Post hole digger

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Jul 12, 2015

I bought a new Farm Star/Work Saver PHD (a yellow one) 10 to 12 years ago. Model 500 I think. I got it with a 12" auger. Well after 500 or so holes in Kentucky red clay and rocks and replacing the teeth 3 times(worn not broke) I finally had to replace the auger. $150 bucks at TSC. The new one looks heavier built than the original but it bolted right in. I initially bought it for a 8N Ford and had to cut the PTO shaft a little to get it to dig full depth. Well the 8N is gone and if I raise it all the way on the new tractor it will come apart. But it will raise enough to clear the hole and dirt with no problem. Anyone else get such good service from their digger?

gwstang · Jul 12, 2015

I've got one from tsc that I have used behind my '52 8N. I haven't tried it behind the Kubota yet. I had to add a 6" extension to the Kubota to use my bush hog. The 8N did not need an extension but the pto would come apart with the bush hog on the Kubota. I added the 6' ext. and it stays together now. maybe you need a short ext. to help yours stay together?

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Jul 13, 2015

I do need a short extension for it, no more than foot. I thought I had the piece I cut off "laid up" somewhere but have yet to find it. Where did you get extension?

kebo · Jul 13, 2015

I've not seen a 6" extension as mentioned by the other poster, but I have two 4" extensions that I use on a couple of my implements. You can purchase them at Agrisupply and Tractor Supply for about $20, or that's what I paid for them anyway. This is for the 1 3/8" x 6 spline and it simply attaches to the PTO output shaft on your tractor. With a PHD, you can only add this type of extension between the tractor and your PHD because the other end of the pto shaft most likely has a shear bolt, which means it should have a smooth bore.

You have to be careful adding extensions directly onto the PTO output shaft on your tractor. Too much and it can "wobble" some which can cause extra wear on the bearing on that shaft. If you ever find that section of shaft you cut off, you can possibly weld it back on, but it really needs a sleeve over it (or inside of it) to give it strength. If you add a sleeve over it, then you have to be careful about the where the sleeve is so it (or the welds) don't interfere when the shaft needs to retract and overlap as you raise/lower the PHD.

I just sold a like complete like new pto shaft for a PHD a week ago for $75, and I sold a rear half section of another PHD shaft last Friday for $30. If you do some serious searching on craigslist, you might find one that will work for your PHD.

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Jul 13, 2015

That triangle shaped pto shaft is not commonly stocked locally. At least not the shaft, the hollow part, with not yokes attached, which is all I need. The length is only a issue in the fully, or nearly so, raised position. Which means I'm not digging, and the PTO is under little stress. I'll look around the shop some more for that piece.

gwstang · Jul 13, 2015

Soggy Bottom Outdoors said:
I do need a short extension for it, no more than foot. I thought I had the piece I cut off "laid up" somewhere but have yet to find it. Where did you get extension?

I got mine from Pto Adapter . They had those and some shorter ones also. Good pricing on pto's too or repair parts for pto (maybe the end you are looking for) 1528802 Repair Int 8 Tube For PTO Shafts-Eurocardan

gwstang · Jul 13, 2015

I like the extension that I purchased because it has the quick release button to remove when not needed. Don't need that thing sticking out that far and whirling around when the pto is not attached...just too dangerous.