone, etc. If it is an older unit new point and cutters may be all you need. Some have had to add weight to the unit, some have added hydraulics, some have added a lever.

See http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...erating/207657-newbie-question-3-point-w.html