Questions about planter drill head capabilities

Thansway · Jul 28, 2019

Hi guys!

Glad I found this forum. I've been looking into a buying a PT425 and have been scouring all the old threads here for info. Y'all are a wealth of information! I don't see much online about the auger capabilities and I have questions about the drill head/PT425 combo.

I have 2 pole barn buildings to build in the near future and would love to use the PT425 for site leveling and hole drilling. I have 2 questions:

1. I need to drill holes 24" wide and 48" deep for the posts. PT sells a 24" auger but only 30" long, so I am curious if anyone here can tell me if a (straight) 48" deep hole is possible with this machine? The lift height is 60" so I believe 48" should be doable in theory.

2. I know I can buy an 18" auger extension from the local farm store. Does the PT planter drill head have a standard mount for their augers (e.g. 2" round tube or 2.5" hex) so that I can use my own store-bought augers? Or is it a proprietary mount so I have to buy my augers from PT?

I'd love to have a reason to buy the drill head, I look forward to hearing your input.

Thanks!

agjones · Jul 29, 2019

Hey there, great questions. Terry at pt can help you with this decision, he will be straight up about the capability of the combo. In my experience, he's more interested in a customer having a safe, effective experience with the tools than just buying more stuff...

Fwiw, I have a lot of time on my 2 425s and I think you'll be more satisfied with w a rented skid-steer and auger or even a backhoe. The 425 is super capable, I trust mine every day and am consistently surprised at the task list I am able to knock out w it. That said, 2x4' is a big hole and a pole barn is a lot of holes... The depth is going to be hard to clear w the auger. Look at the pics of the auger mounted on the machines at power trac and it really uses every inch of lift.

For that size, quantity holes you'll likely need to back out of something like a rock or whatever and a skidsteer that can reverse flow can be a life saver. The extra weight is also going to help.

Also the planter augers are often cone shaped for installing B&B trees etc... I think the shorter shaft of the 24 is due to the torque requirements.

To your question about the shaft, pretty standard round w shear bolt. Any welder can fab an adapter in no time if need be...

That rented skidsteer is also gonna have the lift to be useful w construction.

My two cents (or less) worth, others may not agree... But definitely worth a call to Terry.

Good luck, even if it's not this task, you'll have a need for a 425!

Thansway · Jul 29, 2019

Hey agjones, thanks for the input. I'll definitely call Terry before I make any big decisions. Good to hear another positive review about the PT425 :drink:

MossRoad · Jul 29, 2019

Welcome to TBN, by the way. :thumbsup:

woodlandfarms · Jul 30, 2019

Completely onboard with what AGJones says. I have an 1850 with a 24" bit. I mulled over using it to install my piers for my new steel shop and while it will spin a 24 no problem, its hard to get it in and out of the hole (I had to go 6ft deep for my piers). The proces is you dig a bit, stop the bit while in the hole, pull it out, start it so the dirt flies away, rinse and repeat. I could get 5.5ft no problem, but those last few inches were going to be too much for my machine.

PowerTracManiac · Feb 24, 2020

Found this with search and wondering if you (Woodlands farms) have the planter digger or the post hole digger?
I need to dig holes for my pole barn and fencing on new property. 2 foot diameter by 4 foot deep holes for the pole barn would be the biggest hole I would need to dig.
I have a PT1460 so I get the impression from your post that I could do it with my machine?

scotts562 · Feb 25, 2020

I have used my 425 with 24" bit on a planter head to dig footings for a deck in very heavy clay. The machine handled it fine. As described above, once the auger bit is loaded up, pull it out and remove the dirt from the bit.

I don't remember excactly how deep I was able to get with the 30" length. I think I was very close to reaching 48", but I know for a fact I could not get deeper than 48". The 24" bit is wide enough that the loader arm/quick attach fit into the hole. This increases your dig depth.