Post hole auger tips

Timberlake · Apr 20, 2016

I'll try to get a picture of it posted tonight. The auger itself is threaded and screws onto the shaft coming out of the gear box. Of course it unscrews opposite the direction it operates which is why I think it's going to be screwed on so tight I don't know how I'm going to get it loosened up. The book says use a pipe wrench which I actually tried to do last year with no luck. I sprayed some PB Blaster oil on it this morning so I'll give 'er another shot this weekend. Of course, if I can find replacement cutting blades that fit, I won't have to take it off!

Ford850 · Apr 20, 2016

I didn't realize KK changed their design to that butterfly auger. I do see the cutting edges available on the parts page of the KK website for $70, but I'm surprised none of the retailers carry them in stock. Agri Supply, Northern Tool, and Rural King all sell the PH diggers, but don't stock the edges. TSC sells the County Line branded Speeco augers, and they do stock the edges for those. They are only $20. I wonder if the KK style is any better.
I think I would remove an edges and try to reshape them by welding up the worn area. Otherwise, if the digger did a great job, spring for the new edges and enjoy fast holes.

Timberlake · Apr 20, 2016

Yes, I'm surprised the King Kutter blades are not as available as the other brands. I was thinking about just buying a replacement auger from TSC since that store is at least local and I've heard positive things about them (the PHD's specificaly, I guess not the augers). But these are what my cutting edges look like now. Obviously worn to **** and probably should have been replaced a while back, but at $70 a pop, I think I'd rather have the cheaper auger with much cheaper replacement blades, even if they don't last as long. KK does mention "hardened steel" in their description of their new blades which I haven't seen with the others, but I would hope Speeco wouldn't sell parts like these with cheap soft metal! I've got a couple options, but I'm thinking about just flipping them over for now and wear down the other edge until I get either new blades from KK or a new auger from TSC. Kind of a Band-aid or duct tape approach, I know, but if it works for even 50 holes, it's worth a try! And Teg, if you do get to Agri Supply and think about it, let me know if they have anything similar. the bolt holes are 1" on center and these should be more uniform (not rounded off on the one edge). Hopefully they have something in stock that's not online. Thanks in advance for checking.

Timberlake · Apr 20, 2016

I also forgot to mention that I'm not a welder so trying to patch these up isn't an option. BUT, if anyone out there is handy with a torch and has some 1/4" steel laying around and wants a weedend project, I'd be happy to draw up a pattern :thumbsup: !