Post hole digger for FEL

[Steve_Miller]

Anyone ever build one? What are the ramifications of mounting on the FEL, I would think you could have better maneuverability on the FEL. I have a brand new hydraulic motor at my disposal and have the itchin' to build something I've never built. I already have hydraulics at the FEL as well. Forget exactly what the ratings on the motor were but they seemed reasonable at the time I looked it up for torque and speed mated with the flows I had. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

 

[Rio_Grande]

I want to do this as well. We have a 3 point digger and want to use it on the front of the skid steer.

 

[George2615]

post hole diggers are available for skid steer quick attach. if the tractor has front hydraulics and a QA setup it should work. I know there are members that have built 3 pt PH diggers but don't know of anyone who has built one for the FEL .

 

[ace10]

If accuracy is important (as in the placement of the hole), then FEL is not ideal. Low, front, center is a blind spot. Not like on a Bobcat, where the bit is in clear view only about five feet away.

My order of preference:

1. Skidsteer Auger
2. Tractor 3Pt, with downforce.
3. Tractor FEL


$0.02

 

[buickanddeere]

If accuracy is important (as in the placement of the hole), then FEL is not ideal. Low, front, center is a blind spot. Not like on a Bobcat, where the bit is in clear view only about five feet away.

My order of preference:

1. Skidsteer Auger
2. Tractor 3Pt, with downforce.
3. Tractor FEL


$0.02

FEL mounts I've seen . They clamp onto the side of the bucket, in full view of the operator.
I can't purchase the parts for less money than outright purchasing a new FEL hydraulic post hole digger.

 

[ZAR2USA]

Used a truck differential.

 

[Bison]

I build this one from scratch about 6 years ago, the 12" auger part is the only thing i bought.
I dug at least a hundred 4-5' deep holes with it without an isue
I can mount it on any of the 3 front end loaders i have.

The yellow thingy on the bottom of the pic is an adapter to mount the auger on my CTL

 

[Bison]

Anyone ever build one? What are the ramifications of mounting on the FEL, I would think you could have better maneuverability on the FEL. I have a brand new hydraulic motor at my disposal and have the itchin' to build something I've never built. I already have hydraulics at the FEL as well. Forget exactly what the ratings on the motor were but they seemed reasonable at the time I looked it up for torque and speed mated with the flows I had. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

Th visabillty is rather poor on a front end loader unless you hang it on a corner.
I prefer my articulated CL for this job.

 

[Steve_Miller]

I build this one from scratch about 6 years ago, the 12" is the only thing i bought.
I dug at least a hundred 4-5' deep holes with it without an isue
I can mount it on any of the 3 front end loaders i have.

The yellow thingy on the bottom of the pic is an adapter to mount the auger on my CTL

I was in Peace River a few years back to a Jr B playoff game between Peace River and Whitecourt. Was a fun trip but that 3 1/2 hr bus ride to and from Whitecourt was a killer. Thanks for the picture, have any more of the way it mounts to the FEL?

Steve

 

[Bison]

whitecourt to Peace River!!...what was the killer part??
A twinned highway with hardly any traffic, how more relaxing can it get?,..just watch for moose crossing

I have a 2 prong bale fork,the auger has a piece of 2 3/8" pipe welded to the top, i just slide the pipe over one of the prongs and secure it with short chain to the forks frame.

 

[nc redneck]

Why not get a post pounder and be done with it. No back fill or tamping. Unless it is over 8 inch post dont think you can beat a pounder. 5 to 10 minutes per post less if soil is wet. Just my thoughts.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Why not get a post pounder and be done with it. No back fill or tamping. Unless it is over 8 inch post dont think you can beat a pounder. 5 to 10 minutes per post less if soil is wet. Just my thoughts.

