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The most common tool fence builders use for digging post holes is the very aptly named post-hole digger, also known as a clamshell digger. If the soil is loose and muddy, this tool is all you need. In such soil, it can dig a 4-foot-deep hole that is the perfect size for a fence post in a matter of minutes.
How long should it take to dig a hole?
Pace yourself, as a steady pace is always best For instance, digging a hole about 4′ deep, by 3′ wide, by 4′ long takes anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours. It depends on the ground conditions, and the ability of who’s digging the hole.
How many post holes can you dig in a day?
Gas Auger Overview Augers are very powerful machines with a lot of torque that can throw you like a sack of potatoes if the auger bit encounters a rock or a root. If your soil is loamy or sandy, you too can drill 30 holes in a day’s worth of rental.
How long does it take to dig post holes with an auger?
Power augers can dig as many holes in an hour as a post hole digger can dig in eight hours, with hole sizes ranging from 6” diameter holes and up.
How long does it take to dig a 4 foot post hole?
Post Hole Digging Tools If the soil is loose and muddy, this tool is all you need. In such soil, it can dig a 4-foot-deep hole that is the perfect size for a fence post in a matter of minutes.
How fast can a man dig?
It takes 5.8 hours to dig 4 cubic yards of earth in light soil (sand, silt, loess, etc.) Digging in Medium Soil: Manual excavation standard output rate for excavating in medium soil for trenches 4 to 6 feet deep: 0.54 cy per hour.
Can I dig a post hole with a shovel?
With the turf removed, a long-handled shovel does a good job of removing the dirt. Dig with the blade plumb and the handle pushed forward to keep the walls of the hole straight up and down. Once you’ve sheared off the sides of the hole into the bottom, then you scoop out the loose fill.
How big should the hole be for a 4×4 post?
The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you’re planning on using a four-inch round or 4×4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter. For a six-foot-high fence post, we would need a hole that’s 36 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.
Is a post hole digger worth it?
While that won’t make a lot of difference if you have loamy, soft soil to begin with, for those who have hard-packed clay soils it certainly does. If your soil is very solid, or has a lot of rocks, a post hole digger is an essential tool to have.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
2 feet is the minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for. To dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height, is a general formula. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has.
Do augers work in clay soil?
Augers are also great for soil that is tough to dig. Heavy clay soils, which tend to clump and stick to shovels, are no problem with an auger.
How far apart should fence posts be?
Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn’t cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.
How can I dig faster?
What’s the fastest way to dig a hole? Preparation. If you want to avoid unnecessary exertion and time wasting, try to avoid digging in hard rocky and sandy soils if possible. Using a shovel. Using a manual post hole digger. Using a powered post hole digger. Using a mini excavator or skid steer. Post hole digger hire.
Why is my auger not digging?
An auger that is slow to cut through soil or does not cut at all may indicate an issue with the auger itself. Damaged blades on the auger will prevent it from properly cutting through the ground and moving the dirt up and out of the hole. A local small engine shop or the factory can sharpen the blade on an auger.
How long does it take to dig a 6ft hole?
How long does it take to dig a 6ft deep hole? It takes 0.07 hours (4.24 minutes) to dig 1.23 cubic yards of earth in stable soil. This means it takes 4.24 minutes to dig a 6 foot deep hole of 16 inches diameter.
How do you dig a 6 foot post hole?
How to Dig a Hole: Pro Tips Step 1: String your line and pound the stakes. Step 2: Carve out a soil divot with a spade. Step 3: Loosen earth with a tile shovel. Step 4: Use your clamshell digger. Step 5: Use a reciprocating saw on large roots. Step 6: Dislodge rocks with a digging bar. Step 7: Tamp the soil with the other end.
How much does it cost to have post holes dug?
Dig a post hole: national average cost cost to dig a post hole National Avg. Cost (labor) for 1 hole $74.36 National Cost Range (labor) for 1 hole $42.24 – $106.48.
