How long does it take to dig a post hole?

Post Hole Digging Tools 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.

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.

Can I use an auger for fence posts? When it comes to digging fence post holes for a new pasture, augers are the way to go. Whether you’re using a handheld auger or (better yet) a tractor-mounted model, augers significantly speed up and simplify the process compared to manual post-hole diggers.

What is a good brand auger?

Should I use an auger or post hole digger? Post hole diggers focus on one task – they dig holes for posts, whereas a hole auger is suited for a wide variety of tasks around the garden. 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.

How deep should a fence post hole be?

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 long does it take to dig a post hole? – Related Questions

How big of a hole do I 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 deep should a 8 foot fence post be?

For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you’ll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone.

How long does it take to dig a fence post hole with an auger?

Augers are available for rent at tool rental centers at a cost of around $60 a day. 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 dig holes in a fence post?

How deep can a one man auger dig?

The available depths for an auger are generally 3 and 4 feet–but there are augers that exist that allow you to drill with more width and depth. Those wielding a one-man auger shouldn’t use it for any holes exceeding 8 inches in diameter. Whereas two-man augers get the job done for a maximum of 18 inches in diameter.

Do manual post hole diggers work?

For long swathes of new fencing, manual post hole diggers are a lot of work, but they are much more efficient than digging holes out with a spade and also give you neater edges so if you decide to use cement to set your fence posts, you’ll have a better set a the base as a result with less soil dilution on the edges.

Will a post hole auger cut through roots?

Post hole diggers are not capable of cutting through large roots, and it is time consuming to try and chop the root out by hand. The most effective method of installing a post through a root is to drill through it.

How many bags of cement do I need for a fence post?

1 – 4 bags of concrete per fence post are typically what’s needed. This depends on the type of soil, fence design, height, post size and bag weight. In general the depth of the post’s hole needs to be 1/3 to 1/2 of the above ground height of the post.

Should fence posts be set in concrete?

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.

Is 18 inches deep enough for a fence post?

The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.

How long will a treated 4×4 post last in the ground?

A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil. There are a few factors that influence how long the 4×4 can last in the ground.

How many bags of quikrete do I need for a post hole?

Most fence post holes will need between 1 – 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place. The best way to determine the size of the hole is: Diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. Depth of the hole is one-third to half the above ground height of the fence post.

Is an 8 hole big enough for a 4×4?

Therefore, the 4×4 post will likely fit into a hole drilled by a 6″ diameter auger. However, this leaves less than 1/2″ at the widest part for cement or dirt to be packed in to secure the post. For this reason, an 8″-10″ auger would work much better and provide the necessary fill space for cement or tamping.

Should fence post be higher than fence?

If you’re setting wooden or concrete posts in concrete you’ll need 8ft (2.4m) posts for a 6ft (1.828m) fence – i.e. your posts are 2ft (0.6m) longer than the fence height. Use 4in x 4in posts for fences of 5ft and over and 3in x 3in posts for anything under 5ft.

Can you set a post with dry concrete?

Fast-setting concrete is ideal for setting posts because there’s no mixing—you simply pour the dry concrete from the bag right into the hole, then add water.

What is the best cement for fence posts?

Overall, the 50lb Quikrete Fast Setting Concrete Mix is what I found works best for installing a fence post. It’s easy to work with, sets fast, and is very strong.

How many post holes can you dig in a day?

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.

Can I use ice auger to drill post holes?

How do you dig holes in a 4×4 post?

In general, the post hole should be one third as deep as the fence is tall. So, if you’re installing a 6-foot tall fence, your post hole should be at least two feet deep. You’ll also want to be sure the bottom of the post sits below the frost line.

Is it easier to dig wet or dry soil?

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.

What is the easiest way to dig a hole?

How do you use a hand post hole auger?

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 a hole do I need 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.

How big of a hole do I need for a 4×6 post?

For a six-foot-tall post, therefore, you would dig a hole two feet deep. The ideal diameter, meanwhile, should measure three times the width of the post. So, for a standard 4×4, the ideal hole would span twelve inches across.

What is the diameter of a post hole digger?

Best Heavy-Duty Post Hole Digger It also comes with three auger bits ranging from six to 12 inches in diameter.