Posthole Digger post hole diggers

ConnieRae · Oct 11, 2004

My husband and I bought a place out in the country about a year ago. The fences are in terrible condition. My husband will have to dig about 50 9 inch holes and drive 150-200 t-posts. We have a Ford 3000 (36 horse power), and we have silty clay loam soil. We are thinking about buying a phd. What kind would you recommend?

rambler · Oct 11, 2004

They are pretty generic at the farm supply stores.

Some name brands like Land Pride & Bush Hog are probably a bit better, & you pay for that.

If you are in real tough rocky ground one with down force (an ectra hyd cylinder) and/ or hydraulic drive can be real nice. You pay double or more for a good one with these features.

Depends on your personality, I went for the fairly generic 3pt from the farm supply store & am happy in my soils.

--->Paul

Golfgar4 · Oct 11, 2004

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

First, you might want to take a minute or two to fill out your profile. Knowing where you're located can very useful information for someone who might be replying to your question. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Now, although I can't specifically answer your question, here's a link Post Hole Digger to a previous discussion that may provide some of the information that you're looking for. You could also do a search for "post hole diggers", or "PHD" in this forum to get even more information.

Hope you get the information you're looking for. Actually, I know you will! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Looking forward to your continued participation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

aloha · Oct 12, 2004

Welcome to TBN. Just about any PHD should be fine in sandy clay. I have a Greenline. There are better ones, but it has done fine in similar soil. Be sure to get a good supply of shear pins, and take some along whenever using the PHD. I go through a pin about every 15 holes.

( My husband will have to dig ) You should get to share the fun.

fractal · Oct 13, 2004

I agree with what others have said. The generics you buy at the farm store / tractor dealer work just fine for the number of holes you are going to dig. I got a gearmore (which is a danuser) from the local dealer and it does ok.

I suspect you already know this, but in case you don't ... they make tools for driving in T-poles and removing them. I drove them with a hammer for years but always smooshed the tip. Then I picked up a proper T-pole driver and coulda kicked myself. These things (a hunk of pipe about 2-3 ft long with handles on it and something heavy in side) will drive a T-pole straight and true in no time flat and won't damage the pole. The puller is another marvel. I have pulled T-poles out of clay as hard as concrete and they came out clean as a whistle ready to be reused.

Anyway, there are lots of people who have tricks of the trade for working with T poles. Mine is to pay the 25 dollars each for a driver and puller. They make life SO much easier and they last a lifetime.

aloha · Oct 13, 2004

( The puller is another marvel. I have pulled T-poles out of clay as hard as concrete and they came out clean as a whistle ready to be reused. )
For pulling T-posts (or wood posts for that matter), I think it's hard to beat a couple wraps of chain around the post, hook the chain to one of the chain hooks welded on the bucket, then raise the bucket.

fractal · Oct 13, 2004

( ( The puller is another marvel. I have pulled T-poles out of clay as hard as concrete and they came out clean as a whistle ready to be reused. )
For pulling T-posts (or wood posts for that matter), I think it's hard to beat a couple wraps of chain around the post, hook the chain to one of the chain hooks welded on the bucket, then raise the bucket. )

So did I till I saw http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38444 ( wait till it goes on sale before buying if you want one ).

I can pull 6 poles out of the ground in the time it would take to start the tractor. I can pull 2 poles out of the ground in the time it would take to wrap the chain around one and get back on the tractor.

I too did not believe it until I saw it in action, now I have no idea how I lived without one for so long.

stephan · Oct 16, 2004

I know this is a bit OS but I bought a T post puller that also lifts logs off the ground for chainsawing. Hate putting the tip of my chainsaw in the dirt for so many reasons. It has a much longer handle then the t-puller you linked to so for the lazy amongst us it's easier. If you want a picture tell me.

EastTexFrank · Oct 16, 2004

First of all, welcome to TBN.

( My husband will have to dig about 50 9 inch holes and drive 150-200 t-posts )

Sounds as if you have him all lined out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Be kind to him. He'll be sore by the time he gets that all done.

Your local Tractor Supply carries PHDs. They tend to be lighter duty models but should be adequate for a sandy/loam soil. Your local tractor dealer will carry heavier duty models if you feel you need one. I find that PHD's are one of those pieces of equipment that you use a lot for a short period of time and then they hang around for years without being used. If this is going to be a one-time use, perhaps renting a motor driven unit would be an option.

Spend the $30 on a T-post driver and a puller if you think you'll need it. Both the ones we have at the farm were shop made 30 years ago and still work just fine. They save sssoooo much work and for the price I can't think of a better investment.

Whatever you decide, please be careful. PHDs can be dangerous pieces of equipment.