3-Point Hitch jd2305 - CountyLine PHD, yes or no?

[300UGUY]

I have one I bought 8 years ago from TSC. Paid a bit more than $300, including the auger. Works great, done a ton of holes with it. I got the 12in auger, I figure I can always put some dirt back in a hole, make it smaller. And I don't have to be as accurate when I put the hole in. I like a little wiggle room.

 

[JDLou]

Does anyone have any first hand experience with TSC's CountyLine post hole digger on a JD 2305? I'm looking at the digger with 12" auger. TSC is local (20 miles) and carries the auger tips, edges, etc.

Freddy3 - Did you wind up buying the TSC CountyLine Post Hole Digger; I am looking at the same unit for my JD 2210. If so, how do you like for your JD 2305? I am assuming the hitch height and other specs are the same on JD2305 and JD2210 as JD2305 is essentially the newer version of the older 2210, correct?

Other Q's:

1. Do you remove the top link on your tractor to mount this?

2. A curiousity - as the augur digs and the boom get lower, how does the auger stay vertical? It would seem that the tractor must move forward for the auger to remain vertical, am I wrong on this? I hope I am wrong, as that seems a bit tricky. Please advise.

Thank you for any info.

JDLou

 

[MiserableOldFart]

I have the countyline PHD on my NH TC26DA, and though I haven't dug a great many holes yet, it has performed well. Very rocky here in the Catskills, but so far I only broke one shear pin when I hit a surprise old bit of concrete in a hole. Busted up the concrete though and finished the hole with no problems.

I have found that you generally have to creep forward a little to keep the auger vertical, but it's not really that complicated, unless you really need absolute precision. Most of my holes have been less than 3 feet so far, and it may be a little trickier if you're trying to get the full four foot depth.

Two very good pieces of info I picked up on TBN before I drilled a hole: 1. Keep rpms low. From what I've seen, minimum is best. and 2. Be very careful not to screw into the ground. There is no reverse on the PTO! In my short experience I had one close call with that, and have quickly learned not to let the thing work for more than a couple seconds at a time without picking it up a little. One guy posted that he has a fencepost that is half post and half of an auger.. The idea of having to unhitch an auger and try to unscrew it out of the ground with a makeshift lever does not appeal to me in the least..