Using PHD w/TC40DA - need 3rd hand

[nwbearcat]

Have dug alot of holes with a 4000 Ford. On the 8spd that we use the most, the PTO along side the trans, below the seat on the LH side, and the lift is on the right. Not too tough, and opposed to one of the other posters, I'd never suggest getting off the tractor for the project, not that safe, doesn't gain you much, and takes alot of time.

Mark the holes by taking a shovel of dirt out at the right spots. Set the digger down on the mark, twist the lift arm adjuster to level it out if needed. Tractor just above idle, 1000 rpm or so tops, engage PTO, let lift down slowly and work up and down to dig hole and clean out hole. Dig to right depth, and move on to next hole. Usually never set brake, or get off tractor. I don't think we've ever dug a hole at more than 1500 engine RPM, with full PTO speed at 1800. Just way to fast. Even running it slow, you have to be quick to get PTO shut down if you catch something. Often times you may find yourself needing to pull forward or back up slightly, the digger may pull or push the top of the auger out of plumb.

Have hit my share of roots and broken shear bolts. I'd say you were lucky to pull it straight back out. We have a huge pipe wrench and 10' of pipe that we use, and have resorted to digging them out with a spade when things are really tough. Gotta love that sticky clay with tree roots and rocks.

 

[lhfarm]

Stuck auger or not, that's a fine looking rail fence Barry. Nice job!:thumbsup:

Thanks! I really like the way it looks coming up the hill (the shot was taken looking down the drive. I didn't even try to keep it perfectly straight and it certainly looks "rustic". This my wife's family farm (what is left of it) and we have an annual 4th of July celebration. So I wanted to get it in place for the family to check out.

Have dug alot of holes with a 4000 Ford. On the 8spd that we use the most, the PTO along side the trans, below the seat on the LH side, and the lift is on the right. Not too tough, and opposed to one of the other posters, I'd never suggest getting off the tractor for the project, not that safe, doesn't gain you much, and takes alot of time.

Mark the holes by taking a shovel of dirt out at the right spots. Set the digger down on the mark, twist the lift arm adjuster to level it out if needed. Tractor just above idle, 1000 rpm or so tops, engage PTO, let lift down slowly and work up and down to dig hole and clean out hole. Dig to right depth, and move on to next hole. Usually never set brake, or get off tractor. I don't think we've ever dug a hole at more than 1500 engine RPM, with full PTO speed at 1800. Just way to fast. Even running it slow, you have to be quick to get PTO shut down if you catch something. Often times you may find yourself needing to pull forward or back up slightly, the digger may pull or push the top of the auger out of plumb.

Have hit my share of roots and broken shear bolts. I'd say you were lucky to pull it straight back out. We have a huge pipe wrench and 10' of pipe that we use, and have resorted to digging them out with a spade when things are really tough. Gotta love that sticky clay with tree roots and rocks.

I've learned a lot here and I'll add the idea of taking some dirt out. I had a can of marker paint left over from my barn wiring project so was making an X, but a starter hole would be easier for me to hit. And I still need to slow everything down. I'm just hoping I retain all this good stuff for the next fencing project.

 

[nwbearcat]

you don't have to dig much of a hole, just a golf cup or less sized divot will do. Just helps to see/get the point into the right spot and started.

 

[montejw]

If you are moving and depress the clutch pedal fully, does the tractor stop? If the tractor stops, you have a transmission clutch. The gear transmissions on the TC30 have a dual clutch (PTO and transmission), but the HST model's transmission only has a single clutch. I'm not completely sure how it is mechanized, but if you depress the clutch pedal and the tractor cannot be moved, it's a transmission clutch. If you depress it and the tractor keeps going, it is not a transmission clutch.

Okay, I may have been sort of unclear. Yes, if I depress the clutch the tractor stops, as well as the pto, even with the hst pedal depressed. but I can't be rolling along with my foot on the hst pedal, depress the clutch and change the L-M-H range gears, the tractor has to be stopped.

so i guess it's a transmission clutch, strictly speaking. it sounds like the pto is part of the l-m-h geared part of the tranny that sits "behind" the clutch. the hst is directly connected to the engine. i can depress the clutch, depress the hst pedal fully, change the l-m-h range gear, release the clutch and start moving. while moving if I keep the hst pedal depressed and then depress the clutch the tractor will stop, then I can change l-m-h range gear, release the clutch and start moving again.

not sure if that makes sense. it's late and it makes sense to me, which may or may not be a good thing.