TC-45D Post Hole Digger - 3Pt Hydraulics?

Vinto · May 2, 2005

We just planted 5 acres of grapes with approximately 2600 12" x 36" Deep holes for the grapes and 150 6" and 9" x 48" Deep holes for the end post and anchors. That's about 90 hours on the 3 pt./PTO looking backwards. One of the problems we had was the 12" auger did not want to dig into the ground because the 3 pt. could not provide enough downward force. We had to pull down manually or load weight onto the boom to dig a hole in under 5 minutes. The 6" auger on the other extreme always wanted to dig itself into the ground rather than extract dirt unless I was gingerly handling 3 pt. depth. I think we need a hydraulic cylinder to provide down force for the 12" auger. We already have 2 remotes on the back of the TC-45D so all we need is the cylinder fabricated. Anyone done this before?

Thanks, /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Vinto

MikePA · May 3, 2005

the 3 pt. could not provide enough downward force. 
3pt hitches don't provide any downforce. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

We had to pull down manually 
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif A very dangerous thing to do. No one should be anywhere near the auger when it's digging. Way too easy to get caught, e.g., loose clothing, in the auger and be severely injured. Do people do this? Yep, but definitely not recommended.

The only way I've seen to apply downforce to an auger is to use a FEL mounted hydraulic post hole digger. I believe Danuser makes such a model.

You might get more responses/ideas if this post were in the Attachments forum.

Soundguy · May 3, 2005

I agree with what Mikepa says.

Some augers come with a mount for a pole, so a person can stand well back and provide downward force, and help position the auger.. but it's a it rube-goldberg.

Some large ag tractors use external rams attached to the lower lift arms and the rear end somewhere to act as downward pressure, however most of them were custom 3pt kits for tractors without 3pt anyway.. like old farmalls, JD's , etc. However.. nothing says you can't do it.. though it would be a bit tricky ballancing the down pressure and your own 3pt lift. i think I'd leave the lift handle down/off, and use a DA cylinder for lift and down pressure while augering.. Just need a spool for the DA cyl, and 1 cyl should be fine for that application... ( sounds spendy though... )

Soundguy

Bob_Skurka · May 3, 2005

Some augers come with a mount for a pole, so a person can stand well back and provide downward force, and help position the auger.. but it's a it rube-goldberg. 

Soundguy, I've got one of those! But it is not for providing down force (at least mine is not, perhaps some others are). There is a pole with a handle that comes out off the top of the PHD's gear box (toward the tractor seat) and actually allows the tractor operator to fine tune position the auger from the seat.

I'm not sure if it could be reversed to face away from the tractor so someone standing on the far side of the PHD could use it as a lever for adding weight. I suppose so. But as you said, it would be pretty much a rube-goldburg way to do it, and probably not too safe either.

I ended up taking mine off completely . . . I still blame the lovely Mrs_Bob for that gouge along the upper trim of the garage door, although she doesn't know how she could have done that /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Well that is my story and I'm sticking with it until she catches me!

Jrrcorp · May 3, 2005

The Bush Hog 2103 PHD has an optional cylinder mounted on the boom for added down pressure. Check out this link.
http://www.deenimplement.com/bush_post.htm
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

itsmatt · May 4, 2005

Hi Vinto,

Yes, I've had the same problem digging holes with our auger. My wife's dad and I were putting up fencing on New Year's day last year for my wife's "free" horse. (Possibly the single most expensive thing anyone has ever given us!)

I have a 10" auger and we use one of those long 6' bars for digging to apply pressure downward - I agree that it probably isn't the safest approach, though it was quite effective.

We put new cutters on the auger (it has dug thousands of holes over the years) and boy did that make a difference.

Matt

Vinto · May 4, 2005

We have already welded a socket on the boom to stick in a 6' X 1" pipe to pull down manually or stack a weight. While we don't wear spandex we stay away from the auger. We are ex-Armor and Aviation officers so we keep the safety level high! I think we need a hydraulic cylinder to exert the down force. There is a well know member on the TBN with a TC-40D with modified rear hydraulics. I was hoping someone had some ideas as I have to drill another 7000 or so holes this fall for the next 10+ acres.

Thanks,

Vinto

PineRidge · May 5, 2005

Vinto If I were punching as many holes in the ground as you the PHD would be modified and fitted with a hydraulic cylinder as a top priority. I'm thinking that adding one shouldn't/wouldn't be a major project and might save you lots of time not to mention the fact that it would be a lot safer than forcing the bit into the ground with a lever of some type.

jinman · May 5, 2005

( I was hoping someone had some ideas as I have to drill another 7000 or so holes this fall for the next 10+ acres.
)

You're working from the wrong end. You N-E-E-D one of these. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Belltec Auger

MikePA · May 5, 2005

You're working from the wrong end. You N-E-E-D one of these. 
I agree 100%. There's no way I'd drill that many holes with a 3ph post hole digger.

At a minimum, I'd buy a Danuser that bolts to the FEL bucket.