How do you dig a post hole in hard ground?

Will a 2 man auger go through rock? 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. But rocky ground or heavy clay can stymie even the most powerful auger.

How long does it take to auger a hole? 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 do you use a fence post auger?

What is an auger used for? Simply put, an auger is a spiral-shaped tool that is used to drill holes into the ground and other surfaces or materials. The spiraling metal shaft with a blade at the end of the device is known as a “flighting”. The flighting rotates to scrape, cut, or siphon out drilled materials.

How deep should fence posts be? As a general rule of thumb one-third of your post should be underground, the other two-thirds above. Let’s take a standard 6foot (72 inches) fence as an example. You will need a 9foot (108 Inches) post so that 3ft (35 inches) can be underground and 6ft can be above ground.

How do you dig a post hole in hard ground? – Related Questions

Can you use an auger in wet soil?

Especially if conditions are wet, the grass and vegetation may clog the end of the auger, sticking in place and making it impossible for the blades to get a grip on the soil below. Save yourself some time (and your auger a little trouble) by using a shovel to remove sod before you drill.

Can one person use an auger?

What is an auger used for? A small auger with a 2- to 3-inch diameter bit can be used to plant bulbs or install small poles. A one-man auger with a 6-inch auger bit can be used to dig holes for steel fence posts.

Can an auger go through tree roots?

The most effective method of installing a post through a root is to drill through it. There is a power tool available known as an auger that will drill through the root, and allow you to put the post right where you need it.

Can an auger go through clay?

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.

What size auger is best for fence posts?

A 12-inch auger, best attached to a heavy machine, will create a hole large enough for a 6×6 or 4×6 post and plenty of concrete. Smaller augers, like 4- or 6-inch options, are appropriate for light-duty work (like mailboxes) as well as metal fence posts for chain-link fences.

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.

How big should the hole be for a 6×6 post?

A 6×6 post requires a 10″-diameter hole. Shovel a 6″ layer of gravel into the hole to provide drainage.

Is it worth buying an auger?

An auger gets the job done quicker than a shovel while allowing the operator to stand upright. Because the auger is meant to be held stationary as the hole is bored, there is less stress placed on the hands and arms, as well. For health reasons alone, augers are a worthwhile investment.

How big of an auger do I need?

To choose the auger that best fits your needs, consider how you’ll use it. If you plan on only using your auger to plant plugs, for instance, then a 2- or 3-inch auger will fit your needs. If you anticipate the need to bury stakes or set small posts, then you may prefer a 4-inch auger or another, larger size.

How big of an auger bit do I need?

Should wood fence posts be set in concrete?

At Hercules Fence, we hear the same questions over and over, perhaps none more than “Should my Fence Posts be set in Concrete?” The simple answer is yes. It doesn’t matter if it is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project or a professional installation, wood fence or vinyl fence, your fence posts should be set in concrete.

Do I need to cement fence posts?

Concrete provides a strong foundation for wooden fence posts, but can rot them more quickly. Setting them in dirt, with or without gravel or crushed rock depending on your soil type, can help the posts last longer before going rotten. You can also use metal fence post anchors to prolong their life.

Why do fence posts rot at ground level?

Wood fence posts will rot due to prolonged exposure to moisture in the soil.

Should you wet the ground before using an auger?

Soften the soil Any tough, hardened soil can be softened prior to digging by soaking the area with water to prevent the auger getting stuck in the ground.

Should I wet dirt before digging?

Soil that’s turned over when wet will form clods that will be very difficult to break apart later, Trinklein said. This is because wet soil is more easily compacted than dry soil. He recommends the “baseball test” before you start digging.

How do you soften soil before digging?

How do you get a stuck auger out of the ground?

How do you unclog a drain with an auger?

What is the best tool to cut tree roots?

What is the best saw for cutting tree roots?

Reciprocating saws can work with different kinds of blades, but some work better on tree roots. A chisel blade is best because it has sharp edges that won’t get stuck on small root hairs and tree branches. There are also other root cutter attachments for this job.

How do you dig thick roots?

What is the easiest way to dig in clay soil?

Water Makes Clay Soil Soft Clay’s small particles make it hard to dig through, but they also allow it to hold water much better than sand or silt. So if you want to soften your clay soil for digging post holes, give it a thorough, deep watering.

Is clay easier to dig wet or dry?

Wet clay isn’t much easier to work with, because it’s dense, sticky and difficult to dig out without the shovel becoming stuck. The best way to dig in clay requires loosening it first so you can remove clods of clay from the hole without it sticking to your tools.

Why isn’t my auger digging?

Augers can dig aggressively when their teeth are in good shape, but if not, the auger flighting must pick up the slack and absorb unnecessary wear. Worn teeth can also decrease digging capacity and force the auger to become stuck in the ground.

Can auger go through gravel?

Hold the auger firmly with both hands. Press the trigger throttle slowly to start the auger turning and to begin drilling through the gravel and soil. Apply downward pressure as the auger turns.

Do earth augers work in rocky soil?

For drilling in rocky soils, always recommend heavy-duty augers to avoid damage. These augers are equipped with a more durable tooth and side cutting blades as well as heavy-duty flighting.

How do you dig through rocky ground?

How do you drill holes in rocky soil?