Posthole Digger PTO-driven post hole auger suggestions

[jedjoe]

Sean and Brian,
Since I don't yet have a PHD, can I ask a dumb question? How do you get your PHD up and over that horizontal support? I'm trying to imagine doing that without a helper...Please explain, as the actual stand looks like simplicity itself. Thanks!

 

[Chilly807]

No problem.. you slide the horizontal bar out of place (it's only resting on top of the posts) then back the tractor with PHD into place. Put the crossbar back on top of the posts, lower the 3ph until the boom on the PHD contacts the crossbar and unhook everything. The weight of the PHD holds the crossbar firmly in place.

Sean

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Sorry about that Brian, for some reason I had "Gary" in my mind...

Sean

Sean, no problem, just didn't want to be known as Gary.

 

[jedjoe]

Ah, after examining the photos again, I can see that top piece is removable. Thanks!

One of our partners has found a slightly used Danuser 8300, a hydraulic PHD that mounts to the tractor bucket. Any of you guys have an opinion? Ever used one of these 8300's?

 

[Chilly807]

The hydraulic digger is ideal in some respects.

A: it has down pressure due to being bucket mounted.

B: it is reversible

C: it's easier to place the holes precisely where you want them

Downsides:

A: be careful not to twist the loader arms, a center-line attachment point is best.

B: be sure you have enough hydraulic flow to run it properly. Most smaller tractors may not.

I have no experience with hydraulic diggers in general, and the Danuser in particular, just speculation on my part.

Sean

 

[jedjoe]

When you say "center-line attachment", do you mean the best place for attachment would be in the center of the bucket, directly between the two loader arms? The Danuser website shows the device mounted on the side of the bucket, so I just want to be sure I understand what you mean.

 

[chumly2071]

They are usually mounted to the side of the bucket for operator visibility.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

When you say "center-line attachment", do you mean the best place for attachment would be in the center of the bucket, directly between the two loader arms? The Danuser website shows the device mounted on the side of the bucket, so I just want to be sure I understand what you mean.

A lot of people seem to think that they would like them. Not me, the pto units have more power, are easier to see what your doing IMO. A 3pt PHD is maybe 5-6 feet away and a hydraulic auger is waaaay out there mounted on the side of your bucket or in the middle as it should be. Just how good can you see out in front of your tractor at ground level? No thanks, I would keep looking for a 3pt PHD. Now there are hydraulic 3 pt PHD, and if you lived where you had to deal with a lot of rocks or roots, that would be the way to go IMO.

Do all 3 of you guys have remotes? If not, the hydraulic route may not be the way to go anyway. Just some more things to ponder.

 

[Reg]

Depends what else you want/need to do with the same end of the tractor that day.
SOMETIMES drilling holes discovers the need for a back-hoe operation to get the big nasty boulders out (they're on 10ft centers around here).
So it could be nice to have a hoe and PHD on at the same time.
A hoe mount for a hydraulic unit could be nice too - in some cases.
Do you want/need the front bucket for clean up after drilling ?

All iffy/maybe.

 

[Chilly807]

I'd prefer to have the auger centered between the loader arms, any excess loading wouldn't tend to twist the loader.

I find my neck gets stiff running the PTO digger after a while.

A hydro unit for the 3 pt would be sweet as well, having reverse is a VERY GOOD THING, particularly for smaller tractors.

One thing to consider with the bucket mount, is that the size of the loader defines how easily it will twist. A 100 hp tractor FEL won't be bothered by a bucket mounted PHD, a 30 hp might be. My 2 cents on the situation only.

Sean