Digging postholes is an effortful task that takes much work, so having a post hole auger and being well prepared are both essential to its success.
Comfort should also be an integral factor when selecting a post hole digger. A long handle can help alleviate back strain, while short handles may be difficult to turn. Be on the lookout for handles with grips as well as gloves with padding for optimal performance.
Build the Frame
As with any DIY project, it is always advisable to be vigilant in regard to safety when working. Therefore, it would be prudent to wear a dust mask for protection from flying dirt particles as well as safety goggles to shield your eyes from harm. Furthermore, sturdy footwear that can withstand post hole auger movement should also be worn as loose clothing may get caught by its moving parts and become trapped there.
As soon as you plan to use a DIY Digger on rocky terrain, safety must always come first. To prevent accidents and ensure utility services can locate and mark their buried facilities before digging. Suppose you pre-mark the work area with white paint, flags, or rope to help utilities locate their underground facilities before digging. Once pre-marked, please submit an online Locate Request form detailing its type and location so we may review these requests within the same day.
Unlike most post hole augers powered by gas or diesel engines, the Easy Auger uses a hydraulic system for digging power. This innovative design is extremely compact, requires no special attachments, and works effectively on soft or hard ground. Available in two sizes up to 18'' wide it can also be fitted with various bits, teeth, and extensions that can reach depths of 66 feet deep!
The engine of this device is small enough to run from any standard household 240V 13A power supply and provides working hydraulic pressure of up to 3000psi - giving it similar digging power as larger machines in an easily portable package.
Are You Searching for a Reliable Post Hole Digger to Aid in DIY Projects? Consider Hiring one from Hirepool! With an array of equipment rental solutions for fencing, decking, and garden maintenance projects ranging from fencing, decking, and maintenance needs - head on over to our Equipment Hire page, select what gear is needed, book it online then collect from one of our nearby branches.
Build the Auger
An essential tool when planting shrubs, building fences, or erecting flagpoles is the post hole auger - an auger that resembles a drill bit and digs holes of exactly the right size to accommodate posts, poles, and structures. You can buy this tool, but creating your own is often faster and cheaper.
DIY auger plans and kits are readily available; alternatively, you could construct one yourself using either an existing digger or tractor attachment. To be effective at this endeavor, it is crucial that the auger head has sufficient power for your task and is of suitable diameter.
Standard augers are best used for digging garden holes and will not suffice when it comes to post holes. An 8-foot (2.4 meter) post hole requires an auger with at least an 8-foot blade length - some companies offer special pole-hole auger bits specifically tailored for such jobs.
Before beginning to dig, contact all utility companies in your area and have all lines marked on the surface. Doing this may be illegal in certain regions and could potentially damage buried lines that could potentially cause severe accidents.
Once you have marked the location for your hole, stand directly over it with feet shoulder-width apart and use a post-hole digger with twin blades to compress them together and bring them closer together. Press into the earth, using its twin blades to cut through soil and turf (if present) while thrusting until reaching the desired depth - if roots or other materials interfere, simply rotate the head and try again.
Once you reach the desired depth, remove the auger by squeezing its handles together to close its blades and safely extract it from the hole. Be wary not to bury itself or its handle beneath the soil!
If you need to dig several holes quickly and safely in a short period, a skid steer with an auger attachment can be much faster and safer than doing the work by hand. Just keep in mind that its operation may be more costly than that of towable diggers; additionally, its size requires you to transport it on a larger trailer.
Build the Motor
Digging holes for fence posts, planting trees and deck footings is an arduous task that takes up valuable time. A powered auger may make this task simpler if you have lots of holes to punch - however, before renting one make sure the rental store clerk demonstrates how it's used and what equipment needs to be brought along; most augers require two people assisting each other while wrestling the machine around; eye/hearing protection as well as sturdy gloves/boots must also be worn while operating an auger safely - call before starting - before diving in!
An auger's powerful engine drives a long shaft with an auger bit attached at one end that can be adjusted to various sizes for use. Most augers are designed to dig to three feet deep; however, you may request an extension rod at no extra charge to drill deeper holes. Rockier soils may bog down an auger and necessitate manual digging instead; frequent clearing of holes is advised to prevent an auger from becoming clogged with dirt which may become difficult to lift out from beneath ground!
A clamshell posthole digger can help loosen stubborn roots, remove loose dirt at the bottom of completed holes, and is the optimal tool for digging extremely hard soils like clay.
For added efficiency on a compact tractor with a 3-point hitch, add an auger designed specifically for tractor use to its rear PTO and use it similarly to a manual posthole digger. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when hooking up and using this implement safely; too much PTO power may damage the tractor, and never drive at full speed over a concrete foundation or wet conditions as this could cause it to spin uncontrollably and possibly get stuck.
Build the Brackets
Renting a power auger can transform a tedious task into an efficient one, though it is an expensive tool. If you want to use one for digging postholes for deck footing or fence posts quickly and efficiently. But digging by hand can become time-consuming.
As such, this DIY plan for creating a homemade auger is an economical and rewarding DIY project that saves money, offers a challenge, and brings satisfaction upon completion. Furthermore, this saves money and effort spent renting one from an equipment rental store, eliminating refueling or returning fees to be covered as well.
Joel created an adaptor plate for this design that allows an auger to pivot left or right while keeping all other components, including the motor, gearbox, and counterweight, in place. To prevent interference with his driver's view while not digging holes, Joel installed tube steel stiffening plates as well as adding a bungee cord that keeps the PTO shaft up when not digging holes.
Joel's design stands out from many DIY plans on this site because it incorporates a hydraulic system to drive his auger, making it simple for one person to operate the machine. A salvaged hydraulic pump and gearbox are connected to a commercial-grade tractor motor via a bushing made of steel which joins their different-sized shafts together - this combination makes for effortless drilling of 30+ holes per day!
Before using a power auger, you must contact the utility companies within 24 hours and mark your work area with white paint, flags, or rope. Utility representatives will come out within the next day or so and mark any underground gas, power, telephone, and cable lines that could potentially be severed by an auger bit. Once these lines have been marked, contact your local building inspector about minimum hole depth requirements for your project and discuss the location of postholes with neighbors as well as utility company representatives so everyone understands where these holes will go.