PHD question

[jbs]

Like some similar posts, I'm very disappointed with my PHD when digging in clay. The auger just spins so I pull it up and dig the hole with a manual PHD and the clay is not all that hard. I know from other post there are augers available for mega bucks but does any company offer just replacement bits that are more aggresive? Also I read some members have modified their bits to perform better.Does anyone have a close up pic of such modificaion?


thanks guys

 

[Darren]

I know Danuser makes different augers with more agressive bits. A down force attachment may help. That consists of a hydraulic cylinder and brackets that allow the operator to apply force on the auger. I think the setup mounts to the top of the PHD and to aspot near the three point.

 

[Justaplain]

Try rocking back and forth slowly, it will give you a strange hole, but sometimes works. I have used a 14' +- pole over the 3PH and under the rear end with my 250# on the end of that. 2 weeks ago I had to quit in yellow clay till a rain filled my half dug holes to soften them. bcs

 

[MikePA]

Danuser makes 3 different kinds of augers. I sent them an email and they said that their middle auger, one with serrated edges ($185 in my area) works well for almost all hole drilling tasks on a farm. Their most aggressive auger, Hole Drilling Head ($307) is used most often with hydraulic or bucket attached diggers although it will attach to a 'regular' post hole digger.

Depending upon what kind of auger you currently have, DrillingWorld (800-331-9988) may make a replacement, screw in, digging point for $95. It would fit my Speeco (Tractor Supply) auger.

The 4" - 5" of rain we have received in the past 10 days has sufficiently softened up the ground in my area that holes that I could only get 6" deep, I can now easily get 2 feet deep, where I hit some rocks. If I work on the hole with a digging iron, I can probably get down to 3 feet. These are the same holes that I poured 10 gallons of water in and it made no difference.

 

[lblair]

Do the rocking thing. Thats what i do and it makes a world of difference. Ive even goten some rocks out that way. Ive redone the Auger flights with a AA hard weld then ground them with body grinder to cut. I wasted the factory cutters on it and bent the first couple inches of the auger right over. Then fixed it this way. and havent wrecked it yet. But im suprised. it takes one heck of a beating as far as im conserned, Larry

 

[cj7]

I know how you feel. My ground is heavy with clay. I had the same problem a couple of years ago. I alwayswanted to try a downpressure kit.