Will an MF35's hydraulics run a posthole borer?

[Chris Wilson]

Is there any way for a little MF35's on board hydraulics to run a hydraulic type post hole borer if I mounted one on the front loader arms? Could you run an axillary pump off the PTO instead, just using the on board hydraulics to control the loader? If so, what do I need please? Thanks.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Is ther any way for a litlle MF35's on board hydraulics to run a hydraulic type post hole borer if i mounted one on the front loader arms? Could you run an auxillary pump off the PTO instead, just using the on board hydraulics to control the loader? If so, what do I need? Thanks.

The internal pump has the PSI, but I doubt the GPM's would be adaquate. See what the auger requires. That internal pump is something like 4.6GPM. Also, you'll be using that same internal pump to operate the loader, diminishing what capacity is available to the auger. . I'd opt for a pto driven external pump if it were me.

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto everything FWJ said.

Your 4gpm pump has got it's hands full just running a loader.. i know my old fords have near the same capacity pump.. and the laoder/3pt is all they want.

Get a pto pump or front crank mounted pump.. ( pto is easier.. )

You could also get a pto powered auger as well..

Soundguy

 

[kennyd]

Tripple ditto here...

As far as "what do I need please":
-You need a PTO operated hydraulic pump
-A reservoir tank, probably 5-10 gallons
-POSSIBLY a cooler
-A valve to control the PHD
-Enough 1/2", but maybe 3/4" (depending on the pump and PHD) hose to go from the rear of the tractor to the FEL
-Misc couplers and fittings
-And a "carry-all" like frame that could be mounted on the 3PH to hold the pump and reservoir, and possible cooler.

All told probably about $750 or so in parts I would guess...plus the hydraulic PHD's are about $1500-$1800 from what I've seen.


Is there a reason you don't want a regular PTO driven PHD? They can be had for about $500.00 with a auger.

 

[Chris Wilson]

Some great info, for which I thank you all. The reason I wanted a hydraulic borer was I became familiar with one on a hired Bobcat loader, and liked the way you could raise it high enough to run a 3 foot auger extension, and the way you could reverse it out of any root entanglements. We are fencing woodland and I am told that a PTO driven auger has two drawbacks, one being that if it bites into a root system and the tractor isn't heavy and powerful enough to physically pull it straight out, you are in trouble, as there's no way to reverse the rotation of the bit. Secondly they drill curved holes as they work in an arc. So you have to drill big holes to get long posts in vertically. I have never tried one, just what people tell me, has anyone used both and feels able to comment? I know the hydraulic one will cost ??'s, but if it works better and makes what's a lousy job anyway easier and faster, I'd probably go for it. I'd rent a bigger tractor with a big knocker, but access for anything bigger than my old MF35 through the woods would be a PITA.

Thanks again for the detailed help guys

 

[Bill Barrett]

I sure like my hydraulic post hole digger, glad I spent the extra!

 

[flusher]

Is there any way for a little MF35's on board hydraulics to run a hydraulic type post hole borer if I mounted one on the front loader arms? Could you run an axillary pump off the PTO instead, just using the on board hydraulics to control the loader? If so, what do I need please? Thanks.

I have a 1964 MF-135 diesel and looked into hydraulic PHDs for that tractor. As was mentioned several times in this thread, the internal hydraulic pump on the 35/135 only puts out 4-5 gpm, which is near the minimum required for the smallest hydraulic PHD, which is about 5 gpm. Trying to run the FEL and the PHD simultaneously would result in sluggish performance in both implements.

You could get a PTO-driven hydraulic pump to run the PHD. Northern Tool has them starting around $420. Don't forget to buy the bracket that mates the pump to the tractor. These pumps have a check valve set at 2250 psi, so check the specs on the hydraulic PHD you're considering to be sure 2250 psi is sufficiently high.

Whatever you do, don't try to run a hydraulic pump off the front of the engine. The first owner of my 135 did that and snapped the crankshaft off in the front main bearing. He said the engine would still run but made a funny noise (no surprise there). The MF service guy said running pto pumps off the front of the 135 engine is a no-no.

He had to replace the crankshaft and while he had the engine apart he installed the engine rebuild parts (rings, etc). That was at 3100 hours.
When I bought the 135 in July06 the tractormeter was still working and showed 4630 hours.

 

[Chris Wilson]

Again, thanks for the detailed info in your replies. I think I will try and see if anyone here in the UK stocks the prince PTO driven pumps, which appear, from their listings on Ebay in the US, have the flow at 540 RPM that I need. The freight is steep from the US, although the pound / dollar exchange rate is tempting! Do these pumps just recycle excess pressure / flow back to the reservoir tank?

 

[Soundguy]

If you hit a root you aren't in trouble.. you just get some exercise with a pipe wrench and cheater bar.

Sure.. there can be some arc of movement.. but.. many millions of fence post get put in with a pto auger... they aren't all that bad..

soundguy