Posthole Digger tractor supply post hole digger?

fishman · Feb 13, 2003

I've read through most of the threads on the TSC digger but still am unsure if it will meet my needs. I'm not going to be using it a lot, but I can see myself drilling at least 100 holes over the next 3 years. I need a 12" auger because some of those holes are going to be for a pole barn, and others will be for corner posts, etc.

Now, I've got a lot of ground where there is firmly packed gravel with a very few cobble-sized pieces (3"-6"). Only a little bit of the gravel is hard stuff, and the rest is fairly fragile limestone. Some of my ground is soil so that shouldn't be a problem. About 2/3 has layers of fairly fragile limestone bedrock just under the soil that ranges from 8" to 2' in depth and overlays the gravel layer. I don't necessarilly have to drill holes in the limestone, but it would be nice to have that capability.

I just can't justify spending $875 for a digger.

So I ask, what are the capabilities of a light-duty auger, most specifically the TSC model? What can I expect from it? I don't have a problem with working a little slower than a "professional" grade digger would allow, nor do I have a problem with buying plenty of extra teeth if needed (are they needed?). /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

MikePA · Feb 13, 2003

I am far from an expert on drilling holes with a 3ph post hole digger. I only drilled 186 of them this past summer whereas wroughtn_harv does this for a living. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif That being said, my experience has been that success or failure in digging the hole is more a function of the auger and not the digger. I spent way too much money on auger tips and cutting edges from Leinbach and TSC. Get a good auger for the soil you'll be working in. Drill the holes in the spring or fall when the soil is moist, not in mid-summer when the ground has been baked. Don't ask me why I know this. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If I had to do it over again, I would have gotten the medium duty Leinbach digger and the serrated auger from Danuser. If I had to save money, I'd scrimp on the digger, e.g., get the light duty Leinbach digger (this is what I have-it's the same as the TSC digger) and not scrimp on the auger.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 13, 2003

<font color="red"> firmly packed gravel with a very few cobble-sized pieces (3"-6"). Only
a little bit of the gravel is hard stuff, and the rest is fairly fragile limestone</font>

Hello--With the conditions that you dscribe, I would buy the best PHD available ie, Danuser or Shaver with the serriated cutting edges. Even with this setup--I feel you may still have trouble in the rocks. If you go with the PHD, you may want to get a slip clutch or a big box of shearpins and only drill when the soil is moist (spring or early winter)--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

theboman · Feb 13, 2003

Couldn't you lease one much cheaper since it seems to be a one time thing.

Hoeman00 · Feb 13, 2003

How about renting a SSL and HPHD, these have very HD
augers available and the hydro drive saves breaking shear pins.
These also have reverse so u can back out of trouble.
Rent one a weekend at a time, maybe arrange some other
work to justify renting it.

fishman · Feb 13, 2003

Thanks for the replies so far.

I really don't want to rent, because I have several projects planned over the course of the next 3 years, requiring at least 4 different rentals. In addition, I can't seem to find a local rent yard that has anything but dull edged, beat up, bent-shaft, unknown maker diggers. Renting a bobcat w/hydraulic unit would have to be expensive, so I haven't checked on their availability. Heck, the reason I got a tractor is so's I can use it whenever I want at the pace I want /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Mike, I checked out the Danuser site and was pretty impressed. Especially with their hole digger head. If it does what they say, it would be worth the extra $250 upgrade, I think. Did you get any specific information about it, other than what was in their website? It looked like from your past posts that you were talking with the company and found out that the auger would fit a TSC digger.

On another positive note, I found out that the wholesale distribution center for Danuser in TX is 2 miles from my office! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

MikePA · Feb 13, 2003

<font color="blue"> Mike, I checked out the Danuser site and was pretty impressed. Especially with their hole digger head. If it does what they say, it would be worth the extra $250 upgrade, I think. Did you get any specific information about it, other than what was in their website? It looked like from your past posts that you were talking with the company and found out that the auger would fit a TSC digger. </font>
John, here's the text of the email I received from Glenn Danuser regarding using a Danuser auger on my Leinbach 7200. The 7200 uses 2 bolts to attach the auger. If there was any way to swing it financially, particulary since you'll be using the digger for a number of projects over the next few years, I'd go with the complete Danuser set up, the digger and the auger. I'm not sure I'd use the auger if I could only attach it with one bolt. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. After my engineer reviewed your email, he said you should be ok to use the top hole in the output shaft with one bolt if the hole is centered on the shaft. I would recommend our Hole Digger Head Auger, this auger will penetrate anything except solid rock. It will dig through shale, cliché, limestone, clay, rocks etc.. The part number for a 9" X 40" HDH is # 6122 for a List Price of $ 287.66. This does not include shipping.

centex · Feb 13, 2003

If you really want a TSC PHD, I have one down in Austin that I bought last year and used to dig about 15 holes. I would sell it for $300 with 6". 9", and 12" augers. It cost over twice that. I quickly determined that this PHD was not up to the task of digging holes in the Hill Country and bought a Rhino heavy duty auger. It is barely up to the task and if I had it to do over again I would only consider a hydraulic unit even though it would be much more expensive. If your soil is more like that in East Texas the TSC PHD would work just fine but it sounds a lot more like mine.

Let me know if you are interested.

fishman · Feb 14, 2003

Centex, I've sent you a private message. I think your digger is worth a try at least.

I got a price quote of about $1100 for a danuser cat 1 digger with a 12 hole digger head auger. Just curious if everyone thinks that's a good price.

One bolt. Hmmm. I'm with you Mike, that don't seem right. I think I would be tempted to drill some new holes somewhere before using just one bolt.

Slippy · Feb 15, 2003

I also have a TSC PHD and am looking for a 16" auger for it. I am also building a pole barn. I am in Ohio and here the building specs call for a below frost line hole of at least 32" with a concrete pad of 14" diamater. This is for a 30 x 48 barn. You may want to check to make sure a 12" hole is large enough for your structure. Also, I called TSC about their PHD. They gave me the telephone number for Specialty Products, who makes the PHD. I spoke with them and they said they do not make larger than 12" as the PHD was not designed for a larger auger. They confirmed that it is a 2" round shaft. I then called Danuser and they have a number of different augers. Does anyone else have an auger in the 15" - 16" size they would like to sell?