Post Hole Digger on a BX

AceDeuce · Mar 29, 2007

I will be planting a bunch of trees in a few weeks, and since I don't have a backhoe I figure the next best tool for the job is a post hole digger. TSC wants over $800 for a King Kutter subcompact unit. Not gonna happen. I know I have beaten the drum in the past about only using implements specifically designed for subcompact tractors on a BX, but has anyone had any experience with a regular-sized post hole digger on a small tractor? Can it be made to work? They can be had for a lot less money and there are plenty of used ones on the market. Couldn't find any used units for subcompacts. This will only be a one-time use. I plan to sell the thing as soon as I am finished with it, as I will have no further need for it.

KeithInSpace · Mar 29, 2007

My dealership (about 45 minutes to 4 hours south of you, depending on traffic...I-95 corridor...I'm sure you know what I'm talking about) carries a Leinback Line PHD made for subcompacts, specifically for the lower 3PH of the previous-series BX. I just called and they want $440 and that comes with a 9" auger. They have a bunch of them in stock. Sending you a PM with the contact information.

wanna_be_farmer · Mar 29, 2007

Thats a great price! I am north if williamsburg, if you don't mind what dealer is that? I have some fence to put in this summer and one of those is on my shopping list. I know I have to get the one for a sub for the B6100.
Thanks

RonR · Mar 29, 2007

Would it be cheaper to rent a tractor and PHD over buying one and trying to sell it?

I'd sure check that.

ron

wanna_be_farmer · Mar 29, 2007

I missed that it was one time use. Too bad i am too far out on my fence project. I'd try to make a deal with you.

Rory

milkman · Mar 30, 2007

I used a PHD that my son uses on his DK50 Kioti, worked just fine on my BX2200, I don't see a need to pay extra for smaller lighter attachments when the Cat1 implements work on my Cat1 TPH.

AceDeuce · Mar 30, 2007

KeithInSpace,

Ah, N.Va traffic jokes... gotta love em! The best bumper sticker I've seen lately reads: "Welcome to northern virginia. Expect delays." Very fitting. Thanks for the dealership lead. I'll give them a call today.

RonR,

Yeah, I checked into that already. I've had bad experiences with one and two-man PHDs - refuse to use them anymore. The rental places near me don't have a 3PH PHD for tractors with less than 30hp. And, by the time I rent a larger tractor with a PHD and have it delivered and picked up, I could buy one for my machine. Unfortunately the economics just don't work out in this case.

milkman,

Could your BX2200 lift the PHD high enough to get the bit off the ground? That's my main concern. I don't mind if it drags along the ground during transport, but I do want a straight hole.

Sully2 · Mar 30, 2007

AceDeuce said:
Could your BX2200 lift the PHD high enough to get the bit off the ground? That's my main concern. I don't mind if it drags along the ground during transport, but I do want a straight hole.

Ive read on here a lot of times that people with BX22's...23s's..etc...CAN pull a std Cat 1 PHD free and clear...but I can tell ya this much...ya cant do it with a B3030 and its a lot larger tractor...larger rear tires..etc.

milkman · Mar 30, 2007

AceDeuce said:
milkman,

Could your BX2200 lift the PHD high enough to get the bit off the ground? That's my main concern. I don't mind if it drags along the ground during transport, but I do want a straight hole.

Had no problem lifting it and clearing the ground with standard length auger, the only thing not stock on my BX2200 is the Pats Easy Change on the TPH arms that make everything 98% easier to hook up and with them on, the bottom lift arms are 3and 7/8 in. longer than without them.

Kremmling Cowboy · Mar 30, 2007

I have a BX 2230 with cat 1 PH and all you need to do is reconfigure the lift points on the PH. Should have different settings. Fully up gives me about 8" clearence. The brand is Bush Hog, it has several hole configurations.

Singlecoil · Mar 30, 2007

Since a picture is worth 1000 words...
This is a Rankin (Shaver)601 with a 48" long 9" auger. I can lift it about 4 inches off the ground. I also got a 12" auger in 42" length so I would have better ground clearance.

HomeBrew2 · Mar 30, 2007

Cat 1 everything here Deuce, including Bush Hog digger w/ 48" bit. Hard to imagine having any toy implements on my BX

toytruck · Mar 31, 2007

Have you checked with Byrd in Manassas. I know they rent some attachments--not sure what all they have.

milkman · Mar 31, 2007

Sully2 said:
Ive read on here a lot of times that people with BX22's...23s's..etc...CAN pull a std Cat 1 PHD free and clear...but I can tell ya this much...ya cant do it with a B3030 and its a lot larger tractor...larger rear tires..etc.

How bout posting some pics of your 3030 w/PHD, maybe a simple adjustment, I know on the BX 2200, there is an adjustment on the TPH lift control linkage that kicks the lift control lever to neutral when the TPH gets to the top, don't know if the 3030 has this or not, also on some of the PHD's there are three holes to choose from when you connect the arch to the beam, if you connect the arch to the hole closest to the tractor, you can get the maximum lift at the auger.

mjarrels · Mar 31, 2007

My BX2200 will not lift my Danuser off the ground... tried and tried but it just won't lift it vertical. My Ford will run it all day long.

mark

AceDeuce · Apr 2, 2007

Well, I pulled the trigger on a Leinbach L-7200 w/ 9" bit on Saturday. Besides having to file away paint caked inside the PTO coupling, it fitted up great. My BX can lift it at least 8" off the ground. When I tested it, I turned the 3PT hydraulic audjuster dial to a nearly closed position to slow it's decent because the auger wanted to dig in so quickly. I'm very impressed! It ought to make quick work of these holes.

The only difference I could see between the Leinbach and some of the more expensive brands was the cutting edge design on the bit (flat blades instead of teeth) and paint quality, but who cares?

AceDeuce · Apr 2, 2007

Ok, here's a stupid question. I should have picked up a bunch of shear pins while I was at the dealership but I didn't. And, since I don't have the manual with me I don't know what size to get. I'd like to swing by the store on the way home from work today - does anyone know what size shear bolt is on an L-7200 digger?

AceDeuce · Apr 2, 2007

Just got off the phone with the mfr. and answered my own question... 3/8" X 2-1/4, Grade 2. Recommended keeping half a dozen or so on hand.

Sully2 · Apr 2, 2007

milkman said:
How bout posting some pics of your 3030 w/PHD, maybe a simple adjustment, I know on the BX 2200, there is an adjustment on the TPH lift control linkage that kicks the lift control lever to neutral when the TPH gets to the top, don't know if the 3030 has this or not, also on some of the PHD's there are three holes to choose from when you connect the arch to the beam, if you connect the arch to the hole closest to the tractor, you can get the maximum lift at the auger.

The PHD isnt mine..it was a borrowed one . I only had 3 holes to bore.
Nothing on mine to "kick off" the lift control....when it hot the top it just "stops" is all.??

Werent any adjustemnt holes on the PHD either..and we had to use the PTO shaft that was already cut for that PHD to get it hooked up at all. It was an older PHD and was just made to fit larger tracters is all.

Sully2 · Apr 2, 2007

mjarrels said:
My BX2200 will not lift my Danuser off the ground... tried and tried but it just won't lift it vertical. My Ford will run it all day long.

mark

Same problem I had.. Only in my case my holes started in an an angle..but it didnt matter...was using a 12" auger to put a 4 x 6 post in...LOL...LOTS of leeway for sure.