Still thinkin !!

[TGIN]

If a guy used a regular pto posthole digger powerhead and put a hydraulic motor on it , what do I need ? I dont know much about hydraulic motors . I know I`d need one with the speed about the same as the 540 pto speed but what about the flow or presure or ??? This would be for a 12 in. auger .

 

[Steven f/AZ]

We have a hydraulic drive post hole digger that mounts on the loader bucket. It has an orbit motor and a chain for speed reduction, I believe it is a 60H chain...

Ours is not a Worksaver, but you will get the idea:
http://www.worksaver.com/product/phd-hyd.html

 

[Mike (WA)]

I would get a motor that turns substantially slower than a 540 PTO would turn it- I always dig at not much above an idle, and have much less problem with breakage of equipment.

 

[TripleRange]

Actually, they don't turn very fast at all. I just watched a professional contractor drill some 24" holes...I'm an engineer...Those pto units are speed reduced...I think about 2:1 or something like that. Your hyd. motor will need to be sized according to your system flow. I've been thinking about your idea though...you could use the bucket cylinder lines and find some hyd. quick connects for the hoses. If you have the model pump you could estimate your flow based on pressure. You'd have to get a gauge and check the pressure of the system. You may be able to get the flow by timing how long it takes the cylinder to go lock to lock...and getting the size of cylinder (length and diameter). Once you know the flow...go online to Parker Hanefin and see if you can spec a hyd. motor per your desired shaft RPM. I think you'd want an RPM of around 200 or so. Then you got to figure out how to mate the motor and gearbox and mount your contraption which needs to be able to bend in both horizontal planes. Hope I've given you some direction....cool project!