Table of Contents
How long does it take to dig a post hole 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.
Do manual post hole augers work?
Long-handled manual diggers allow for exerting more leverage in the hole for scooping dirt and rocks, making it less likely to lose the soil back into the hole as the tool comes out. They also can dig deeper.
How hard is it to use a one man auger?
How hard is it to use a one-man auger? Harder than you might think, especially if the soil is rocky or made of heavy clay. Ergonomic handlebars designed to reduce vibration and fatigue help. But even when using a one-man auger, you may want a partner to help.
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.
What is the fastest way to dig a post hole?
There’s no question about it — the fastest and easiest way to dig post holes is to use a gas-powered earth auger. Fill the tank with gas, position the auger on the ground, fire it up, hold on tight and watch the soil come streaming out of the hole.
What is the best tool for digging post holes?
The 6 Best Post Hole Diggers True Temper 2704200 Post Hole Digger. AMES 2701600 Post Hole Digger. Seymour Structron Hercules Post Hole Digger. XtremepowerUS Electric Post Hole Digger. Southland SEA438 One Man Earth Auger (Our Top Pick) Hiltex 10525 Electric Earth Auger.
Are post hole diggers hard to use?
Post hole diggers rely on more work than a hole auger, these heavy hand tools are basically thrown hard into the soil with force then lifted out. The harder you throw them, the deeper and faster you dig – but it’s also harder to prise the digger out.
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.
Can 1 man use a 2 man auger?
Whether you’re tasked with digging holes for fence posts, a mailbox, or a garden, shoveling dirt can be a real hassle. Earth augers make any of these jobs faster and less excruciating. They come in one-man or two-man styles, and the bits can be changed for different jobs.
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.
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 deep should my fence posts be in the ground?
Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
How big of a hole do you need 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.
How deep can you dig with post hole diggers?
Post hole diggers have a maximum effective depth of about 3/4 of their handle length, so a five foot pair will dig about 3 1/2 half deep. Very hard earth like clay is extremely difficult to dig with a manual pair of post hole diggers. A rock bar may work on dry clay.
How do you bell the bottom of a post hole?
This is not an exact science, but a simple a guideline. Flare by digging around the sides of the hole at a slight angle. Flare your footing as much as the opening of the hole will allow, making a gradual slope from the beginning of flare to the base of the post hole, and remove any excess dirt with a shovel.
Do augers work in rocky soil?
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. But rocky ground or heavy clay can stymie even the most powerful auger.
