I'm planning to dig around 30 post holes by hand, and I'm looking for the best manual tool to use. I've come across three main designs that seem popular:
1. An auger - This is the only type I've used before, and it worked well with minimal effort.
2. A shovel auger - Seems quite similar, but you need to lift it out frequently to dump the soil.
3. A post hole digger - It looks like the toughest option for hard ground, plus it's the priciest in stores.
I'm curious about what others have experienced with these tools. What have you found to be effective or ineffective?
5 Answers
I've used the post hole digger on my property, which has heavy clay soil. It’s not about standing on it, but driving it down into the ground. It does the job surprisingly well, especially if you have a digging bar for loosening rock or clay!
It really depends on the soil type! If you've got clay or rocks, the first two options might not work too well, and you could be better off with the post hole digger. But if you're working with sand, a small spade and a shop vac could actually do the trick surprisingly well!
One great tip I picked up is to use a pressure washer and a shop vac. The pressure washer breaks the soil down, and you can suck it out with the vac. I used this method when a friend's water pipe burst, and it worked like a charm—although it does get a bit messy!
In the UK, we often use a tool called a Grafter in conjunction with a post hole digger. It might be worth looking into if you're open to trying something different!
Can you share a link or picture of that tool?
I get what you're saying about not being able to stand on the post hole digger. The trick is to pinch the handles, slam it down, spread the handles to pull out dirt. It's hard work, but if you're digging 30 holes, you might want to rent a gas-powered auger to save yourself at least 8 hours of labor!
That sounds less efficient than a tool you can turn slowly.
Definitely consider pairing the post hole digger with a digging bar. You can cut one side and tamp down with the other. If you're setting concrete posts, you'll mainly just need the cutting side! It can be tough on hard ground, though, so be prepared for some hard work!
So I need to get yet another tool? I hope this means #3 is worth it!
I have some rocks too, but decent soil overall.