New Post Hole Digger on BX

theboman · Mar 25, 2002

1/2 throttle? I'd really check with Kubota to make sure the PTO is working at 540 RPM at 1/2 throttle. Seems like I read the BX don't have a tach, but on the 7500 it takes about 2/3 throttle to hit the desired rpms on the PTO.

Underpowering will tear up a motor/equipment than underpower, and being diesel engines they are made to work at higher rpms.

Did you know the first diesels automobiles (cars, pickups) only were made in automatic to ensure the rpms stayed high enough to not damage the engine?

Alan L. · Mar 25, 2002

I have a digger I got at Tractor Supply - brand unknown. Seems like a Servo or something like that. I usually dig at about 2000 RPMs although it takes 2600 to get 540 PTO speed.

The digger works fine. The only problem is that the PTO U-joint on the digger end actually makes contact with the metal guard when the auger gets all the way into the hole. When I hear the noise I quit.

I only have a 6 inch auger and the tractor doesn't need many RPMs to dig. The problem is that it will come nearer to screwing itself in the ground if you don' t have the RPMs to pull it out. Not real fun when that happens.

rmcess · Mar 25, 2002

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, I did a few on about a 12 degree slope and adjusted for it by starting with the auger point a few inches further out from the tractor and as it drilled in it straightened out. This was recommended in the manual and seemed to work. I think it would work on a 15 degree slope as well.
Yes the handle comes up so you can set the angle while on the tractor seat, after a few holes it was pretty easy to tell the proper angle without getting off the tractor.
Rich...

rmcess · Mar 25, 2002

Bo,
This is the first diesel I have had. I was just going by the sound of the engine and it did not seem to labor. I am sure the PTO was not running at 540 RPM at 1/2 throttle. When I ran it faster the auger wanted to screw itself into the ground, slowing it down just seemed to work better. I will pay closer attention to it in the future to keep my RPM's up and just lower the digger a little at a time.
Thank's
Rich...

Bird · Mar 26, 2002

Naturally, you don't want to "lug" the engine (bog it down), but a post hole digger is one implement that I don't think you ever want to run at the full 540 PTO speed. And you sure don't want to pull it up out of the hole when it's spinning fast.

b249 · Mar 27, 2002

Your phd and tractor look great; what a back saver!!! Thanks for the starting up this thread. My dad is awaiting delivery of a B7500 & his 12" phd. I kind of questioned the large diameter/ground clearance issue my self but I now I think he'll be fine. I know the phd will work on my 2710 (now w/ 9 hours on it) and I'm looking forward to borrowing it for my fencing project!!

b249

GlueGuy · Mar 28, 2002

That's great!

I know someone else on the forum had a PHD on a BX, and did have to shorten the auger. So there must be some differences between brands (no surprise there). It's good to have this information from different people with different brands.

I had considered getting a PHD for our B7500, but because our ground is so seriously rocky, we decided it wouldn't be worth the gamble unless we could rent one. We ended up digging the holes by hand (60 so far, another 30 or so to go)...

rmcess · Mar 28, 2002

We ended up digging the holes by hand (60 so far, another 30 or so to go)... 
I am not jealous of you!
This weekend I am going to try putting up a flag pole in an area that is very rocky, I'll push it till I shear a bolt or two. Until I push it to its limits I will not know what they are.

Old_Wanker · Apr 2, 2002

As chance would have it I bought a PHD from TSC yesterday because of a last minute project - my bad planning. This SpeeCo PHD does not raise high enough on the BX to fit a full size auger so had to take 9 inch off the top of the auger. What a pain in the [censored] that was - used the grinder to cut the auger and had to grind off a weld and then drill through two 1/2" holes nice and straight.

It looks like if I have my local welder add another bracket plate on the boom pole with a lower pin setting then I will be able to use the PHD with a full size auger in the future. Just goes to show how bad planning can hurt you even if you cant avoid it once in a while.

rmcess · Apr 2, 2002

It looks like if I have my local welder add another bracket plate on the boom pole with a lower pin setting then I will be able to use the PHD with a full size auger in the future. 
Let me know if any measurements or close up photo's would help you. I just got lucky with mine fitting so well. Sounds like you are on the right track on the modification, mine had three holes to attach the yoke to and the lowest one is the one that gave me full motion without getting anything in a bind.
Good Luck!