Posthole Digger Post Hole Digger Warning

GreenLawnFarm · Jul 21, 2009

that's something i still do by hand. i found that when i hit a big rock (every hole) that i still have to get in with a breaker bar to remove the stones. digging through the first foot of topsoil is easy enough with a hand post hole digger.

CurlyDave · Jul 21, 2009

If I ever need a PHD, I'd spend the extra bucks for a hydraulic-drive PHD that attaches to the FEL bucket. It's in front instead of behind for easier operation and you get downforce from the FEL hydraulics. Sure, you'd pay $2K for that hydraulic PHD rig versus $500 for a 3pt PHD, but that's cheaper than a visit to the ER or worse.

You have just convinced me. I had been wavering on PTO vs. hydraulic, and now I will just bite the bullet and get the hydraulic. I know will need one in the next year or so, and I will keep my eyes open for a used hydraulic. I have already had a lifetime worth of ER visits and I don't need another one.

Ken45101 · Jul 21, 2009

GreenLawnFarm said:
that's something i still do by hand. i found that when i hit a big rock (every hole) that i still have to get in with a breaker bar to remove the stones. digging through the first foot of topsoil is easy enough with a hand post hole digger.

Wow! Will you please send your soil here? There's a reason we don't have earthquakes here, the ground is too tough for one ;-)

Ken

MMagis · Jul 21, 2009

CurlyDave said:
If I ever need a PHD, I'd spend the extra bucks for a hydraulic-drive PHD that attaches to the FEL bucket. It's in front instead of behind for easier operation and you get downforce from the FEL hydraulics. Sure, you'd pay $2K for that hydraulic PHD rig versus $500 for a 3pt PHD, but that's cheaper than a visit to the ER or worse.

You have just convinced me. I had been wavering on PTO vs. hydraulic, and now I will just bite the bullet and get the hydraulic. I know will need one in the next year or so, and I will keep my eyes open for a used hydraulic. I have already had a lifetime worth of ER visits and I don't need another one.

No offence to anyone, but making a decision like that based on comments from someone who doesn't even own a PHD doesn't make much sense to me. 3 PT post hole diggers aren't that dangerous, and down pressure isn't going to be worth the cost of a hydraulic unit, IMO. As mentioned, when the auger stops digging, moving forwards or backwards a couple inches usually does the trick. Sometimes all the downforce in the world isn't going to make a difference. There is no safety difference between the two that I can imagine, and I really can't understand why so many people thing that PHDs are so dangerous. I would consider them one of the safer PTO attachments, as long as common sense is used. Stay on the tractor and there's very little chance for an accident. Again, I don't mean to offend anyone, but I'd hate to see someone scared into spending 4x the amount for no logical reason.

cowboy357 · Jul 21, 2009

jenkinsph said:
It may have been one of the smaller gas posthole diggers, doesn't specify a tractor mounted unit.

All of these implements can be dangerous, I try to be careful but I'm not going to stop using them either.

Steve

In the full article its called a tractor accident . But I agree with some here about getting off of the tractor while the auger is running is kind of asking for trouble .

I was really nervous & extra cautious when I first got mine Because of accidents like this I,ve heard of . But I never had any problems thankfully . Because of the info I read here on how to do it without risk .

Its still a shame to here though . Bob

WHITE HALL - A prominent retired cardiologist in the Houston area died in a tractor accident at his farm in Grimes County.

Sheriff's Lt. Blake Jarvis on Monday said 79-year-old Dr. Faber Francis McMullen Jr. was dead at the scene.

Jarvis told the Associated Press that McMullen, who practiced in Bellaire, died Sunday when his clothing, likely a glove, became entangled in an auger.

Duffster · Jul 21, 2009

MMagis said:
No offence to anyone, but making a decision like that based on comments from someone who deosn't even own a PHD doesn't make much sense to me. 3 PT post hole diggers aren't that dangerous, and down pressure isn't going to be worth the cost of a hydraulic unit, IMO. As mentioned, when the auger stops digging, moving forwards or backwards a couple inches usually does the trick. Sometimes all the downforce in the world isn't going to make a difference. There is no safety difference between the two that I can imagine, and I really can't understand why so many people thing that PHDs are so dangerous. I would consider them one of the safer PTO attachments, as long as common sense is used. Stay on the tractor and there's very little chance for an accident. Again, I don't mean to offend anyone, but I'd hate to see someone scared into spending 4x the amount for no logical reason.

I would agree for the most part.

Machinery by it self is not dangerous, it only become dangerous when you put an operator on it.

We almost always have a second person to help with ours, but we have made some custom mods, it does all boil down to common sense and a attentive operator.

IMO there is not $1500 worth of added safety in a loader mounted digger.

MtnViewRanch · Jul 21, 2009

I have a question for some of you. Why do you think that a PHD waaaaay out in front of you is better than one on the 3PT?

First off I can see things a lot better just in back of me a few feet rather than way out on the loader.

Second, everybody usually thinks of a hydraulic PHD as being on the front, they make hydraulic PHD for 3PT hook up also.

If you feel that you need down pressure, there are down pressure kits for a 3PT PHD.

If you have a hydraulic side link, you then have full control of the angle or straightness of the hole to be dug.

Myself, I would prefer a 3PT vs the loader mounted type. Easier to carry the stuff that you are going to put in the hole along with you. Nice not to worry about the auger and the stuff in the bucket.

Just my take on this.

LBrown59 · Jul 21, 2009

Ken45101 said:
Wow! Will you please send your soil here? There's a reason we don't have earthquakes here, the ground is too tough for one ;-)

Ken

What county in Ohio.

tuna · Jul 21, 2009

Since I was 12 I've stood on post hole diggers to get them to dig, I'm 40 now. I've also put a bar between the gearbox and the support over it to get it to dig. I've dug alot of holes. I've been a machinist for 20 years and use my hands and ears to feel and hear chatter and balance on end mills, grinding wheels, ball mills, etc. Grab your stuff and get the job done. You're not gonna make it outta this life alive. Dig by hand if you're scared.