Ford 905 post hole digger value used?

[Bigeclipse]

Near me, post hole diggers brand new go anywhere from 900$ (with auger bit) up to 1500$ for the models id be interested in. I have also been looking at the used market and many come up as "like new" and the person is asking like 90% new cost. Id rather just go new if that were the case but one just came up for 400$. It is a Ford 905 model. It has a new auger bit (9in) and a new PTO shaft. The paint is well worn on the unit itself and there is very slight surface rust (minus the newer auger and the PTO shaft which look newer). The seller claims it runs perfect and the reason for getting rid of it is they purchased a Post Hole digger for their skidsteer and no longer need this one. They are asking 400$ firm. They will run it and demonstrate it working for me. What are your thoughts on this? If it is an ok deal, what should we check other than visually seeing it run? We only need a unit to dig 100-150 posts and then we are done and will never dig posts again (except maybe to fix or replace those posts we are putting in at a future date decades from now lol) Thanks! We have check locally for rentals and that would cost way to much since our plan is to do this over many weekends and nights over this summer.

 

[Shaneard]

$400 doesn't sound to bad to me, if you are needing one. Check the backlash between the gears i.e.how much play does it have? Wiggle the PTO shaft going into the gearbox and make sure the bearings are good and same for the shaft coming out of the bottom. If they are willing to try it out then they probably aren't trying to hide anything from you. If you buy it, when you get it home change the oil in the gearbox so you know it's been done and doesn't have any water in it.

 

[Bigeclipse]

$400 doesn't sound to bad to me, if you are needing one. Check the backlash between the gears i.e.how much play does it have? Wiggle the PTO shaft going into the gearbox and make sure the bearings are good and same for the shaft coming out of the bottom. If they are willing to try it out then they probably aren't trying to hide anything from you. If you buy it, when you get it home change the oil in the gearbox so you know it's been done and doesn't have any water in it.

I understand what you are saying about checking the PTO shaft and where it goes to the gearbox and also visually checking all surfaces and such but I honestly have no idea what you mean by "check the backlash between gears?" can you elaborate a little about that?

 

[Shaneard]

Rotate the PTO shaft backwards and forwards to see how much play it has before the auger shaft actually moves. It'll tell you how worn the gears are inside the gearbox.

 

[bullbreaker]

$400 doesn't sound to bad to me, if you are needing one. Check the backlash between the gears i.e.how much play does it have? Wiggle the PTO shaft going into the gearbox and make sure the bearings are good and same for the shaft coming out of the bottom. If they are willing to try it out then they probably aren't trying to hide anything from you. If you buy it, when you get it home change the oil in the gearbox so you know it's been done and doesn't have any water in it.

IMO Shan giving you great advise . The Ford 905 back way back when was one of Fords better phd . Dont know if they actually made it (i dought it) . Anyway a new 9 " auger and pto shaft ott to be worth about $300 for both if you had to buy them . Besides good advice you have been giving make sure that PTO shaft has the covers with it so no one ever gets "GRABBED" by it (spinning pto shaft). BTW a full new rigg around these parts at a local box store goes for around $650 plus tax (i believe) . Something like a Speeco/County Line not a Danuser etc . Also make sure its shear bolt protected most of em use a #5 .

 

[Bigeclipse]

IMO Shan giving you great advise . The Ford 905 back way back when was one of Fords better phd . Dont know if they actually made it (i dought it) . Anyway a new 9 " auger and pto shaft ott to be worth about $300 for both if you had to buy them . Besides good advice you have been giving make sure that PTO shaft has the covers with it so no one ever gets "GRABBED" by it (spinning pto shaft). BTW a full new rigg around these parts at a local box store goes for around $650 plus tax (i believe) . Something like a Speeco/County Line not a Danuser etc . Also make sure its shear bolt protected most of em use a #5 .

Everywhere I checked wanted 700$ For a county line with out a auger bit for their cheapest model. Where are you located?

 

[Fuddy1952]

I bought a used Danuser, works great. Around here they say county line ones aren't good, don't last.

 

[bullbreaker]

Everywhere I checked wanted 700$ For a county line with out a auger bit for their cheapest model. Where are you located?

Naples Fl 34117 seems like in past i seen them priced near that at TSC and Rural King . Maybe they have different models and hp gear boxes ? Heres a different brand at TSC Dirty Hand Tools Threepoint Hitch Post Hole Digger Model 1, 1498 at Tractor Supply Co. most of them come with a Chinese gear box unless you buy top of the line .

If you go the new route check your gearbox oil most are shipped dry . 80/90

 

[chander]

What type of soil are you digging in ? Do you have a lot of rocks, thick clay?
It your soil is not tough, I would take a chance on the ford PHD. They were a good piece of equipment in there day.
With the new auger and PTO shaft, that is about the cost of them alone. One other thing to check is the length of the PTO shaft, will it work on your tractor?

 

[square1]

Sounds a little high for this area if its a heavy duty bit. $400 is about 2x what it would auction for here with a standard duty auger bit. I doubt you'll get 100-150 holes out of a standard bit unless you have very forgiving soil. I think I paid $250 for a HD 9" bit last year.