Post hole digger stand

[patrick_g]

I find that suspending the PHD from above using a sky hook, tree limb, barn truss, or whatever to be the best solution. By hanging it like a pendulum it is easy to move it a bit this way or that to accommodate putting it on the 3PH. It is easy to move it a few inches in any direction, much easier than jogging the tractor forward or back and my tractor doesn't easily move a little left or right.

Pat

 

[Steve C]

Has anyone made, or seen, or have a photograph, of a stand for a standard type post hole digger that holds it in position to hook up too the tractor?

I am familiar with the display type stands, that are used for selling and you see at the stores, but I am wanting something that I could back into, or under or something and hook the PHD into and then disconnect from the tractor.

My current plan calls for 4 legs and a frame with 2 chains hanging off, and two eyes welded onto the PHD boom. Back into position, attatch chains to boom, then lower slightly so that the frame is holding the PHD and then disconnect.

We switch between PHD and BB and Rake frequently and looking for ways to make this easier.

I did do a search and was not able to find it. If I missed something, please steer me in the correct direction.

Thanks

This is what works for me. Chris told me that is what he uses and sure enough, it don't get any easier. And the price was right...free made out of scrap.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/157226-any-tips-1-man-implement-3.html#post1802878

 

[patrick_g]

I'm sure a stand could be built to custom fit your PHD to your tractor but... I have fond that hanging a PHD up so it is free to swing like a pendulum in any direction works good for me. The freedom of movement in any lateral direction or to rotate a bit on the vertical axis makes connecting the PHD easy.

In my opinion the PHD on the ground and trying to wrestle it into position is a frustrating and difficult proposition even for two capable guys working well together.

With the PHD suspended like a plumb bob I can back up to it and precision is NOT required. It is easy to move the PHD a bit in whatever direction is required to hook it up. I would think a stand to be way better than on the ground but still not be very forgiving or flexible and require precise backing up to it or some wrestling.

If there is no available overhead support (rafter, eave, tree limb, whatever) then a stand that is essentially a tripod to let you hang the PHD like a pendulum would be dead easy to fabricate from 2x4's, pipe, or whatever.

Support with freedom of motion makes the PHD easy to hitch up. The more you constrain the PHD rigidly as with a stand that holds it immobile the harder it is to hitch.

Pat

 

[Trails2004]

Being an organic kind of guy...I let my PHD stand grow by itself...less effort than building one...

I know this post is dated- but I see from the signature and the background of the photo -the OP has a taste for beer

Nothing wrong with that

 

[ccap74]

I dug a hole under a cedar tree with a 12" auger and went begging to the water company for a 4' piece of 12" pipe. I put the pipe in the hole and added 6-8" of gravel. I find its easy to hook up and no cuss words are said:thumbsup:

 

[patrick_g]

I have tried a few different things but the best and by far the easiest to use is hanging the PHD in a vertical position with a rope or chain so that it doesn't touch the ground. This allows you to easily move it front to back, side to side or diagonally for a relatively trouble free hookup. I have suspended it from barn structures and from tree limbs. Either is fine. Don't hang it too near a wall or other obstruction. I don't prefer to use a post or other structure the PHD will touch as it is too close to the PHD and can restrict freedom of movement.

Pat

 

[GuglioLS]

I built this PHD stand from some 1.5" dia. and 2" dia scrap pipe and 2" square tubing I had laying around. With this setup I am able to back up to it with the tractor, no precision necessary, just get close and I can hook up the PHD myself in just a few minutes with no strain or pain.



Larry

 

[Stampeder]

Neil:

Do you have any measurements for your stand? I'd like to replicate it.
Where in East Texas are you? I am just outside of Golden.

Glenn.

 

[eepete]

The thread and topic that just won't stop :laughing:

I finished my holder for my Speeco (TSC) PHD. I see that a lot of people just hang the PHD from a single attachment point near the back. I built mine with two points holding the PHD. This is possible because of the design of this particular PHD. You raise your PHD to the right height, roll the dolly on, attache the chains as tight as you can, then gently lower the PHD.

As you lower it, the rear chain slides a bit, the forward chain angles a bit and the dolly slides a bit. When you unhook everything, the part of the PHD that attaches to the toplink is at the same height (within 1/4" the 2 times I tried all this) as the tractor toplink connection point. So it's _really_ easy to put it back on. With the two connection points and dolly, you don't have to lift 1/2 the weight of the unit to get it all on. For the draft arms, you are just lifting the draft arms.

