Gas post hole digger / auger recommendation

[jacobm99]

Looking for a gas powered post hole digger / auger in the $200 - $300 range. There seem to be a lot of off-brand names available at Home Depot, Amazon, Lowes and Harbor Freight with generally the same specs (2 stroke 43cc). Anyone have experience with these or any others?

 

[fl18guy]

are you going to use it commercially or for private use at home. If it was for home use, I would just rent one. For commercial use I would look at a tractor mounted one or a bigger 4 handled one, usually have more power, but are harder to control with two people.

 

[gdocktor3]

Those things ****. I used one from HD this summer. I would rent one if its a one time thing, but after using the rental for a weekend, I returned it and bought a tractor mounted one from some guy on CL for $600 and borrowed my cousin's machine. That's how much they ****. If you're digging through roots and rock filled soil like I was, goooood luck! With that said, the HD rental had quite a bit of power and worked pretty good. I don't remember if it was the Earthquake or not though.

 

[kctyphoon]

I think you'd be fine with any of them. Read the reviews, go from there... I've used the 4 handle versions in the past, well worth it for a lot of holes.. It's a tough crowd in here sometimes. You hit rocks or roots with a shovel it's no easier.. I dig a lot of holes, I'd take any help from a machine any day.. Call for markouts if there is a chance of utility services nearby. It's free..

 

[KaHuNaZ]

I used a hand held auger while building a fence for my sister. I didnt hit any rocks, but she has a hard compacted dirt/clay that made the thing useless. I tried soaking the holes with water over night and the auger would just spin on top of the dirt/mud layer. I spent days chipping away with a digging bar before I said **** it and bought a jackhammer with a spade shovel attachment. I picked up one of those sub $200 generic style demo hammers from amazon. It was fantastic. Even if it were to die out after the job was finished, it would be worth it. I only wish I had picked it up sooner. It would have saved me over a week in hard labor.

I dont use the thing very often, but if it breaks on me, I would probably fork out the cash for a bosch or something similar. Definitely a tool I want to have at my disposal in the future.

 

[gdocktor3]

I think you'd be fine with any of them. Read the reviews, go from there... I've used the 4 handle versions in the past, well worth it for a lot of holes.. It's a tough crowd in here sometimes. You hit rocks or roots with a shovel it's no easier.. I dig a lot of holes, I'd take any help from a machine any day.. Call for markouts if there is a chance of utility services nearby. It's free..

Only difference is a shovel isn't spinning at 5000 rpms with long metal handles sticking out trying to hit you.

 

[kctyphoon]

Only difference is a shovel isn't spinning at 5000 rpms with long metal handles sticking out trying to hit you.

That's why there's a throttle, and you DONT dig at full speed.. You go in slow, and use the throttle to clean the hole out and let the auger remove the dirt up once you've established it's clear.. What did you think would happen if you spin the thing at full throttle not knowing what's in your path. You go down slow and probe first. Even with our hydraulic diggers at work, you dig slow first. You never know what's underground.

 

[slow_mow]

My girlfriend and I just put in 300' of fence. I rented one of these:

http://www.groundhoginc.com/productview.php?iProductID=8

This thing kicks ***! We live in an extremely rocky area, and it had no problems at all. I've used the hand held, most important accessory to those is your health insurance card!!

If you can find one of these to rent, don't hesitate! It buries the 18" auger no problem.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I used a hand held auger while building a fence for my sister. I didnt hit any rocks, but she has a hard compacted dirt/clay that made the thing useless. I tried soaking the holes with water over night and the auger would just spin on top of the dirt/mud layer. I spent days chipping away with a digging bar before I said **** it and bought a jackhammer with a spade shovel attachment. I picked up one of those sub $200 generic style demo hammers from amazon. It was fantastic. Even if it were to die out after the job was finished, it would be worth it. I only wish I had picked it up sooner. It would have saved me over a week in hard labor.

I dont use the thing very often, but if it breaks on me, I would probably fork out the cash for a bosch or something similar. Definitely a tool I want to have at my disposal in the future.

I'm glad you mentioned that. I have one of those jackhammers as well, a similar cheap one from Amazon. Worked great to break up a bunch of concrete around the yard. I have to dig 3-4 holes for deck footings soon and I was looking at the cheap gas augers but was hesitant because we have hard clay soil here. I'll have to give the jackhammer a shot before I go renting an auger.

 

[slow_mow]

A digger derrick (I work on them for a living) and a handheld auger are two completely different animals! LOL

You must have nice soft soil in Jersey for a handheld unit to work for you. Wouldn't last an hour in my neck of the woods.

OP, how is the soil where you live? That could definitely be a determining factor. I could definitely see one working fine in the right location.

 

[gdocktor3]

That's why there's a throttle, and you DONT dig at full speed.. You go in slow, and use the throttle to clean the hole out and let the auger remove the dirt up once you've established it's clear.. What did you think would happen if you spin the thing at full throttle not knowing what's in your path. You go down slow and probe first. Even with our hydraulic diggers at work, you dig slow first. You never know what's underground.

