which post hole digger to buy

[bdog]

Yes they are better, but not 3 times the price better unless you have a LOT of holes.

Depends on the ground I guess. Here I have spent 1 hour per hole trying to dig them with a 3 point and ultimately had to add water to get it done. With down force I can dig them with ease.

I don't remember exactly what I paid for my bell-tec auger but I want to say around $1500. It was about 5 years ago.

I guess if you only had a dozen holes to dig it wouldn't matter much but if that is the case I would argue you don't need to buy one in the first place - just rent.

The ground is not the same everywhere and in some places maybe a 3pt works but I wouldn't want one here and I have drilled tens of thousands of holes.

 

[Sysop]

The more made in America the better but
To me the gearbox is the only part I would really be worried about. If you have a failure that's probably where it will be.

Actually the cutting tips and the shear bolts are the most common failures, but those are replacement parts and made to break so you don't tear out the gearbox.

My biggest recommendation for a 3pt PHD is ensure you do not increase the strength of bolts used for the cutting tips or the shear bolt, and get one that has the option of adding a downforce kit if needed later. A downforce kit provides one of the two biggest benefits of a loader mounted unit at a fraction of the cost. The only benefit remaining for a loader mounted PHD is the fact you can reverse the rotation to "unscrew" the auger if needed. One of the downfalls of a loader mounted unit is it can't always be seen clearly from the operator's station.

As far as basic 3pt PHDs go, I've seen lots of brands up close, and they're all made of the same sort of stuff and the workmanship is fairly equal. I think the biggest difference is the internals of the gearbox and I don't think those internals differ as much as manufacturers would like us to believe. I think I would probably pick up a fairly average PHD and if something like the gearbox fails, replace it with a better gearbox. The cost difference between the gearboxes isn't as much as the cost difference of the PHDs (at least at the advertised prices).

 

[Fallon]

I rebuilt my 3pt so it would mount to a quick hitch & get some down pressure. It only works if you have a hydraulic toplink though.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...tch-3-point-hole-post3984462.html#post3984462

It will lift the back of my tractor, presumably for the first part of the hole. I'm guessing that's around 1,500 lbs, probably what I could get on the loader.

A down force kit on a normal 3pt is 300-500lbs of force.

 

[NWOH_Grizz]

Go to Everything Attachments web site and view their video on PHD's. It will show you the individual components of the system, and what to look for. It will show you how to properly install and operate a PHD. I've seen some people run those things at 540 PTO RPM, and I just walk away. I have one of EA's PHD's, and it digs a nice hole with no fuss or muss, and the price is right.

 

[747driver]

Go to Everything Attachments web site and view their video on PHD's. It will show you the individual components of the system, and what to look for. It will show you how to properly install and operate a PHD. I've seen some people run those things at 540 PTO RPM, and I just walk away. I have one of EA's PHD's, and it digs a nice hole with no fuss or muss, and the price is right.

I have viewed the EA youtube video, which is very good. I think that is what i will buy. EA took over the Lienbach implement business i think about 3 yrs. ago. What do you mean by walking away at 540 pto rpms....to fast ? I grew up in Northwest Ohio, small farm town of Wayne near Bowling Green.

 

[Fallon]

I have viewed the EA youtube video, which is very good. I think that is what i will buy. EA took over the Lienbach implement business i think about 3 yrs. ago. What do you mean by walking away at 540 pto rpms....to fast ? I grew up in Northwest Ohio, small farm town of Wayne near Bowling Green.

ETA use to sell Leinbach, but doesn't anymore. ETA has their own line, which looks similar to Leinbach or most any other PHD out there. I called Leinbach 6 months ago or something looking for a down pressure kit for mine. Turns out I was a week or so late & they were out of business. ETA couldn't help when I called (I'm sure they could have gotten me a compatible replacement part for any other component though).

I was going to extend the arch on mine anyway as the augur would drag. Ended up rebuilding the frame in the quick hitch project & am very happy with the results. Winter project & 3 acres of wood post fencing await me. So my opinion might change with more used than my 1 test hole so far.

 

[rswyan]

Depends on the ground I guess.

Yup ...

Here I have spent 1 hour per hole trying to dig them with a 3 point and ultimately had to add water to get it done.

Wow ...

I don't think I've ever spent more than 10 minutes tops ... but then the ground here is usually pretty moist.

If anything, they usually want to dig too fast (corkscrew)

:laughing:

 

[Eric C]

I have had a TSC for several years. No issues to date with it. I would check your local craigslist as stated above. While on Craigslist one day, I found a Bush Hog brand for $200 with 9" auger. Runs perfect. Guy had bought it new to built a fence and was finished. Said he didn't need it anymore. I didn't really need either, it but couldn't pass it up for that price. I took it to my dad's. My soil does not have many rocks. I can't really tell much difference between the two. I'm sure you could if you got into some rocks, roots. If you have easy digging, I think the TSC will do fine.

 

[JKR]

I have a TSC PHD for a year now. It work very well.

 

[14paradise]

Blains Farm and Fleet has the SpeeCo model 65 on sale for $349. Lowest price I've seen after a fair amount of looking.