I plan to put two pipes on the back to hold spare augers. Built of of scrap wood, biggest expense was the casters. They are 5" 600# ones which is way overkill, but the bearings have grease fittings and the big size makes the whole contraption move around very easily. They were $12 each at Northern Tool. I also bought some plastic coated chain and a few fastener do dads. So I have less than $70 in this. Have other dollies I'm working on, they will have smaller (cheaper) 4" 400# casters on them.

Also doing a dolly for my quick hitch, will fire up a separate thread on that.

Since most of the stands I've seen are "single hangers", I thought I post this "double hanger" one. It worked better than I thought it would :thumbsup:

Pete

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Pete, this setup sounds like it is going to work good for you. :thumbsup: How long would you say that it takes you to hook up and be ready to use it? When ever I am able to get my barn built, I may steal your design.

 

[kebo]

Here's one that I saw on another post and saved a pic of. That's a pretty good way to park a PHD, pretty simple to build out of wood too.

 

[EquineNetworkCO]

I might as well post a pic of mine too:

 

[eepete]

Great minds think alike (and fools seldom differ :laughing...

The big difference I was playing with was the two support points so that there was little to no lifting. I'm not getting any younger here. The Speeco had that bracket thingy on the main arm that made the two point hanging work. The dolly on wheels (like kebo's) is all about better storage of indoor stuff. It sure looks like the single hang point design achieves a balance point (as seen in Equine Network - I like the architecture of your top support :thumbsup, but I think the two support is even less lifting and work to attach and get the tractor positioned correctly.

MtnView, I'll have to time it but it sure seems like a 5 minute job to position and attach it. I really want to wait until my iMatch dolly is done (built it today, should be dry by tomorrow) and get a total time to remove the iMatch and put on the PHD then go the other way. In addition to less lifting and work, the easier it is to change out attachments the more likely you'll do it and use the right tool for the job.

And as always, the jump from no solution to any solution that works is the biggest jump you can take. We're all just messing around with that last 5 percent of the problem .

Pete

 

[EquineNetworkCO]

I've found that I can attach and remove the PHD very quickly with this rig (never timed it, but no more than a few min). Since the PHD is fully suspended, I can swing/move it into whatever position that's needed very easily. Anyways, this works for me!

 

[eepete]

...Anyways, this works for me!

There is nothing better in life than something that works . Hopefully some day I'll come across a "single hanger" and can compare the amount of work to lift it. For people reading this post, there are lots of good designs that work well.

Now if the rain can stop and the mud can dry, I've got a bunch of holes to dig. Maybee I can send the rain to Michigan and Maine where they need it...

Pete

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm not sure about the other single point hanging stands, but with mine, there is no lifting to mount the phd other that the 4x4 cross beam to be able to drive away.

 

[eepete]

It dawned on me last night that I can just not use the forward attachment point and be able to compare a 2 vs 1 hanging point. I'll do that soon and post the result. Wouldn't be the 1st time I'd over thunk something :laughing:.

Pete

 

[asylum575]

I was thinking of using a Harbor Freight engine crane. This one is on sale. Have to see if it has enough height.

 

[Chilly807]

I copied MtnViewRanch's design, it works like a charm. The only disadvantage I can see is that you have only one spot to park the PHD. That's fine with me, I have limited yard space available anyway.

The PHD is perfectly balanced hanging on the stand, you can position everything with one hand if you had to.

Thanks again for the help, Brian.

Sean

 

[eepete]

So I put the PHD on the tractor, then took it off and only used the 1 rear hanging point. I disconnect the lift arms 1st on removal, connect them last on install. It was a little harder to take the PHD off at the toplink since there was a bit more lifting involved, and a lot more pull on the pin. It was a little harder still to put the PHD on with more lifting and so forth to get the toplink on. Basically, by the time you wheel it around a bit you have to lift the PHD arm up a few inches, support it, and get it lined up and put the pin in. With the two support points, it was much closer to lined up and less lifting to get the pin in. Pin removal with the 2 support points took near zero force- when you set the PHD down, it all settles to the right spot.

I think the 2nd support is a win, but then I already put in the effort to build it. It is clear that as I get older (which some days seems like it's in about 20 minutes) that I'll like the 2 support system more and more. I understand that it just takes one hand to position everything, it's just when that ugly arthritis starts to set in seems like the one hand can do less and less.
BTW, it's definitely less than 2 min to remove, less than 4 to put on including firing up the tractor to get the lift arms close to the right height :thumbsup:.

Maybee the answer is build your dolly stand so it can take a 2nd set of supports, then if some day you need them you can add them. If you're over 60, just build the two support system.

Just my opinion, YMMV, void where prohibited. I'm through singing now.

Pete