Do manual post hole diggers 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. Generally speaking, wider handles are better for powered units.

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 best tool for digging post holes?

You can use a post hole digger or power auger to dig the hole. A post hole digger is a manual tool and will get the job done in average soil. If you have hard, rocky soil or a lot of roots – you may want to opt for a power auger.

How do you use a manual auger post hole digger?

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.

Post Hole Digger Showdown!

What is the difference between an auger and a post hole digger?

Q: What is the difference between an auger and a post hole digger? The difference between the two is in how they dig holes. You thrust a traditional post hole digger into the ground and remove the soil between the scoops. An auger “screws” into the ground and transports dirt along the blade up to the surface.

Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?

The minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for panel sections is 2 feet. A general formula is to dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post's aboveground height. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has, but you must also purchase longer posts.

How deep can a hand auger go?

The maximum depth to which hand augers can be used without power assistance (see Sidewinder) is approximately 20 meters. Hand augers are typically operated by investigators without assistance from IDP equipment operators.

How deep can you dig with a post hole auger?

How Deep Can Power Augers Dig? Most augers dig about 3 ft. deep, but for deeper holes, ask for an extension rod (Photo 5), usually for no extra fee. Deeper holes are typically required for footings for decks or other structures attached to houses located in very cold climates where frost depths exceed 3 ft.

Will an auger go through tree roots?

An auger resembles a large drill, but it is heavy, and it will throw you when it hits the root.

How deep should a 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 big of a hole do you need for a 4x4 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 4x4-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.

Can one person use a two man auger?

Two-man earth augers require two people to operate, but their features make them the best machines to use for serious digging: Heavier weight. Larger and more powerful engines. Grips and handles designed for two-person use.

Can you dig post hole with 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.

How long does it take to dig a 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.

Why is my auger not 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.

Do 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.

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.

How long does it take to dig a 6ft hole?

It takes 0.07 hours (4.24 minutes) to dig 1.23 cubic yards of earth in stable soil. This means it takes 4.24 minutes to dig a 6 foot deep hole of 16 inches diameter.