Largest auger size

[Blackcatstrat]

Evening folks,
Any experience/suggestions on the largest post hole digger (auger size) for a 25hp tractor?
This would be a 3pt hitch type on a gear drive tractor.
Tractor is a Kioti CK2510.
Less than perfect soil conditions, meaning its not in a nice field but rather in some of the challenging stuff we have in Vermont.
Debating if I want to try and dig holes for Sono tubes using this method.

Many thanks.

Jerry

 

[radioman]

what size do you require? i use a 12 inch auger behind my 23hp tractor just fine. the shear bolts breaks everytime i hit a rock so the hp is not the problem. but if i let my 3 pt down a bit too fast instead of making sure its not digging too fast and clear out the dirt - it will screw itself into the ground and no amount of front weight will hold the tractor down from pivoting .

 

[jimmysisson]

Jerry, don't you need a footing under the tubes, therefore a bigger hole? What are they for?
Jim

 

[boggen]

for large diameter holes. i might suggest a "skid steer" mounted PHD (post hole digger) were it is hydraulic driven. so you have both clockwise rotation, and counter clock wise rotation. for when bit gets stuck.

for cost of a large diameter bit (as in buying), i might consider checking with local "machinery rental" places. to see about renting a larger auger bit, or renting say a mini ex (mini excavator)

==========
my next question. is why are you trying to drop a sono tube all the way down into bottom of a hole. drill hole in ground, and fill entire hole up with concrete and some rebar and move on. maybe a bit of sono tube just below ground level on up above ground level to make it all "look nice"

 

[ning]

I rented a track loader (skid-steer type) with a 36" auger this spring, and holy cow I was impressed. We dug 52 holes about 3' deep in about 3 hours with no hurry, and as I was loading it back up realized we'd never even increased engine speed or anything. Granted, no rocks or anything, but that 36" bit was YUGE.

I bought a PHD for my new tractor, because I value my time more than money, and my projects tend to be spread out a bit in time so I didn't want to rent a digger for this task and then a few weeks later that task, etc - and I've got a few tasks already lined up that will need holes (and I want to fill the holes soon after I make them, so I don't want to make them all at once) , so I bought, but if I just had one task in mind that would need holes, I'd rent.

 

[ArlyA]

I operated a 4' auger when i worked for a boom truck manufacturer. Does that count for anything?? That was during the "demo days" for employee's. Gee that was fun.

 

[Blackcatstrat]

Hello gents, yes a footing is the best way to go so I was hoping to run like an 18" auger so I can put a footing in there and then put 8" sono tubes on that.
Plus I could put gravel around the sono tubes to reduce the chance of frost heaving.
Still trying to figure out if its worth the trouble for such a small building 10x16. Just a small hunting camp so I may just put it on a 12" bed of gravel or something.
The digging here is going to be real rough between rocks/ledge and tree roots.

I have a bigger building 10x20 on 12" bed of gravel and it hasn't moved at all but its on my other property in CT and not on my land in VT so its a very different environment.


Jerry

 

[rswyan]

I have and have run a 24" auger with our County Line PHD and Kubota B2910 ... which, IIRC, is rated at 22 hp at the PTO.

But the digging here is relatively easy ... not all that many rocks, no ledge ... mostly clay once you get past the topsoil.

 

[Blackcatstrat]

I was thinking if I do this I may use my 6" auger bit first and if it goes well switch over to the larger bit.

Jer

 

[jimmysisson]

Ever heard of these?: Diamond Pier for Residential Construction Pin Foundations A friend has tried them and agrees they're easy to install. How about you do a test run for the rest of us?
Jim