Posthole Digger Post hole digger pto speed ?

[BigAl]

I finally got my Bush Hog Post Hole Digger mounted up today to my Kioti DK45 . This is the first time I have ever ran one . I was wondering at what speed should I run the PTO at ? This unit is used and did not come with instructions . I did cut a hole like butter when it was at a idle !!! I don't want to mess it up or bend something so whats the right speed ?
Thanks ,
Big Al

 

[RonR]

Most of the posts I've read say idle, fast idle, maybe up to 1/2 throttle if you need to hurl the dirt some. Idle it till you get it digging to keep it from going crazy........

Mine runs fine at a high idle.

Good luck,
Ron

 

[sticky]

On My JD 4300 it says put engine rpms ot 2500 when using pto. I have a tractor supply post hole digger and it worked fine at 2500 rpms.

When you are putting the auger bit down, do it slow and take your time. Some times the dirt might be soft or you hit a root and the auger digs in so fast and deep that you can't get it out of the ground.

Have fun!

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue">idle, fast idle, maybe up to 1/2 throttle </font>
This is the right speed. If you have soft dirt and it is going to fast you may find your self using a pipe wrench taking it out.

 

[Inspector507]

There's no way I'd run an auger at 2500 PTO speed, except to clean it off. I have always run mine at about 1000 or so, just above idle.

 

[BigAl]

Thanks guys ! Anyone ever heard of a "power down" attachment you can add to a 3ph PHD ? I just talked with a guy whose has one and he swears by it . I can't figure out how one would work . Thanks again,
Big al

 

[Bird]

Sticky, the rated PTO speed only means that you get the 540 RPM that's "recommended" for mowers especially, but also for some other implements like hay balers, tillers, etc. It doesn't mean that you have to run it at that speed, and no way would I run a post hole digger at that speed. You can do it, if you like, but that's far too dangerous for me.

 

[DocHeb]

There is a low resolution picture of a downforce kit at Worksaver Post Hole Digger DownForce Kit

 

[Inspector507]

<font color="blue"> With the auger point in
the correct position and all bystanders 10 ft. or more
from auger, engage PTO with the engine at a little
more than idling speed. Move the tractor hydraulic
lift arm lever slowly to the down position. Allow the
auger to dig until there is an indication of overloading.
Raise the auger but do not allow the auger to
come completely out of the hole. This allows auger
to clean itself of loose soil. Lower the auger into the
hole and continue this procedure until the desired....etc. </font>

From the Bush Hog manual©.

They do have a Power Down option as well
<font color="blue"> C. A hydraulic hose must be connected from
the relief valve tank port to the tractor hydraulic
tank. This hose will return relieved hydraulic oil
to the tank. Because fittings and hose lengths
would vary with each different tractor, they are
not supplied. Consult with tractor dealer to
determine the best way to make connection to
the hydraulic tank on your tractor. </font>

 

[To20Chris]

BigAl,

AS SLOW AS YOU CAN!

I put in about 120 posts this summer with a Ferguson TO20 - trans driven PTO & all. The holes were all different - some were soil all the way down (3'), some I hit stones after a foot. Generally here there are many smaller stones on top of the clay layer. When you hit those it binds up the auger and jams it - that is when you break the shear bolt. Of course, you will have gone to TSC and bought the entire bin of bolts, so you'll be prepared! It took a while to develop a technique, but here's what worked for me:

1. Run it as slow as you can with out boging the tractor - this should be a heck of a lot easier with a DK45 than a TO20!

2. Drop it in a bit, then pull it almost out and let it clear. Then put it back down (no jokes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Lifting it up will sometimes pop the stones up so they don't jam.

3. If you hear it hit stones, keep pecking at it - you'll eventually learn to tell when you are close to breaking a bolt. Then you have to decide how lucky you feel! You won't be able to avoid using the digging bar all the time /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif.

All of this is to keep the forece down on the shear bolts - if you are going slow the impact will be lower when you hit something. You don't need a lot of speed to dig a post hole - if the soil is soft, it'll go down fast enough, if it isn't more speed and power won't help.

Lastly, I had trouble one time when I helped a friend dig a few holes in some sandy soil - I was used to my place, with clay under the soil, but under his it was sand. As soon as it dropped a foot, it got into the sand and started heading for China - really cought me off guard. With the slow hydraulic response on my old Fergie, I couldn't stop it in time. I didn't want to put in the clutch, because if it stops all the way down, with the TO20 I can't run the lift with out running the PTO, and when you start, before you can get any lifting force it's started turning and pulling down more.....then I have to disconnect the PTO shaft. It pulled down so far it bent & broke the PTO adapter - another trip to TSC! You won't have most of those problems with a modern PTO and lift system, but make sure the PTO shaft won't bind when it is all the way down. I'm keeping the old Fergie, but I'll never dig another post hole with it!

 

[stephan]

I run mine at idle and haven't broken a pin yet but I do dig tentatively, I've got plenty of time. I had some problems with making the sides vertical, though. I was speaking to a bloke once about hydraulic help with a digger and he reckoned you don't need it. He said that if the auger is working properly it will pull itself down, and he makes diggers for a living.

Biggest rocks about my place are about the size of a tennis ball so they can make the digger jump a little but as someone else said just nibble away at them with a bit of up and down (I won't say in and out).

Couple of things I have learnt. It's good to make a rough map of all underground cables/pipes so you don't hit them (yes I learnt that one the hard way, good thing it was only the power to the house). Keep the tip of the auger clear and free from debris which leads onto removing the patch of turf before you dig. And lastly dig a bit move the tractor to compensate for the arc of the digger then dig a bit more.

 

[fishman]

I've had real good luck running mine between 1100 and 1400 rpm. Sometimes when I pull it out of the hole I'll run the pto up to 2000 or so to sling the dirt off but mostly that's unnecessary.