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Need Help With Posthole Digger...

B

Bryce Frazier

Well-known Member
A friend of a friend gave us a fairly nice 3 point post hole digger a while ago, and I've spent today trying to get my ducks in a row!

He hit a rock with it, bent the auger (I can fix that) and sheared the drive shaft off of the bottom of the hanging gear box. We tore the gear box apart, and removed the shaft, but due to where it is, I don't think I could ever weld onto it straight enough to have the auger turn true.

It is a "Five Star" brand, and I am now hunting for a shaft. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!
 
As JD indicates, getting it fixed might be a solution. Center drilling the stub that goes into the box, then putting a 3/8 hole in the shaft will allow a dowel to be used to align a new piece to be welded on. The new piece could be 1/8" bigger than the original, then turned down to the same OD. Jim
 
Is the shaft 1.500 o.d. with keyway and snap ring groove about large gear,i made one out of heattreated 4140.
 

Add up the cost and time to repair an old used and smashed post hole digger. Vs. purchase of a new or used PHD and an inventory of the proper shear pins.
Sell the smashed PHD to someone who thinks they are getting a deal.
 
Can?t help with the repair, sorry, but I can sure relate to your problem. We had a 5 star when I was a kid. And you know , post hole diggers we?re almost a good thing, lol.
My dads farm was mostly light land , and digging post holes should have been a snap, but were fences are built, always bring complications. Tree roots were always a devil hiding unseen waiting to spoil your day, and sometimes there will be a big rock down there. I have bar, and shoveled almost as many holes as I have dug from the tractor seat with the digger. I currently have a JD digger , built by Arps. Much the same deal as yours, almost a good idea, you just have to be prepared to hand dig the problem holes when the digger gets to an impasse. Because if you keep on ramming away with the digger, something will give.
 
Sorry to hear your problem.

Yesterday I sold my PHD on craigslist, $400 with an 8 and 12 inch auger. It had a Dana Gear head, all in good condition.

New 8 inch auger sell for around $100, 12 inch around $130.

Sometimes it may be better to buy a used one than fix an old one. Your pto shaft might be used on something else.
 
Every time I hear a story about a 3 point auger I like mine even more. I bought this used from Home Depot rental 2 years ago and have dug 1000's of holes in soft dirt, Rocky ground ,and tree roots. Haven't broke anything yet. Bonus it has reverse!
a277974.jpg
 
Figure out what the ratio is on the gearbox then start looking around the boneyard.

Round baler
Swather
Grain auger
Rototiller
Snowblower
Combine
Car differential

No end to the places you can look to find a gearbox you might be able to adapt to work with what you have.
 

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1&q=replacement+post+hole+digger+gearbox&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9-pWj74rdAhVM7qwKHbjbCycQ1QIIqQEoAQ&biw=1235&bih=1094
 

Here is a light duty box for $199.

http://www.gaequipment.com/Standard_Duty_Post_Hole_Digger_Gearbox_p/phpd26hd.htm
 
Might try this phone number: 918-534-1111

If you google it, it comes up as Five Star, Inc. in Dewey, OK

Bluestem Foundry uses the same number and mailing address.

Neither seems to have a website.

I would look at replacing the entire gearbox/head. Can get brand new ones starting around $150.

Unless your "connected" with a machine shop that is very reasonable, your likely to pay more just for a the custom work needed.
 
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