Buying Advice Newbie Question: Advice sought on Posthole Digger

Tom_Veatch · Oct 9, 2003

Greetings all!

I am brand new to this, having not quite closed a deal on my first tractor larger than a lawn/garden mowing machine. It's a YM2220D with loader, blade, and a used roto-tiller, and assuming no big surprises, should be in my front yard in a week or two.

But, the dealer can't fill my need for a Posthole Digger as part of the package. So, anyone have any advice, experiences bad or good, etc. with posthole diggers they'd like to pass on? Make and model recommendations would be very welcome.

Immediate need is to dig holes for deck piers, setting fence poles, and a lot of tree planting to come. I'll need to sink up to a 4' x 12"dia auger and would like a digger I can count on for at least a couple'a hundred holes. Although I can't say money is no object, I would rather get a good reliable unit and cry once instead of getting cheap junk and crying every time I have to repair/replace it.

Thanks in advance,

Inspector507 · Oct 9, 2003

A 4' deep hole will be hard to come by. Most PHD won't go that deep.
I have a SpeeCo from Tractor Supply and am very satisfied with it. Plenty of others have a Greenline and are happy with them.

diggerjim · Oct 9, 2003

Tom

Welcome to the best site for info I've found. I have a YM2220D, and I love it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just bought a pallet mover last week, handier than a pocket.
As with anything else you get what you pay for, have you looked for anything used? PHD's are wonderful tools but 200 holes should prove to be nothing for a quality unit. Drilled plenty of holes on the farm with my brothers PHD, can't give you a name as it has no paint left. From my experience dry hard as concrete clay is the toughest we've dealt with. It can be a job but take your time, add water if needed. Soft wet ground can be difficult too as the auger can screw itself in the ground very fast. Don't know about rocky or other soil types.

You might check into spare parts availability and pricing before buying as the teeth or wear plates need replacing often with use.

Jim

Tom_Veatch · Oct 9, 2003

Thanks, Guys

Probably typical of most newbies, I lept without looking and posted to what might be considered the "wrong" forum. After the fact, I stumbled into the "Attachments" forum on this site. Ton's of posts about PHDs. Reinforcing what you guys said plus loads of other usage tips.

I do believe diggerjim is right! It looks like this forum and the others on this site is a very valuable resource!

Thanks again (and special thanks for not rubbing my nose in the misposting goof)

Tom_Veatch · Oct 9, 2003

Jim,

Thanks. Your comments about the soil conditions are well taken. My particular spot of ground would be well suited for going straight to the potters wheel. I figure there is about a 10 minute window between too soft and wet and too hard and dry.

I'd almost swear that I've had clamshell diggers throw sparks when they hit the hardpan and I know I've had rented gas powered augers screw themselves into the soft wet so fast and deep that I was sorely tempted to just throw dirt over them and put up a headstone.

jimstractors · Oct 10, 2003

I've sold a bunch of Speeco's. A quality unit with no problems. I used one to dig holes for railroad ties, and the 12" auger worked great. Digs in the hardest ground a 12" x 3ft hole in about 30 seconds. Also, Speeco has replacement parts available for their units.