Post Holes

Get the tractor into position, and let it "idle". I've used a 12" auger on idle, and belive me, this is the key. I've never even broken a shear pin. The tractor just stalls first, letting me know there is a problem. If you rev it up, it becomes dangerous, you are likely to start breaking stuff, and when you hit rocks you'll be bummed.

Attach a level with a magnet to the auger, and make sure the auger is staight. This sounds obvious, but this first step is key to a good hole. The trick is tho get the bit started straight.

Before starting the auger, put the hydralic control all the way down, so it will not lift up when you start. Let the auger cut about a foot, and then lift the auger up and out of the hole. When you raise it, only lift it high enough to clear the hole. This is the position that is very hard on the front universal joint, so don't raise it any higher. Check your holes alignment and make sure you are right on. If you are off, use a bar to elongate the hole in the direction you are off, and readjust the tractor if neccesary.

Take the material in about 1 foot chunks. If you hit rocks, raise the auger, disengage the PTO, shut the trcot off, and have the tractor driver hold the auger out of the way while you use the bar to clear the rocks. If the auger gets stuck, use a big pipe wrench to back it up about a half a turn. Pull the control lever all the way back, (maximum lift) and hope it starts lifting in that half a turn. Mine almost always does, and it helps to have your helper rock the post hole digger. Idle is key here. You cannot "Power" a rock out of the way.

Put a piece of tape on the auger so you kno how far to go, and use one of thos "Clam" hand diggers to finish cleaning the loose debris out of the hole.

A couple of safety items:

The tractor operator needs experience on the N...it should be the owner. You need to keep an eye on everything, and you can't have an inexperienced person here. Yes your neck will hurt.

Don't wear loose clothing....I don't even wear gloves.

Work out directions so you and your helper can communicate effectively. Every time you stop the auger, disengage the PTO. And instruct your helper that he neeeds to tell you everything he is gonna do. This is a very dangerous piece of equipment. Unfortunately, I haven't found a way for it to be used effectively by just one person....be careful.

Good Luck
Steve

Jim (MD)

The "N" hydraulics don't provide down pressure, just the weight of the implement, so it's really hard to stick the digger in the ground and get it started straight while digging a hole. I had to remove the long pipe handle from my digger, which makes things worse. I'll have to reposition it, because it beats the heck out of my right fender as I drill.

The other big problem - no reverse on the pto so you can't back the auger out. I once hung my bit under the edge of an underground rock ledge - all the way down. After busting the end out of the "N"'s hydraulic cylinder trying to raise the bit, I finally had to unbolt the bit and back the auger out of the ground with a giant pipe wrench and cheater pipe. Boy, that was a fun day.

Your soil type makes a big difference. We have so many rocks here - and the auger works much better if you don't have those. Anyway, it does beat digging by hand but it's my least favorite implement to use with the "N". Hope this helps, - Sam