post hole digger woes...

[Jksnvly]

Used my Speeco PHD on my 2520 for the first time. It worked fine on my 2320, but there must be a subtle difference in the rear configuration of the tractors, because I couldn't get enough height out of it to keep the auger from touching the ground w/o some metal shaving on the PHD. After that was rectified, I dug 24 holes w/o problem until I hooked on something unseen and it took my auger to the ground. Wound up leaving the auger buried!!!! have to get a neighbor with a backhoe to pull it out and the speeco is going and I'm buying a JD compatable one from my local dealer- so much for saving money.

 

[MrJimi]

Is there someway that you could maybe unscrew it out of the ground ? like with a big pipe wrench or some other tool that will unscrew it, you may have caught a root or buried junk and if you try to just pull it out, you could do lots of damage, be careful
Jim

 

[kennyd]

Go to Horrible Freight and get a big pipe wrench, with that and a piece of pipe you should be able to unscrew it.

What exactly was the issue on the 2520 vs. the 2320? I should work better on the 2530

 

[Jksnvly]

You would think the thing was cemented in- there is NO movement to be had. The shape/configuration of the PDH arm allows it to touch the part of the tractor that holds the adjustable link (hook like piece that pivots-sorry not much on nomenclature) and once the main arm of the PHD touches this 'hook' the ability to raise the auger off of the ground is done. Have to think the JD or Frontier model won't have this clearance issue as it would be madfe to fit. Another lesson learned on cutting corners. Nothing wrong as far as power went, thought it was going to pull me and the 2520 right into the ground

 

[aesanders]

Take a look at Bush Hog post hole diggers. They are very well built, and can even get a manufacturer's stand for it.

 

[ClemBert]

Take a look at Bush Hog post hole diggers. They are very well built, and can even get a manufacturer's stand for it.

I have a Bush Hog brand post hole digger also. In fact, when I was buying all my John Deere equipment the JD dealer recommended the Bush Hog brand over the JD. He ended up shipping the Bush Hog PHD as a separate shipment since he was able to get one but did not have one on hand at the time of my other equipment purchases.

 

[JerryG]

If the auger screws into the ground, there is no way that the tractor can pull it out unless the ground is very loose gravely stuff. It might not even then. Changing brands of diggers won't change this. Other than that, I can't see how the digger could be causing a problem with its design. Maybe I'm missing something. If we had a picture, we might be able to see what the exact problem is.

 

[Jksnvly]

JerryG- guess you missed my point, I'll clarify. Actually 2 problems. 1: The speeco unit does not fit the tractor correctly, it does not allow it to raise the auger completely off of the ground and 2: the auger is stuck in the ground. w/o power reverse I know it's not coming out via a PTO connection.

 

[RonMar]

Try a pipe wrench... I have a 2 footer I take out along with the PHD as I have lots of trees and roots. Unless you go hydraulic, pretty much anything you buy will need a manual unscrew if it augers in. I set the lowering rate on my 3PH to dead slow to help prevent this and I raise the auger frequently while it is in the hole to help keep it freed up. I auger at a slow bell and also keep my foot on the clutch so I can stop it quickly if in spite of the first two precautions it hangs up anyway. It is far easier to unscrew a 1 revolution hangup than a 4-5 turn hangup

Good Luck

 

[AlanB]

Are your adjustable lift links set correctly? Mine (NH) has three positions on the one link and an adjustable on the other, I have to change the "start point" sometimes when I change implements.

I weld about a 2" pipe horizontally on the top flight of our augers. That lets me put a shovel handle, spud bar, breaker bar or whatever is handy in there and back stuck augers out. We tend to do it a bit more then the average guy working on his house.