question about building my own post hole digger hydraulic down assist

grsthegreat · May 20, 2011

well i finally got around to installing the hydraulic assist unit onto my Speeco post hole digger. I had to build the shackle piece cause it didn't come in the kit.

Apparently the newer HD speeco units have them already installed. Who knew. an hour later, i had it made and welded into place.

Next i come to find out that single acting cylinders work differently than double acting cyllinders.....they need access to the hydraulic reservoir and not just both rear remotes... Again, who knew.

After asking questions here on the site, i was informed by J.J. and others about the need to dump excess fluid back into the tanks. I found out from my Kioti dealer that theres a cheap, easily available valve to do this with on the Kioti and he has mailed me the part today.

So i wont be able to play with it yet....... its supposed to add around 150-200 pounds of down pressure, and when you raise the digger, the valve retracts and the fluid just dumps into the tank on the tractor. cant wait to attack the holes in a few days.

MtnViewRanch · May 20, 2011

I am surprised about the 150-200 pounds of added down pressure. Is that what the paperwork says? I am fairly sure that others are more like 500lbs of added down pressure.

Either way, I'm sure that you will be very pleased with it once everything is set up. :thumbsup: I know that mine literally made days difference in the time that it takes to drill some holes. No soaking with water and waiting, just drill the hole in a matter of 2 minutes or less.

I see that you need a hydraulic side link so that you can easily drill plumb holes on sloped ground. Need to put that on your want list.

grsthegreat · May 20, 2011

MtnViewRanch said:
I am surprised about the 150-200 pounds of added down pressure. Is that what the paperwork says? I am fairly sure that others are more like 500lbs of added down pressure. Either way, I'm sure that you will be very pleased with it once everything is set up. :thumbsup: I know that mine literally made days difference in the time that it takes to drill some holes. No soaking with water and waiting, just drill the hole in a matter of 2 minutes or less. I see that you need a hydraulic side link so that you can easily drill plumb holes on sloped ground. Need to put that on your want list.

well, the paperwork didnt say anything. the deler told me that. The unit has a setscrew adjustment on the dump valve to increase or decrease the force. i dont want to bend my arm.

right now, someone pushing down with the help of a long steel bar would make it work, but was too dangerous to keep doing. without that push, it took a long time to drill. even if it is 150-200 it WILL work. I know, for im using less than that right now hehe

J_J · May 22, 2011

Maybe it's is just me, but I am looking at the pictures of the cyl install, and I don't see what will return the cyl to the retract mode. I am also not seeing what the cyl is pushing against to get the down force.

Usually the weight of the item is great enough to push fluid out of the cyl.

MtnViewRanch · May 22, 2011

In picture 2, the brackets that are notched hit against the yoke when the cylinder is extended putting pressure down on the boom. As the boom is lifted, pressure is put against the cylinder and it is collapsed.

grsthegreat · May 23, 2011

J_J said:
Maybe it's is just me, but I am looking at the pictures of the cyl install, and I don't see what will return the cyl to the retract mode. I am also not seeing what the cyl is pushing against to get the down force.

Usually the weight of the item is great enough to push fluid out of the cyl.

it has me baffled also. I have raised and lowered the boom while looking at the position on the ram. I can see how it can exert pressure on the main part of the PHD by locking itself against the base (U shaped portion of PHD). when i raise the PHD, it should force cylinder to retract by dumping fluid into tank. at least thats what it looks like to me.

grsthegreat · May 27, 2011

Well the parts for the Kioti arrived today, took about 15 minutes to install. I tested the Hydraulic assist unit....WORKED GREAT.

I hit the usual hard pan about 12" down and the auger just spun. hit the rear remote, watched the ram extend, and bammo the auger started into the ground again. When i finished the hole, i simply raised the 3 point, the ram retracted by dumping the fluid back into the tank, and i was set to drill another hole. As i raise the 3 point, it pivots the assist unit and forces the ram to retract. Since I'm not using the rear remote, theres no pressure on the line, and to fluid is diverted into the tank. amazing unit.

Now i cant wait to work on the fence...if it ever stops raining.