Post Hole Digger on a BX

[AceDeuce]

First, I need to make a correction just in case someone uses this thread for reference... the shear bolt for an L-7200 is 2-1/2" long, not 2-1/4" as previously stated. The guy I spoke with at the mfr was mistaken.

My second comment is in regard to the "limited Cat.1" hitch found on the Kubota BX series. The only difference I know of on the BX24 (vs. older BX models) is the height of the pivot point on the lift arms. I'm relatively sure the arms are the same length as the older models and do not have an appreciably greater maximum span ~26". That said, as long as you can switch the pins so they face inward, any standard Cat.1 implement should fit up as long as it was designed using ISO standards. However, I've seen plenty of implements that don't follow the standard and will not fit on any subcompact tractor.

 

[kwolfe]

Like Ace, I also have a BX1500, however I have not found and implement yet that the arms could not spread wide enough to get around. My first purchase was a 6ft rear blade I bought used (I cut it down to 5ft). I have to spread the arms 29" in order to get the first pin in. No problems doing that.

 

[milkman]

First, I'm relatively sure the arms are the same length as the older models and do not have an appreciably greater maximum span ~26". quote]

That is my understanding as to the same arm length, the mounting point of the lower arms is higher on the new BX, I haven't checked the max spread of the arms, but several of the owners here have changed the turnbuckle adjusters to the tubular type from the B2710 & B2910 and I have measured the spread to be a hair past 34" on my BX2200. I didn't know the newer ones were limited to ~26".... bummer.

 

[AceDeuce]

Don't take 26" as gospel. I meant that as a nominal max operating width. They may go a bit wider depending on how your stabilizers are set up. I'm guilty of the B2910 conversion myself. A great mod, BTW. Thanks to whoever thunk it up. Again, I don't think there are any other differences between the newer and older BX's besides the height of the pivot point.

 

[Tom_H]

Well you gentlemen may well be correct about this hitch width. I do know that from the time the first BX was introduced, the hitch was described as "Limited Cat. 1" and that with the introduction of the BX24, Kubota at times touted the new hitch as being "Full Cat. 1". Still, I freely confess not to have gone and measured the hitch on a BX24. I have not seen the term "Full Cat. 1" in any current literature. It might be possible that they wanted to advertise the new height, but then had to recant due to the still limited width.

I will say that I have seen Cat. 1 implements that will not fit a BX. When I ordered a 24" dirt scoop from Northern, they sent a 30" by mistake. I tried it and it wouldn't fit. (Maybe I should replace my turnbuckles with those tubular tensioners.) When I put my PHD on, I have to slip one pin of the U-bar into the hole completely (at a very slight diagonal), before the other one can reach the hole.

Also, Scrounger (Matt) posted some photos of his BX2230 after putting the subframe for his Woods BH6000 on it. The subframe restricts the lower lift arms from attaining their maximum spread when at or near the full up position (the arms hit the subframe). Anyone considering a Woods BH6000 on a BX should know about this potential limitation.

 

[Singlecoil]

That looks fantastic. The Rankin 600 series is rated fro tractors from 25-65HP and for heavy duty use. You have no trouble running that? I want to fence my 5 acres in post & beam and then line the inside with Russian Poplar trees so I assume I have about 400 holes to dig. Also need to expand the deck and as it get -30 here, I need to go deep below frost line. 48" woukd be perfect. I would need the downforce kit as I am all clay...over 80%. Does that monster ever strain your tractor in wet or heavy soil at depth?

I have no trouble at all running that. If fact, I couldn't imagine digging at anything greater than about half throttle. I have clay and rock soil, so I usually end up hitting a monster and breaking the shear bolt long before anything bogs down. At low RPM's it will kill the tractor before the bolt breaks, however. On rough terrain, you will be dragging the 48" auger from time to time on the BX.

I would use a 9" diameter auger for 4x4 fence posts or 12" for 6x6. The 12" would be best for tree planting.

When the shear bolt breaks when the auger is deep in the ground, I can't lift the auger. I can only lift the auger from depth when it is turning. That's probably the same for larger tractors, but I don't know. The downforce kit would be great, though I'm not sure how that hooks up. In the later summer months, when I was digging holes for a neighbor, it took quite a bit of hanging on the boom in the dry soil to get it to dig.

When I bought my tractor, I asked for a PHD and auger. I didn't specify which model. When everything arrived, I was wondering if they sold me something too large for my little tractor, but I've been very happy with it. It is pretty heavy, and kind of a pain to hook up, but I can't imagine ever needing another one, even if I ever upgrade to a larger tractor.