diggin' holes...

[OIIIIIIIO]

So, I rented an auger to dig some 12" wide holes 4' deep...a fairly big auger...hydraulic...tow behind my truck...still light enough to pull around by hand though...only able to get down to 3' before hitting clay and a rock or two in just the wrong spot...really need to get to 4' for the frost line...

would a more powerful auger do the trick...an attachment on a skidsteer...get me down to 4'? or should I just go back to a long steel spade and a post hole digger?

7 holes to finish..

 

[fury9]

probably, but you should just dig out the rocks by hand and dumping water in the hole works for loosening up the clay. And you only need to go down 42". I have actually beat down a posthole digger with a sledge. Just gotta remind yourself every quarter inch gets you closer.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Without knowing where in Wisconsin he's located, 42" may not be deep enough.

If there are rocks in the way, it won't matter what auger is used, you'll have to drill in a different spot or dig the rock out.

 

[OIIIIIIIO]

I'm in south central Wisconsin...near Madison...guys who dug the foundation went down 4+'...

These are footings for an iron fence...

 

[BD1]

Boy, that's gotta be a heck of a fence. I'm at the Illinois / Wisconsin boarder.
I made four holes 12'' diameter and only was able to get down 36'' to 40'' too. Holes were filled with concrete just above grade. I got a grain hopper bin on it. Weighs about 9,000 pounds filled and has not moved or settled at all.
More info on fence may help. Is the entire hole going to be filled in concrete or just a poured footing.

 

[BigE]

Ask the place you rented it if they have any augers with carbide or rockripper teeth.

 

[jhelrey]

Just use a post hole digger and dig the rock out manually

 

[sberry]

I would probably stop, the rock is proably as good of a footer at that point as anything? Any inspection on this?

 

[OIIIIIIIO]

no inspection...just want it done right...it's not a lot of rock...just one or two in just the wrong spot...I went out and bought a big old steel bar and will dig it out and get the rest of the way by hand...

does this link work for a picture?
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...20561579.70196.100001105295603&type=3&theater

on a side note...i marked this particular picture as "public"...would anyone tell me if they can see any other pictures on my fb? i try to keep it limited to just friends and would like to know from someone who is not my "friend" if other info is visible...thanks!

 

[STClurker]

the link no worky for me

 

[OIIIIIIIO]

try again? i reset privacy settings on the album...

 

[AlmostEngineered]

I can see it just fine. Here it is for anyone that isn't able to:

 

[Donald Cook]

I'm not sure, is it me or is 12" kinda big for a fence post? I put up 400' of chain link at 6" 25 years ago and it hasn't moved.

 

[OIIIIIIIO]

it is big...but it gives me some fudge factor...which I tend to need more than my fair share...

 

[allinon72]

it is big...but it gives me some fudge factor...which I tend to need more than my fair share...

Extra time spent on measuring sure beats several additional hours of backbreaking digging...the difference between 6" and 12" is huge.

 

[badbascom]

I recently dug holes with mini skid steer (walk behind kind), despite there size it was heavy and you have to use down pressure (ie front wheels in the air) to get thru the nasty stuff, takes awhile but it will do it. I wouldnt break my back doing it manually. If you do it manually I would think a sharp shooter and a shop vac would be easier than a post hole digger at that depth.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

I have rented skid steers with the auger for about 300.00. They will dig a lot of holes for the money.

 

[theoldwizard1]

It's a FENCE not a house! 3' is good.

 

[madstat]

Extra time spent on measuring sure beats several additional hours of backbreaking digging...the difference between 6" and 12" is huge.

x2 .... you would be removing 75% less volume going to a 6" auger. Careful layout and attention to detail is what's needed here.

 

[djkeev]

A four foot deep hole a foot in diameter to hold up a four foot high fence!?!?!?!?

You realize that you could erect a small building on those footings?

Relax, it's just a fence.

Dave

 

[jhelrey]

I used to install fences... a little overkill...

 

[OIIIIIIIO]

you guys are probably right...just want to get below the frost line to prevent heaving and twisting it apart...but there are plenty out there that don't have those deep footings that have survived...

 

[Todd.Brock]

I think your killin your self unnecessarily. I live in Ohio. Our frost one is about 30 inches. I dug 6 maybe 8 in holes. And dumped a bag of quickcrete in each hole. Most people I talked to only cemented corners and gate posts. Sve your self the trouble and call it good!

 

[Todd.Brock]

I think your killin your self unnecessarily. I live in Ohio. Our frost line is about 30 inches. I dug 6 maybe 8 in holes. I used a stihl one man auger from the rental place It was a weedwcker motor on a drill bit I dumped a bag of quickcrete in each hole. Most people I talked to only cemented corners and gate posts. Sve your self the trouble and call it good!