post hole digger-Ford or subcompact tractor?

MI-Bill

Member
I recently bought a JD 1045 subcompact tractor. looking at post hole diggers. from past posts I get the impression the new subcompacts with the right smaller scaled diggers would work better at digging without getting stuck. faster response backing out of holes? and the handles are closer to the tractor seat? I am thinking I will sell my 8N i've had since 1973 and keep my 640.
 
(quoted from post at 13:40:53 08/07/17) I recently bought a JD 1045 subcompact tractor. looking at post hole diggers. from past posts I get the impression the new subcompacts with the right smaller scaled diggers would work better at digging without getting stuck. faster response backing out of holes? and the handles are closer to the tractor seat? I am thinking I will sell my 8N i've had since 1973 and keep my 640.

Hmmmm - I can't find a model 1045 anywhere....

TOH
 
I have a digger for my TO35, Greenline 5000
one nice feature to have would be reverse on the PTO rotation.
that way you could back the auger out, if you ever got it stuck.

On a TO35 you can run the PTO in reverse by using Ground speed,
I test it once, just to see if it worked and it did,
but so far I have never got the auger stuck or hung in the ground.

nice tool to have, however, you may have some new friends once they find out you have a 3pt hitch post hole digger. when I first got mine I thought I was going to have to weld a lic plate to it as it was on the road so much.
then I just started telling anyone wanting to borrow it, the last SOB busted the main gear and has ordered the very expensive part,

so far that lie has worked, no one else has ask to borrow it,
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I've been doing a fair amount of augering with an 8N for the past 3 years. It is a challenge sometimes, but by being careful, so far, so good with the 8N. My worst moment was getting a 12" auger stuck down near the bottom of the hole, with no reverse. I was able to rock the tractor back and forth enough to get the crud loose and get the bit back up.

I know some folks who have had to use a large pipe wrench with a pipe on the end to back out a bit that's really stuck bad. Have no idea on the more modern tractors, but boring with an 8N takes some brains, and some care. Mostly because no reverse, but I'm not going to go get another tractor that's a bit more civilized, when the 8N is doing the job just fine with a bit of care and handling.
 
Mi-Bill........local grade school is called "Rocky Ridge", give ya an idea of what I was dealing with when SHMBO decided she wanted to corner off a pasture fer some ducks I was raising. I dug 2-holes with idiot sticks and breaker bar and decided this wasn't going to work. Went down to local rental yard and rented a 2-cyl Yamabotadeer with post hole auger. ($50, cheap) Hauled it back out here and started drilling. Didja know there is NEVER enuff dirt to fill the hole back-up even with the new post inn itt??? Ennyhoo, I'm diggin' away and suddenly the auger catches on sumptin' and the front wheels are flappin' inna breeze. Finally hadda block the front axle up inna air to take the pressure off'n the auger so I kenn un-bolt the sheer bolt that didn't sheer. Gott the tractor outta the way and my 24" pipe wrench onna the stub. Wouldn't budge. So I gotta 4-ft extension pipe on the handle and it STILL wouldn't budge. Ended up digging a 2-ft hole so I could gitt the auger flighting (twisty part) off'n this BIG tree root. I have now graduated to a fan belt operated power steering pump and hydraulic post pounder on my eazy starting 6-volt 52-8N. Just hooker up to 3-point and drive to fence line. I buy pressure treated POINTED fence posts and with my breaker bar, I jamb and waller a hole to set the point in. I then back my 8N to the post and lift away. The pounder is SPRING LOADED and when I flip the valve, the stretched springs "ker-wham" the top of the fence post. The power steering pump putts outt enuff volume even at idle that it don't take long to set the post in this rocky ground. I store the pounder chained to a spare post and have hydraulic hoze quick disconnects like the BIG 18-wheelers have. Hope this giffs ya an idear or too........the posted Dell
 
(quoted from post at 14:55:06 08/07/17) getting old, mixing up numbers 1025R

I understand perfectly. That's a little one but I was just down the hill watching a contractor install a new septic tank for my neighbor. He had a full size JCB hoe and a little BX Kubota with a hoe on the back. I have always been skeptical of the little Kubota BX hoes but I watched him dig a rock a bit larger than a basketball out with it. Effortless and a lot easier to finesse than with the bigger machine. Obviously lacks the lifting/breakout power and reach of the larger hoe but it definitely isn't a toy. I suspect you will like your JD a LOT and it should do post holes with no problem....

TOH
 

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