Tips on operating New Holland

[Heyseed]

Probably overkill but I am using a new to me New Holland 4WD model 1920 to drill some post holes this weekend. Doing it for the widow of the fellow who owns it. She has never operated it. I only have experience with an older IH utility that I have had for years. The controls all seem to be pretty intuitive on the NH but thought I would access the amazing knowledge on YT to see if there is anything I should be aware of.
Thanks Heyseed

 

[Mike (WA)]

DON'T run it at PTO rated speed- have it at a little above an idle. Reason- if you run into something, it will kill the engine rather than destroy the post hole digger. You can't just put the 3 point lever down, and let it go- you have to get the dirt out of the hole as you go. With engine at just above idle, keep lifting the auger when it bogs down to clear out the dirt, then back down to dig some more. I learned long ago not to test the limits of a machine- all that does is just make you spend a lot more time wrenching than working.

As far as your purchase, you did good (861 is live PTO, isn't it?) You've got a good, usable tractor at the same price as a much lesser model, and the potential to make it a nice rig with some ongoing refurbishing.

 

[Mike (WA)]

Sorry- confusion reigns. I got you confused with the guy above who bought the Ford 861. In the immortal words of Roseanne Rosannadanna, "Never mind."

 

[paul]

Should work good, my 1720 does well with the phd.

The pto shaft on them likes to grab clothing. For some reason, people like to hang on the end of the phd to add down force.

Don't get anyone in the pto shaft. It's not pretty. They shouldn't need the extra weight, good teeth on the bit should do.

Run engine real slow, as mentioned.

Keep the tractor in neutral - you likely have the 2-stage clutch, and if you dig down, forget you have it in gear & let the clutch out, it will bend the auger.....

However, once you dig down a foot or so, you likely will need to pull ahead a couple inches. The 3pt as it moves down will move the phd back, and create a crooked hole if you don't pull ahead a little bit.

Rocks are heck. No other way to put it.

Wet ground sticks, dry or sand ground powders off.

Not much to it. Unless you find rocks.

--->Paul

 

[Heyseed]

thanks I had not thought of how fast to set the throttle. Ground has been dry and hard as nails, we have had some make up rain but that will probably just keep the dust down. I know rocks will be in play here in VA they are our number 1 ground crop.

 

[Davis In SC]

Not a bad idea, to have a big pipe wrench handy, in case the auger catches a big root or rock. That way you can unscrew it from the ground..

 

[Anonymous-0]

You don't want it to kill the engine. It could break the PTO shaft on the tractor the same way a rototiller can if it's not lifted out of the ground when shutting the PTO off. When drilling, go up and down a little with the auger. This will help to clear the hard material after its been dug and can prevent the auger from getting stuck. If you're going a few feet deep, bring the auger up after each foot or so to clear the material. I've drilled some 24 inch holes for trees with an 8N with no problems and have also done lots of post holes with a skid steer. Same basic process. Dave