Post hole auger size

[Stomper]

There is a post hole auger coming up in a local auction and if I can get it cheap enough and it will work for my purpose I might buy it. It comes with a 24" auger. I realize that a 24" auger would probably be too big for my little Kubota L2501, especially since I have alot of clay around my yard. What would be the max size bit for my tractor in clay conditions. I'm not sure how deep the clay goes.

 

[audsp98]

12" is going to be the biggest size you could use. 9" may be the safest size for you.

 

[Stomper]

Thanks, thats the answer I was looking for. I was just wondering what the biggest size holes I could dig with it so I could make the decision weather it was worth bidding on.

 

[CobyRupert]

Max bit size is going to depend on the soil, and with clay, the clay's moisture content, the presence of rocks. etc... The biggest factor being how big of a "bite" you let the auger take before you raise it back up and let it clean off before it "corkscrews" too much into the ground and gets stuck.

But realistically, 24" seems big to run from a 20 hp (pto) tractor.

Why not bid on it, try it, and if too big, change the auger to a smaller size ? (Your bid taking this additional expense under consideration)

 

[ch1ch2]

What would you want to put in a 24" hole?

I find small tractor can do most things, (not weight related) as large tractors, they just do it a LOT slower.
I have properties with red clay and others with black clay. I find in the summer time, with even my little 6" auger, I can NOT dig more than a few inches. It does not mater if I use a 33hp or 95hp tractor, or if I put 200lb of weight on the auger. The clay just gets too hard.

Now, if the ground is soft, and you know how to use your auger, your tractor, I believe could handle it. Just remember with a small tractor you have small lifting force on the 3pt. PTO's do not have reverse. So, you just have to take small bites. Very small bits.

Now if I needed to dig a 24" hole, I would prefer to dig very slowly with tractor power than with a hand shovel.

 

[Ford850]

What would you want to put in a 24" hole?

I find small tractor can do most things, (not weight related) as large tractors, they just do it a LOT slower.
I have properties with red clay and others with black clay. I find in the summer time, with even my little 6" auger, I can NOT dig more than a few inches. It does not mater if I use a 33hp or 95hp tractor, or if I put 200lb of weight on the auger. The clay just gets too hard.

Now, if the ground is soft, and you know how to use your auger, your tractor, I believe could handle it. Just remember with a small tractor you have small lifting force on the 3pt. PTO's do not have reverse. So, you just have to take small bites. Very small bits.

Now if I needed to dig a 24" hole, I would prefer to dig very slowly with tractor power than with a hand shovel.

I see them used mostly for planting trees and shrubs.

 

[ch1ch2]

I can see 24" used for planting trees.
But if I were the OP I would want a bigger tractor for handling a tree.

 

[Stomper]

It's not the 24" bit that I am interested in, It's the auger attachment. It just comes with the auger. I was just looking for some guideline as to what size bit my tractor could handle in clay soil. I need to drill some holes to accept 8" sono tube

 

[ericm979]

A PHD that comes with a 24" auger may be designed for a tractor that's larger than yours, with a 3pt that's higher off the ground.

 

[ch1ch2]

You should be looking at the cat size.
You need a cat 1

 

[Ford850]

It's not the 24" bit that I am interested in, It's the auger attachment. It just comes with the auger. I was just looking for some guideline as to what size bit my tractor could handle in clay soil. I need to drill some holes to accept 8" sono tube

Then I'd say you'll need a 12" auger. Be sure to check on the auger type/brand before buying to see if replacements are available. If it's a common one, you should be able to sell the 24" auger to recoup some of your cost too.

 

[Fallon]

I ran a 12" on my L3200 3pt without to much problem. Most PTO PHDs are rated to 12 or 14" tops. Some bigger Cat2 3pt PHDs are rated for bigger, but wouldn't fit a L.

My L4060 has a 10gpm flow tops, a bit more than my old L3200 & your L2501. The hydraulic PHDs I could find for that GPM rating at our 2,500psi topped out at the same 12-14" auger size.

10gpm at 2,500psi is about 14hp. So actually my new hydraulic PHD is around 35% weaker than my old 3pt one running on my PTO. The downpressure from the loader, reverse & easy hookup makes it worth it. I wouldn't try to spin much bigger. The 12" is all I can spin frequently in our hard clay. We dont really have rocks to contend with in our neighborhood.