Dadnatron
Veteran Member
I currently have an FEL mounted Danuser hydraulic post hole digger. It works great, albeit a bit slow off my 3rd function system for grapple. I have an 8" post bit, but it is too small for trees.
I've been looking around for a couple larger bits, hopefully used, and have seen a few at auctions. I've bid, but lost out... mainly due to apathy of a specific purchase.
But now, I'd really like to find at least one perhaps 2 bits. I just planted 22 trees and had to rent an 18" bit, which worked great. But it was $90/day. I'm not enough of a planner to have everything laid out for a big 'hole drilling day'. I typically find a few trees that I'd like to plant and purchase them, so I need a bit on hand to put them in.
I'm looking for your opinions on the most versatile sizes of tree/shrub planting bits. I've looked at the big conical bits that are shaped like an upside-down Christmas tree, and thought that would be great. However, I'm concerned that a larger diameter hole would be too deep in the center, and would create a hollow under the tree ball, even if I backfilled. (Any experience with these types of augers would be appreciated.)
I've been thinking about getting an 18" and a larger 30, 36, 42" for larger trees. When I buy a larger 3" tree, from the nursery... I need a bigger bit or I'm huffing with a shovel. But... with bigger bits is bigger $ and I am unsure about utility overall. I'm also uncertain about the HTF style bits from McMillan. (Have a smaller bit then the large bit about 10" higher. I don't know how or what this is used for or the benefits, although I can see a couple perhaps.)
What are your recommendations given the above? I will have far too many trees to plant over the next few years to do it by hand... at least I am unwilling to do so.
I've been looking around for a couple larger bits, hopefully used, and have seen a few at auctions. I've bid, but lost out... mainly due to apathy of a specific purchase.
But now, I'd really like to find at least one perhaps 2 bits. I just planted 22 trees and had to rent an 18" bit, which worked great. But it was $90/day. I'm not enough of a planner to have everything laid out for a big 'hole drilling day'. I typically find a few trees that I'd like to plant and purchase them, so I need a bit on hand to put them in.
I'm looking for your opinions on the most versatile sizes of tree/shrub planting bits. I've looked at the big conical bits that are shaped like an upside-down Christmas tree, and thought that would be great. However, I'm concerned that a larger diameter hole would be too deep in the center, and would create a hollow under the tree ball, even if I backfilled. (Any experience with these types of augers would be appreciated.)
I've been thinking about getting an 18" and a larger 30, 36, 42" for larger trees. When I buy a larger 3" tree, from the nursery... I need a bigger bit or I'm huffing with a shovel. But... with bigger bits is bigger $ and I am unsure about utility overall. I'm also uncertain about the HTF style bits from McMillan. (Have a smaller bit then the large bit about 10" higher. I don't know how or what this is used for or the benefits, although I can see a couple perhaps.)
What are your recommendations given the above? I will have far too many trees to plant over the next few years to do it by hand... at least I am unwilling to do so.