Post Hole Digger with Down Pressure Option

Berak · May 25, 2004

I purhcased an L3130 this year (my first tractor) and I was thinkin a Post Hole Digger would be great. Around here (NE PA) people tell me not to bother with the 3 pt type as they cant dig in our rocky hard soil very well. I was thinking the down pressure option would solve this? I have a friend with a skid steer who was able to dig ok when he applied the weight of the skid steer onto the auger.

Should I consider going to a FEL mounted hydraulic unit so I can put the weight of the front of the tractor on it with the lift arms or would the 3 pt with down pressure be just as good or better?

Also would I need auxillary hydraulics installed to use the down pressure option?

I was quoted about $1200 for a HD 3 pt. unit with the down pressure option, does that seem fair?

rbargeron · May 26, 2004

I rigged up some down-pressure on my auger by bracing a post between the ROPS and the auger boom, then using the FEL to slowly lift the front of the tractor. Worked like a charm and cost nothing. (Need to be careful not to over-do it)

fishman · May 28, 2004

That's a neat idea! I can't think of any immediate risk from such a procedure, but I'm sure there are some. I'm going to try it the next time I hit some gravel with the phd unless someone jumps in here with a cautionary tale.

JerryG · May 28, 2004

If that post slips, it could hit your head and cause some real problems. Also, I would think that the ROPS wasn't made to take pressure in the direction the post would be pushing. I just don't think that I would do it.

Henro · May 28, 2004

My Rhino PHD has a hook on it. I think for use to pull posts or something.

Is there any reason why weights are not put on top of a PHD somehow? I'll bet I could fabricate some way to hang a couple hundred pounds on mine pretty easily.

Or is it just that to be of help the down pressure needs to be a lot more than a couple hundred pounds?

fishman · May 28, 2004

I believe Centex and others have actually fabricated devices for hanging weights on their phd's several feet behind the unit, using leverage to compound the weight. Supposed to work well. I don't know why your idea wouldn't work too.

rbargeron · May 28, 2004

Over the years I've found that if I use my head, I'm less likely to hit my head. I notched the ends of the post - but nothing is foolproof - as I said the secret is not to over-do it. The ROPS can handle quite a lot - it's designed to take the weight of the tractor. True the force direction is different but the design assumes the tractor is moving forward as it rolls - so it can take quite a large moment. Kubota's video on tractor rollovers shows what they can survive.

Anyway we're not looking for a lot of force here - if the auger needs more than a few hundred extra pounds to bite and go, a rig with the hydraulic downforce option may be a better choice.

TORQUIN · May 28, 2004

I have run into this myself, with a subsolier. I rigged a couple of 5 gallon buckets over the top, hooked together with chain, and filled with water. In my case I draped the chain across the top link. It did well.
I have thought of this for a post hole digger, but slightly different. In the case of the post hole digger, I'd clamp or weld a bar across the main shaft that will keep the 5 gallon bucket(s) far enough away so it cannot interfere with the auger.
I suppose you could make the bar extend out to the rear, which will magnify the force the weight exerts on the auger. This will depend on the room you have around the auger when it is digging position.
I used 5 gallon buckets with lids and caps so the water wouldn't spill out, but you could probably also use regular 5 gallon buckets with sand, dirt, or rocks in it.
Note, the bucket's handle won't be strrong enough, hence the reason I used chain, wrapped tightly around the bucket, then fasten the chain to the implement.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Chris

Berak · May 31, 2004

It seems that there is a lot of thought, effort, and custim fabbing being considered to avoid a $300 charge for a system already engineered to work that requires a lot less setup and take down time. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Since I don't have a PHD yet, I assume the consensus would be to get the down pressure option? The question I have is what I would need to run it on my L3130HST? Do I need to install auxillary hydraulics?

rbargeron · Jun 1, 2004

I had the impression from the original post that the cost adder for down-force was more like $600. Then add a similar amount for the extra hydraulic circuit if not already there - pretty soon it's real money.