urgent - sheer bolts on post digger

[Scotty370]

Supper?.........Supper?.........No one stops for food when you've got serious 'seat-time' happening!

 

[Chilly807]

I've found that I only break shear bolts when I'm in a hurry. I allow the auger to dig maybe 6-8 inches at a time, then pull it up (still spinning) and allow it to clear itself. Feed it down very slowly, if it gets into something substantial (rock or root) I stop the 3 ph at that height and let it bounce until it has a chance to either dislodge and pull the rock up, or cut the root off. Look at it this way, if you continue to feed it down, it will jam against the rock, which has nowhere to go inside the hole, and something has to break. Usually the shear pin.

Usually it will stop bouncing after a few seconds, which means the rock has either broken or come loose.

I dug several holes with mine today, in bone-dry clay soil. Slower digging than in the spring, but still effective.

If it calls for grade 2, use grade 2.

Sean

 

[whistlepig]

Post holes diggers don't do big rocks or a lot of small rocks. The rocks have to be dug out with a spud bar.

 

[Chilly807]

Post holes diggers don't do big rocks or a lot of small rocks. The rocks have to be dug out with a spud bar.

Mine does OK up to about grapefruit size rocks, beyond that it's bar time.

Sean

 

[Skyco]

We had to be really careful to not let the auger just "screw" through the sod or it would bury the 3pt hitch before we could stop it...

Reminds me of playing with my auger on a BX24 in sandy soil, the auger screwed itself into the ground on a pine root, actually lifted the front wheels off the ground:laughing:

 

[Ford tractor]

regarding the 'safety'... your statement above freaked me out... if i'm standing by the side of the tractor (by the rear tire) controlling the pto (lift and drive), i should be out of harms way with the auger digging behind the tractor??

I operate from the seat so that I can move the tractor forward as the auger digs to keep the hole straight. The auger can snatch your loose clothes and twist you up like a pretzel (maimed for life or dead) in a heart beat. PHD is the most dangerous tool you can use. Show it respect at all times and NEVER be in a hurry no matter what.

 

[hawkeye08]

Use grade 2, never (except emergency) use smaller diameter bolts. You wouldn't have to run very long with smaller bolt to end up wallowing the hole out a bit and then you would enjoy shearing bolts more often. At least that is what happened on shear bolt on baler years ago. I learned my lesson, just use the proper bolt.

I'm wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't add a slip clutch to the PTO shaft. Shear bolts are much cheaper (and easier to maintain) than slip clutch but if you are using PHD for taking on jobs, then seems a slip clutch would be a good investment.

A google search turned up a few choices... should be able to find one under $100. Harbor Freight shows one for $39... not sure if it is suited to your task, but worth a look.

 

[Vern2]

I have tilt actuator. Here in Arizona it's dry and very hard. The PHD just sets in the hole and won't dig any lower. Yes water would work. I tilt the PHD for a while then back to straight, tilt then back to straight. Then it starts to dig again. All this from the seat. What ever works.

Vern