Posthole Digger Post Hole Digger Tilt

[Lykele]

First let me say that I am what you would refer to as a "Gentlemen Farmer". We have horses, wood fencing, outdoor sand arena, wood barn and 14 acres. So I do use my John Deere 3520 many times to help, but nothing to the extent many of you are using your tractor.

Question - When my post hole digger begins entering the ground it will always tilt left or right. Needless the say the hole has the same angle. The only way to correct this problem is to tie a rope to the boom and someone pulls the boom to counteract the tilt. And shes getting tired of doing that!

It's my opinion that it is tilting because of a half inch "play" where the boom attaches to the A-frame. The attached photo might explain what I am looking at. I am tempted to put some washers in that space to force the boom to maintain a straighter angle. But, then again, maybe this spacing is necessary. I really don't know.

Would anyone be good enough to offer some suggestions.

Thanks. Jim

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You can adjust that left and right tilt out of it by adjusting the lift arm on the right side of your 3pt hitch. And that adjustment is even easier if you have a hydraulic tilt cylinder.

 

[sandman2234]

I am NOT AN EXPERT, not even close, but I did stay at a motel one time, so maybe you can take this with a grain of salt.
I noticed when I was trying to put in the few fence posts with a digger, that my tendency was to want to try and use the weight of the attachment to help force the cutter into the ground, which caused the durn thing to drill holes any way it wanted. If I just set it on the ground and let it dig it's way into the ground, it seemed to do a much better job of staying straight. Give it a try and see if that helps.
David from jax

 

[Altex]

Brian is right, one of the Lift Arms should be adjustable. For Example, if you're on a sideways slope you can compensate to make a straight hole.

But if there's too much play, I would also try to put some washers in there like you said. No matter if you're drilling at an angle or straight it needs to be consistant without too much play. Then, you can figure out how to change the ange.

What's the make and model of your PHD? Some come with an optional Downforce Hydraulic Attachment Kit. The extra spacing in there might compensate for this kit. And, maybe they didn't provide washers or bushings in case you don't have the kit.

 

[Altex]

Here's a good video for operating a PHD. At 1:45 (min/Sec) into the video, he describes/shows the side link to make up for an angle.

Leinbach Post Hole Digger Demo

 

[Lykele]

Well I appreciate the input.

The post hole digger is one from TSC, but does the job for me. I understand what you are saying about the adjustment of side link. Only problem is I can never tell if it is going to tilt left or right until it hits the ground. Almost as if the torque of digging into the ground shifts that 1/2" spacing one way or the other.

Since I don't have other post hole diggers to compare to can you tell me does your connection have a space of a 1/2"? I'm surprised the connection between the boom and A-frame doesn't fit like a glove. Why the extra "slop"

Thanks.

Jim

 

[Thumper & Buttercup]

The company Everything Attachments on e-bay has a video, they show you putting down the auger and just starting the hole and then move the tractor to straighten up the angle of the auger to the ground, then go for it.


Sorry I reread your post and see it's a left to right thing you have going.

 

[kennyd]

Try the washers, equal number on both sides-It's a cheap and easy thing to try and will do no harm...

 

[irwin]

Try the washers, equal number on both sides-It's a cheap and easy thing to try and will do no harm...

I'm with Kenny, a few washers are a cheap test. .. also, I suspect that's too much play there anyway.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I've always used skidsteer augers and never had a problem. washers are a great, cheap way to fix the problem.

 

[Altex]

Well I appreciate the input.

The post hole digger is one from TSC, but does the job for me. I understand what you are saying about the adjustment of side link. Only problem is I can never tell if it is going to tilt left or right until it hits the ground. Almost as if the torque of digging into the ground shifts that 1/2" spacing one way or the other.

Since I don't have other post hole diggers to compare to can you tell me does your connection have a space of a 1/2"? I'm surprised the connection between the boom and A-frame doesn't fit like a glove. Why the extra "slop"

Thanks.

Jim

NEW THEORY:
For now forget about the 1/2" space on that connection that you are talking about.
Maybe it's your CHECK CHAINS? On my tractor, they are stabilizers (not real chains). Rods with a Turn Buckle on the outsides of the Lower Links (Arms) that keep them from swaying side to side (horizontally) too much.

On some tractor models, This stabilizer is on the Inside of the Lower Links. Nevertheless, they should always be adjustable.

