Posthole Digger More Down Pressure on my Post Hole Digger?

[tractorless]

Does anyone know a simple safe way of getting more down pressure on my Rhino post hole digger? I do not want the expense of a down pressure hydraulic kit. Can I do something creative that will allow around 200lbs additional weight to it without costing me a arm and a leg?

 

[HomeBrew2]

You're pretty much stuck with just hanging weight on it, I'm afraid ... redimix concrete bags, wheel weights, engine heads, rocks, chubby neighbor

 

[bczoom]

Well, the safety police may not like this but here's what I do.

Get a 4-6' long pipe or good sturdy board and wedge it above the gear box (on top). Have a helper (person) hang on to that to guide the auger into place and apply down-pressure when needed.

 

[SkyPup]

Just be very careful that you do NOT lose an arm and/or a leg in the process.....

 

[Syncro]

<font color="blue"> "Get a 4-6' long pipe or good sturdy board and wedge it above the gear box "</font>

Yup, thats what I do. On mine there is a round hole about 1" dia for a guide pipe, I use a solid iron rod in that hole and then hang my wife or other suitable helper on the end of it. Still, gotta be extra careful if you do that as it is a real pain getting a replacement wife /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Seriously, gotta watch things real close when a person is near any moving machinery.

 

[Freds]

Yep, that's what a contractor I was digging holes for did to mine... his digging bar/spud fit in a hole already in the gearbox. I've read of some welding a short piece of pipe (sleeve) onto the PHD to put a pipe in also.
I've dug a lot of holes with mine solo and if it won't dig, I lift it up, pull away from the hole and use my spud to break up the rock or brick that's stopping it. Sometimes inching the tractor in one direction or the other will give the auger a different angle of attack and get you on your way, too.
Wet ground is easier to dig than dry ground, so maybe you can wet the ground where you're digging, I've read that this is what you do if you're digging in clay.

Be careful.

 

[DocHeb]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Wet ground is easier to dig than dry ground, so maybe you can wet the ground where you're digging, I've read that this is what you do if you're digging in clay. )</font>

The other thing you need to do in clay is to have a ready hand on the PTO lever - in case the auger starts to "screw-in", if it goes too fast it will be a long time unscrewing the auger.

 

[jmc]

My poor penetration in hard clay is caused by the smooth, bullet nosed pilot point- ok for durability and for penetrating soft ground, but not a cutting geometry required for hard clay. With a properly shaped pilot, the need for more downpressure may not exist. What does your Rhino have?

John

 

[tractorless]

I will be purchasing the Rhino digger with a 6" and 9" auger. Don't know the type of tips they have on the augers. My soil is mostly sand, but it is like concrete when dry. Neighbor had to drill a bunch of holes and ended up putting water in each hole every 4 inches drilled to moisten the soil. I live in Colorado, so not much moisture.

 

[rmonio]

Just to make sure - you're talking about a PHD attached to your 3-pt, right? (I think so if you're talking about leverage issues). I'm contemplating buying one myself for a fence I want to put in this year so I'm curious as to what folks have had for general experience with these things.

-Bob