Anyone Have Experience with Powered Post Hole Diggers?

WhiteHawk

WhiteHawk

Club Member
Since I can't get any fence people to either return my calls, or give me less than 9 months lead time, I am going to make a go of this project myself. I am putting up a 40' long fence, need six 24" deep holes. Was going to rent something, but I see that I can buy a basic power auger at Harbor freight for $200 that has the 6". Home Depot sells a similar one for $270 with an 8 "bit. Anyone ever use one of these? I just don't want to get it and find out it was a waste of money and end up using a shovel and one of those funny hole scoops anyways.

Thank you.

-Geoff
 
Not sure how your soil is, but I used a tow behind rental deal from Home depot when I built a batting cage a few years back. I went 4' deep with ease. I'd mark out all your holes and just rent one for a day. That way you don't have to store something you'll very rarely use.
 
CALL MISS DIG!!! Before you drill those holes.

https://www.missdig811.org/homeowners/homeowner.html

It's smart, safe & free.

With only 6 holes, I'd hand dig. I use a combination of the hand "clam shell" digger
and the hand auger digger. Otherwise, I agree, rent a power auger unit for the day.



51QnClfnEJL._SL1200_.jpg


These things work great, the calm shell style, not so much.
Soften the ground with a little water for a few days before
digging as well.

Also, when you add a half a bag of cement to each hole, mixing
with water is not necessary.
 
I helped a buddy do his fence with a Harbor freight post hole digger it worked good. I would pay the extra few dollars for their in store exchange warranty. My brother-n-law rented one from Home depot, The shaft snapped on the first hole. Luckily he opted for insurance when he rented or else they said he would've been resposible for the repair cost.
 
Remember, powered auger's have a "shear bolt", it's a low-grade bolt
meant to be the weak point of the auger system to break first (cheapest
part of the system) to avoid damaging the auger or the gearbox.
 
4Gas$ said:
Remember, powered auger's have a "shear bolt", it's a low-grade bolt
meant to be the weak point of the auger system to break first (cheapest
part of the system) to avoid damaging the auger or the gearbox.
Click to expand...

Makes sense
 
4Gas$ said:
CALL MISS DIG!!! Before you drill those holes.

https://www.missdig811.org/homeowners/homeowner.html

It's smart, safe & free.

With only 6 holes, I'd hand dig. I use a combination of the hand "clam shell" digger
and the hand auger digger. Otherwise, I agree, rent a power auger unit for the day.

These things work great, the calm shell style, not so much.
Soften the ground with a little water for a few days before
digging as well.

Also, when you add a half a bag of cement to each hole, mixing
with water is not necessary.
Click to expand...

I agree on the hand tools actually, but I have not had any luck finding anything like that pic around here. Any suggestions? I hate to mail order something like that.

-Geoff
 
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orangejuiced86 said:
Not sure how your soil is, but I used a tow behind rental deal from Home depot when I built a batting cage a few years back. I went 4' deep with ease. I'd mark out all your holes and just rent one for a day. That way you don't have to store something you'll very rarely use.
Click to expand...

I saw that big dog. I think that is the nuclear option. Probably four of the six holes will be easy. That last two are going to be a nightmare of tree roots. I figured I would be sticking my chainsaw down the hole at some point.

-Geoff
 
As mentioned, call MS DIG...
Once they mark it, call again and have them confirm.
I had my yard marked to do french drains, running the trencher I ran over the phone line for the block, and was about 6" away from the AC line service into the house.
They missed those by accident.
 
Call Miss Dig, but that won't help you with locating wires for the dog or sprinklers or or or or.

I use an Earthquake 10" auger on a 12" extension (less bending over) for most any job. I have a 6" and 8" auger also. Works great. Probably done 1000 holes with it by now.

I have broke the keyway a couple times, but it's right at the edge of breaking your wrists when it goes.
 
I’ve got a guy just did mine and my neighbors and also doing 4 other neighbors on my block in the next few weeks. I’ll PM you.

Just sent you his name and number.
 
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orangejuiced86 said:
Did you try Family fence in eastpoint? I had good luck with them at my old house.
Click to expand...

Yea, we called them last April and they told us maybe by November. I should have signed them up then! I ended up just deciding to do it myself but then the sewage flood hit, and life got in the way

-Geoff
 
camaromann said:
I’ve got a guy just did mine and my neighbors and also doing 4 other neighbors on my block in the next few weeks. I’ll PM you.

Just sent you his name and number.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the tip, he is coming over tomorrow. Hopefully my post digging days are behind me!

-Geoff
 
I had 11 holes to dig in hard clay for a small pole barn I built. I rented an hand powered auger from HD (not the tow behind type with the down pressure). Out of the 11 I was able to drill one of them. The clay was so thick the auger just didn’t have what it took to get the job done. I ended up having a buddy come over with a skid steer with an auger attachment, best $50 and a 30 pack Old Milwaukee I can think of. Lesson learned for next time.
 
I bought one from depot a couple of years ago since the purchase was about the same a renting one. As long as you aren't in an area full of roots the smaller ones do just fine.
 
Atrus said:
I just ordered one of these off Amazon - $120 and I got it within a few days. Seems very easy to use. For 6 holes only 24" deep, I would go with this.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002N8OE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Click to expand...

I actually found one at Gilbert's Ace Hardware on Harper, it was $70 but not adjustable like the one you are showing. I am hoping I won't need it if the fence guy actually shows up today. I got a line they also have them at Lewis Equipment Rental on 9 mile based on their ebay listing. I will probably end up going to one of those places if I have to do it myself.

-Geoff
 
If your putting up chain link fence I would just use a post pounder on a steel post. I have one somewhere you can borrow or buy one for about $60 at tractor supply. I used steel post for a wooden privacy fence last year and it worked great, I put them down almost 40” though lol.
 
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