post hole digger

[Nuru]

I have the Green Manufacturing Unit that I bought through my local Deere dealer. I dug about 300+ posts for my fencing last year and will do more this year. It does a nice job and is priced about the same as the Speeco's are.

There are some general rules of thumb about using 3-pt PHD's.... There are many threads in TBN about it - search under "PHD" and you'll find them. Some of the major one's are:
- safety around the auger (of course)
- take it down slow and raise it up occasionally to clear the dirt (based on the ground you have, you may have to do it more often)
- if you start to hit rocks, slow down the auger, lift it up, and check to see if the rock is too big and it has to be taken out by hand (you'll shear a bolt otherwise)
- you don't need to run the auger very fast to dig as it will do the work for you. This also helps you to control the digging in case of the occasional rock, etc.

As I said, there have been many threads on this subject in TBN. Good luck and good digging!

-Bob

Rmonio, yep there is one thing I have seen people using augers do over and over again is try to use them with a fast spin speed and break something.

 

[AKfish]

Very good advice. I don't think I run my PHD more than about 1,200-1,300 rpm on the tractor.

Tree roots and a few good rocks can bind you up tighter than a 3lb block of cheddar cheese!

AKfish

 

[Jksnvly]

Went to Tractor Supply, the speeco unit was on sale for $396, I bought one and a 9" auger. Far cheaper than the JD dealer price.

 

[Nuru]

Went to Tractor Supply, the speeco unit was on sale for $396, I bought one and a 9" auger. Far cheaper than the JD dealer price.

Good deal!

 

[aesanders]

I have a Bush Hog brand for my 2320. I have dug a coupole hundred holes now and it has worked verygood. The Bush Hog is pretty well built and you can get a stand (which I haven't done yet but should) that makes taking it on and off a lot easier. Of all the implements to hook up, the post holedigger is the biggest pain in the rear.

 

[PeterT]

Bush hog make one with a cylinder on it for down pressure now. Has anyone seen these?. I looked at one and it seemed pretty clever how they did it.

PeterT

 

[chadincolo]

Bush hog make one with a cylinder on it for down pressure now. Has anyone seen these?. I looked at one and it seemed pretty clever how they did it.

PeterT

Something similar available for the Speeco unit TSC sells, not very well advertised though. Ask the TSC store manager about it, well worth the money if you have tough soil to dig in. Don't know why they don't stock them in the stores in areas with "tough" soil...

 

[Nuru]

Might be a tough sell, or they just don't know about it as the buyers don't always provide the sales team with all the info.