Posthole Digger I'm so lucky....post hole digger

HunterdonPaul · Jun 12, 2003

I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

Despite me occupying the remainder of any storage space that we had in our garage after buying my CUT, my wife still supports me on my tractor purchasing decision.

In fact, today she called me at work and wanted to know what a post hole digger would cost (I don't really know). She practically insisted that we buy one as she has many fencing projects (including but not limited to removing the electric fence which surrounds our pasture and replacing it with wood.) I told her it probably would make more sense to rent - she insists we buy.

What a great wife!

What are your opinions on purchasing a post hole digger? How much do they cost? What brand? How much use would I have to get out of it in order to making buying it make sense?

Thanks,
Paul

BB_TX · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

I bought one from Tractor Supply on sale for $332. 12" Auger was an additional $104 if I recall correctly. Haven't had a chance to use it yet except one test hole. I have clean black soil and it went down much faster than I expected. I can see how you could screw it into the ground if not careful.

DocHeb · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

I bought a used Danuser F8 (mega-heavy duty) with a 12" x 42" serrated tooth auger, a 24" x 29" serrated tooth auger for planting trees, and a 14" extension for $725.

19th_VA · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

Not sure what you have available locally, but they seem to range from $250 to over $1,000, and probably above that depending on what features you get. Seems to me they are pretty economical, given that they can also be used for planting trees and shrubs and that you can get a pretty darn good one for a few hundred bucks. The augers are another $100 or so for a good one. I do not own of these (yet) but have heard from good people that Green makes an excellent value post hole digger. They'll ship for $65 but you have to assemble it. I know many other brands have been used and reviewed favorably here at Tbynet, so you should check what your local dealer has first. The medium range EM5000 was quoted to me at $450 plus auger a few months ago. Here's a link to the company's website. They will sell direct. Green Mfg. Co. Check with your dealer first, though.

Chief · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

I got my Land Pride PD25 for $900.

Casimir · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

Just as a comparison -- my dealer gets $75/day rent for one -- rent it for 3 days in a row and you can keep it for a week.

Guess that means that for about 6 or 8 days rent, I could buy one and have it available whenever I wanted to use it -- the convenience of owning, rather than renting /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif.

2003Pilot · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

Paul:

You can search TBN for "post hole diggers" and find a lot of comments. I am about to purchase on aloing with a new L-3130. I sent you an e-mail message with additional info.

Gary

buck1 · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

For good quality (i.e. something that'll eat red clay without a hiccup) you're looking at $500+ excluding the auger which could run between $150 and $250. They're all invaluable if you've ever had to hand dig a post hole...but very dangerous. I use to fence a mile stretch for a farmer to get hunting rights on his 500 acre farm. The first year took all summer (3 months) digging holes by hand. The next year with the auger cut the job to 1 month...and an easy month at that! Your wife is very smart /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

HunterdonPaul · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

Two Questions -

You mentioned danger.. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Could you elaborate?

Also I have a B2910. I am assuming that this CUT can drive a posthole digger..?

Thanks for your help...

Rick Jay · Jun 12, 2003

Re: I\'m so lucky....post hole digger

pborsetti

First...the danger: there is a very common tendency to extend one's arms near the PTO and/or posthole digger while it is in operation. This equipment is unforgiving and can easily rip your arm off. The operator must remain on the tractor seat, wear tight fitting clothing and make sure NO ONE is near the digger while it is being used.

The B2910? Works GREAT! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I've got a Woods 1160 PHD with a 12" and 6" bit on mine. (Got mine with the tractor, not sure of the actual price, but I'd have to say the 1160 with 12" bit is between $850 and $1000.) Haven't used the 6" yet, but the 12" worked fantastic in our rock laden hard pan clay soil. Very, very impressed. I ran my tractor just above idle.

If you have hard soil or lots of rocks, get a heavy duty unit.

As someone else pointed out, lift the auger frequently while drilling. The auger can easily screw itself into the ground, and since these don't reverse, you need to unscrew it manually with a large wrench. I've heard that isn't fun.

If money is no object, the hydraulic diggers do reverse and I believe can mount on the front end loader, which sometimes allows for better action, since you have down force.

Good Luck.

~Rick