Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique

   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #11  
Linemen around here used a spotter carrying a light chain with a weight. Sort of like a pocket watch would do well. Stand back, eyeball the chain at arms length and past it to the augur. Check at 90 degrees to the last check and it will tell you which way to move the tractor. Certainly easier w a hydro trans tractor. And what's with the snake? Jim

Go back, read the OP. He said it was a visitor while they were working.
 
   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #12  
Save yourself some tamping work and back fill with crushed stone if possible. It packs easy, locks the post in place better.
 
   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #13  
You did not say how your out of line. Of course make sure your starting at the correct point. Tractor facing down hill is good. Front bucket firmly down on the ground helps keep tractor in place also. Not dug in, just setting flat, that way you can still ease back and forth. Easer to hold the tractor in place as you work the gas or brakes. You said you start with the auger on the mark and move forward part way thru. Is your auger slipping down hill when it first starts? Perhaps start with the auger facing up hill a bit then back up and get it plumb after it starts. Rock or roots near the surface will make your auger wonder around a bit, sometimes a pilot hole even if hand dug helps to start out. Make sure the auger has a sharp starter drill point and the teeth / blades are sharp also.
 
   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #14  
I disagree with putting the bucket on the ground. I have to constantly adjust as I drill deeper. However I redesigned my PHD to fit on my Quick Hitch, so my geometry may be different. Much easier to adjust with a HST, but a gear can do it just fine. HST in low range barely creeps at all without brakes, a lot more creep in mid-range & high should only be used for roading. Stand on the brake when not adjusting.

If the PHD is uphill of the tractor, you might not be able to lift it up high enough to keep it off the ground. Their may be enough slack to touch down with the auger then back up to vertical. If the PHD is downhill of the tractor, you won't be able to dig as deep, which may be a problem. Digging side hill means you are drilling crooked, or adjusting your side links, which will only help a little bit. Issues no matter what way you handle a slope. PHD uphill of the machine is generally how I try to roll if possible though.
 
   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #16  
I use a hand PH digger to make a start hole. One or two bites is enough divot to keep the auger started well.
 
   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #17  
Fallon

However I redesigned my PHD to fit on my Quick Hitch, so my geometry may be different.



Fallon ?

Not to side track the subject. Any picture of your quick hitch modification ?
 
   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #18  
When I use a three point auger I have a spotter who helps me get the right location as I lean back in my seat and watch. I lower the auger and according to him, commence drilling at that time, slowly. Often I have to pull forward a smidgen or back up a tiny bit, all according to his instructions. Slow is better but at the end, I lower and pull up to help clean out the hole, and the spotter is in the clear.
You want to make sure your auger points are clean of debris.

Side bar.... The first time I ever did this, many years ago I got the auger stuck in the ground and couldn't turn it and couldn't pull it out. I felt like a fool, and didn't know what to do. We went into the house and had some lunch looking out at the predicament, thinking of many options. I got the bright idea to disconnect the auger from the unit and drive the tractor away. I took a big pipe wrench with a twelve foot cheater on it and backed it out like a corkscrew, it worked perfectly. It was a good lesson I remember clearly.
 
   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #19  
Everybody is in too much of a rush.
Have the Eagle Scout dig three holes by hand,
now tell them, they can very carefully, and very accurately, dig a hole with the PHD,,, VERY slowly.
Before they use the PHD, tell them the rest of the holes will be dug by hand, if they are not accurate.

Just because you can drop a PHD does not mean the hole is good.
Care patience, accuracy. It is part of what they are supposed to be learning.

JMHO,,, and the method I have used to teach Scouts.
 
   / Post Hole Digger (PHD) Technique #20  
Fallon

However I redesigned my PHD to fit on my Quick Hitch, so my geometry may be different.



Fallon ?

Not to side track the subject. Any picture of your quick hitch modification ?
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/327212-quick-hitch-3-point-hole-2.html

Not my idea originally & my post is at the end of the thread. You need a hydraulic toplink to pull it off because of the geometry, but I like the end result a lot. Much easier to mount & you get down pressure for the top bit of the hole (not on the bottom though).

I didn't get the boom angle perfect on mine & if you drop the 3pt before extending the top link it will hit the PTO shaft & bend it. Not sure if I could have done a better job with the angle to prevent that, or if it's just a fact of life to make the required geometry & clearances work. Just need to remember the proper order of operations when using it & things are fine.
 
 

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