post hole digger using brush hog head ??

[MF204Mike]

I've been looking for a post hole digger but had an idea of using the power head from an old brush hog I broke the blade shaft off of a few years back.
I'm pretty sure I have the raw material to do this, pipe, jack-shafts, u-joints etc etc.
Was wondering if anyone had done this before or if the idea should just be put to bed.

Any suggestions ??
thanks in advance
Mike

 

[fordoutback]

In my opinion, I think you will find that the brush hog box will spin too fast for what you want and be too hard to control when you get all done. Maybe your best bet is to try and find a used post hole digger. I bought mine with 6 and 9 inch augers for $100. If you build your own, you're still gonna pay at least $100 for each auger you get.

 

[R W]

Is it possible to reverse the bush hog box, ie; use what is now the output shaft as the input shaft & vice versa.

 

[Verticaltrx]

It will spin way too fast. Most bush hog gear boxes are about a 1:1.1 ratio IIRC. Most post hole diggers are 3:1 and the good ones are 4:1, the slower the better.

 

[Baby Grand]

Better to use an automotive final drive as they're usually around 4 : 1.
High speed auger would scare the bejeezers out of me.

 

[MF204Mike]

Thanx for all the input guys,
after giving it a little more thought I too think it would be too fast,
and like Baby Grand stated "would scare the bejeezers out of me"
started thinking of this idea after I missed buying a digger and 2 augers for $150.00 from Craigslist
guess I'll have to find something else to use the head for.

any suggestions :anyone:

thanx
Mike

 

[Case485Guy]

Thanx for all the input guys,
after giving it a little more thought I too think it would be too fast,
and like Baby Grand stated "would scare the bejeezers out of me"
started thinking of this idea after I missed buying a digger and 2 augers for $150.00 from Craigslist
guess I'll have to find something else to use the head for.

any suggestions :anyone:

thanx
Mike

Too bad we are not closer, I have an old PHD gear box i would trade ya. Definetly watch Craigslist, I found a newer model PHD on craiglist with 9" auger for 200.00, still had some paint on the auger. I just put it on this weekend and put my 12" auger on it, getting ready to set some RR ties for cattle pens. The gear box on my old one is about the only good thing on it..LOL

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Most PHD adds say they run either 2.9-1 or 3.1-1 ratio.
Slower is better. You can always run higher engine RPMs

Good luck