Posthole Digger Post Hole Digger Warning

[some zilch]

Owning a tractor is inherently dangerous; we all know that. Once I got mine I looked at all the implements and wanted them all. After reading this website, I decided that
A) I won't use a post hole digger that much.
B) It's too dangerous

Received a call from a guy a week ago wanting some holes drilled- I explained to him the danger if that implement on a tractor outweighed me wanting one; he understood.
I do appreciate all the advise on this site...

wow, you cant be scared of everything. common sense seems to be lacking sometimes. i would hardly consider a post hole digger dangerous, especially if used correctly, and when compared to soemthing like a flail mower or rotary cutter. stay on the tractor when using it, its not going to jump and get you

 

[skidsteer.ca]

[QUOTE

If I ever need a PHD, I'd spend the extra bucks for a hydraulic-drive PHD that attaches to the FEL bucket. It's in front instead of behind for easier operation and you get downforce from the FEL hydraulics. Sure, you'd pay $2K for that hydraulic PHD rig versus $500 for a 3pt PHD, but that's cheaper than a visit to the ER or worse.[/QUOTE]

I agree. works 10 times better, has down pressure, and reverse if you stick the auger, no broken shear pins, recoup 1/2 the difference if you sell it someday. If your tractor has a QA you could even rent a skidsteer one if you have 8 gpm or more.
Ken

 

[Knight]

It comes down to thinking out the dangers along the way.
Don't take chances.
Another problem with post hole diggers are when using the PHD to replace a post. If you tangle existing barb wire into the auger, you can cause danger in a larger radius around you.
I have heard of a man pulled into the auger by the barb wire.
Just stop and think, work smart not fast.

 

[Scotty370]

No one has mentioned what the holes are for! I can understand, if you running a fenceline with a 6"-8" auger, that would be prime PHD material. This thread really gives me the opportunity to ask something: I'm thinking of building a pole barn/garage. 24x36(?). The build will be on the site of an old barn. Lots and lots of rocks 'fist' sized to 9-10" on the surface. God only knows whats below! What's the chances of getting solid posts set 40-48" deep with a 13" backhoe bucket, if you dig, pour a base pad, stand and brace the posts, and backfill slowly tamping with ,say, a 4x4? Or am I just asking for trouble by disturbing all that original ground? OK! Hijack over! Standing on the Lift-Arms with a PHD spinning? I think not! ~Scotty

 

[MMagis]

What's the chances of getting solid posts set 40-48" deep with a 13" backhoe bucket, if you dig, pour a base pad, stand and brace the posts, and backfill slowly tamping with ,say, a 4x4?

I'm only guessing, but I'd say not good. In theory it could be done, but I have my doubts as to how well they'd be packed in. If you're going that deep, I don't think you really need a concrete base, just my opinion. If you know of any contractors in the area, talk to one of them. They dig plenty of holes, and I can about promise they aren't digging them with a backhoe.

 

[cmharcou]

I have a Kubota and a 3 point post hole digger we use all the time. I sit on the tractor and run the post hole digger and my dad stands behind it and runs the post hole digger. I always watch hands and feet and everything to make sure everyone is out of the way before I turn on the pto. I then keep my hand on the pto the whole time. Its a 2 man job period.

 

[AndyMA]

A PHD isn稚 all that dangerous, certainly no more so than a rotary cutter or anything else with spinning blades. But, if you get off the tractor while it痴 running bad things can happen. I really can稚 envision a situation in that I would get off the tractor with the PHD spinning. I really feel for the family, the son in particular.

Sorry that is an absolutely incorrect statement. It is widely known and taught in Industrial Engineering classes that one of the most deadly devices is any kind of rotating device that grabs a piece of clothing and pulls you in so fast that you don't have a clue what hit you. Rotating devices seem so much safer than cutting or shearing devices so that people tend to let there guard down. Most devices with spinning blades have them under shields or covers.

Andy

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have a Kubota and a 3 point post hole digger we use all the time. I sit on the tractor and run the post hole digger and my dad stands behind it and runs the post hole digger. I always watch hands and feet and everything to make sure everyone is out of the way before I turn on the pto. I then keep my hand on the pto the whole time. Its a 2 man job period.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand how it is that you and your Dad are operating your 3pt pto PHD. How does your Dad stand behind the PHD and operate it? What is it that he is doing to be able to run it? Please explain, I think that I'm missing something here.