Well, full speed is 10,000 rpm.

Seriously, I was just making a point. Even at slow speed you can't avoid everything. That's why there are shear pins on machines with augers.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Years ago, my neighbor and I rented a 2 man post hole digger w a 5ph B&S. Spun us both around when we hit clay. Took over 30 minutes to get the bit out.

You must have nice soft soil in Jersey for a handheld unit to work for you. Wouldn't last an hour in my neck of the woods.

If you really need to BUY a post hole digger, and it is for a 1 man operation, I don't think there is anything you can buy that will handle clay and rock in that price range.

You need something like this



or this

 

[kctyphoon]

A digger derrick (I work on them for a living) and a handheld auger are two completely different animals! LOL

You must have nice soft soil in Jersey for a handheld unit to work for you. Wouldn't last an hour in my neck of the woods.

OP, how is the soil where you live? That could definitely be a determining factor. I could definitely see one working fine in the right location.

Umm, yea the machines are different - how they react if you hit something at full speed - not good for either.. The technique is the same, use common sense.. It's nice that you work on them for a living, but I operate them for a living. It's digging a hole, not exactly rocket science.. Would you put your hand in a pot of water without testing the water first? Can we please NOT over complicate this one too?

 

[jacobm99]

Thanks guys. I'm in the bay area, so my soil is not clay, but we did just have it compacted with a bob cat after some grading work, and there are some roots and a few rocks, but probably nothing like some of you experience in your neck of the woods.

I don't have access to a trailer, so am just looking for a one-man auger that will save some labor but not break the bank (while also not being a piece of junk).

I did look in to renting one, but with the number of projects i have and the time i am planning on using it, it makes more sense to buy a decent one for $200-$300. I looked at the various reviews and they generally seemed good for the ones I mentioned, but there was no clear winner or differentiating factors, so was hoping some folks here had some experiences they could share.

 

[johndeereman]

At workWE JUST SCORED A USED RENTAL UNIT FROM HD 2 MAN WITH 6'' AND 8'' BITS FOR I BELIEVE $500.00 buck's. so far it has preformed flawlessly last week we drilled 50 holes in clayish soil with some rock.

 

[gdocktor3]

Just typed in "Stihl" on Amazon Warehouse and this popped up. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WU87FBM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jacobm99]

Just typed in "Stihl" on Amazon Warehouse and this popped up. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WU87FBM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks. I did sift through Amazon Warehouse, but $1500 is more than i want to spend, although i do like the idea of a 4-stroke honda engine (just not the price).

 

[theoldwizard1]

At workWE JUST SCORED A USED RENTAL UNIT FROM HD 2 MAN WITH 6'' AND 8'' BITS FOR I BELIEVE $500.00 buck's. so far it has preformed flawlessly last week we drilled 50 holes in clayish soil with some rock.

I don't know how to get on HD "list" for used equipment, buy they sell stuff before it gets too old. You can get some good bargains !

 

[KaHuNaZ]

I'm glad you mentioned that. I have one of those jackhammers as well, a similar cheap one from Amazon. Worked great to break up a bunch of concrete around the yard. I have to dig 3-4 holes for deck footings soon and I was looking at the cheap gas augers but was hesitant because we have hard clay soil here. I'll have to give the jackhammer a shot before I go renting an auger.

The Clay my sister has was a nightmare to deal with. My bro in law and I both put our full weight into it and it still only spun on the clay layer. The motor was powerful enough to keep spinning the auger even with our combined weight pushing down. I even tried sharpening the auger bit with my grinder and changing the profile a bit. It was useless. I have only used an auger once before and it made beautiful perfect holes with little effort.

If you have the right dirt, an auger would be my first choice especially for fence posts. If you have hard compacted clay, then Id pick up the spade shovel attachment for your jackhammer. A post hole digger is helpful in removing the dirt from the hole. I remember cursing up a storm because I didnt have the right tool for the job. The jackhammer really was a life saver on this particular project.

 

[davewo]

I bought a little Earthquake through HD years ago. Here's an Amazon link: Earthquake You have to buy an auger bit separately, but both items will still come in around your budget.

 

[jacobm99]

I bought a little Earthquake through HD years ago. Here's an Amazon link: Earthquake You have to buy an auger bit separately, but both items will still come in around your budget.

Thanks. This was one i was looking at. I take it it has been good to you? Any thoughts if you had to do it again, and also recommendations on decent bit that doesn't break the bank?

 

[jacobm99]

I don't know how to get on HD "list" for used equipment, buy they sell stuff before it gets too old. You can get some good bargains !

I ended up buying a used HD rental- 1 man, 4 stroke Subaru motor for $312. I found it using this site they that shows you the rentals for sale:

http://www6.homedepot.com/used-tools/mobile/

 

[gdocktor3]

Is their a warranty or guarantee on that thing?

 

[jacobm99]

Is their a warranty or guarantee on that thing?

I didn't ask, although I doubt it.