What Post Hole Digger Should I Buy?

[GreenAcres]

I have a TC 33DA tractor.

Da wifey wants to put about two hundred trees into our hard clay ground this autumn, so that means its time to buy a post hole digger and alot of Ben Gay ointment.


What do we need to know when buying a post hole digger?


Will our machine operate any new post hole digger on the market, or are their some that are too large or too small for our tractor?


What features do we need?


Are these things hard to operate? To mount?


Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Any brand will do.

I have a cheap one from Tractor Supply and use it for tree planting. I have 9" & 12" auger bits. It has also been used for footings for a couple of decks. For larger trees I used the 12" bit and drill 3 holes in a triangular pattern and then scoop out the dirt between the holes with a shovel, what is left is usually soft fluffy soil so it scoops out easily and allows me to get in and mix in compost. Then I drop the root ball in and refill the hole.

I guess I look at my PHD as an occasional use implement. If I was a landscaper I would spend money on it, but as I use it lightly, the $399 cheapo version is what I have. The one I use has dug a couple hundred holes so far and is still going strong. Most of my soil is hard clay.

 

[Kevin_in_VA]

I just got one from Northern Tool (it is actually a Greenline FM55000). It cost about $550 delivered with a 9" auger.

Since taking delivery two weeks ago I have used it on my TC30 to dig about 30 post holes for new fence, planted a half dozen trees, and twelve footers for my new deck. The same size unit should work just as well if not better on your TC 33DA. Just make sure that whatever you get, it is sized for the proper PTO output HP, and the right category hitch.

Mounting it is probably the hardest thing about it since the gearbox is the heaviest part of the unit and is at the highest point. some folks hang them from a rafter or tree branch then back the tractor up to it. I hang mine from an engine hoist. It weighs about 200 lbs fully assembled.

Operating is pretty straight forward, just make sure that no one is near the auger when it is turning. There are some recent horror stories here on TBN about folks who din't figure that out before it was too late.

Kevin

 

[ManofMystery]

If you are planting trees in rows, consider renting a compact excavator or backhoe and digging trenches instead of holes. Some clay soils drain very poorly; trenches help in this situation.