Post Hole Digger

RPH · Aug 7, 2000

As a new owner of a BX2200 tractor, I just picked up a 3 pt hitch Post Hole Digger at an auction. The news paper add says it is a Massey Fergusion but the only printing on the machine say L & S Line MFG. The gearbox is a Comer and based on comparing this unit to others on the Web, I would say it falls under the Standard Duty Post Hole Digger catagory. The unit seems to be in excellent shape and I hope it will work on my tractor (It seems a lot of people have had problems with the BX2200 3 PT Hitch in this forum). In any case, I need some advice from the experts:
1. Any suggestions on how to determine the brand name and more importantly get an instruction/parts manual?
2. What type of oil goes in the gearbox?
3. Were do you look for the shear pin since I have read a lot about the the probability of going through a number of them?

As you can tell, I am new to this but having a great time using my new tractor.

Thanks

RPH

W5FL · Aug 7, 2000

Probably no good answers to some of your questions. The gearbox is normally filled with 90W oil. The shearpin is normally a 1/2 inch bolt on the output shaft where the auger goes. Fortunately, you will probably not need parts and you will not be able to find them if you do as they will cost more than the digger.

The main instruction is they are very dangerous. They will fold up on you when moving them around and pinch really bad. If you get anything caught in the PTO shaft or auger, you may lose an arm, leg, or scalp, before you can stop the auger. No one should be within 10 feet of the auger when operating and you should stop the PTO before getting off the tractor for this or any pto implement. Rocks are probably all that will cause you to lose a shear pin.

Be sure to pull the auger out of the ground often because if you bury it you will spend several hours corkscrewing it out of the ground with some BIG pipewrenches. Many post hole diggers are designed to be run at considerably less than PTO speeds and may wobble and be uncontrollable at high pto speeds. In good soil, they work well.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 7, 2000

As to the shear pin, it's probably a 5/16 or 3/8 bolt, lower strength then a "normal" bolt. Both the Kubota dealer and JD dealer near me have a BUCKET of them. Just don't cheat and use an typical bolt in it's place if you have rocks.

What I'm trying to find is a RUBBER BOLT! one that will bend but not break so I can stop without having to change it! Oh, and IMHO don't run without the safety shield so it's easier to change the bolt as I see guys do.

Actual the rubber bolt idea has been solved, it's called a hydraulic auger. Only problem...$2.5-4K!

del

W5FL · Aug 7, 2000

Slip clutch is much cheaper. I have lots of rocks and would not have a post hole digger without a slip clutch. The auger I used had 1/2 inch bolts and they shear fast. There is a tremendous torque on the auger shaft.

Mike H · Aug 7, 2000

I've got a light duty post hole digger w/ just one auger - 9". It uses a 5/16" shear pin on the auger side of the gearbox. It's actually quite easy to replace - I can do it in a minute or two. The shields on mine have access holes to facilitate this. I put in 18 holes last weekend. I did 14 in about an hour and the other four in something over an hour. With the light auger, if I hit a rock I'm done for. If there's a rock more than about 3", out comes the auger and in goes the breaker/pry bar. Most of my land is easy to dig but about 20% of the time I've got a gravel layer and you can tell what happens. I'm thinking about trying a smaller auger since 90% of my posts are 4". I just pick up grade 2 bolts in bulk at my local ag. store.

Pay attention to the cautions about the flexibility of these things - I need to come up w/ a decent stand before an accident occurs. Right now I always separate the auger from the digger so that I can control it (physically) when putting it on or taking it off the tractor.

Definitely beats digging by hand!

Anonymous Poster · Aug 8, 2000

RPH,
As a new owner of a BX let me warn you about the 3 point hitch problem. I have had a BX2200 for 2 months and have had problems fitting the Cat 1 Landpride Quick Hitch to it. Kubota has issued a service bulletin no. SB00-35 on 6-28-00. There is a conversion kit available. It seams the top link is too long not allowing the proper range of adjustment and there are interference points on the lower links that need to be modified so that all cat 1 attachments will fit.
Good Luck!
Ken Johnson

RPH · Aug 8, 2000

Ken,

Thanks for the service bulletin information since I have not had a chance to try out the 3 point hitch since my tractor is in being serviced. Had the dealer do my 50 hour service a month ago and when I got the tractor back, I noticed that it was leaking transmission fluid and the pedal was sticking. They took it back and have had it for the past two + weeks. Contacted them regarding status of the tractor and they informed me that they found a fuel tank defect which Kubota is working on but they will not have a new replacement tanks for another two/three weeks.

I am fighting with the Dealor now on what I am going to use for a tractor while Kubota is correcting the problem. I expect they will be recalling all the BX tractors to get this problem fixed.

RPH

Anonymous Poster · Aug 8, 2000

JH,
I do not have the ability to post the files for the 3 pages but I was able to copy this much offf the 1st page. It should help.

SERVICE BULLETIN
BX Series Top Link Service Kit (Adjustment for 3-Point Hitch)

Machines Affected
BXI800: SIN 50001-51736
BX2200: SIN 50001-53735 &
53800-53815,54043-54246

Concern:
1) An inability to adjust the operational angle of three point hitch implements has been reported on certain Category I implements. The top link does not retract enough to allow some implements to angle forward.
2) In some cases, the implement lift points interfere with the brackets that are welded on the lower link for the check chain. (Refer to Figure 3)

Solution:
1) The adjustment on the top link assembly has been redesigned to accommodate a wider Range of implements. Along with this change, the LH lift link was extended as was the RH turn buckle.
2) In cases of an implement hitting the lower link check chain bracket, the shaded area in Figure 4 will need to be ground or cut to provide clearance. Refer to Figure 3 & 4 shown Below.
Best Regards,
-kj-

Anonymous Poster · Aug 9, 2000

JPH (not JH),
Oops, sorry for the typo on your name, I was in too much of a hurry to post yesterday. I hope the detail on the service bulletin helps everone with a BX Tractor.
Best Regards,
-kj-

Anonymous Poster · Aug 22, 2000

Is Kubota sending out free kits to retrofit the BX2200's already sold? I also was wondering where you found the service bulletin on the Internet. I just orderd a BX2200. I had 25 year old (think its' about that) Simplicity 7016 that finally gave up the ghost