Storing 3 pt post hole digger

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I recently used my PHD for the first time in a few years. It has been "stored" outside just laying on the ground. I would like to see some pictures of how you guys store yours. By the way, I added "3 pt" in my title because I kinda figure some wise*** would post a pic of a hand held one hanging on the wall...hahaha

I know there have been numerous threads about this subject, and I also know one of the first responses I get is going to be "search and you will find numerous threads." I find no harm in starting a new one, and if it offends you, I apologize. I don't think it is bad to rehash old subjects.

 

[bcp]

Most I've seen, that were not just laying on the ground, were upright in a hole of their own digging. Some were tied to a barn post or fence post. Others (probably the bad ones) were hung from gallows.

Bruce

 

[Shaneard]

We had ours in a hole that was dug with it then just unhooked, it works but it will eventually rust a lot being as how you probably won't be using it much and the water getting in the hole. My dad had one with a complicated hanging device bolted to a wall with a top link, I would highly suggest not doing that way. If you think it is hard to hook one up by your self off the ground you should have tried to get it out of that contraption, lol.

 

[scdeerslayer]

The only one I've dealt with is stored standing up and tied to a couple of posts that hold the shed up. Was like that before I knew anything about it and hasn't been touched in probably 5 years. If you're strong enough you could hook it up by yourself but it really requires 2 people.

 

[Sysop]

I've honestly found the best method for me is to drop the auger bit and driveshaft off the unit. Pulling the shear bolt on the driveshaft and the two bolts holding the auger bit on takes only a couple minutes. I leave the bolts in the bit and shaft when storing so they don't get lost. It is much easier to handle with just the gearbox and frame to mount/dismount on the 3 point. It also stores a lot easier, in a lot more places.

 

[George2615]

Right now mine is stored outside. It is sitting on boards. I also welded a lift point on the top so I could hang it from a tree branch.
Box blade and most other attachments sit on pallets.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I've honestly found the best method for me is to drop the auger bit and driveshaft off the unit. Pulling the shear bolt on the driveshaft and the two bolts holding the auger bit on takes only a couple minutes. I leave the bolts in the bit and shaft when storing so they don't get lost. It is much easier to handle with just the gearbox and frame to mount/dismount on the 3 point. It also stores a lot easier, in a lot more places.

That was pretty much my solution when I finished using it last week. I remember from old threads some pretty ingenious storage racks/hanging devices. One fairly simple one involved two 4x4s stood up in the ground with a top cross member to hang the PHD on. I intended to make one but never got around to it.

 

[KYErik]

Lean it up against/tie it to a tree or heavy fence post. I also like the "hole" idea.

 

[Thomas]

Drill hole for easy 3pt. hitch line up,cover/ from tarp from weather.

 

[coolreinfarm]

I set the auger on a piece of wood back up to a pole in the pole barn and tie it off with some rope unhook and lower the arms down. Done it that way for 12 years, out of the weather and still looks like new.

 

[Fallon]

Temp storage for mine was drill half a hole & unhitch. Up until I sold it I had 2 posts in the ground 5-6' apart & 7-8' tall. Just had some chunks of chain I'd run from each pole to some hooks I welded onto the 200lbs chunk of steel mounted over the gearbox for extra down force. Remove auger, back up, hook up chains, unhitch PTO & 3pt then let it dangle.

 

[newbury]

I "parked" mine under my porch. I'd back the B7610 so the PHD was just under the porch, put a line over the bottom of a railing post, and hung the PHD there. Of course first you have to build a porch of the correct height.

 

[firemailwv]

I built this tonight or of some scrap wood I had. Its kinda crude but I'm thinking about using the measurements and building one out of metal

 

[roadhunter]

My last PHD was a cat 2 with the hydraulic down force cylinder and was a PITA to handle as it was big an heavy. I hung it from a chain off a pipe gantry for a while and finally ended up removing the bit to make it easier to handle on a pallet as I didn't use it for a while. I finally sold it to a neighbor my move and have regretted it as I needed one almost immediately at the new place. So I decided to invest in a new one and after looking around ended up with the Titan 60 HP model.

I immediately noticed how much smaller it was than my last PHD. Assembling was a breeze as nothing was heavy. I added a few bushings for my cat 2 hitch and put it together in a few minutes. It's very light duty and I am going to have to be careful not to break it with my tractor as it has down force in the 3 point which makes PHD's work much better and I know I could snap the pipe if I wanted to. My take is if you have one of these little light duty PHD you might consider just taking it apart and storing it inside. I thought about leaving it out but broke down it takes up little space and it's easier to hook up in pieces than assembled.

On a side note they will work for trenching. Still requires cleaning out the trench by hand but you can do all the hard work with the PHD by drilling holes in a line.

 

[mgrablin]

I solved my storage problem by trading my PHD for a truck load of boulders and an hour of excavation. This allowed me to double the size of my parking area.

I have never found the digger of much value in anything other than loose dirt.

 

[cabover4us]

Have a light duty version from TSC, and has worked flawlessly for our small projects, but I completely take apart unit to store. I have a 40' high cube container I bought few years ago, but am thinking of welding some loose chain to the inside wall with brackets for hoop, and use cheap chain binder to keep secured to wall. Right now leaning in one of the ribs along with the auger. Another note, talked to TSC and they have no extension available for my unit...so, I was thinking of going to Stonebridge Iron Works with gearbox and auger in hand, or pickup bed to match up metal thickness and diameter to make 12" extension. Any ideas..or is that too risky?

 

[George2615]

Have a light duty version from TSC, and has worked flawlessly for our small projects, but I completely take apart unit to store. I have a 40' high cube container I bought few years ago, but am thinking of welding some loose chain to the inside wall with brackets for hoop, and use cheap chain binder to keep secured to wall. Right now leaning in one of the ribs along with the auger. Another note, talked to TSC and they have no extension available for my unit...so, I was thinking of going to Stonebridge Iron Works with gearbox and auger in hand, or pickup bed to match up metal thickness and diameter to make 12" extension. Any ideas..or is that too risky?

Several places online sell 12" auger extensions for both round or hex bits. Not sure if you could get one made cheaper.

 

[CobyRupert]

Another note, talked to TSC and they have no extension available for my unit...so, I was thinking of going to Stonebridge Iron Works with gearbox and auger in hand, or pickup bed to match up metal thickness and diameter to make 12" extension. Any ideas..or is that too risky?

Holy Smokes! You'd be missing the fair!

 

[Erik M]

This is the stand I built for my PHD out of some salvaged PT wood.

 

[powerscol]

This is my stand


I have added a bolt for the PTO shaft to sit on, and plan on bigger casters to use in ny gravel barn. So far it is easy to use - just roll up behind tractor, install boom, then side links, lift and undo chain and away I go. Stores just as easy - back into it and raise boom all the way up, secure support chain, take the weight of and just disconnect.