Go BottomPost hole digger advice tips
 | Keith Boyd (Huntmas
Join Date: Posts: 1 
|
2000-03-07 13550
Folks, I just recently bought a new Leinbach post hole digger with 9" auger for $372 from a local dealer. I have seen a digger used before, but I would still like advice on using one. I know you can bury one if you are not paying attention! Soil type in upstate SC is hard dirt with good bit of clay/rocks mixed in with it. Thanks!
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
| Bird Senter
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 962 
|
2000-03-08 13577
Keith, first of all, I'd recommend you try to get your dealer to demonstrate the post hole digger. I think there are two common problems for new users. The first is the fact that they (as I did) expect it to just dig right in. That may, or may not, be the case. In hard ground, it's not unusual to need additional weight on it to get it to go on down. The secondis the fact that if it does dig in good, and quick, it may simply screw itself into the ground, and then you have a real problem getting it back out. In most cases, you have to disconnect it from the tractor and unscrew it back out of the ground. To avoid that, ease it into the ground slowly, i.e., don't just push the 3-point lever all the way forward at once. Then as it starts to dig in, raise it frequently, to let it sling the dirt out of the hole. In order for it to do that effectively, it needs to be turning, but don't come completely out of the hole with it turning fast, or it may swing around out of control and damage something (or someone). Slow it down and raise it enough for it to clear itself of dirt, but not high enough for the lower end to come out of the hole. And while I've dug several holes with one, I don't consider myself an expert, so if anyone has more ideas, or wishes to disagree, feel free. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
| PaulB
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-09 13590
Bird - excellent advice above. As I am in the market for a post hole digger I will take the liberty of asking another question. With regards to engaging the pto, what is the best way to do this. I have a hydro, so my pto is live, but should I have the motor running slow when I release the clutch, and then bring up the rpm? If so, how low? Seems to me that if you run the motor too low and force it to engage the pto at too low an rpm, you would "lug" the motor, whereas if you engage the pto with the motor at high rpm you would burn the clutch.My rated rpm for the motor at full pto speed is is 2600, so should I be engaging the pto at idle?, 1500?, 2200?, or what??
thanks for any input.
PaulB ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
 Pics
|
2000-03-09 13597
First of all, DO NOT add weight to an auger, if it bites in you might never see it again... If it does not want to dig, either alternate using a long pick to break up the bottom of the hole, then cleaning it out with the auger, or keep some water handy, a little (2-3 cups) in the bottom will soften the soil enough to let the bit bite in. If you get to a rock use lots (a gallon) of water or the bar to dislodge it, unless it's a monster it will come up....and if it's a monster, start digging. Second, speed of the PTO, it is NOT necessary to run it at 540 rpm, in fact you will probably find it works better at about 1500-1700 engine rpm's. Start off with just the center point in the soil, to stop it 'whipping' around, then just ease it down a few inches at a time, clearing the bit when the soil reaches the top of the flighting. Clear it by stopping the bit, pull it up just clear of the hole then release the clutch for an instant, this will throw the dirt clear but not 'whip' the bit around. Best of luck. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
| MChalkley
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-09 13615
PaulB, the technique I've always used is to engage the pto with the engine at just above idle and the auger suspended just above the hole, then increase the engine rpm to rated pto speed, and lower it into the hole (or where you want one, of course). And just remember, guys, there's nothing more dangerous than an auger. I posted the whole story on TractorByNet a while, back, but: A guy with no arms introduced himself to me once on a job where I was digging a bunch of holes for trees. He wanted to tell me how he lost his arms so I wouldn't forget my safety habits. It worked. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
| PaulB
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-10 13624
Mark - I've got the printer turned on. Please post every safety tip you think a newbie like me should know and consider before buying an auger. If it is that dangerous, maybe I should hire the work out. Like evrybody else I have a fantasy about being a "real tractor guy" and doing everything my self, but reality has to fit in here too - I need my arms!
thanks,
PualB ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
| MChalkley
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-10 13629
PaulB, I wasn't trying to scare you off. It's very easy to _not_ get hurt with an auger, too - just make sure you always follow _all_ the safety instructions that come with it, and never ever for any reason ignore even one of them. And especially never ever let anyone else within 10 feet (most of the manuals say 25') of the auger when you're using it. Frankly, I suspect more "real tractor guys" get injured (or injure someone else) with an auger than "rookies". It's when we think we're good that we're the most dangerous, as with so many things. Not because we know less, but because we pay less attention and ignore the safety rules. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
| PaulB
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-10 13634
following the directions is something I can do. You should have heard the neighbor hooting when I took the little cutout page from my garden tractor owners manual, the one where you fold it at a 15 degree angle and use it as a guage to determine if your hills are too steep, and went out and measured every hill on my property - looked like a cross between a land surveyor and a kindergartener I guess. If its spelled out in the book, i can do it.
PaulB ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
| RalphZ
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-10 13640
I came across a basic post hole digger safety news article at World Fence News Online which may be of interest. ....
Link: World Fence News Online
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoPost hole digger advice tips
| Bird Senter
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 962
|
2000-03-10 13646
PaulB, you asked about engaging the clutch and PTO, and I've been out of pocket for a couple of days; daughter having some major surgery. Anyway, I see others have answered and I agree with them, except for Murf's comment to NOT add weight. He's probably right, in his part of the country, but you don't dig post holes in my neighborhood in the summer without adding weight. And it's simple to keep it from getting enough bite to screw itself into the ground; just don't lower the 3-point hitch lever too far or too fast. And we tried to idea of putting water in the hole; very logical thing to do - I THOUGHT. After a couple of hours, you couldn't tell it had gone down at all and when we tried digging again, we found the water had dampened the bottom of the hole a good quarter of an inch. I'd never seen ground like this until I bought this place. And as far as hitting a rock; there isn't a rock within 4 miles of me that wasn't hauled in and placed there, so we don't even consider rocks when we dig. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add Photo
Go Top
Share This