Post Hole Digger - if stuck

[AndyMA]

I have a heavy duty Deere post hole digger I barely use because I am so sick of diging ot out when a rock or root wedges it in. At least I am luckk and have a backhoe to dig it out. I've found that for the majority of posts in rocky or root infested ground the backhoe is easier.

Andy

 

[johnk]

I use my 24" aluminum pipe wrench. You only have to turn it 1/4 turn or so and it usually does the trick. I have more problems breaking shear pins than getting it stuck. That's a real PITA but better than breaking something else.

 

[ovrszd]

I understand because it does seem to be an isolated, PHD need.

Could it be an add-on feature like remote hydraulics? I am speaking with zero understanding about PTO gearing and what is involved in adding a reverse gear. Maybe it is impossible to add it on once the tractor is assembled. If so, could a reverse gear be incorporated into the design of the PHD itself?

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Based on the nightmare that [Sandman2234] just described, my friend's back breaking effort to hand dig his auger out of the ground after it lifted his tractor off the ground, and the others who have also experienced a snag in the ground, I think people who saw a PHD in their future would be willing to pay for a reverse gear on their PTO. I certainly would.

The PHD is one of the most significant attachments that we want for our future projects. It's the driving force behind our plans to budget another tractor purchase. But, I am certainly concerned about these stories that others have shared.

As a guess, how much would a reverse gear on the PTO cost?

Of course, it all comes down to sales. I think the simple answer lies in the popularity of the PHD. If those sales are strong, then a reverse gear might be worth adding to the PTO design.

The Gardener

I think Charles' solution of buying a hydraulic digger might be cheaper. A reversable PTO would have to be built into the tractor when initially engineered. I'm doubting you will find a manufacturer willing to do that because of low demand. If it is a big concern, go for the hydraulic digger.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I think Charles' solution of buying a hydraulic digger might be cheaper. A reversable PTO would have to be built into the tractor when initially engineered. I'm doubting you will find a manufacturer willing to do that because of low demand. If it is a big concern, go for the hydraulic digger.

The hydraulic digger cost barely more than a good 3 point digger, and has other advantages as well - making the 3 point reversible rather than getting a hydraulic digger seems the long way around to a solution...

 

[AlanB]

While some folks on here do not like the idea, I welded a pipe on the top flight of our auger. When stuck we put a shovel handle in there or something similar and back it out. While I agree that a pipe wrench is a better idea, last I looked in the back of my truck there was no pipe wrench there, and there is always a shovel, digging bar, top link from the box blade with a rod end removed etc.

If it is something that you have lots of problems with (if your area has a lot of roots) I would suggest the hydraulic unit. Much more straight forward then re-engineering a gearbox.

We get ours stuck usually between two roots, one on each side of the auger. It happens so fast, all I usaully get to say is, ohhhhhh....

For us, as someone else said as well, replacing shear bolts is a more common exercise. A very easily removable gaurd, or hinged gaurd is on the list of things to do for mine. Right now the gaurd is sitting beside the shop very quietely. Does little to keep things safe there, but is not making it nigh on impossible to change shear bolts either.

 

[LoneCowboy]

It comes down to experience. After you've dug a few holes and got stuck once or twice, you learn how often you must retract the phd to clear itself.

From then on, you will seldom if ever get stuck so the reversing PTO is moot.

exactamundo
Never get it get too far in without clearing the hole
You'll only do it once.
cuz stuck diggers suck!!!!!!!!!!

 

[daTeacha]

When we had our fence put in, the guy used an old A/C WD45 with a homemade pile driver mounted in the front on the FEL arms. He had the hydraulics lift a heavy weight, then dropped it repeatedly on the treated wooden posts and just hammered them in. A lot of farmers around here do something similar. We have a lot rocks once you get down 18 inches or so, living on the glacial moraine. Hammering the posts in seems to be the most common way to do it, which eliminates the whole question of stuck PHDs.

I asked him about hitting a large rock when pounding the posts in, and he said it will generally either push the rock aside or mushroom the end of the post, but either way the post stays put. I had a 20" maple fall on one that was pounded in about 5 feet from the tree, and the post snapped at ground level rather than get torn out, so I guess it works okay.

 

[The Gardener]

I avoided the problem by getting a QA posthole digger that runs off tractor Hydraulics.

I really don't know what you mean by a QA posthole digger that runs off Hydraulics. I know QA means "quick attach". What is the implement you are describing that runs off Hydraulics vs a PTO?

I am confused. Sorry.

Is there a link, a brand name, and/or an image that you can post of this item. That would be great. I am only familiar with the conventional post hole digger [auger] that runs off the PTO.

Thanks,
The Gardener

 

[Charlesaf3]

I really don't know what you mean by a QA posthole digger that runs off Hydraulics. I know QA means "quick attach". What is the implement you are describing that runs off Hydraulics vs a PTO?

I am confused. Sorry.

Is there a link, a brand name, and/or an image that you can post of this item. That would be great. I am only familiar with the conventional post hole digger [auger] that runs off the PTO.

Thanks,
The Gardener

The Posthole digger - mines a Mcmillen, but a couple of other comapnies make them - takes 5 gpm or so. You have to have hydraulics run forward, which I do for my grapple. A diverter off the FEL would work I assume.

The digger mounts on a QA plate, so it should be easier to get on and off than a 3 pt, which is evidently a pain. Since its on the FEL, you can apply down pressure, which the reuglar 3 point doesnt have.

I'll try for a picture, but I've enver done it before

 

[JimR]

Now that is a mean looking PHD.