digging holes for new posts
#1
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digging holes for new posts
i'm planning to build a new cedar fence in my backyard in areas where there has been no previous fence. i'm a bit concerned about the difficulty of digging 42" holes (i'm in the midwest and i've been told i need to go beneath the freezing point). do i need a special tool for this? a simple spade will certainly not be sufficient...
thanks.
thanks.
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how tough is it to use a one-person augur? and what would you recommend the one person augur or one person post hole digger? (the augur is about double the price of the post hole digger -- is there a correlation between price and productivity?)
#6
Speaking from the experience gained from digging several hundred post holes (ranches, yards, etc), rent a two person auger and recruit a helper or two. Make it a weekend project and fire up the grill and open the cooler when the last hole is dug.
One man augers and post hole diggers are one of the main reasons that acceptable post hole depth tends to decrease as the day wears on - fatigue seems to hinder the ability to accrurately read the tape measure.
One man augers and post hole diggers are one of the main reasons that acceptable post hole depth tends to decrease as the day wears on - fatigue seems to hinder the ability to accrurately read the tape measure.
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thanks. great advice. one follow-up: what does an augur do? if the post hole digger actually scoops the dirt out, how does the augur extract the dirt (especially for a 42" deep hole?)
#8
It works just like a twist drill and channels the dirt back up to the surface.
The best auger, other than the powered TWO-Man, is the one attached to the back of a pto tractor. Really quick!!!
fred
The best auger, other than the powered TWO-Man, is the one attached to the back of a pto tractor. Really quick!!!
fred
#11
Only a true masocist would dig a post hole laying down. It's bad enough digging one kneeling!! (Been there, done that. )
They make clamshell post hole diggers with handles that operate as a linkage for digging holes deeper than ~30" - 36". I've never used one, but I've seen them.
They make clamshell post hole diggers with handles that operate as a linkage for digging holes deeper than ~30" - 36". I've never used one, but I've seen them.
#13
You'll probably need an extension - the rental center should have them in various lengths. Don't get one so long that you can't control the auger when you start the hole.
Are you sure that ALL the posts have to be 42" deep? We don't have frostline issues here (Calif.) but I usually only set my corners really deep. The others can be a little shallower.
Are you sure that ALL the posts have to be 42" deep? We don't have frostline issues here (Calif.) but I usually only set my corners really deep. The others can be a little shallower.