Good, Bad & Ugly: Compact Tractor Post Hole Digger Setup and First Use

Unboxing, assembly and first use of County Line Post Hole Digger from Tractor Supply by Tractor Time with Tim. We disclose the good, bad and maybe even ugly issues with using a post hole digger on a compact tractor.

[kencotton]

Tim, growing up on a farm we used a post hole digger a lot building fences. I have had one get stuck as well. I found the best way to avoid getting the auger stuck was to keep the RPMs up to keep spinning the dirt out of the hole and as you found, lower it very slowly. Also, I like to keep the auger spinning as I raise it out of the hole to keep throwing the dirt out of the hole. Overall, I think your technique was great, but you can expect the the auger to get stuck occasionally. When that happens, I had good luck removing the shear bolt to detach the auger, then using a long rod in the shear bolt hole to spin the auger backwards. Also, I don’t think I would auger into concrete anymore. That has to be bad in your auger.

[AirplaneDoctor_]

The sucking the auger down and getting stuck isn’t just a compact tractor problem, I’ve done it on more than one occasion with my 706, and its roughly 80hp. There are many who criticize the use of 3/4” drive as overkill, but I use my set for lots, from wing bolts and axle nuts on aircraft to rim nuts on tractors, makes life easier. Another good video.

[Pocketfarmer]

You asked what else a post hole digger can be used for. I use mine to split wood with a large wood screw attachment. I think it was called an atomic wood screw or something like that. It works great, has a few quirks and can split rails. Keep up the good work.

[treemonkey_ma]

Hey Tim, Love the videos... I grew up on a farm with a JD850 and placed thousands of posts in very rocky conditions. We always had a 6' long bar to either break or loosen up rocks and roots plus we kept a large pipe wrench with us to back it out when it did get stuck. Try not to go past the point that you cant get the pipe wrench on, just in case. Plus you may want to keep a spare set of cutting teeth for the auger when you go on a job, you never know when they will break or get worn out after hitting all that concrete. Thanks for sharing a lot of your experiences. FYI, after watching most of your videos, I went out and bought my own 1025R from the local dealer. After a few months, I already have over 60 hours on her and loved every minute. Keep the videos coming

[joeymomma]

Tim, I know you said you were disappointed in the way Johnny handled the job with the post hole digger but I have to admit, seeing it in use was much MORE than I ever expected. Johnny got the job done and even with the trial and errors, I think it went amazingly smooth. Watching this video of yours definitely made me a believer that the 1025R could handle doing this job, and doing it well !!! I would have no problem justifying this additional piece of equipment if the need arises based on your video. Well done indeed. =)

[williamhaynes]

I use one of these on my Tym-254 (25 HP), have done dozens of holes and have been happy with this post hole digger

[nateboozer]

You two make a great team. Plus, I like your wife’s humor. 😂 Thanks for the video. Now to order one.

[brandtjustsayin]

Love seeing the capabilities and limitations of these little machines. I really need to get something like this for my 10 acre ranchette here in TX and it's good to see what I can (and cannot) do with it before making the purchase. Thanks for your videos and honest evaluations of implements, attachments, and tools.

[connerroe]

Don't stop the augers when it is in the ground or else it will lock up, stay on the machine so you can rock the machine around so make your hole level or plum, it will also help you when you get it stuck in the ground.

[wsmcmc]

I was impressed by your progress. I haven't bought one of these diggers because I didn't expect our tractors were physically big enough. I had even imagined using a pulliy on the ROPS so that I could use the curl of the front loader to assist the rock shaft in lifting the auger out of the ground. But I couldn't imagine what significant weight I might have in the loader bucket that I could secure while also curling the loader down and forward.

[loulehnhoff]

Like anything else Tim the more you use it the more feel you get for the tool and it's abilities. Thanks for the demo.

[zach_hewitt]

Good video guys! I've buried my auger with the 4520 before, so don't feel bad. Adjust your 3pt drop so it won't go down fast and that helps. I also have to sit in the cab to run the auger, that way I can move forward/backward to keep the bit straight up and down for good holes. Helps to have someone outside giving you thumbs up when you're plumb.
I also keep several extra shear bolts in the manual canister, along with the wrenches to tighten them.

[hsmith]

You have me reconsidering purchasing a hole digger to plant trees. Even with my 3039r. Nice video, good information to ruminate on.

[kennethbailey]

I usually only need the post hole auger when building corrals. When I fix fence I use steel posts to replace the old cedar posts as they break. I do use it for corner posts sometimes but I usually just dig em in by hand.

[DAWGnROADIE]

i used my 1025r with the frontier auger. worker great never a shortage of power ir control drilled 25 holes in two hours, never left the tractor seat just nedd to pull the bit up every foot or so to clear the dirt. Plenty of power at recommended RPM

[HysTaRiCFiSHy]

You can take the deck off with a 3 point implement, there is a knob under the seat to close off a valve in the 3 point that locks the height in so you can lower the mower while keeping the implement off the ground.

[johngritman]

It's a good thing you have Christy! Real men don't read instructions until they are in trouble! When I have dug post holes, I used either a screw type manual digger or a scissor type (easier when there are a lot of rocks. Then I fill with a bag of DRY cement mix which absorbs the water from the ground and sets nice and hard. I was told this was a dumb idea by one of my neighbors. Then the town snowplow got too close to the three mail boxes. How to get it out of the hole. Well, I inherited a combination of a come-along/ tractor jack and an old chain for a car tire with bars on it. Wrap it around the post and start pumping. Out it came though I had to use my pry bar (thin end) to get the leverage I needed.

[SPANKYAMERICAN]

I pull mine out every foot or so while the auger is turning to clear the hole and clear the auger of dirt. Even doing this I stuck mine once and bent the arm trying to pull it out.
I always take the auger off to mount or dismount it to the three point hitch, it seems to be much easier than trying to wrestle it with the auger on.

[goldenfarms]

Johnny did just fine! Little tractors have big hearts. My JD 850 is only 28 HP but you can't tell him that....that thing is unstoppable. Great video, thanks. 👍🇺🇸

[Mr]

An augers is an attachment that creates a lot of suction...
The key is to start at minimal rpm and slowly let it down. You may want to try digging half way then disengage pull up and engage to clean auger. Then go back in for the other half.
The longer you allow the auger to turn at the bottom the more it will break up the dirt.
Even on a 40hp tractor an auger can stall the tractor or get stuck.
I found if you get stuck pull up on the depth lever a little bit then slowly rock the tractor forward and back. This will release the suction. You may have to speed up the rpm to get it to release.