Go BottomHydraulic Post Hole Digger Question
 | Trailbreaker
Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 3 NE Pennsylvania 
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2012-05-22 183616
I just took on a job that I am required to dig holes for 28 - 24"dia sonotubes 48" deep. I am looking at renting a New Holland C175 skid loader or a JD 110 backhoe. With the NH C175 I can get a 24" or 30" bit for the auger. I live in an area that has a fair amount of rocks. What would be the better piece of equipment to rent? I have used hydralic augers with 12" & 14" bits around here in the past and they worked great. I was wondering how these machines handle the larger auger bits (24"-30")? 14 of the holes are only 4ft apart so I was hoping the auger would work because digging them with the backhoe the holes may run into eachother. I think JD 110 can run the auger as well, that is also an option incase the auger gets stuck I can dig it out. Any input would be appreciated.
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 | auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2168 West of Toronto 
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2012-05-23 183623
Those will be big holes and I don't know the relative heft of those two machines, but I'd prefer a skidsteer over a rear-hitch-mount anything. If you're stopped by a bolder, you should be able to get a hoe or maybe a tree-spade attachment for the skidder (or if it's not too deep, a couple guys with spades and prybars). ....
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 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2012-05-24 183637
If you are renting these from the same rental company they should be able to give you advice needed. Auerbach's comments make sense to me. ....
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2012-05-24 183643
When you say "Hydraulic" post hole auger I am assuming you meant hydraulicly driven instead of a PTO drive. The hydraulic drive is superior because you can reverse it to get free of a rock or a root. In my limited experience with post hole augers roots not rocks were the biggest challenge. You are going to need a pretty hefty machine to turn an auger that big, but I would prefer the augered holes to a backhoe trench. If possible I would have a backhoe around to get you by the rocks and roots that stop the auger.
Frank. ....
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| Trailbreaker
Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 3 NE Pennsylvania
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2012-05-26 183648
Thanks for the input guys. Both machines are rated for I think up to a 36" auger.I like the idea of using the JD 110 backhoe just incase I do hit something I can always take the auger attachment off and use the backhoe bucket to help. My main goal is to keep my operating cost down and get the job done. Would it work to use a 12" auger first then the larger diameter auger? Almost like a pilot hole. ....
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| auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2168 West of Toronto
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2012-05-26 183649
Because the auger's center-bit holds it in position before the flytes start biting, I'd guess no because with an empty 12" pilot hole you wouldn't have the "holding" effect from the bit. Maybe the mount would hold it steady enough for the flytes to grab, but not without strain, jumping, and skidding. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2012-05-28 183657
IMHO, you're going to be having a pretty tough time to make holes that size with something as small as a ~7,500 pound TLB.
We use a conical tree spade bit on a tractor that size all the time, the bit has a maximum width of 36" and a maximum depth of 48" but at the bottom it's only ~4" wide then it tapers out to full width.
Unless it's really light soil, you have to pull it up and spin it clear 5 or 6 times to make the hole, otherwise 3 or 4 times.
There's a world of difference trying to make full width holes of that size, that deep.
I would think an auger that size would take more grunt to chew through soil like that than a JD 110 TLB has. It would be a case of 'the tail wagging the dog'.
Best of luck. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2012-05-30 183683
Murf, when you gave the weight of the TLB I realize one line needs to be added: don't forget to video. LOL
Stones or rocks in our ground are very rare and seldom from nature. Also have never used a bit near that large. Tree stumps and roots we have. In working in and around those if bit catches them right it just bascially grinds on them with little affect to machine or bit. Catch them just right where the fluting is screwing the bit into the ground like a large wood screw and you certainly need slower speed than you can imagine. The bit will screw into the ground and not dig a hole.
To me you need a heavy machine and low rpms and no one near that bit when digging.
....
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