Hydraulic Post Hole Digger Project

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B3350, Kub. 5" rotary cutter, LP 48" forks, Titan Aerial Platform, KK XB Dump
Dec 1, 2020
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Bloomington, IN
I started this conversation on Implements & Attachments to get some ideas and am no ready to finalize my design and start building this. My plan is to build a poor-man's equivalent of a Landpride SA-10. I'm going to cannibalize a gas powered PHD I bought at auction for this project. I was asked why I don't restore the PHD as-is and here's why:

1. Don't know what it would cost to get the original unit up & running - am not a mechanic, so motor would go to a repair shop (probably $100+ to get it running/tuned up) - recoil spring is about dead (more $). Also both tires are beat and flat - probably another $75+ and the 2 way hydraulic valve on the handle looked leaky ... you get my point. So I weighed repair costs (factoring in unknowns) against buying 4 ft. of rectangular steel tubing and the welding (by a shop) for my slide on.

2. Don't want to maintain yet another engine - the PHD will get very intermittent use - maybe once or twice a year in a normal year.

3. Don't want to have to tow it around and then bull it into place - am getting too old for that. It will be less work to slide the PHD onto the forks than swap regular drawbar for the one with trailer hitch on it.

4. Can store the new unit with augers on a single pallet - will take up less space

Have attached brochure photo of the PHD model. Will add to this thread is a proceed.
 

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MOOTS

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MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
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This is a great idea.
Following to see what attachment you come up with.
Quick google found pump specs. 6gpm at 3600 rpm on the Honda. Your tractor is 5gpm, should work nicely.
IMG_6584.png
 
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McMXi

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Cool project!
For sure! Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

PHDs have become very expensive along with everything else, so this is certainly a cost-effective approach. I bought a lightly used LP HD25 PHD (SSQA) a few years ago which is rated at 5-12gpm, so optimal for the MX or M6060. I paid $1,750 for it but it came with two augers, a 9" and 12". I don't know how much a new one costs today but I bet it's close to twice what I paid.

I might order a rock auger this spring which will cost close to what I paid for the HD25.
 
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retiree-urgency abandoned

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Equipment
B3350, Kub. 5" rotary cutter, LP 48" forks, Titan Aerial Platform, KK XB Dump
Dec 1, 2020
71
68
18
Bloomington, IN
Did my cannibalizing - will be using hydraulic motor, mounting frame, 4 augers & and some leftover angle iron from a previous project.

Have rest of PHD parts on a pallet to sell - Honda GX270 9HP engine (won't start just pulling, but not frozen) with 6gpm hydraulic pump mounted on it, hydraulic reservoir on 2 wheels and 2 way hydraulic valve. What do you think I should ask for the discard parts?

Will visit welder for fab estimate and hydraulic shop for hose adapters so I can fire up the hydraulic motor.
 

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retiree-urgency abandoned

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Equipment
B3350, Kub. 5" rotary cutter, LP 48" forks, Titan Aerial Platform, KK XB Dump
Dec 1, 2020
71
68
18
Bloomington, IN
Visited my local welding shop yesterday and he gave me a scrap 36" piece of rectangular tube (3/16" wall = 36" length - all I need for this project) to try on my forks for size. Perfect fit, so today I dropped off all the pieces and my drawings (attached).

Also visited the hydraulic shop - have hoses and fittings connected to the hydraulic motor. Will test it later today or tomorrow.
 

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retiree-urgency abandoned

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Equipment
B3350, Kub. 5" rotary cutter, LP 48" forks, Titan Aerial Platform, KK XB Dump
Dec 1, 2020
71
68
18
Bloomington, IN
Had just enough time this afternoon to connect the hydraulic drive hoses to the 3rd function and with the motor sitting on the floor. Was elated to see it run in both directions and no hydraulic oil geysers either! Sorry no photo or video. I'll have more to post with photos once the fork mount fab comes home from the welding ship
 
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