Hey everyone! I'm wondering if anyone in Milwaukee has heard of any plans for an earth auger. I'm really tired of dealing with gas-powered tools and I've noticed that Ryobi offers them in their 18v and 40v series. However, I'd rather not add another battery system to my garage if I can help it. I specifically want it for digging fence post holes, and based on what I've read, the Ryobi 18v model should be good enough for that purpose.
3 Answers
I've got a bunch of Ryobi 18v tools and honestly, they aren't as bad as some people claim. Ryobi’s 18v platform offers around 300 tools that all share the same batteries, which is pretty handy. However, I've had mixed results with their outdoor power equipment. The 8" chainsaw and pruner work great, but their string trimmers and blowers left me wanting more. On the other hand, their 40v outdoor equipment is pretty solid and I have an attachment for power heads that outperforms the gas version I used to have. Just a heads up though, the 18v hole digger only comes in 3" and 6" sizes. Is that deep enough for your fence posts? Here, we typically dig 10 or 12" holes at 36" deep to deal with frost.
I used to have the Ryobi 6" 18v and their 8" 40v auger, but they just couldn’t handle the clay soil and rocks on my property out in coastal California. If you're dealing with similar conditions, I'd recommend sticking with a traditional digging bar. I’ve had better luck using a sawzall with a scraper blade in tight spots, almost like a mini jackhammer.
TTI (the parent company of Milwaukee) seems to really want us to buy into their multiple battery systems. I mean, they boast about their Packout system, yet Ryobi is the only brand making a battery-operated cooler. Why isn’t there a Milwaukee M18 battery-operated cooler for the Packout line? It’s a bit odd if you ask me.