First time using PTO. Can I get a quick primer?

[bcp]

I only have two settings - 540 & 1000 RPM. Is there a way of controlling the RPM I'm not aware of?

Throttle

Don't run at PTO RPM speed. The PTO RPM is at a specific engine RPM. Run the engine slower, even down to idle speed.

Bruce

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

Well, I was able to get all 6 post holes dug tonight without mishap. I need to learn how to get the hole cleaner though. I noticed that on about 3 of them I left a bunch of loose dirt in the hole that now I'll have to dig by hand. Hopefully the rain holds off until after tomorrow so they don't become too compacted again. The other 3 holes were clean but begun to fill up with water by the time I was done.

I noticed several things using this PHD & my PTO for the first time.
1. My PTO engage does in fact work. Interestingly enough, I dug most of the first hole with the PTO not engaged. I didn't turn it on until right at the very end. However, on the other holes, the auger stopped turning unless the PTO was engaged.

2. My PHD wants to lean to one side or the other depending on how the tractor is resting. I tried to level it using my lift arm leveler, but had limited success.

3. When I lift up even slightly to empty the auger, the tip of the auger wants to swing about wildly in a circular motion roughly 12"-18" in diameter. Beat the tar out of the sides of the holes and I suspect that's why so much soil wanted to fall back in. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? I had to put the auger down almost immediately to cease the shaking.

4. My lift hydraulics are touchy. It does ok in the lower half of the range, but as I get to the upper half, the lift arms want to take off all the way to the top. Makes the auger swing a lot and it makes the swivels at the end of the PTO-to-gearbox connecting shaft clank around a lot. Can this be adjusted?

Overall, I'd say the fact that I didn't plant the tractor on my first attempt or hit any major roots (I was digging in the woods!) or obstacles makes this first adventure a success.

On a side note, I got my shop manual and the SOS transmission supplement in the mail today from Everydaytractors.com. The pictures are a little dark but hopefully they'll be useful.

 

[Soundguy]

I only have two settings - 540 & 1000 RPM. Is there a way of controlling the RPM I'm not aware of?

Um.. THROTTLE maybe...

Remember.. pto speed is a ratio based on engine speed, there is no magic box under the hood that makes the pot spin at 540 OT 1000 regardless of the engine rpm. That would be some good magic

 

[Soundguy]

make sure you are notin draft mode.. and slow theauger down. Should not be running that fast if it is swinging that wildly.

Good luck

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

make sure you are notin draft mode.. and slow theauger down. Should not be running that fast if it is swinging that wildly.

Good luck

I only had the gas on maybe 10-20%. Pretty easy on the throttle.
I'll have to check the draft mode.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

Anybody know what the load capability is of the boom that my Fieldmaster PHD came with? I took the auger & gearbox off the boom today, and was thinking I use the boom for carrying a few things, but don't want to overload it. I realize the auger/gearbox doesn't weight more than a hundred pounds or so, so I assume the load rating is not much more than 2 or 3x that.

 

[Soundguy]

i've used regular 3pt booms to move 500# before. how does that one look built compaired to a real purpose built boom pole.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

Here's an in-progress picture of the chicken house I'm building for 62 chickens. The PHD started it all with 6 holes in the ground and is officially my first tractor project.

 

[Soundguy]

many of my pens are built with those heavy welded wire panels too!

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

many of my pens are built with those heavy welded wire panels too!

I've seen a lot of people build these hoop houses on skids for portability. For the past 2 winters, though, we've been getting 60-70 mph straight-line winds. As such, I wanted this sunk in the ground with concrete.

 

[Soundguy]

concrete or not. friction pile will do ya..

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

concrete or not. friction pile will do ya..

Not sure what you mean. (not sure I understand the lingo)

 

[SPYDERLK]

Not sure what you mean. (not sure I understand the lingo)

He probably means friction on the pilings [posts, uprights, etc] will hold them.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep. a friction pile is a specif ic design. vs say.. end pont pile.. etc..

here's the 25 cent definition:

About Friction Piles | eHow

there's the 2$ definition on piles

Types of Piles & Classification of Piles in Construction of Foundation

 

[the old grind]

Interesting to better understand piles as explained in SG's second link. Struck a chord with me because of a fascination with building the Brooklyn Bridge, no less. Why? Built in the days of horse & rope tackle, and ultimately strung with inferior steel cables (excess sulphur in steel way back when ring a bell, or unscrupulous inspectors?) there was concern when digging the piles. Here's the bit: One dig found bedrock at a convenient depth (end friction) but not so the other, where side friction is relied on to support the deeper pile and all substructure on a questionably-stable river bottom. btw: Neither Robeling or government officials would have bet their bones that this American icon would be standing today, but it is. :thumbsup:

Can't imagine drilling with the PHD and not working the throttle continuously, backing off a bit (rpm) when lifting to clear each 'peck' or givin' 'er more when going in to prevent stalling as needed. I've 'drilled' dozens with an 'Earthquake' hand-held auger for every one done with tractor power, and obviously a helper to muscle auger & extension when pecking-in/out. If we get a rhythm going, 3 rotations then lift a foot or so, seems to clear best in all soils (sand or clay here, pick one, plenty of rocks everywhere in the GL basin) without rattling loose soil to fall back or over-widening the top of the hole. I'm convinced that moderation will allow some compaction in the sides vs wobbling a crater, and bet the OP got a feel for that by the 3rd or 4th hole.

Sleuth, I'd also bet the next six holes you dig take half the effort of the first few. (You go, man!) btw, guys: I never asked my 'rebar' guy about heavy mesh like that. Is that where to look for it, or is it 'ag' stuff that TSC or someone would offer?

 

[Soundguy]

yup. adding a side load to a pile really makes it grab!

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

Updated photos...

Had to go out and buy a grommet kit and elastic straps today. My tarps are over-sized and I need to trim them down. Then have to build the rear window shutter and cover the tarps in chicken wire. Need to back-fill in the spaces around the base. Then sand & gravel on the floor, followed by a bunch of pavers I have laying around. Also need to build roosts and nest boxes.

Going to have to pause a couples weeks on a few of these steps as I've still got too much month at the end of the money.

 

[Kirk-NJ]

Are you sure you have enough ventilation for the hot months? Do the sides roll up? Are you planning to bluid a pen outside for the birds?

Kirk

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

Are you sure you have enough ventilation for the hot months? Do the sides roll up? Are you planning to bluid a pen outside for the birds?

Kirk

I am undecided yet on building a pen or free-ranging them. If I don't build a pen, I have to fence in my garden.

As far as ventilation goes, this thing is in the shade during the hot months and besides it leaks like a sieve all the way around. The birds were cold last night - all huddled in a corner - so I had to put in heat lamps and break a bale of straw for them. I walked outside and there were all kinds of draft sources lit up. I'm going to have a lot of work to do to get it ready for winter.

I have ventilation at the top of the arch on both ends. I have a larger window on the back wall. I could remove the glass from the front door and replace it with open windows. Do not plan on rolling up the sides.

 

[Soundguy]

tip. birds like to roost too.. give them some roosting spots. keep their foot size in mind for comfort. and don't use metal pole. it gets cold and hot.