Posthole Digger Simplest Post Hole Digger stand / storage

[beowulf]

I only use my PHD infrequently and have been storing it on the ground without the auger - have two of those but seem to always use 6". It is always a real bear to rehook it - never look forward to that - sometimes I will dig the holes by hand if I only have a couple to dig.

Anyway, I have reviewed the threads here regarding PHD stands and storage options, but am still looking for the very best and simplest way to store it so it will be easy to unhook and rehook in place. I usually take the auger off first and am OK with doing that in order to put it down easily. I will likely just put a couple of 4x6s in the ground with a cross piece and chain as the other threads mention that the ability to swing/move the PHD really aids in the hook up.

Then I came across this youtube video which is about as simple a solution as I have seen, though perhaps not as movable - or as easy to swing into position as a cross beam and chain. Still trying to decide which way to go. I have the trees, tarp and straps already around here. And have an old power pole I can cut down and put into the ground in a convenient location. Thoughts re cross beam and chain vs strapping to a post - what might I not be thinking about re either?

Land Pride Post Hole Digger: Storage, Review, Hook/Unhook - YouTube

 

[square1]

Leave the auger on and drill it into the ground. Disconnect PHD from 3-pt and drive away.

 

[beowulf]

That certainly would be the simplest - I recall seeing that but forgot about it - thanks. May do that and just tarp it.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I can't even imagine going through the trouble of strapping the PHD down let alone having to lift anything for attachment to the tractor, why?

Stick to the 2 posts and use a removable cross beam. Zero lifting other than the PTO shaft and cross beam, takes about 5 minutes to attach or remove.

 

[beowulf]

MtnViewRanch - thanks for the info. So, would a removable cross beam be more practical than a fixed cross beam with a chain? If I understand the removable cross beam concept, you would lift the PHD to a high point, and then slip the cross beam under the lift arm of the PHD and then gently lower and unhook it? And with a chain, you would lift it under a fixed cross beam, attach the chain, gently lower it and then unhook it? I assume both of these options would work equally well, or is there an advantage you see to a removable cross beam?

I could do either - also remembered that I have some 3" steel posts so could likely fashion a post and cross beam with those as well.

Thanks for the help with this.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

MtnViewRanch - thanks for the info. So, would a removable cross beam be more practical than a fixed cross beam with a chain? If I understand the removable cross beam concept, you would lift the PHD to a high point, and then slip the cross beam under the lift arm of the PHD and then gently lower and unhook it? And with a chain, you would lift it under a fixed cross beam, attach the chain, gently lower it and then unhook it? I assume both of these options would work equally well, or is there an advantage you see to a removable cross beam?

I could do either - also remembered that I have some 3" steel posts so could likely fashion a post and cross beam with those as well.

Thanks for the help with this.

My thinking is that with hanging on the cross beam, the unit stays as is and is very easy to twist left or right as needed, but typically not required and stays where it is set.

While a chain may sound easier, anything that I have ever hung with a chain is always twisting to where I don't want it. While it is easy to twist around, is it not better to not have to twist it at all?

I'm sure that either way works fine. :thumbsup:

Just my :2cents: based on how I have dealt with my PHD for the past 11 years.

 

[beowulf]

My thinking is that with hanging on the cross beam, the unit stays as is and is very easy to twist left or right as needed, but typically not required and stays where it is set.

Thanks again. That makes sense and a removable cross piece is what I will go with. I just came in from outside and see that I have some steel 3" inside dia posts and a 30" section of 2" threaded pipe. I am thinking about putting the 3" posts into the ground and threading two 2" 90 degree elbows on each end of my 24" length, adding a 4 to 6 inch nipple to the elbows - the nipples would slip inside the uprights and I would have a set up that would let me remove the cross piece - assuming I make those at the correct height so can raise the PDH sufficient to permit the clearance/removal.

I hope having the uprights 24" apart would be enough, otherwise I will get a 3 foot section of 2" pipe. It appears that the PHD with auger will approach 200 lbs so I want to make sure it will handle that weight.

Thanks again. A PHD stand will be a great addition for a 72 year old guy who no longer wants to wrestle with a PDH.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Sort of depends on the size of your augers. I have 6"-24" augers and wanted 6" of room on each side of the 24" bit, so I have my posts at 36" apart. For height, all I did was measure what the distance was from under the bend in the boom to the ground and subtracted a couple of inches. Have the top of my beam at that height. Then when I have the PHD hitched up, raise the 3pt and slide the beam out. Very simple and the whole thing was less than $20.

Those 2 holes were the first 2 holes that I dug with my PHD. :thumbsup:

 

[Ed of all trades]

I would hang it on a chain that is on a sliding door track. Makes it very easy to hook up and slides out of the way when not in use. Not as easy to do but much easier down through the years. Ed

 

[travlitt]

Here is my PHD storage method.
Back up to it, connect digger to boom, disconnect digger from tractor, swing digger under the shed.