Questions of PHD's and Augers

GreatWhitehunter · Nov 18, 2009

I've been wanting to get a PHD for awhile now and I've got some questions since I've never used one. I own mostly Woods attachments and have been very satisfied with the quality. I also have a few Landpride attachments and there good also good but the seem to cost more than Woods and don't feel it's justified. I plan on using the PHD mostly for planting tree's all over my property. The tree's will be larger evergreens so I need to get at least a 2' planting auger. I live in New England so rocks are plentiful and I'm concerned.The smaller rated PHD's are spec only to 12' auger but I'm thinking the larger auger will fit and work. Is the shaft size the same for the larger diameter augers? I'm not going to go very deep at all and will get the unit's with the pilot bits. I know these units are shear bolt protected so is there really any danger in using a larger auger? And will it fit the PHD? I've got a backhoe but I really don't want the mess the hoe will make. It seems that the PHD will really save me alot of time.

Matt

kthompson · Nov 18, 2009

I can not answer all your questions but the size of the shank on the bits will vary so you need to be sure on the brand you are looking at.

The reason for my reply is this, a 2 foot bit will give you a lot of tip speed and if there are rocks or roots for it to catch on wonder if a PTO digger will be that safe. You may find a PTO digger for large bits runs slower rpms this, not sure. But it would seem a hyd power unit if your tractor can supply needed flow would allow you to adjust speed and maybe more important to reverse it when you get it jammed. Be careful with post hole digger, it might be the implement more serious injuries happen with then any other.

RPW · Nov 18, 2009

A 24" auger will have a lot of mass to it. If it does work then I believe you'll need a HD gearbox. Something rated abit higher than most gearboxes to keep from tearing up the gears inside.

Reg · Nov 18, 2009

In New England you never do know what you will hit.
A 9 inch pilot ONLY digs a 9 inch hole, it is ONLY a starter hole for the depth of the 9 inch pilot.
It is NOT a starter for the 4 to 6 inch ring around that hole that the outer (2nd stage) auger digs.
THAT sucker takes a LOT of power, even in clean dirt.
It is a square law thing, i.e. twice the diameter takes four times the power.

I know you said you would rather avoid it and so would I, but it just might be worth developing the skill to put a nice little 18 or 24 inch square hole in the ground with the hoe.
That way if you run into rocks you can DEAL with them, the hoe is already there and working.
Safer, easier and you already own it; Whats to not love ?

orezok · Nov 18, 2009

Remember that the PTO increases the torque from the engine about 4 or more times (2500/540=4.6). Add to this the 3.5 +/- that the PHD reduces again.
4.6 x 3.5 results in a 16 times increase in torque at the shaft. Shear bolts are designed to only take a certain load before shearing and a 24" auger vs. 12" is probably the square of the resistance.

I think all you will be doing is changing shear bolts every rock you hit.

jenkinsph · Nov 18, 2009

I think it is better to use the backhoe for this, stick the teeth in the ground and sink them straight down, wiggle the bucket slightly to get it in the ground then curl the bucket and move the dipper away from you to make the smallest hole you can.

Bear in mind that if you use an auger you would still have to shovel off the hard packed sides of the hole anyway. The ring for watering around the tree will overlap the edges of your hole too. Last point you can use the backhoe and a nylon strap to ease the tree into the hole.

Reg · Nov 18, 2009

Oh Yeah,
The back hoe as a boom pole for planting - NEAT idea (-:

GreatWhitehunter · Nov 18, 2009

Keep in mind I'm only going down an foot or two. The PHD's I'm looking at are the woods 35 and 65. They offer the 24" on the 65 but not the 35. I know the auger will fit the 35 since the 35 an 65 use the same 12" auger. On the hydralic unit I could run a low flow one but there a bit too expensive since I already have the BH. I know the soil I'll be in is free of rocks larger than 6".
So are you guys saying a phd won't work in my soil or this application?

Matt

Charlesaf3 · Nov 18, 2009

I have a hydraulic PHD. And a 24" auger. It works, barely, on the m59 for planting in very sandy soil. It stops every time, and has to be reversed and cleared. If it wasn't hydraulic and used shear pins I'd replace 2 a hole I'd guess.

I'll go out on a limb and say no way will a 24 work on a CUT pto PHD. Use your backhoe.

MtnViewRanch · Nov 18, 2009

Charlesaf3 said:
I have a hydraulic PHD. And a 24" auger. It works, barely, on the m59 for planting in very sandy soil. It stops every time, and has to be reversed and cleared. If it wasn't hydraulic and used shear pins I'd replace 2 a hole I'd guess.

I'll go out on a limb and say no way will a 24 work on a CUT pto PHD. Use your backhoe.

Your not serious are you? If you are, then it would seem to me that something is wrong BIG TIME.

I dig 24" holes all the time in hard and not so hard ground, always at an idle, with a down pressure kit when needed, never have any problems, never sheared a shear bolt. I have a Land Pride PD35, the biggest PTO unit that they have, zero problems.