Post Hole Digger and Rocks?

[kday64]

MTR,

I test drove a PD15, with the down pressure kit (DPK) and 10" Auger, at a Kubota Dealership up in NH. I agree that there is a significant difference, in both speed and control, between the PD15 with and without the DPK. However, I was expecting the DPK to be gods little gift to PHD. I just dont think it will supply the power I need to help me build my fence. Darn, CT Potatoes! I might have to rent a skid loader PHD.

Someday soon this project will be the test of my patience. But for now the ground is frozen solid and the wife wants me work on her honey do list.

~Kevin

 

[MtnViewRanch]

MTR,

I test drove a PD15, with the down pressure kit (DPK) and 10" Auger, at a Kubota Dealership up in NH. I agree that there is a significant difference, in both speed and control, between the PD15 with and without the DPK. However, I was expecting the DPK to be gods little gift to PHD. I just dont think it will supply the power I need to help me build my fence. Darn, CT Potatoes! I might have to rent a skid loader PHD.

Someday soon this project will be the test of my patience. But for now the ground is frozen solid and the wife wants me work on her honey do list.

~Kevin

If you have used the PHD with the DPK and you do not feel that it is going to work for you, I doubt that the skid steer is going to be much better. But the only way to find out is to try out the SS, it's not like you are going to get it all done in 1 or 2 days anyway. It sounds like you have a HUGE project and should not be expecting to get it done quickly. Maybe use a different type of post that can be put in in a different manor?

 

[kday64]

MTR,

Amazingly enough the project is not that large, it is just challenging. I am looking to add about 500' of fence including three double gates. The problem is the soil composition and the slope of the hill I live on. Earlier last summer when I tried to use a 2 person auger I darn near re-broke my ribs and the ribs of my friend. We were using a conventional dirt auger when we caught the edge of a rock... ouch! Needless to say about a foot into the first hole I determined this was a task better suited for another day/year.

This event caused my wife to re-evaluate the fence situation for the near term. She wants me to focus on pushing back the wood line before I build the fence. So I have plenty of time. I probably wont restart the fence project until the spring of 2012. The invisible fence is keeping the puppy in the yard and the wife and I have no kids yet.

~Kevin

 

[Sherweld]

It has been a long time since I've dug any holes with an auger, so I'm not up on the latest tools.
Also I haven't operated in your soil conditions, but here in the far northwest we have our share of glacial till and hardpan. Using nothing more than a little Kubota B7100 I have put down hundreds if not thousands of post holes as a one time contractor. So this is what I learned. (copied from an earlier post)
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/141009-auger-teeth-question.html

"Years ago I had a couple of augers retrofitted with Pengo teeth, and simply couldn't believe the difference. The way it is set up, no two teeth travel in the same path, so when the first tooth skips over a fist size or larger rock, the following tooth (or teeth) which is offset from the first, will probably snick the rock right out instead of the auger bouncing around in the hole.

Also the auger simply digs better because the cutting is done with much smaller "edges". Kind of like loosening the compacted soil with a pick versus a shovel. This especially helpful as most 3PH's do not have down pressure, so gravity and the auger configuration are your only friends.

If you are digging in an area with a lot of glacial till loaded with "alley apples", you should be very pleased with the performance, especially compared to traditional bits with plain cutting edges."

 

[F250DSLPWR]

I have a Beltec TM48 3pt post hole drill with hydraulic down pressure. I run it on my M5040 Kubota. It uses the weight of the tractor to push against while drilling. The drill bits have carbide teeth. They just grind the rock up to drill the hole. It will drill through solid rock or concrete very quickly. Of course a Beltec is major expensive. The price of a Beltech bit alone cost more that many of the farm type 3 pt post hole drills.

The TM 48 also drills very straight holes with very little wabble or drift. The bucket mounted or skid steer drills are much harder to drill a straight hole and don't provide as much down pressure as the TM48. Short of a professional drill used by the power companies or well drillers, the Beltec is an awesome piece of equipment.

 

[weldingisfun]

I have a Beltec TM48 3pt post hole drill with hydraulic down pressure. I run it on my M5040 Kubota. It uses the weight of the tractor to push against while drilling. The drill bits have carbide teeth. They just grind the rock up to drill the hole. It will drill through solid rock or concrete very quickly. Of course a Beltec is major expensive. The price of a Beltech bit alone cost more that many of the farm type 3 pt post hole drills.

The TM 48 also drills very straight holes with very little wabble or drift. The bucket mounted or skid steer drills are much harder to drill a straight hole and don't provide as much down pressure as the TM48. Short of a professional drill used by the power companies or well drillers, the Beltec is an awesome piece of equipment.

I'll second what he said. Don't own a Beltec myself, wish I did though. Have hired a fellow a couple of times to put some post holes in where my little 3pt PHD just couldn't do it. That Beltec does the job and does it well, even in broken rock.