Backhoe PHD or Backhoe?

[ctgoldwing]

I have 2 projects for the spring that will require digging post holes. My grape arbor really took the pipe a year ago in an ice storm. All the cedar poles I used have come down. Now I am planning on building a 'real' arbor with at least 6X6's for vertical members. I probably need to set 16-18 of these. I am also looking to fence an area in the woods for my dogs. There will be about 400' of fence with 4X4's for posts. So, my dilemma is whether to buy a used PHD (I've been bidding on them on ebay) or get a 9 or 10" bucket for my BH76 (it has a 16" on it now).

I really can't see any more projects coming where a PHD would be of value. I can see the 10" bucket being very useful for trenching. So I guess the advice I am looking for is:
1) how well can I did holes with a 9-10" bucket - I want to go down at least 30"
2) should I bite the bullet & pay whatever it takes for a used PHD & then sell it when I'm done

I should add that I am fairly **** about my equipment & if I take the bh off I don't have any place inside to store it, I would have to cover it somewhere outside - not my best idea.

Your thoughts?

 

[bota7800]

I put in a lot of holes for our horse fence (for 6" rounds) in Colorado, using a PHD with a 12 " auger, down about 4'. I would have hated having to fill all the extra hole created by a BH.

I had a lot of rock problems and made some pretty big holes sometimes (dig down, find 1 or more large rocks )

I did have to do one section with an excavator because my PHD could not dig though a strata. That made HUGE holes.

What is your ground like?

 

[wampum]

I have 2 projects for the spring that will require digging post holes. My grape arbor really took the pipe a year ago in an ice storm. All the cedar poles I used have come down. Now I am planning on building a 'real' arbor with at least 6X6's for vertical members. I probably need to set 16-18 of these. I am also looking to fence an area in the woods for my dogs. There will be about 400' of fence with 4X4's for posts. So, my dilemma is whether to buy a used PHD (I've been bidding on them on ebay) or get a 9 or 10" bucket for my BH76 (it has a 16" on it now).

I really can't see any more projects coming where a PHD would be of value. I can see the 10" bucket being very useful for trenching. So I guess the advice I am looking for is:
1) how well can I did holes with a 9-10" bucket - I want to go down at least 30"
2) should I bite the bullet & pay whatever it takes for a used PHD & then sell it when I'm done

I should add that I am fairly **** about my equipment & if I take the bh off I don't have any place inside to store it, I would have to cover it somewhere outside - not my best idea.

Your thoughts?

If you are looking for an excuse to buy a bucket,go for it. I have found that trenching for posts is not the best method,you only have 2 solid sides. Rent a post hole drill. Have your holes marked out ahead of time and you can do them all in a couple of hours if you do not hit rock. Have a spud bar and sledge ready just in case,along with extra shear pins. If this is all the holes you need to drill,renting is a good option. If you do run into a couple of bad ones leave them,you can always finish them by hand after you return the drill. In rocky ground I always go with the smallest auger I can,sometimes even 6 inch. Then if needed redrill the hole with a bigger auger you tend to save pins and it is easier.

 

[wampum]

Storing a bucket that small should be simple. Just make or find a pallet to set it on to keep it off the ground and tarp it or put it in a heavy weight garbage bag and seal it up.( a couple small 4x4s will work as a pallet)

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I'd buy the PHD then sell it when done.
If you can find used utility poles, they will be cheaper then 6 X 6 treated posts
Around here they are only 35 cents per foot.

 

[Happyman]

Go with the PHD. Much quicker and easier. Sell it when done if you don't think you will need it again. But I bet you will

 

[beenthere]

Obvious by your question that you haven't tried setting a post in a trench. I could be wrong.

Setting poles in a trench won't make for a very sturdy fence post. Tamping the dirt back around a post on all sides (like when using a PHD) is what holds them firm and straight.
You will have so much undisturbed dirt to tamp back in a trench, that I doubt it will be a good firm or straight post.
But you suit yourself.

 

[txdon]

Definitely a PHD. I have a BH and whenever I sink a post I do it by hand (sand land). As stated, the tamping is what gets the post tight and straight and a BH hole is too big.

The only reason to use a BH is if you are digging the hole where there are a lot of big hard rocks.

 

[ctgoldwing]

OK, I give up

The post hole digger it is

I am actually trying to contact a fellow nearby who, I've heard, has one for sale. Its just been a little frustrating bidding on ebay & not willing to go as high as they were selling for.

My refernce to storing was to the entire BH, not just the bucket.

I'll buy one with the intention of selling it but as a previous poster said, probably won't

Thanks all for the help!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'd buy the PHD then sell it when done.
If you can find used utility poles, they will be cheaper then 6 X 6 treated posts
Around here they are only 35 cents per foot.[/quote]

Wow, only 35 cents a foot. I would buy them all day long at that price. Around here, when you can find them, they are $5 a foot.