Posthole Digger phd & tree roots

[ctgoldwing]

While waiting for delivery of my tlb I have decided on 2 must do projects that are at the top of the list. The first is getting a couple of truckloads of gravel delivered & trimming the driveway. I am looking for a box blade for that job.

The second and actually more important to me is putting up fencing for my dogs. I want to run the fence into the woods after I clear out the brush / sapplings. I am looking for a phd for that job as there will probably be 50-60 posts to plant. As I'm searching for the phd it dawned on me - what happens when an auger twists around a big root? After all there are some pretty big trees I'll be near - 24-36" diameters.

So what happens? There is no reverse as far as I know. . . How do you get the auger out?

 

[LBrown59]

While waiting for delivery of my tlb I have decided on 2 must do projects that are at the top of the list. The first is getting a couple of truckloads of gravel delivered & trimming the driveway. I am looking for a box blade for that job.

The second and actually more important to me is putting up fencing for my dogs. I want to run the fence into the woods after I clear out the brush / sapplings. I am looking for a phd for that job as there will probably be 50-60 posts to plant. As I'm searching for the phd it dawned on me - what happens when an auger twists around a big root? After all there are some pretty big trees I'll be near - 24-36" diameters.

So what happens? There is no reverse as far as I know. . .* How do you get the auger out?

With a back hoe.

 

[J_J]

Purchase a good hydraulic auger. Will turn whichever way you want.

 

[E/S]

I wouldn't use a auger any bigger than 9".
It will save you a lot of work drilling the hole and backfilling the post.
It will also greatly reduce the root problems you will have with bigger augers.

 

[ctgoldwing]

Thanks for the quick responses guys.

well my plan was to use a 6 inch auger. are you saying that there won't be an issue with an auger that size?

J J this is pretty much a one time deal for me with a phd (that I can think of). I may plant some poles for birdfeeders after but that's about it.

I ordered by bh with a 16 inch bucket. now I may be no expert but that sounds like a bit of overkill for a 4 X 4 post

 

[LBrown59]

With only that many post. Why not just rent a PHD or hire them done.

Thanks for the quick responses guys.

well my plan was to use a 6 inch auger. are you saying that there won't be an issue with an auger that size?

J J this is pretty much a one time deal for me with a phd (that I can think of). I may plant some poles for birdfeeders after but that's about it.

I ordered by bh with a 16 inch bucket. now I may be no expert but that sounds like a bit of overkill for a 4 X 4 post

 

[tree farmer]

I've wound up my PHD in roots several times near large trees. After digging and cutting it out a couple times, my old (and experienced) neighbor came over, unbolted the stuck auger and turned it out backwards with a big pipe wrench. "Work smarter, not harder" were his departing words....Dan.

 

[ctgoldwing]

I've wound up my PHD in roots several times near large trees. After digging and cutting it out a couple times, my old (and experienced) neighbor came over, unbolted the stuck auger and turned it out backwards with a big pipe wrench. "Work smarter, not harder" were his departing words....Dan.

lol!

works for me!

 

[thavil]

I've wound up my PHD in roots several times near large trees. After digging and cutting it out a couple times, my old (and experienced) neighbor came over, unbolted the stuck auger and turned it out backwards with a big pipe wrench. "Work smarter, not harder" were his departing words....Dan.

I second the big pipe wrench trick. Had to do this three times while digging 40 holes up against a tree line. Word of caution when using this method, make sure you body is positioned to not hurt yourself while turning the stuck auger. The stuck auger may be positioned very low to the ground when it gets stuck and I actually popped a rib out of place while turning the auger.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with LB on this rent one. I would have to say that the phd is the first item I purchased when getting back into tractors about 1996, it is without a doubt the implement I use the least.


Steve

 

[whistlepig]

While waiting for delivery of my tlb I have decided on 2 must do projects that are at the top of the list. The first is getting a couple of truckloads of gravel delivered & trimming the driveway. I am looking for a box blade for that job.

The second and actually more important to me is putting up fencing for my dogs. I want to run the fence into the woods after I clear out the brush / sapplings. I am looking for a phd for that job as there will probably be 50-60 posts to plant. As I'm searching for the phd it dawned on me - what happens when an auger twists around a big root? After all there are some pretty big trees I'll be near - 24-36" diameters.

So what happens? There is no reverse as far as I know. . . How do you get the auger out?

Post hole diggers don't do big tree roots or big rocks. That's what our beloved spud bars are for. I have dug a few hundred post holes and have never stuck an auger. But you have to be careful. You have to be able to "feel" what the auger is doing. If you do like my friend and get an auger stuck you can get it out with a FEL. Wrap a chain around the auger and lift it with the FEL while wiggling it back and forth. Be gentle. It will come out.

 

[medicshawn]

Thanks for the quick responses guys.

well my plan was to use a 6 inch auger. are you saying that there won't be an issue with an auger that size?

Unless your land is 100% flat and level use a 9 inch auger. I just got done putting in 300 feet of fence. Between being off a little bit traveling in a straight line and the auger not going in straight all the time. I had to do alot of fine tuning, and in the end ended up running the 9 inch auger to widen the holes. The bigger auger gives you more wiggle room to get everything lined up and makes it easier to back fill the dirt.

 

[LBrown59]

Post hole diggers don't do big tree roots or big rocks.
*That's what our beloved spud bars are for. I have dug a few hundred post holes and have never stuck an auger. But you have to be careful. You have to be able to "feel" what the auger is doing. If you do like my friend and get an auger stuck you can get it out with a FEL. Wrap a chain around the auger and lift it with the FEL while wiggling it back and forth. Be gentle. It will come out.

*No thanks I will use this.

 

[ctgoldwing]

*No thanks I will use this.

well. . . I think I'd try the fel 1st - otherwise would have to dismount phd & mount bh. The machine is supposed to lessen the grunt work.

 

[jenkinsph]

Well since I have a pair of 36" aluminum Ridgid pipe wrenches maybe I will have a use for them after all.



Steve

 

[whistlepig]

I have two augers. A 12" for 7" corner posts and 7" line brace poles. A 9" for the 4" line posts. Two 60# bags of concrete per corner pole and line brace pole. One 60# bag of concrete for each 4" line pole. In some parts of the country I have read that concrete may rot the poles. We don't have that problem here. A 9" auger is good for chain link poles if one is doing chain link.