question about adding hydraulic top link to 3 point post hole digger

[grsthegreat]

i was told you can add a hydraulic top link to 3 point post hole digger, to give it added pressure while digging. Has anyone attempted to do this??? my post hole digger is very rugged, and i can see that it can be done, however im wondering about the downsides to doing htis. currently, i usually have to have someone pulling down to get it started thru first 12" OR SO OF SOIL, THEN IT USUALLY DIGS BY ITS OWN WEIGHT. i was just thinking it would sure be safer if i didnt have someone back there. i figure you leave the 3 point on float (fully lowered) and use the top link to raise and lower, being careful to raise & lower it alot to prevent it from sucking into the ground forever. so...what do you all think?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

DO NOT DO THIS :shocked: There are to many things that will go wrong by using a double acting cylinder. If you want down pressure for your PHD, then purchase a down pressure kit that is engineered for your PHD.

I bought one for my Land Pride PD35, the thing works great, have not had one problem getting a hole dug since I put it on. They are the way to go. Mine cost me $500 and it was worth every penny. There is info on it here.

 

[grsthegreat]

DO NOT DO THIS :shocked: There are to many things that will go wrong by using a double acting cylinder. If you want down pressure for your PHD, then purchase a down pressure kit that is engineered for your PHD.

I bought one for my Land Pride PD35, the thing works great, have not had one problem getting a hole dug since I put it on. They are the way to go. Mine cost me $500 and it was worth every penny. There is info on it here.

hmmm. im looking at the pics, but i was wondering how you develop the downward pressure....its attached to itself?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Look at the 2 flat plates that the hydraulic is fastened to. They hit the yoke and give the hydraulic a solid point to push off of. All the different makes use the same type of set up. If you do not use a single acting hydraulic with a by-pass valve, you would have to perfectly coordinate all movements with the 3pt and the down pressure hydraulic. Just about impossible. You said that you can see how a top link could be added. I was wondering where you thought that you would put it?

 

[grsthegreat]

Look at the 2 flat plates that the hydraulic is fastened to. They hit the yoke and give the hydraulic a solid point to push off of. All the different makes use the same type of set up. If you do not use a single acting hydraulic with a by-pass valve, you would have to perfectly coordinate all movements with the 3pt and the down pressure hydraulic. Just about impossible. You said that you can see how a top link could be added. I was wondering where you thought that you would put it?

well i was told that i could put the post hole digger in the lower hole and the hydraulic cylinder in place of the top link (located in the upper hole) of the bracket mounting holes on the tractor (there are 3 holes). i was told to leave the 3 point fully down, then the cylinder would raise and lower the boom. this just didnt sound right to me, thats why im asking. ive been looking at my older speeco post hole digger and the pics of the hydraulic assist, and i guess i still dont understand how it helps pushing into the ground. it just seems to be pushing against itself. i guess ill need to go see one in person, as thats the way i usually get to see "the whole picture". my digger came with instructions on how to have someone guide and push down while digging, and i think that thats way too dangerous.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

well i was told that i could put the post hole digger in the lower hole and the hydraulic cylinder in place of the top link (located in the upper hole) of the bracket mounting holes on the tractor (there are 3 holes). i was told to leave the 3 point fully down, then the cylinder would raise and lower the boom. this just didnt sound right to me, thats why im asking. ive been looking at my older speeco post hole digger and the pics of the hydraulic assist, and i guess i still dont understand how it helps pushing into the ground. it just seems to be pushing against itself. i guess ill need to go see one in person, as thats the way i usually get to see "the whole picture". my digger came with instructions on how to have someone guide and push down while digging, and i think that thats way too dangerous.

I suppose that if you did not use the 3pt lift that it may work. But I do not think that you really want something that is rigid. As far as understanding how the OEM down pressure kits work, take a good look at the hardware and imagine what happens when the hydraulic is extended. All I can tell you is that the down pressure hydraulic makes a day and night difference when it is needed. I have dug holes in less than 2 minutes that use to take days while waiting for the water to soak in.

I'm sure that there is some reason that the OEM guys do not furnish a down pressure kit as you described and that all of the ones that are sold all are of a similar style.

 

[grsthegreat]

I suppose that if you did not use the 3pt lift that it may work. But I do not think that you really want something that is rigid. As far as understanding how the OEM down pressure kits work, take a good look at the hardware and imagine what happens when the hydraulic is extended. All I can tell you is that the down pressure hydraulic makes a day and night difference when it is needed. I have dug holes in less than 2 minutes that use to take days while waiting for the water to soak in.

I'm sure that there is some reason that the OEM guys do not furnish a down pressure kit as you described and that all of the ones that are sold all are of a similar style.

thanks.....im going to go to my local speeco dealer and take a look at the units that they sell. i agree that safety is more important issue here. im also thinking of adding some better teeth to mine

 

[MtnViewRanch]

thanks.....im going to go to my local speeco dealer and take a look at the units that they sell. i agree that safety is more important issue here. im also thinking of adding some better teeth to mine

I've been thinking, and I would guess that your proposed way of using a top link may physically work on some models, I am certain that it would not work on all if even most 3pt hitches. The other problem being that I believe that the top link bracket and what it's fastened to is not intended to support the weight of the tractor, thus leading to some sort of 3pt failure.

Take a look at the down pressure kits and change the teeth. Getting some good teeth by itself can make a HUGE difference.

Good luck.

 

[Sawdust Farmer]

thanks.....im going to go to my local speeco dealer and take a look at the units that they sell. i agree that safety is more important issue here. im also thinking of adding some better teeth to mine

Here's a picture from Speeco's website. At first glance it does appear to push against itself, but looking closer, you can see the pivot points.

sf

 

[jinman]

The downpressure kits work on the angle between the boom and the yoke. When the PHD is lifted up all the way, the angle is acute (less than 90 degrees), but when the PHD is buried in the ground, the angle is 90 degrees or even slightly obtuse. The downforce kit forces the angle between the boom and yoke toward being obtuse and either pushes the auger into the ground or lifts the rear of the tractor in the process.