Posthole Digger Post Hole Digger PTO vs Gas powered (Hand operated)

[dustinfox]

Anyone have an opinion? Pros and Cons? Although less powerfull, it seems like the hand held might be easier to maneuver.

 

[SSdoxie]

Gas powered (hand operated)
Pros: Quicker to line up on hole and start digging.

Cons:
Weight to carry around
Even more weight to lift out of hole with dirt on the auger
Impact to your body and arms when it hits a rock or root (even with the spring style auger).

My first job out of high school was on pole barn crew and we used 2 man hand held augers to drill the holes. All of the above apply. When done drilling holes for a 40' X 60' building you knew you had put in a days work even if it wasn't quiting time.

 

[crazyangel]

I guess it all depends on the terrain when you will be digging, but having spent some time on the two man, I would be heavily in favor of the 3 point. It has a much better ground (thousands of pounds) vs the two man (a few hundred), and that alone is worth it when you hit rocks and roots. As long as you can fit the tractor where you need the hole, it's a no brainer to me. I am just not interested in getting the snot kicked out of me by a post hole digger any more.

 

[dustinfox]

Good points that I probably would not have realized until I started using a gas model. I'm thinking that any trade-off in maneuverability of the tractor might be well worth it.

 

[sixdogs]

Use the hand held for a few minutes and you'll be a 3-PT devotee a little later. The slightest rock, root or obstruction is a wrenching experience and I always figured the risk of an accident or getting clothes wound up to be a much greater risk.

 

[vabiker23518]

I purchased one of those small, one man 2 stroke post hole diggers and its great! Has two blades, one 6" and one 10". The larger one bogs down badly, but this machine has been great with digging holes for planting small trees and saplings, and footers for small outbuildings.
You're right, however...tree roots are a pain!
Bottom line, if you only need it a couple times a year, the hand held is great.

 

[dustinfox]

I don't have a lot of digging planned. I'm going to dig probably 8 holes for a pole barn and a couple dozen more for fencing. I am concerned now, after reading other folks' experiences, about the thing yanking out of my hands if I hit an obstruction. I mean, I would like to be able to get by spending $300 instead of $600 - $800 for a 3 Pt model but it's not worth dislocating my shoulder :ashamed:

 

[crazyangel]

I don't have a lot of digging planned. I'm going to dig probably 8 holes for a pole barn and a couple dozen more for fencing. I am concerned now, after reading other folks' experiences, about the thing yanking out of my hands if I hit an obstruction. I mean, I would like to be able to get by spending $300 instead of $600 - $800 for a 3 Pt model but it's not worth dislocating my shoulder :ashamed:

I would recommend trying to rent one if at all possible. Try checking with local tool and equipment rental companies. If you have very limited use you might be able to save quite a bit of money that way. I know there is a rental company near me that rents out a couple tractors and they have a 3pt post hole auger available.

 

[RoyJackson]

I would recommend trying to rent one if at all possible. Try checking with local tool and equipment rental companies. If you have very limited use you might be able to save quite a bit of money that way. I know there is a rental company near me that rents out a couple tractors and they have a 3pt post hole auger available.

Concur with renting 100%!!
That applies to either the 3PH type or the hand held.

If you do consider a hand held unit, be honest with yourself as to your physical condition. Make sure you can take the punishment...

 

[GreenWannabe]

I rented a gas model a number of years ago (read: I was much younger!) and had a helper. He and I put in about 175' of chain link fencing one day with it. Of course we hit plenty of rocks, and every time we did, it threw us around like we were rag dolls. Neither of us was a lightweight either. So my vote is PTO, or even better (but pricey) hydraulic. You can back the hydraulic ones out if they auger in, but it does require a rear remote.

 

[rambler]

Anyone have an opinion? Pros and Cons? Although less powerfull, it seems like the hand held might be easier to maneuver.

You've got to be kidding. The hand held models beat you to death, they are used only if you have zero access to a tractor, or the land is too rugged to travel over with a tractor. There is nothing 'easier' about a gas handheld model, no way no how.

--->Paul

 

[tornadowatchranch]

I own a 3pt model but when I had about 30 holes to dig at once I rented a Dingo with a 12 inch by 4 foot auger. These are hydraulic and thus have both reverse and down pressure that you will not get out of most 3pt models. The rental was $90 for 2 hours and I had it back in that time frame. including 40 minutes on the road. Each hole took about 30 seconds. I carefully marked hole locations prior to leaving to go get it. Well worth it to me.

Good luck.

tornado

 

[RoyJackson]

I own a 3pt model but when I had about 30 holes to dig at once I rented a Dingo with a 12 inch by 4 foot auger. These are hydraulic and thus have both reverse and down pressure that you will not get out of most 3pt models. The rental was $90 for 2 hours and I had it back in that time frame. including 40 minutes on the road. Each hole took about 30 seconds. I carefully marked hole locations prior to leaving to go get it. Well worth it to me.

Good luck.

tornado

Pre-planning is the most important part of the job, especially if you rent equipment!

 

[dustinfox]

You've got to be kidding.

Nope... Not kidding. Never used either one.

 

[Reg]

New Hampshire, Eh ?

Got Rocks ?

Well, SURE you do (-:

I just got the WildKat grapple and my next purchase from them is very likely to be a front mounted hydraulic PHD.
Rationale ?:
1) They are REVERSIBLE
2) They can be lifted quite high with the FEL, so extensions are a real possibility.
3) Down pressure is already included with a FEL.
4) I now need front hydraulics for that grapple on my li'lul'est tractor anyway.

Against all that; A bit "spendy", but my back values its comfort.

Ahh the universality of SSQA - and the spending opportunities it brings forth~

 

[KYErik]

I rented a 1 man 9" power auger a few years ago (before I had a tractor). It had a long rigid arm with a hinge and a flexible shaft running through it (like a huge weed eater). The 8-10 hp engine sat in a small wheeled cart about 6 feet away from the auger. It had a centrifugal clutch and had a hand throttle on the head. It worked surprisingly well and I was able to use it by myself in pretty heavy clay (but no rocks or roots).

 

[bcp]

Another alternative:

From:
Hydraulic Post Hole Diggers

http://www.equipment2u.com/family/Post_Hole_Digger_340CC_Towable/27916

http://www.littlebeaver.com/products/

 

[radioman]

You've got to be kidding. The hand held models beat you to death, they are used only if you have zero access to a tractor, or the land is too rugged to travel over with a tractor. There is nothing 'easier' about a gas handheld model, no way no how.

--->Paul

:laughing: - yeah I know the feeling first hand. Rented a 2 man post hole digger since it will fit in trunk of car. After digging 12 holes for deck 48 inches deep in heavy wet clay under 4 hours (auger was stuck for hour in one hole. had to dig manually to get out) I was pretty beat. After the 2 man one, I wished we rented the wheeled version which is pretty sweet.

 

[radioman]

:thumbsup: bcp beat me to it with pic of wheeled one I was refering to.

 

[EddieWalker]

I love my 3pt post hole digger. One day I want to have a hydralic one, but for now, I'm happy with what I have. I've never used a one man post hole digger, but have done quite a few residential fences with a two man machine. It gets the job done, but it's physical work that gets harder with each hole you dig.

Considering the time to get the digger, and bring in a helper, I just use a heavy duty set of clam shells to dig holes if I can't get my tractor there. Even if I can, I will use the clam shells for just a hole or two.

Heavy clam shell post hole diggers are not the same as light, cheap, wooden handle ones. Mine dig on their own wieght. All I do is lift the dirt out of the hole!!!

Eddie