Posthole Digger Posthole Digger Preference

jimainiac · Feb 10, 2007

Man, you are really well stocked with bits! Looks like the PD35 is really heavy duty, too. I think I could get by with the medium duty PD25 if I go with Land Pride. I like the fact that their bits are 48", compared to Woods at 42". To go down four feet you'd need an extension. It's interesting that some of the brands offer an optional hydraulic cylinder for down pressure, but it sounds like if you keep the cutting teeth sharp it should go down through all but the very worst hardpan.
It sounds to me that the advantage of double flite bits is faster digging, so for occasional use maybe the single flite would be okay.

Keith_B · Feb 11, 2007

I bought a cheapie from a local farm supply place. It came with a 9" auger, which is all you need for fence posts. It is made by International Machinery or something like that. It was $375, and works great. It cuts right through the heavy clay we have here on the farm. I would classify it as a medium duty, it's a rascal to try to mount by yourself with the auger attached, as it is pretty heavy.

It's easy to try to over do it with a PHD when it is purchased, but you gotta keep in mind that the weakest point is the sheer bolt. It won't matter how heavy duty the PHD is, as the sheer bolt is gonna sheer if you put too much pressure on the PHD. The 80 hp tractor can't put anymore stress on the PHD than a 25 or 30 hp tractor due to this factor.

MtnViewRanch · Feb 11, 2007

I was wondering, you guys that have the more reasonable priced PHD's, what size are your sheer bolts, and do your bits use 1 or 2 bolts as sheer bolts. Are your bolts 3/8", 7/16", or 1/2"?

How many seconds (or minutes) does it take you to drill a full depth hole in the ground at your place. Not counting set up or clean out time, just actual drill time?

Did all of us that bought heavy duty, for that matter, middle duty PHD's get caught up in the hype of the things? All that anybody really needs is a cheapy, with good bits? Is there truly no reason to buy a down pressure kit? That extra 1500lbs of down pressure is all a waist? Are not the sheer bolts to protect the PHD motor and the tractor pto if and when the bit gets caught on a rock or root?

I don't know some of these answers, I have never been caught on a root or a rock. I have been stopped by decomposed granite though, that is why I bought a down pressure kit. My augers have 2, 1/2" sheer bolts, I have never broken one yet. Most of the holes that I have drilled take less than a minute to do, and are usually 4' deep. I have not used all of my augers, only the 6", 18" and 24". For me it takes about the same amount of time, (less than a minute) to drill any size hole.

One last thing, if you store your PHD in a proper manner, and there are many ways to do this, you do not have to wrestle with it when you hook it up to your tractor. In fact, it is actually rather easy and takes just a few minutes.

Good luck

GarthH · Feb 11, 2007

I am also looking into this question so I am finding this thread very informative.

I was wondering about hydraulic post pounders - has anyone had any experience with them? One guy was telling me that they are much better as you do not need to pack around the post afterwards.

How deep do you need to put the posts for the pole building? Do you need to get the pole through the ground frost - we often have up to 8 feet of frost?

Do you fill the hole with a sonic tube and cement or just use a wooden pole?

Thanks all.

Garth

ducati996 · Feb 11, 2007

I have a Green Mfg PHD and it works great. Replaceable auger teeth and all
Nice unit, and at that time was inexpensive somewhat....not sure what they go for today

PTO Powered Post Hole Diggers - Green Manufacturing, Inc.

Glowplug · Feb 12, 2007

I am beginning to think the Landpride PD35 may be the way to go for me. I got a quote on Friday from a small town dealer for a PD35 with a 9" and 18" auger for right at $1550. I found that more reasonable than I was expecting. I will get it sometime in the next few months. I just have so many implements that I want/need that it's difficult to prioritize.

EddieWalker · Feb 12, 2007

Mine is a Leinbach Line with a 12 inch auger. I paid $295 brand new from my dealer when I bought my tractor. He said it was his cost and from what I've seen, I believe him.

The bit is just a piece of junk that went dull after the first dozen holes or so. I welded on some half inch metal and ground it to an edge that cut really well for awhile, but doesn't last.

My soil is mostly red clay with some iron ore in places. I also have lots of roots and an occasional rock.

After doing some research, I learned about Pengo and there bits. I was going to buy a bit, but couldn't find one to fit my Leinbach Line gearbox. After searching around, I bought a Pengo tip and Low cutters. I liked the Lowe cutters better because of there square holes for mounting. I welded on a bracket to hold them and attach them with carriage bolts.

The difference was like night and day!!!

In red clay without any roots or iron ore, I can drill a 12 inch hole three feed teep in about 5 minutes on average. The hardest part is setting up and getting the bit straight.

Mine uses 3/8 bolts as sheer pins. I keep a bunch in my toolblox on the back of the tractor and can replace fairly easily.

If I was looking for a post hole digger, the first thing I'd loof for is the Pengo style cutters on the auger. Nothing else is as important.

Eddie

MtnViewRanch · Feb 12, 2007

Glowplug said:
I am beginning to think the Landpride PD35 may be the way to go for me. I got a quote on Friday from a small town dealer for a PD35 with a 9" and 18" auger for right at $1550. I found that more reasonable than I was expecting. I will get it sometime in the next few months. I just have so many implements that I want/need that it's difficult to prioritize.

Wow, that sure sounds like a great price to me. That is barely more than what I paid for just for my PD35 alone. Either I got ripped off,

or your dealer is giving you a killer deal.

I don't know if I would wait, I think that I would order it now for that price.

Glowplug · Feb 12, 2007

MtnViewRanch said:
Wow, that sure sounds like a great price to me. That is barely more than what I paid for just for my PD35 alone. Either I got ripped off, or your dealer is giving you a killer deal. I don't know if I would wait, I think that I would order it now for that price.

Yeah, I was kinda thinking that. But like I said, it's difficult to prioritize. I need to get a tiller to make my father-in-law happy. I was looking at a 90" Howard. But I may go ahead and get that PHD pretty soon too.

I was debating about what would be the best sized bits to get. I would likely do mostly fence post holes. But I would also want a larger auger bit to do some planting and set posts for a pole shed. I can't decide between a 9" vs. 12" and an 18" vs. 24". What would you recommend? I could order any of these augers. The quote is just with the 9" and 18".

tlbuser · Feb 12, 2007

You might want to check this place Diggers and Augers for Three Point Tractor Hitch at Equipmentland for pricing. You'll have to call about the shipping charges though.