Posthole Digger usages/suggestions for post hole digger

[Charlton John]

I have about 50 to 100 trees I want to get planted on my property which is very rocky,hard soil. I recently purchased a Kubota 2620 and although I despretly wanted the BH I couldnt afford the extra 6k. With the soil/rock conditions it is really tought to dig for my holes (trees anywhere from 6-10 ft.) Do you guys feel a post hole digger would be a good/cheaper option for help w/ this or would it be a waste of $$$$ (not to sure about what they cost) Thanks!!

 

[klrobert]

I have thought about doing the same thing for planting pine seedlings. I think I will see if I can rent one to keep from buying one for little use. If you are planting 6-10' trees, I think you will need a bigger hole than a post hole digger will make. In my experience with trees that size, you will need a planting hole 2-3' in diameter. Get your shovel ready.

 

[KML]

With that many trees that size I think you should look at a tree spade or grubbin bucket. Way cheaper than a back hoe. This assumes you have a loader...

Markham makes one:

Markham Welding - Grubber/Stump Bucket

as do others

Dirtworks Tree Shovel (Spade Nose): Bobcat Skid Steer Attachment or Tractor Attachment

Good luck!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

There are 24", 30" and 36" tree auger bits for PHD. Your tractor may not be able to handle these though. You should check with your dealer. If your tractor can work with these, then I would also think about a down pressure kit with the type of ground that it sounds like you have. Also think about a lower gear ratio for the PHD.(lower ratio = heavy duty) You will have fewer problems with one of these.

It has been my experience that it is much easier to plant trees with holes that are dug with a PHD vs a back hoe. Dirt is usually finer when dug with a PHD, where as a back hoe has clumps and clods of dirt and are not as easy to back fill with.

Just my experience, others will vary.

Good luck

 

[mjncad]

Rent a post hole digger with a large diameter auger meant for trees. I've seen them for rent at Home Depot.

I had a post hole digger that I used a few times. It was way more hassle than it was worth. I traded it in as a down payment on a lawn tractor.

If I get foolish enough again to want a post hole digger, I'd get a hydraulically powered on that can be reversed. It's a PITA to get a PTO powered digger unstuck when it can only turn in one direction.

 

[Charlton John]

With that many trees that size I think you should look at a tree spade or grubbin bucket. Way cheaper than a back hoe. This assumes you have a loader...

Markham makes one:

Markham Welding - Grubber/Stump Bucket

as do others

Dirtworks Tree Shovel (Spade Nose): Bobcat Skid Steer Attachment or Tractor Attachment

Good luck!

Thanks everyone, KML these are really something I could use. In the linkls it shows them on a Skid Steer. I do have a loader do you know if these pieces would be compadible w/ my SCUT?

 

[AndyMA]

I have thought about doing the same thing for planting pine seedlings. I think I will see if I can rent one to keep from buying one for little use. If you are planting 6-10' trees, I think you will need a bigger hole than a post hole digger will make. In my experience with trees that size, you will need a planting hole 2-3' in diameter. Get your shovel ready.

You can get a 2 foot auger for a heavy duty post hole digger. Opening up a 2 foot hole is sure a lot easier than starting with nothing.

Of course the ability of a 2 foot auger to dig will depend on soil conditions.

Andy