Post Hole Digger with Hydralic Down Pressure

I took my generic post hole digger and added hydraulic down pressure to it. I decided to do this before any of my friends got hurt while hanging on the end of the gearbox to add some weight to get it to go through hard soil.

If you look closely, you might notice that the back of the tractor is off the ground by 3 or 4 inches, so it has enough down pressure to lift the tractor off the ground.

I'm going to be using my new set up for the first time this weekend so my question is do any of you have any exprience with using down pressure on a conventional post hole auger? What can I expect? Anything I should be especially aware of? The control vale has float position, so I'll be ablt to use it normally and just add a little pressure when I need it. I've burried an auger or two, so I know the added down pressure might add to that. But what else should I be looking for?

Thanks.

The pole barn builder around here put a cylinder from the bottom of the roll bar (Kubota compact) to the auger frame on his, and that seems like a better way to do go to me. I watched him push really hard, and the back of the tractor never came up but it sure put the pressure to the auger.

Robert

One reason I mounted my hydraulic cylinder on th beam was I wanted it all confined to just the post hole digger. That way, there were no modifications required to the tractor itself. This allows the post hole auger to be used, as is, with other tractors - as long as they have a hydraulic port available.

I'm currious as to why a particular brand auger would work better than a generic one. Perhaps it weighs more, has a better designed teeth on the auger bit, or is geared down more. I know mine is geared at 1:2 reduction where I've seen others geared at 1:3. I think mine would dig better if it were geared lower.

By the way, there is a company here in Bellton, Texas that makes a unit that has ridged frame and direct hydraulic down/up pressure. The company is called Beltec and they say they will dig through solid rock. The unit is over $4 grand with the bits running something like $600. They actualy have rock bits for the teeth. Anybody have any experience using one of these?

Anyway, you answed your own question. The auger is much better designed on the more expensive brands, and if you put the agressive auger on the cheapo, and use it hard, the cheapo gear box turns to junk.

99% of the time with my PHD, i have to hold it back so it doesn't dig too fast, i don't need any down force.

Robert

I've drilled my share of holes in dirt that worked just fine without down pressure, but man, do we have some hard ground in some spots.

I've only seen one other unit with hydraulic down pressure and that was from two low res pictures. I'm not sure who was the manufacturer. That was my only guide to go from. Othewise, it was all engineered on the fly.

I cut out the original pivot bracket and put in a beefer one. The bracing along the extension tube was also added along with the cylinder and end block. Here's to hoping it all works.

Link

Link

Link

http://home1.gte.net/res0bten/2003%20-%20Post%20Auger%20Hydraulic%20Down%20Pressure%205.JPG

I've only seen one other unit with hydraulic down pressure and that was from two low res pictures. I'm not sure who was the manufacturer. That was my only guide to go from. Othewise, it was all engineered on the fly.

I cut out the original pivot bracket and put in a beefer one. The bracing along the extension tube was also added along with the cylinder and end block. Here's to hoping it all works.

Link

Link

Link

http://home1.gte.net/res0bten/2003%20-%20Post%20Auger%20Hydraulic%20Down%20Pressure%205.JPG

I am curious as to why you did not use the hydraulic cylinder as a double acting instead of single action. Would you not have been able to use the other pressure for lift pressure with the three point lift if you get one stuck? I want to know how it works out for you. I live in an area that is heavy red clay that in the summer if it is dry you can not get a hole to start. After the first foot or so it is fine but not at first. Reckon that is why I live within a couple of miles of a major brick manufacturing plant. LOL

I do hope you post back with how it worked. That seems like a whole lot of down pressure. I'd probably want a few lbs of shear bolts & a couple spare augers around..... ;)

Seriously tho, looks like you did a real nice job with it.

--->Paul