 

[MMagis]

Sorry that is an absolutely incorrect statement. It is widely known and taught in Industrial Engineering classes that one of the most deadly devices is any kind of rotating device that grabs a piece of clothing and pulls you in so fast that you don't have a clue what hit you. Rotating devices seem so much safer than cutting or shearing devices so that people tend to let there guard down. Most devices with spinning blades have them under shields or covers.

Andy

Just because people are more careless around certain pieces of equipment doesn't make them more dangerous. I operate a PHD by myself, never leaving the seat with the PTO running. There's just not much that can go wrong. The most dangerous thing about a PHD is hooking the darn thing up.

 

[Willl]

Then again, I know some people that are too dangerous to handle a spoon.

 

[dawoodwa]

I have been farming for over 30 years and probably dug several thousand post holes. I have used tractor augers, one man augers, two man augers, pushed regular line posts in with a wheel loader, and used a post driver to set corners and pull posts. Worst injury I ever had was with the post driver when a treated 10" post exploded in my face.
We have the most respect for the tractor mount because of the pto but ours has always been shielded. We never stand on the lift arms or climb on it to help it but we will use another FEL to push it into the ground.

 

[Knight]

Another danger with a post hole digger most people are not aware of is when digging next to an existing fence. If the old barbed wire gets caught in, it will circle around and pull something in very fast.
Stay away from any objects likely to get caught into the auger.
Use commend cents $.

 

[tuna]

You guys think nothing of cruising down the road 60-70+ mph in a 1-2 ton vehicle, the like of which slaughters people on a regular basis. But a big drill bit, spinning slowly, scares the he11 out of ya'??? Your local hardware will, no doubt, be glad to sell you all the shovels and bars you want.

 

[Reg]

You guys think nothing of cruising down the road 60-70+ mph in a 1-2 ton vehicle, the like of which slaughters people on a regular basis. But a big drill bit, spinning slowly, scares the he11 out of ya'??? Your local hardware will, no doubt, be glad to sell you all the shovels and bars you want.

From having done auto body work I know what a small hammer can do to the sheet metal that "protects" us in vehicles.
The "frame" isn't a lot stronger, that can be pulled back straight with surprisingly little force.

So yes, I think a lot more than nothing of hurtling along at 60 to 70 IN a shell of sheet metal.
Two to three times that ON a two wheeler ?
Yeah, thats OK with me, but only because the clowns in cages are too slow to see me coming before I am gone.

 

[Chilly807]

I've been thinking about building a hydraulic digger for a bucket mount, how hard could it really be? At least with a spring loaded lever to run the auger, as soon as you let it go the auger stops.

Agree with the posts about not standing on the lift arms, if you have to do that it's telling you you need something different to do the job.

Anyone tried adding a concrete or steel weight to the digger, it's no hardship for the tractor to lift 500 lbs as opposed to 200 for the digger alone..

Chilly

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I've been thinking about building a hydraulic digger for a bucket mount, how hard could it really be? At least with a spring loaded lever to run the auger, as soon as you let it go the auger stops.

Agree with the posts about not standing on the lift arms, if you have to do that it's telling you you need something different to do the job.

Anyone tried adding a concrete or steel weight to the digger, it's no hardship for the tractor to lift 500 lbs as opposed to 200 for the digger alone..

Chilly

If weight is needed to get your holes dug, then you need a hydraulic down pressure kit.

 

[Ken45101]

If weight is needed to get your holes dug, then you need a hydraulic down pressure kit.

Why? Why hydraulic vs. weight?

 

[DJ54]

I use my post hole digger on my old Super C with fast hitch and 3 pt. conversion. The plus of this is..., I do have down pressure. And what I do, is wear the cutters out pretty fast..!! I'd take them off, and rebuild with weld, sharpen, and get back to it.

Always thought it would be nice to have an auger like the utility companies had, with the carbide cutters.. Now that I'm done building fence, look what I find...., but rather pricey..!!

Here is the link to thier site, if you care to check out their other auger/bits..

http://www.equipmentland.com/

 

[pitt_md]

In our wonderful soil here (hard clay), I usually have to stand on the 3 pt arms to get it to dig in at all.

Hmmmm, I've been thinking of getting a skid steer. Keep talking about the dangers of a 3 pt PHD and maybe I'll have to get that skid steer with an auger to go with it.

Ken, you are one brave hombre. No way in He!! would I do that. My wife likes to help when I build fence and I had a hard time getting through to her to stay back when I am drilling a hole. Had the same problem with my neighbor when I was drilling some holes for his new colt pen. I just told him it was not worth him getting killed. We put water in the holes that the auger would not bite and go down and moved on to the next one. Came back after a while and went right through.