Post Hole Digger bottoming out

[alaarp]

I have a 2022 Branson 4820 HST with a heavy duty post hold digger and 12 inch auger. Bores great but it I let it strike bottom I have to hand dig the auger out of the hole. Is there any way to reverse the auger/PTO to avoid this task?

 

[Sportsman762]

The only way to reverse a pto driven auger is to shut the tractor down, then use a 24"-36" pipe wrench to spin the pto drive shaft backwards to back it out of the hole. There are techniques to reduce the chance of getting the auger stuck if you take time to use the search function.

The ability to reverse is the main advantage of a hydraulic driven auger.

 

[BlueKnife]

I have a 2022 Branson 4820 HST with a heavy duty post hold digger and 12 inch auger. Bores great but it I let it strike bottom I have to hand dig the auger out of the hole. Is there any way to reverse the auger/PTO to avoid this task?

Not using the tractor. Best way to avoid that with a PTO auger is to pull it out of the hole repeatedly as you drill the hole and clear the dirt. Don't just drill all the way down in one go, even if the tractor will do it.

 

[alaarp]

Not using the tractor. Best way to avoid that with a PTO auger is to pull it out of the hole repeatedly as you drill the hole and clear the dirt. Don't just drill all the way down in one go, even if the tractor will do it.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[ptsg]

Before using a pipe wrench to back it out, put the PTO lever (not the switch) in neutral, otherwise you'll be fighting the spring loaded brake in the PTO clutch pack.

 

[alaarp]

Not quite sure where this lever is. Are you referring to the elevation lever on the lift? Otherwise this Branson has only a button to engage the PTO. Am I missing something?

 

[2manyrocks]

I am also puzzled what ptsg is saying when a tractor only has a button to engage the PTO.

You shouldn't have to back the digger out manually if you pull the auger out of the hole repeatedly while drilling to throw the dirt out of the hole as you dig like BlueKnife said.

If you try to dig too much at once, the auger will essentially corkscrew itself into the hole and then it's a pain to get it out.

 

[nyone]

This is why a hydraulic auger is so much better..just be prepaired to pay.

 

[RjCorazza]

I am also puzzled what ptsg is saying when a tractor only has a button to engage the PTO.

You shouldn't have to back the digger out manually if you pull the auger out of the hole repeatedly while drilling to throw the dirt out of the hole as you dig like BlueKnife said.

If you try to dig too much at once, the auger will essentially corkscrew itself into the hole and then it's a pain to get it out.

My electrically switched pto doesn't manually turn when off, so I suspect that's what he's referring to. My previous manually operated pto could be turned when the lever was off. I don't know a whole lot about pto brakes, but I would have to separate the auger from the gear box to manually turn the auger out.
Another technique to prevent corkscrewing the auger into the ground is to adjust for a slower 3 point drop rate... Otherwise be real quick raising the 3 point.

I redid by split rail fence a few years ago, and upgraded to a hydraulic ssqa auger. It is a joy to operate!

 

[ptsg]

Not quite sure where this lever is. Are you referring to the elevation lever on the lift? Otherwise this Branson has only a button to engage the PTO. Am I missing something?

I believe on the 20 series, the lever on the side of the 4x4 lever. It lets you switch between 540 - Neutral - 540 Eco. In Neutral, you can free spin the shaft by hand.