PHD won't dig

CurtisB · May 19, 2005

PHD won\'t dig

I have a Befco PHD with 12" auger and the thing does not like to dig very well. Once in awhile it will catch and auger itself down but most of the time it sits and spins and I have to lift and drop to get it to cut in. My soil is a combination sandy clay soil. Mostly sandy though.

I think the problem is that the PHD does not have enough weight behind it. Is this a fairly common problem? Do I need to somehow weld some brackets for attaching additional weight?

Thanks.
Curtis

creeper · May 19, 2005

Re: PHD won\'t dig

I have never seen anyone have to add weight, but that doesn't mean it wont help. I have seen grass get stuck between the cutting blade and the first turn and prevent it from cutting.Have you played with the angle yet? I have noticed sometimes that moving forward or backward a few inches can cause the auger to grab and get started quicker.

gotrocks · May 19, 2005

Re: PHD won\'t dig

I purchased Leinbach 12" in '95 and after a few years of use it would just spin on the top of the ground. Weight addition did not help, finally I notice the cutting blade was worn smooth. Called the mfg. ordered 2 replacements. After installing I was back in business, boring like new.

beenthere · May 19, 2005

Re: PHD won\'t dig

Taking a shovel-full of sod out of the spot you want to dig seems to help a lot.
But, rather than weight, look (as mentioned) at the cutting edges. Either get new ones or figure out how to sharpen the ones you have. The auger should dig itself in, not be forced in, as getting a straighter hole will result.
Also, look for a bent tip, from maybe too many big rocks in it's past.

woodlot · May 19, 2005

Re: PHD won\'t dig

What is "sandy clay soil" ?

hitekcountry · May 21, 2005

Re: PHD won\'t dig

I had the same problem when I first got my PHD, it would just sit there and spin. I finally figured that what I was doing wrong was spinning the auger too fast. What I think was happening was it was just bouncing across the dirt. With the rpm set slower I haven’t had the problem, it seems to be able to grab and dig in.

bitternut · May 21, 2005

Re: PHD won\'t dig

My post hole digger did the same thing when it was brand new and it was caused by clumps of heavy tough sod getting jammed into the end of the auger cutter. Remove the plug of grass and it would cut fine.