SPEECO POST HOLE DIGGERS

[doxford jim]

Hi,

I am looking at buying a Speeco post hole digger and the model I think, is 70 -
yellow painted frame. Also a 12" auger as well.

From what I can determine, this PHD and a 12" auger will dig a 45" deep hole.

Does anyone know if this is true ? If it is, can an extension be put in between the auger and the gearbox, to lengthen the hole depth ?

Reason I am asking is the the local building code where I am, says that the concrete piers for wood post (for decks, carports etc.) must be at least 4 ft deep for gravel to 6 ft deep for clay soils. I need to drill 14 or 16 holes for both a carport and a deck entension and want to get down to at least 5 ft so I can use a sonotube filled with concrete.

So, can say a 12 " or 18" extension be fitted to lengthen drilling depth - safely ?
Drill the first hole, the extend the length with extension to go deeper. A slow process, but is it doable ??

I am new to PHD - hence the question. I don't have a backhoe so the only other option is diggin by hand in clay soil - not good. My tractor works fine so a TPH PHD seems to be the answer. I am 45 miles out of town so getting someone to drill them for me would be prohibitive.

Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated - cost is a factor, so the Speeco seems affordable. I am sure there are much more expensive ones around.

Thanks

Jim

 

[DuckHunterJon]

One trick I have done is to pick up the front end of the tractor with the loader. Doing so drops the rear end enough to go about another 8 -10 inches deeper. Might be an option if you have a loader. It does take some practice to do it and still drill plumb holes - a spotter helps.

 

[Ductape]

If you use the search function here, you can find a couple previous threads discussing extensions for post hole augers. It can be done, but I think one of your problems will be that once you put the extension in, your tractor may not be able to lift the auger high enough off the ground to put it in, nor take it out of the hole. With a little ingenuity, I think you will do just fine.

 

[bullbreaker]

If you do buy a PHD make dang sure to check your gearbox oil 80/90 before useing most I have seen/owned were shipped dry.

Boone

 

[johnk]

Hi,

I am looking at buying a Speeco post hole digger and the model I think, is 70 -
yellow painted frame. Also a 12" auger as well.

From what I can determine, this PHD and a 12" auger will dig a 45" deep hole.

Does anyone know if this is true ? If it is, can an extension be put in between the auger and the gearbox, to lengthen the hole depth ?

Reason I am asking is the the local building code where I am, says that the concrete piers for wood post (for decks, carports etc.) must be at least 4 ft deep for gravel to 6 ft deep for clay soils. I need to drill 14 or 16 holes for both a carport and a deck entension and want to get down to at least 5 ft so I can use a sonotube filled with concrete.

So, can say a 12 " or 18" extension be fitted to lengthen drilling depth - safely ?
Drill the first hole, the extend the length with extension to go deeper. A slow process, but is it doable ??

I am new to PHD - hence the question. I don't have a backhoe so the only other option is diggin by hand in clay soil - not good. My tractor works fine so a TPH PHD seems to be the answer. I am 45 miles out of town so getting someone to drill them for me would be prohibitive.

Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated - cost is a factor, so the Speeco seems affordable. I am sure there are much more expensive ones around.

Thanks

Jim

My Speeco w/ all augers digs to 42 inches. That is a good idea to raise the front w/ loader for xtra depth. I'll try that next time....

 

[955er]

One trick I have done is to pick up the front end of the tractor with the loader. Doing so drops the rear end enough to go about another 8 -10 inches deeper. Might be an option if you have a loader. It does take some practice to do it and still drill plumb holes - a spotter helps.

Great tip! I have been going the last 6 inches by hand

 

[Craig Clayton]

I find to get the extra depth I dig the back tires down 6"-8" as I do not have a front end loader. Also if you drill on a slope and there is no such thing as level ground digging the high side back tire down will give you a straight hole. I have a spoon for cleaning out the bottom of the hole. It is like a soup ladle with a 12' handle.

Craig Clayton

 

[johnk]

And it always helps to put a little water in the hole so the posthole clam or spoon can easily clean out the bottom after the auger does its job. Makes the dirt stick together better when removing the bottom debris..

 

[Mace Canute]

I have a spoon for cleaning out the bottom of the hole. It is like a soup ladle with a 12' handle.

You have a spoon? Few even know what they are and fewer yet can use them as designed. I knew an old line foreman who could sink a six foot deep hole for a power pole in minutes with a bar and spoon. Quite impressive to watch.

 

[doxford jim]

Thanks guys, for the suggestions. I had never heard of "post hole spoons" but when I googled it, came up with exactly what you guys are talking about.
So I guess, a regula length auger bit, hand p[ost hole digger and a spoon should do the trick eh !

Thanks again - your input is much appreciated.

I am a recent country life inductee - "I growed up" in London UK, so things are a little different nowadays

Cheers

Jim

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I sold a lot of them. I never had a single complaint. But be sure to watch your bolt grade when replacing/changing the augers.

 

[jake98]

Those codes are always overkill. Around here we have to go 38" and I've yet to hear of frost more than a foot deep.

 

[doxford jim]

Those codes are always overkill. Around here we have to go 38" and I've yet to hear of frost more than a foot deep.

Jake,

Thanks for your comments.

My neighbours have a fairly sizeable cattle operation next to me. They also grow their own hay for winter feed. They have several pole buildings - most of which they built themselves. They have only gone down with their PHD and maybe a little more by hand (heavy bar, hand PHD digger etc) and as far as I can remember, they haven't had anything move - though some poles have rotted out under ground (fair amount of clay in ground).

The reason I want to put in concrete pier/pads is because of heay clay (but firm) around my place. I have attached the local code requirements for anyone that is interested. These are for the city area - I am 45 miles from the city and on 150 acres. I am pretty sure what I will be doing will be fine - I want to make sure that I only have to do the job just once. Obviously I want to do it right - without going overboard.

We get temperatures down to minus 40C/F - the coldest I have experienced so far in six years, is -37C. I know my septic tank and lines are buried 4ft down and I have had no problem (yet) from the cold.

Anyway, thanks for any and all comments - I am always happy to learn something new.

Cheers

Jim

 

[mjncad]

I'll freely admit that I'm not a fan of 3PH PHD's, and if you have heavy clay soil and you get an auger stuck in one, getting it back out is a royal PITA since the auger is not reversible using PTO power. Don't ask me how I know.

I'd suggest you rent a skidsteer with a hydraulic powered auger as they are reversible.

 

[HCb]

I'll freely admit that I'm not a fan of 3PH PHD's, and if you have heavy clay soil and you get an auger stuck in one, getting it back out is a royal PITA since the auger is not reversible using PTO power. Don't ask me how I know.

I'd suggest you rent a skidsteer with a hydraulic powered auger as they are reversible.

***AMEN***

I bought a Speeco bit for an old PHD I had from my dad. 9" or so bit. Sucker bit...in the clay we have in north central Texas and that was it...on a 65 HP old Case it pulled the rear of the tractor down until it bent the stinger/support bar to the tractor. I have used a pipe wrench and a cheater pipe about 5 feet long *several* times to unscrew that sucker from the earth. I finally removed one carbide tooth from the bit and replaced it with a worn out POS to cut down on it grabbing like a cork screw.

Blech!

--HC

 

[Scrambler82]

I'd suggest you rent a skidsteer with a hydraulic powered auger as they are reversible.

Since the subject has come up, can the flow be reversed on a 3PH PHD ? :laughing::confused2:

I would make the assumption that it can not because of the vanes (sp) in the drive but it would be nice... :thumbsup: