Post Hole Digger Build Blues

[woodlandfarms]

Hey everyone

So I need some advice. I bought a motor, drew up some plans and BANG, ideas on my Post Hole Build are turning to dust.

The issue happened when I went to buy the bit / Auger. The salesman said that I cannot use a round top auger and that I need to purchase a (expensive) cast square or Hexagon top. His concern is that the post hole diggers have no downforce, so they don't have to have heavy sticks. Cast ones are clearly heavier duty.

BTW, this is a 26 cu inch motor putting out around 10K foot lbs. Direct Drive, no gears.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Carl

 

[J_J]

Just weld on the correct adapter. Whatever it need to be. Pipe within a pipe, square tubing, etc.

 

[Gravy]

Hey everyone

So I need some advice. I bought a motor, drew up some plans and BANG, ideas on my Post Hole Build are turning to dust.

The issue happened when I went to buy the bit / Auger. The salesman said that I cannot use a round top auger and that I need to purchase a (expensive) cast square or Hexagon top. His concern is that the post hole diggers have no downforce, so they don't have to have heavy sticks. Cast ones are clearly heavier duty.

BTW, this is a 26 cu inch motor putting out around 10K foot lbs. Direct Drive, no gears.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Carl

I'd buy a cheap auger and see how it holds up. Unless you are hitting a lot of rocks and roots, you may never need one of the expensive ones.

 

[BobRip]

Your PT does have down force, so you don't need a heavy one, if I undestand the salemans comment correctly.

 

[J_J]

I see no reason that you can not adapt any auger to fit your needs Whatever the fitting on the end of the hyd motor, adapt everything else to fit it.

Show us a picture of the hyd motor drive head.

 

[woodlandfarms]

JJ

here is the motor. They take better pix than I could

Surplus Center - 28.3 cu in HYD WHEEL MOTOR W/5 BOLT HUB

 

[J_J]

OK. So the adapter is whatever you build for the auger you will be using.

If the auger is a square hole, then build a square plug on a plate and bolt it to the wheel disc.

If the auger is a round hole, weld a round plug on a plate for the auger, with a hole to connect the two.

You could remove the wheel assembly, but you would have a tapered shaft to contend with, when building adapters.

http://www.premierauger.com/extensions.php

http://www.premierauger.com/replacementparts.php#constructioncollars

http://www.premierauger.com/AugerPrdctSpecs-2010 web.pdf

Drive Adapters available for Hex to round or Round to hex.
Model 160A-AD01 Adapts 2" Hex Drive to 2½" Round Drive
Model 160A-AD02 Adapts 2½" Round Drive to 2" Hex Drive Heavy Duty 2" hex coupler Shaft Extensions
available in lengths from 24" to 72".
Model 160A-E

 

[woodlandfarms]

So... Ordered the steel (cut and drilled at $250) Decided on a circle mount medium duty 12" auger. It is $250.

Both Items are about $200 more than I budgeted, but I got major drilling done which is out of my league, and the auger is better quality and maybe will live longer if I treat it well.

Welding next week. New gate installed next Friday.

 

[J_J]

Are you going to bolt the adapter plate to the wheel lugs?

Have you considered reverse on the auger? If no reversing valve, just unplug and switch hoses.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Yeah JJ. Right now I consider it my weak link. 3/8 steel and a schedule 80 pipe driving the PHD. I will gusset the 2" pipe but you never know on these things. Best laid plans blah blah blah...

I am going to figure out the reversing situation. Tractor PHD do not reverse, but until I have stuck an auger in the ground I guess I won't know either.

Lug nuts will be removed along with adapter, then I am going to buy one of those cone shaped log splitters...

Then I am going to count all my fingers and toes and pray I hold on to them for a while longer.

 

[J_J]

Here is your ideal setup for the auger. Just plug your PTO hoses into this valve and you will have fwd/rev, and three position detent. This valve will let you concentrate on driving the auger down, using the FEL valve.


https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-6767&catname=hydraulic

However if you wanted variable speed control only in the fwd direction, then this valve would be ideal.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-4169-10&catname=hydraulic

This one is 0 to 16 GPM's, and the next size at Surplus is 0 to 30.

Tractor PHD with a hyd motors actually do reverse.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Right now the wife is pissed about being $200 over budget. Once I get the gate in then I can ask for more toys.

This said, JJ, where would you mount all of this stuff? I hate to say it but realestate on the PT is at a premium for sure.

 

[J_J]

My PTO speed control hyd valve is on the right side of the tunnel.

If using the detent valve, I would bolt it to the front face of the PT, and use some short hoses to feed the detent valve, then, plug the auger into the detent valve. Then when you want to use the auger, just reach over and set it to detent, and then flip the switch for the PTO when ready.

Have you ever counted all those shoes and purses some of the women have, and they want to complain about a little hold out money. Just send that one credit card bill to the office. Just don't let her clean up the office.

 

[J_J]

Carl,

Post a good close up picture of the front of your PT.

The valve could actually be on the auger frame. Set the valve the way you want, after that, the PTO switch does the rest.

 

[woodlandfarms]

JJ

Brilliant idea. Do you have a link to an electrically switched directional control? 18GPM. 3000 PSI

 

[J_J]

Here is one from Baileys. Just latch it on in the fwd direction, and use the PTO switch as the master.

Solenoid Valves 220-311 Detailed Information

Here is one from Northern Tool

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200329579_200329579


Might try Ebay for a solenoid operated, open center motor spool valve at 20 GPM's.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Hey JJ

Can you help me read the schematic? I only ask because all I have is an on off switch to tie into so I didn't see the need for a multi direction (although it would be pretty cool).

I was also looking at this one

Northman Fluid Power Hydraulic Directional Control Valve – 26.4 GPM, 4500 PSI, 2-Position, Spring Offset, 12 Volt DC Solenoid, Model# SWH-G03-B2-D12-10 | Power Solenoid | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[J_J]

Using the solenoid valve I posted above, You would wire the solenoid motor control switch like this. The 12 v from your PTO switch would feed the the center of a three position switch. Terminal 1 feeds the voltage for fwd position. Terminal 2 is the 12 v input. Terminal 3 feeds the voltage for rev. The solenoids would have a common ground.