Thinking about getting a hydraulic post hole digger (SA20?) for my MX4900 with the 3rd function. Would welcome other experience with this setup vs. the three point type.
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Land Pride SA20
- Thread starter socal996
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I have and use a Land Pride HD25 but have never used a 3-point mounted PHD. I've used a standalone, one man, wheeled and gas-powered PHD which worked well enough, but wish I'd known about rock augers back then.
What tractor do you have? How much hydraulic flow rate do you have? Do you have a 3rd function installed? I've run the HD25 with the MX and the M and the M is way better. I have 3rd functions on both but the M just works better. It has a little more flow on paper, is obviously bigger and heavier, but I noticed that the hydraulic oil doesn't get anywhere near as hot running on the M compared to the MX. This might not be surprising given that the MX is an HST.
With SSQA PHD running off the 3rd function you can reverse the auger direction, not to mention you have way more range of motion with a loader mounted PHD. A skid steer with plenty of oil flow would be the best way to punch holes in the ground, followed by what I have, with a 3-point being the least desirable. They work, but there are better ways of getting the job done. A rock auger made a big difference to me given the ground I have to deal with.
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I have a SA10 that I bought for my LX3310. Previously, I had a three point PD35. I concur with @McMXi on the bad points in addition to it being the worst implement to hook and unhook.
I ran/run 6, 9 and 24" augers with both phd's. I'm looking forward (in more ways than one) to running the SA10 on the L5450 with the higher flow. It did work on the LX but it was slow but we dont have much in the way of rocks here. With the offset it's easy to see and make sure it's level instead of the three point guesswork.
I ran/run 6, 9 and 24" augers with both phd's. I'm looking forward (in more ways than one) to running the SA10 on the L5450 with the higher flow. It did work on the LX but it was slow but we dont have much in the way of rocks here. With the offset it's easy to see and make sure it's level instead of the three point guesswork.
I was a little light on the info. I have a MX4900 with the 3rd function. So am appreciative of your experience with the MX.
It'll run fine on the MX, but it will depend on your ground too. I have lots of rocks and bedrock so standard augers only work for 12" or so if I'm lucky. Given my ground, it goes faster and easier with the rock auger and the M compared to the MX, not to say that I couldn't use the MX if I wanted. I've used both and the M is better but that doesn't mean that the MX isn't still up to the task.
Are you able to position the auger in the center of the SSQA if you want? I've found that I prefer that location for drilling holes. I have no problem seeing what I'm doing and it feels more balanced to me when the auger is rotating. If a situation arises where I need to offset the auger I can, but it's not something I've encountered yet. I did run it offset initially because that's how it came when I bought it used, but I changed the position last year.
I can run it left, right and center. I found it easier to see offset on the LX although the 24" auger was heavy and you could see the loader flex when I was traveling.
I didn't get a chance to use it on the L last fall. With the larger loader it will be easier to see when the auger is centered.
I don't have a left and right option on the HD25. I'd have to weld on some plates if I wanted to be able to do that. Not a big deal though since center works for me ... until it doesn't.