Maybe your Check Chains are pushing too far Inward (Lower Link Arms together). Try spreading those Lower links outward from each other, asumming that the attachment is already on. This would really help stabilize the connection on the bottom end and take up some play.

Think of your 3PT(3PH) as a triangle. The bottom of the triangle is horizontal. Instead of trying to level it with the top/tip of the triangle. Wouldn't it be easier to level/stabilize it with the bottom corners carring the load?

Tell me what you think.

 

[pitt_md]

Hard to say for sure but if it will till left or right then I would guess that you need a bushing to fit in the hole that the pin goes in.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My post hole digger has a pole coming off the gear box that extends out 3 feet or so for a helper to line things up. Works great but I do have to drive the tractor forward 6" or so once the auger is in the soil a few inches or it will tilt in toward the tractor.

Chris

 

[pitt_md]

My post hole digger has a pole coming off the gear box that extends out 3 feet or so for a helper to line things up. Works great but I do have to drive the tractor forward 6" or so once the auger is in the soil a few inches or it will tilt in toward the tractor.

Chris

I believe the OP's problem is that it tilts from side to side.

 

[mlauk]

I'm not familiar with your tractor, but some lift arms have float options for tillage work, so make sure they are in the fixed position. Also check all the pins to make sure they are the right size with minimal slop and add bushings or the right size pin if required.

 

[Altex]

Lykele, I drove passed TSC today and turned around cause I thought about your post. Went in real quick and looked at the same PHD that was assembled. The others were in crates not assembled, but looked at the spacing too.

Compared to your picture, the connection/spacing was TIGHT. Maybe 1/8" to 1/4" of play. Your connection (picture) seems to have an angle wider at the Pin/Top, than at the Base. The ones I looked at, the collars were parallel, no wider angle at Top.

I now agree that your connection is wider than should be. I've read about TSC getting more Chinese Products. Not, sure if yours is one of them. But, if it is, the % tolerance is way too high.

Nevertheless, I still think the Check Chains may be a major contributing factor (see my last post). If the base of the triagle is steady and secure, then you shouldn't have to worry about the top, so much. I just can't believe 1/2" play at the top makes so much of a difference of the angle of the hole, needing your wife to pull a rope, to the side, to tilt it straight.

Tell me what ya think.

 

[Lykele]

Altex - thanks very much for stopping at TSC to check things out on my behalf.

Unfortunately, my tractor does not have the Check Chains you spoke of. However, based on what you saw I think I'm going to try the washers to fill in the extra space. Also, I'm going to check the spacing where the boom connects to the center link. Possibly I have additional space there as well which could be adding to the tilt.

Thanks again for your help and the help of others. If I manage to get things "straight", I'll post again.

 

[Altex]

...Unfortunately, my tractor does not have the Check Chains you spoke of...

Well, I belive that's really the problem. You should have Check Chains/Bars on your tractor. And if you don't, you need to get them installed. Anyone else agree? They will help with the stability and prevent the attachment moving from side to side.

I attached a picture of a JD 3520 with them.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

Well, I belive that's really the problem. You should have Check Chains/Bars on your tractor. And if you don't, you need to get them installed. Anyone else agree? They will help with the stability and prevent the attachment moving from side to side.

I attached a picture of a JD 3520 with them.

Houston, we have agreement!

I have a TSC PHD also, but I don't think it's characteristic of that brand/model. If the check links/sway bars are loose on my tractor, with the auger tip on the ground, the head can sway right or left as much as a foot. The slop, at least on mine, is coming from the lift arms moving from side to side. IMO, the OP needs to install check chains or some other type of restraint to prevent that movement.

 

[Gittyup]

Houston, we have agreement!

I have a TSC PHD also, but I don't think it's characteristic of that brand/model. If the check links/sway bars are loose on my tractor, with the auger tip on the ground, the head can sway right or left as much as a foot. The slop, at least on mine, is coming from the lift arms moving from side to side. IMO, the OP needs to install check chains or some other type of restraint to prevent that movement.

I agree. On mine, the stabilizer bars have a series of holes plus one slot. The slot allows for about an 1.5" of swing, side to side, of an attachment. When I used the slots with my PHD, tilting was much more of a problem. I switched to the fixed hole positions that allow no play and most of the problem went away.