Which post hole digger and auger bit?

[Chilly807]

I recently purchased a Woods PHD35 w/12" augar from an implement dealer for $400 - it was never used but had been sitting on his lot for 5 years after a customer had backed out of a deal. I thought $400 was a steal after others had quoted me $1100-1200 for the same PHD/augar. But later, I saw a King Kutter PHD at the local Farm&Fleet and Rural King which looked to be identical for $430 + $120 for the augar. Looks might have been deceiving but everything I could see, and I mean everything except the paint color, looked identical. Both had Chinese made gearboxes so the Chinese knock-off argument wouldn't seem to explain the 100% mark-up.

I'd say you did pretty good on that deal. That's probably his cost price or less.

Anyone in the US that's quoting $1100-1200 is overpriced on that unit, they're available here for about $900, same auger (heavy duty double flight). I looked at a PHD 65 for $1200 which I thought wasn't too bad.

The Chinese gearboxes are pretty much standard these days, although Land Pride is expensive enough to have one made in North America.

Chilly

 

[Browns329]

I have been searching for a used unit but have not found anything good...most of them are $500+ and are 2+ hours away from me.

Does anyone have an idea of quality on the County Line model (from Tractor Supply Co.) versus the Leinbach L7200/L7300? I can get either one for around $580 brand new with a 9" auger bit.

What is the difference between the Leinbach L7200 and L7300? I e-mailed (Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure) a few times and they have not responded.

 

[Chilly807]

I have been searching for a used unit but have not found anything good...most of them are $500+ and are 2+ hours away from me.

Does anyone have an idea of quality on the County Line model (from Tractor Supply Co.) versus the Leinbach L7200/L7300? I can get either one for around $580 brand new with a 9" auger bit.

What is the difference between the Leinbach L7200 and L7300? I e-mailed (Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure) a few times and they have not responded.

In my opinion, which is exactly that, you may be better off to drive for a couple hours and spend almost the same money for a high quality used digger. If it was good quality to begin with and used sensibly, it will either be good for a lot of years yet with nothing required, or will need minor attention to put it back in good shape.

Your best bet is to compare the used price with the cost of the same model new. If the used one is half or less than half of new cost, you're looking at a good deal if it's in decent shape. Bear in mind, the new one at $580.00 is probably not the same quality as the used one at $500 that is $1300 new.

The County Line is SpeeCo rebranded. I wasn't overly impressed with them when I was shopping, although they offer several different models. Leinbach I have no experience with.

Sean

 

[Luremaker]

I am looking for a post hole digger to install about 200-300 fence posts. Some are vinyl split rail posts (5" square) and the rest will likely be wood pressure treated round posts (5-6" diameter) for woven wire field fence. I have seen some ads state that a shorter boom is needed for "compact" tractors, but I'm not sure if my Kubota L4240 would be considered compact in this case. The Kubota has about 40 PTO HP. Will any PHD work well with this tractor?

Soil in my area in NJ should be pretty good with minimal rocks...maybe some roots....

For 200-300 posts you may want to consider a post driver. In the time it would take you to auger a 9" hole you can easily drive in a 5"-6" post and be done with it. No concrete needed. My L3130 daily handles my Shaver

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvpuvaLUqaM

 

[Ed_Indiana]

Just bought a Countyline 100, catagory 1 & 2 for my B-7800 at TSC on sale for 399.99. Also bought a 12 inch auger for 144.99. Will soon be putting it to work. Have a neighbor who has used this digger and is very pleased with its durability.

 

[TJB63]

Just bought a Countyline 100, catagory 1 & 2 for my B-7800 at TSC on sale for 399.99. Also bought a 12 inch auger for 144.99. Will soon be putting it to work. Have a neighbor who has used this digger and is very pleased with its durability.

I just bought the same for my B7800 but missed the sale. I opted to go with the 9 inch auger, since I'm not fencing in a 1000 plus acres, I figure it should do just fine and seems to have good reviews. Time will tell.

TJ

 

[Browns329]

you may be better off to drive for a couple hours and spend almost the same money for a high quality used digger....
Sean

Chilly - I certainly agree with your logic. However, it is difficult for me to determine the quality of them without seeing them, or at least knowing the model number. For example, one person who said they thought they had a Woods, then said it was a SpeeCo. Someone else has a Bush Hog but doesn't know what model. Others look pretty rusty in the Craigslist ads, so it is hard to tell if they were taken care of.

For 200-300 posts you may want to consider a post driver.

Luremaker - Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, about 200 of the posts are for vinyl split rail fence (posts are 5" square hollow vinyl), so I don't think a post driver would work.

Another 50 posts or so will probably be 4-6" round pressure treated wood posts for non-climb woven wire horse fence, so those posts could be driven. Post drivers look very expensive so I don't think it would be worth it for me to buy one, but I heard that a local guy will come and do it for about $3/post. I may look into that when I do the wood posts.

Thanks for all the tips. Any other comments are appreciated, especially if anyone knows about quality of the Leinbach vs. County Line (Tractor Supply/SpeeCo?).

 

[Browns329]

Is Befco Model 200 good? Found a used one for $450 with 2 bits.

 

[Browns329]

Is Befco Model 200 good? Found a used one for $450 with 2 bits.

My excitement has turned to disappointment...
The Befco was listed on Craigslist and the guy sent me some pics. It looked to be in really good condition, came with 2 bits, and was even orange to match the Kubota. I set up an appointment with the guy yesterday afternoon for 10:00 am this morning. I took off from work this morning, hooked up a trailer, and was on my way for the 1 hour drive. I called him at about 9:30 to tell him I was running a little late, and he said that he sold the PHD last night!

 

[pitt_md]

The SpeeCo PHD I bought from Tractor supply has been used to put in several hundred wood posts. I have used it in what I am sure would be called extream conditions. I have broken several shear pins and had to replace the cutting edges many times due to digging through rock. I have the 9" and 18" augers. So far so good. I have bent up the flute on the 9" auger a bit but it works fine.
It was about $500 with the 9" auger.