Devonviolet Acres

[Devonviolet]

Hand held power auger or tractor pto operated auger?

Hand held power anger. I don't think they make an extension for this model.

I would love to have a tractor wit a PTO, but it definitely isn't in our budget.

 

[greybeard]

Well, keep watching for a bargain tractor. I see them all the time on Craig's List and other places.
Tractors can last for decades with minimal service/repair. For small places, even a Ford 9n is better than doing stuff by hand and there are a bunch of those in your area. I've done tons of work with one, including drilling postholes.
(big drawback is lack of a 'live' pto unless you find one that has been converted.)

 

[Hens and Roos]

just got caught up in reading- sure hope your knee is feeling better

 

[Devonviolet]

just got caught up in reading- sure hope your knee is feeling better

Thanks, Hen's and Roos. Considering how hard I fell on them, my knees are doing really well. I can actually go up,and down stairs without any trouble.

 

[Baymule]

Stepping in a "chicken hole" will get'cha every time! I did the same thing, but only lamblasted one knee, not both! All your hard work is showing! Ya'll have it looking so good!! Reach over your shoulder and pat yourself on the back! Or better yet, you and DH can take turns patting each other's backs!

 

[Devonviolet]

Stepping in a "chicken hole" will get'cha every time! I did the same thing, but only lamblasted one knee, not both! All your hard work is showing! Ya'll have it looking so good!! Reach over your shoulder and pat yourself on the back! Or better yet, you and DH can take turns patting each other's backs!

Thanks, Bay. Sometimes it seems we are spinning our gears. It helps when others see our progress and remind us of it.

 

[Bruce]

If the machine has a 2" shank for the auger to slide over, you can buy any length and diameter you need.
36" auger tho, on a hand held machine can be a chore to lift up out of the hole, especially if the helix/spirals are still full of dirt. 36" auger also means you will have the handles of the machine another foot higher and harder to control the longer auger when first beginning the hole. Quite dangerous.

Could one not start with a 2' auger and when the hole was 2' deep drop a 3' in the hole and attach it to the powerhead? Then you are only digging a 1' hole with a 3' auger (he says having never seen a power auger up close and personal let alone used one ).

 

[greybeard]

Could one not start with a 2' auger and when the hole was 2' deep drop a 3' in the hole and attach it to the powerhead? Then you are only digging a 1' hole with a 3' auger (he says having never seen a power auger up close and personal let alone used one ).

Sure, depending how the augers are attached to the powerhead. Some are really easy to change out, just pulling a pin and lifting the PH off the auger, others are more complex. The 2 I've begrudgingly used are just like the 3 pt diggers. 2 holes in the auger with matching holes in the PH output shaft, and bolts/nuts go thru the holes.


There are others that the auger & PH shaft has a single hole for a quick pin to go thru:

To be honest, I do not like them. Dangerous as all get out in my opinion, even with the shear pins and anti-kickback torsion spring options.

We sold and rented them out at the farm implement (Kubota) dealership I last worked at, and they are pretty popular items both for sales and rentals.

 

[Devonviolet]

Sure, depending how the augers are attached to the powerhead. Some are really easy to change out, just pulling a pin and lifting the PH off the auger, others are more complex. The 2 I've begrudgingly used are just like the 3 pt diggers. 2 holes in the auger with matching holes in the PH output shaft, and bolts/nuts go thru the holes.


There are others that the auger & PH shaft has a single hole for a quick pin to go thru:

To be honest, I do not like them. Dangerous as all get out in my opinion, even with the shear pins and anti-kickback torsion spring options.

We sold and rented them out at the farm implement (Kubota) dealership I last worked at, and they are pretty popular items both for sales and rentals.

I think we will pass, then. We don't need injuries, from,digging post holes. At our age, we heal a lot slower.

 

[Devonviolet]

OUCH! This afternoon, I'm suffering the pain tingling, as a result of forgetting to wear gloves, when handling the Stinging Nettle seedling, that I planted last Feb. It had gotten rather leggy, with multiple side shoots, on the main stem. This plant is in the mint family. So, I thought I could root the stems in water.

So, without thinking, I picked up a pair of scissors & grabbed the stem, to cut it. It wasn't until I felt the sting, that I remembered that I shouldn't touch without gloves. But, of course by then it was too late.

I had heard vinegar would take the pain away. So, I tried that and, of course it didn't work. But, after doing research, I learned the sticker is tipped with acid, which causes the pain. My research found that what I should have done was put baking soda paste, to neutralize the acid. I have been doing that, and while it is on my fingers, the pain is gone. But, as soon as I wash it off, the pain, tingling & numbness comes back.

Right now, I am sitting with a glove that has baking soda paste in the first three fingers. So, for now it doesn't hurt.