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Down Force

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Martin

09-12-2004 09:34:26

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I'm soon going to need a tractor with a three point that can produce downforce. I'd like to stick with small farmalls with a three point conversion, but I could probably use a C, but do they have down force? If not, what type of tractor should I be looking at, AC, MF, Ford, MH?

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El Toro

09-13-2004 04:35:41

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Re: Down Force in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:34:26

Hi Martin, One of my co-worker's needed help in
moving a fence on a farm that he rented for his horses. They had an 8N Ford tractor on the farm that hadn't been started in years. I got a new battery for it and I dropped it somehow. Sure was Pi---d. I got a new one and I drained the old gas and filled it with fresh gas and it fired right up. The tractor had a bucket that was already attached. They had a post hole digger
for it too and I installed that. There was one
man in the group that worked for the gas and electric company that set light poles.

He drove the tractor and we pulled the fence posts using the bucket and then he started
punching holes with that digger. He made the holes straight as an arrow. There were 6 of us setting posts and he was finished digging before
we had very many posts set. Sure glad I didn't have to dig those holes by hand or I probably wouldn't have volunteered. Hal

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CNKS

09-12-2004 18:07:08

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Re: Down Force in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:34:26

No one answered your question. A C with a Saginaw 3 point with the OEM remote valve, or the one Saginaw sells, will have down force. Other older tractors, H, M, etc will have down force with the OEM remote valve, or an aftermarket spool valve. Other makes of tractors with old style hydraulics can probably be equipped the same way.

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MN Scott

09-12-2004 16:31:33

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Re: Down Force in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:34:26

I have a John Deere 3 point hitch post hole digger with a 12" auger that I use on my 686. I have to control how fast it digs in, if I don't it will screw itself into the ground and break a shear bolt. The 686 has no downpressure. If your point and blades are in good shape the weight of the digger should be sufficient unless your digging baked clay or rock. You can also buy a hydraulic driven one that bolts to a loader bucket if you need downpressure and have a loader. They work good to back out to if you get stuck, just reverse the hydraulic flow. Cheaper than buying another tractor.

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Jim Becker

09-12-2004 16:21:20

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Re: Down Force in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:34:26

I am amazed at all the comments on here from guys that never needed down pressure on a digger. It must have been nice.

It never went that easy with the soil we had to drill through. On really unlucky days, we drilled as far as the digger would go then had to use a steel bar and sledge hammer to punch a center hole so the digger would go any farther.

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gene b

09-12-2004 15:43:06

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Re: Down Force in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:34:26

You dont need downforce for a post hole digger better check your cutting edges. Fords have probably dug more holes in the past as all the rest and they didnt have down force. Always work better when you dig a small starting hole. Always marked the holes so the operator could make a straight line and have the posts spaced 15ft on conter as all of the old time fences were hog tight 32in woven wire and two or three barbs for the cattle.

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Ron/PA

09-12-2004 11:04:18

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Re: Down Force in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:34:26

Martin, I've dug hundreds of post holes with a PHD on my 8n or 9n. If you can't get the auger in the ground with gravity, you need a new starter end on the auger. If this is the only reason you're buying a new tractor you're wasting money. If you have other needs for pos. down pressure, then go for it. Don't jump to conclusions 'til you check all the facts. If I had my druthers, I'd rather have live hydraulics, without down pressure, than anything, that way you can transport yer auger without it turning. Zane can provide that alot cheaper than a new tractor
Ron

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Guy

09-12-2004 10:22:29

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Re: Down Force in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:34:26

I have a 300 with a fast hitch converted to a 3 point. you can have down pressure or not by simply removing or installing a pin.
As far as digging post holes, I have never needed down pressure, but could be the soil type.

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Allan in NE

09-12-2004 09:45:39

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Re: Down Force in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:34:26

Hi Martin,

Just out of pure curiosity, why do you need the down force?

We had those hitches on many tractors for a number of years and other than the ease of setting that spread on the rear axles, never used the darned things at all.

Just wondering,

Allan

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Martin

09-12-2004 09:47:56

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Re: Down Force in reply to Allan in NE, 09-12-2004 09:45:39

This guy told me I need down force to run a posthole digger, is that entirely true?

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ffolkes

09-12-2004 09:53:03

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Yes in reply to Martin, 09-12-2004 09:47:56

Yes, it is. I bought a used posthole digger and the owner neglected to mention that. Even in wet muddy soil, it does nothing but dance around the top. However, we were able to use our loader to gently push down on it, and it worked great. Obviously this won't work if you have more than a handful of holes to dig.

ffolkes

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Allan in NE

09-12-2004 10:03:33

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Re: Yes in reply to ffolkes, 09-12-2004 09:53:03

Hi Mr. Folkes,

I wonder if maybe the previous owner just failed to mention that the auger bit needs a little attention?

Allan

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ffolkes

09-12-2004 10:28:43

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Re: Yes in reply to Allan in NE, 09-12-2004 10:03:33

Everything looks in good condition...it's just that the weight of it isn't enough to make it drill. To be honest, it does scrath the ground and makes a 1 inch hole, but anything else requires more force.

ffolkes

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Allan in NE

09-12-2004 10:39:24

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Re: Yes in reply to ffolkes, 09-12-2004 10:28:43

Yeah,

I wasn't trying to be a smart a$$; it's just that I have never encountered one that wouldn't pull a 12" hole in the middle of a county road, if the teeth were in good condition.

Allan

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rustyfarmall

09-12-2004 10:45:11

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Re: Yes in reply to Allan in NE, 09-12-2004 10:39:24

Allen, kinda what I was thinking. Any digger I was ever around would just screw itself right into the ground, might even have a little trouble getting it back out.

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steveormary

09-12-2004 14:59:38

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Re: Yes in reply to rustyfarmall, 09-12-2004 10:45:11

No,you donmt need down pressure on your PHD. I have found that if the digger wouldnt pull into the ground some grass or something was on thje bit and it wouldnt cut.

steveormary

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