Post Hole Digger

[HitchCL]

Looking for a quality Post Hole Digger

Id like it to be able to take larger augers to be able to work with large sono tubes for decks, etc.

I have priced out several different brands through local dealers and this is what I came up with. All of the prices include the machine, a 9" bit, a 12" bit, and a stand.

Shaver 601H
Takes 4-24" Bits
about $1600

Worksaver 500
Takes 6-12" Bits
about $1600

Frontier 300
Takes 6-30" Bits
about $2100

Land Pride PD 25
Takes 6-18" bits
about $2100

Again, these are priced with 2 bits and a stand included. I am leaning towards the Shaver, but a dealer has a Land Pride already in stock.

Has anyone used any of these brands? Any opinions?

 

[RPW]

I picked up a Leinbach with a 9" auger. Will take pretty much any size auger as long as you have the HP to run it. Remember that the larger the bit the more HP is required.

 

[grsthegreat]

I can tell you from personal experience that the quality of the hole you drill will be in direct relation to the soil your drilling. Here in north Idaho a 9" drill works OK, but a 12" is a real pain in the $$$$ to use. most if not all small tractors don't have power down on the 3 point hitch, so they just tend to float over rocky or dry clay soils. Some makes (like my Speeco.. have a hydraulic down-force assist that helps. If your going to do this for a trade/business, most people use a front loader arm mount post hole digger that can be powered down, either on a skid-steer or a compact tractor. The skid-steers have higher hydraulic pressures and volumes to drive these units. Most tractors require a pto operated pump to power a front mount drill properly. There are some low volume drills available, but i don't know how well they work.

These front mounted units are kinda spendy though. If i had to do it all over again, i would have bought one years ago.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have a Land Pride PD35, the PD25s big brother. After putting a down pressure kit on it, it has dug all holes painlessly. I have 5 different bits ranging from 6" to 24" and all sizes work easily to full depth. My land pride info says that the PD25 handles 6"- 24" augers. I think that your dealer may be wrong about only going up to 18" with the PD25.

 

[whistlepig]

I have a Bush Hog 2102 with the stand. I have both a 9" auger and a 12" auger with Bearclaw replaceable teeth. It uses both these augers with ease. This is a heavy duty unit with the option to add hydraulic down pressure later if needed. Post Hole Digger 2102

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a Bush Hog 2102 with the stand. I have both a 9" auger and a 12" auger with Bearclaw replaceable teeth. It uses both these augers with ease. This is a heavy duty unit with the option to add hydraulic down pressure later if needed. Post Hole Digger 2102

you probably have nicer soil than we have here. I have decomposed granite below 10" of the surface. Lucky dog. I just added my hydraulic assist, but havent drilled any holes with it yet....

 

[whistlepig]

We do have nicer soil here. A big rock here is about the size of an apple and they are far and few between. I used to live along an old river bed. The post hole digger would go about 12" and the remaining 24" was dug by sledge hammer using a spud bar as a chisel. I don't miss that at all. I have spent a couple of hours digging each and every post hole.

 

[grsthegreat]

We do have nicer soil here. A big rock here is about the size of an apple and they are far and few between. I used to live along an old river bed. The post hole digger would go about 12" and the remaining 24" was dug by sledge hammer using a spud bar as a chisel. I don't miss that at all. I have spent a couple of hours digging each and every post hole.

Yup...that sounds like my place. You should see the old auger i just replaced. about 1/2 of the metal has disappeared...warn away. My 9" holes were getting down to 6" diameters.

 

[whistlepig]

I would have two friends standing on each side with a chain looped around the top of the spud bar to hold it straight while I hammered for hours with a sledge hammer. When we bought our new place non-rocky soil was at the top of my list. I put in 2,500 feet of new fence in the soft soil here by myself. It was so much easier I thought it was fun!

 

[grsthegreat]

I would have two friends standing on each side with a chain looped around the top of the spud bar to hold it straight while I hammered for hours with a sledge hammer. When we bought our new place non-rocky soil was at the top of my list. I put in 2,500 feet of new fence in the soft soil here by myself. It was so much easier I thought it was fun!

I hate you...hehe.

It has taken me several years to fence and cross-fence my treed 20 acres. I have about 4,000 feet of field fencing in-place that Ive had to do all myself. I made a nice attachment that attached to my old JD tractor that held the rolls of field fence and they unrolled while i drove forwards..saved countless hours of work.