Two different tools for two different jobs. A pounder will place a strong small cross section piece in the ground if there are no rocks in the way. An auger cleans out a hole so you can install any object that will fit into the hole without damaging the object.
I've often wanted a jack hammer or hoe ram sized to use the hydraulics available on a utility tractor as well as a sinker drill but haven't figured out how to supply the air to the drill to blow out the chips.

 

[Bison]

Why not get a post pounder and be done with it. No back fill or tamping. Unless it is over 8 inch post dont think you can beat a pounder. 5 to 10 minutes per post less if soil is wet. Just my thoughts.

heck i pushed a 1/2 mile = 120 fence posts in the ground within an hour with a simple gadget welded to the right hand side of my Cat's A frame. Try beating that with a pounder.lol
But i guess not everybody has a cat

 

[Rio_Grande]

I can shove posts into the ground with my CTL but it's a lot prettier with a digger. I want one for the front of the skid steer because I have a heck of a time getting the holes straight with my 3 point hitch digger. We also haul our skid steer to job sites and it is a lot more convenient to toss another attachment on the trailer than to make two trips with the trailer.

In the pic above of the yellow one where can that hrive be sourced?

 

[Yandaddy1110]

I built my fel post hole digger with a Parker high torque low speed motor that I got from this guy on CL. My B2400 has hydraulics pumps 4.5 gal/min which at this volume turns this motor at a little more that 60 rpm.

Hydraulic motor

 

[Steve_Miller]

whitecourt to Peace River!!...what was the killer part??
A twinned highway with hardly any traffic, how more relaxing can it get?,..just watch for moose crossing

Thanks for the description.

Valleyview to Peace River is a two lane road and the frost was coming out at the time or as its called out there spring breakup.

Steve

 

[Bison]

I can shove posts into the ground with my CTL but it's a lot prettier with a digger. I want one for the front of the skid steer because I have a heck of a time getting the holes straight with my 3 point hitch digger. We also haul our skid steer to job sites and it is a lot more convenient to toss another attachment on the trailer than to make two trips with the trailer.

In the pic above of the yellow one where can that hrive be sourced?

I build that drive myself out of a 4x4 front hub off a dodge truck, a piece of 2" shaft, 8 " of 6" dia pipe and various other pieces from my scrap pile. There is a HD love-joy coupler (also build from scratch)that connects the shaft to the orbit motor. I found the roller orbit motor at my local scrapyard(got it for free), its runs at about 60 RPM, it has proven to have plenty torque to twist that 12" auger.

There was quite a bit machining involved but i have a lathe. Without your own lathe it might get to expensive to build your own auger drive.

 

[Steve_Miller]

I've never owned or operated a 3PH post hole digger but have rented a two wheeled hydraulic unit to set some posts, but if you hook a root or something how do you reverse a 3PH model to get it out of the hole? I liked the idea of reverse and had to use it on a couple of occasions when I did have it rented. I also like to idea of the FEL mounted unit as I could drill deeper holes if the auger bit length warranted it. I'm looking to set some 10-12" posts for some playground stuff that I would like to build for the grand kids in the back yard area.

Thanks
Steve

 

[George2615]

I've never owned or operated a 3PH post hole digger but have rented a two wheeled hydraulic unit to set some posts, but if you hook a root or something how do you reverse a 3PH model to get it out of the hole? I liked the idea of reverse and had to use it on a couple of occasions when I did have it rented. I also like to idea of the FEL mounted unit as I could drill deeper holes if the auger bit length warranted it. I'm looking to set some 10-12" posts for some playground stuff that I would like to build for the grand kids in the back yard area.

Thanks
Steve

You reverse the 3 pt. augur with a large pipe wrench with a pipe slid over the handle.
Most augurs are the same length but you can buy extensions to go deeper.
FEL augurs are usually run from hydraulics and you can reverse them.

 

[Steve_Miller]

You reverse the 3 pt. augur with a large pipe wrench with a pipe slid over the handle.

:thumbdown: Not liking that idea. If I can power down i'd like to be able to power up.

Steve