BX24 digging postholes

[richardbro]

The first one was fun, but after about 75 I thought I'd share the pleasure...
Here's a video of my BX24 digging out a posthole using a 12inch auger. The soil is mostly heavy clay/loam. I hit just a couple of rocks so far. The little beast does pretty good.

YouTube - bx24 posthole

Also included are some pics, one of which show some newly inserted posts ready to be aligned to guide strings...

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Enjoyed watching your digging movie. My view a couple of weeks ago was from my B3200's seat for 60 some holes. I bought 61 trees a couple of weeks ago from Lowes so justification for a PHD with 12" auger. I had watched a video of how to assemble a PHD and how to drill with it a few days before I bought mine. The operator would slowly back up just slightly when his auger would dig to keep his holes straight up and down. I did the same thing because my auger would want to take off at an angle some times. Guess it doesn't matter if hole is quite a bit bigger than post but may make a difference if the hole and post are a tight fit.

 

[Volfandt]

Last fall I rented/used one of those one man 2 stroke post hole diggers to plant just 7 metal fence poles. I don't care how many I do the next time, 1 or 100, I'm renting or buying a tractor mounted one !!!!

 

[richardbro]

I normally back up or move forward as needed. I also get off when the auger is at or near bottom in order to clear away the earth from the hole so that the auger gearbox does get dirt and also to make clearing away the bottom with a hand clam thingy easier.
For this video take I just stayed on without adjusting - I guess I'm camera shy

 

[CHDinCT]

Nice video. I had heard the BX's might not have enough PTO HP to use an auger but you proved otherwise. I'm sure I'd have a harder time with my 1860, and the rock filled soil we have here in New England

 

[thavil]

I agree, richardbro, that the first one is fun but after that, it gets sorta old. I have a Leinbach 7200JR for my BX24 and it does great. The BX has plenty of PTO HP to handle a PHD since most holes can be dug just above idle.

 

[BigD23]

The first one was fun, but after about 75 I thought I'd share the pleasure...
Here's a video of my BX24 digging out a posthole using a 12inch auger. The soil is mostly heavy clay/loam. I hit just a couple of rocks so far. The little beast does pretty good.

YouTube - bx24 posthole

Also included are some pics, one of which show some newly inserted posts ready to be aligned to guide strings...

Thanks for sharing...I'm gonna be sinking some holes soon with my PHD on the back of my BX23...Any tips you can share that you've learned along the way?

Don

 

[pintodeluxe]

I normally back up or move forward as needed. I also get off when the auger is at or near bottom in order to clear away the earth from the hole so that the auger gearbox does get dirt and also to make clearing away the bottom with a hand clam thingy easier.
For this video take I just stayed on without adjusting - I guess I'm camera shy

Please tell me you don't clear dirt from the auger while it is spinning. I know a guy who lost his leg that way. His foot got caught under the auger fin, and pulled his leg right in the hole. The crush injury was so severe it required amputation.
When I dig post holes here are the rules:
1. If the tractor is running, nobody can touch the auger.
2. If the auger is spinning, I'm no where near it.

With regards to #1 --- I'm amazed how many people love to lean on the auger, or put there foot on the bit while the tractor is running.

Sorry if I misinterpreted your post, but it's a good reminder for us all to stay safe.
Best of luck!

 

[pintodeluxe]

Nice video. I had heard the BX's might not have enough PTO HP to use an auger but you proved otherwise. I'm sure I'd have a harder time with my 1860, and the rock filled soil we have here in New England

I don't think you will have any trouble with your 18 hp tractor. With the Bx2230, I run it at about 1/4 throttle for digging post holes. It really doesn't take much of the tractors power to dig 30" deep holes.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

When I dug mine I mostly ran it at just above high idle and it did fine. As for safety, Steve Barlow told me not to push on the top of the auger when it was running because it can grab you and take you down. I looked at him to see if he was kidding, he has this sort of dry bit of humor sometimes. He wasn't kidding so I asked why would I or anyone push on it when it's running. He said if it quits digging some people think they can force it on down by pushing on the top of it. So, don't do that. Don't get near it when it's running. If it quits digging, pull it up and then drop it again, maybe repeatedly.