New Post Hole Digger on BX

[rmcess]

I read a lot of posts prior to buying a post hole digger to use on my BX2200. Most of what I read stated I would have a lot of trouble with ground clearance when moving between holes and would need to use a 30" auger instead of the standard 42" stocked at local stores.
I purchased a Farm Star model 500 Digger with a 9" auger for $349.00 and $99.00 respectively. I believe this is identicle to the worksaver model 500, both brands have a model 300 and a model 500 and look identicle.
The closest thing to a modification I had to do was placing the pins on the inside of the yoke.
In the transport position I have 14" of clearance on level ground with the 42 " auger.
I bored 75 holes this weekend in soil that range from good black dirt to clay full of small rocks. The BX and post hole digger worked perfectly, I smiled all weekend.
Sorry for rambling on but I just wanted to get on record as having a full size PHD on a BX.
Rich...

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>I bored 75 holes this weekend in soil that range from good black dirt to clay full of small rocks.</font color=blue>

I just got a Leinbach PHD but haven't had a chance to use it. Did you break any shear pins?

 

[Buck]

rmcess,

What do think the pros and cons are of 9", 12", and 14" diameter augers are?

Thanks,
Buck

 

[rmcess]

Mike,
I took about a dozen extra shear bolts with me but did not break a single one. This is the first time I have ever used a post hole digger. The biggest trouble I had was the sod hanging on the cutting teeth, I had to clean the cutters every few holes to keep it cutting good.
Rich...

 

[rmcess]

Buck,
<font color=blue>What do think the pros and cons are of 9", 12", and 14" diameter augers are?</font color=blue>
I debated between the 9" and 12" for a bit. The BX is a small tractor and thought the 9" would be a better match.(After using it I think it would handle the 12" in my soil just fine.) I also thought if I am in need of a larger hole it is pretty easy to enlarge the diameter of and existing hole with a shovel after it is drilled to depth.
This was my reasoning, hope it helps./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Rich...

 

[Buck]

Rich,

Helps a lot. Thank you. I'm looking for a PHD and wondered what the machine limitations were as a function of horsepower. I'd rather go bigger with the auger and shrink the hole by hand. The price difference between these varying diameter augers is too small to be a concern.

Thanks again Rich!

Buck

 

[rmcess]

Buck,
I ran my throttle about 1/2 and power did not seem to be a problem. The tractor did jump pretty good a couple of times when engaging roots and rocks. On several holes that had a lot of rocks I ran the PTO even slower, it seemed like I had more control if it were to hang up.
I agree it is a lot easier to push the dirt back than to dig it out.
Ask me a year from now and I'll probably have a 12 " auger as well.
Rich...

 

[Charliebrn]

Great review! Thanks for the info...it's one of the things i'd like to pick up some day. Very happy to hear it worked so well, after hearing all the naysayers it wouldn't....... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[rmcess]

Here is a picture of my BX with the Farm Star PHD.
I was working on planting trees for erosion control.
Rich...
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/35-122814-ErosionControl.jpg>http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/35-122814-ErosionControl.jpg</A>

 

[Jeff396]

Looks great! I'm considering getting a posthold digger to help around the house. My question is will there be any problem digging holes on very non level ground. I'm assuming that bar that comes forward is to control the angle of the hole. Do you think having the tractor on a 15 degree slope nose down that you could still get the hole in the ground straight down?

Jeff