Hello everyone, I am currently digging holes to set fence posts in concrete. So far, it has taken me about 7 hours for 12 holes. These are only about 30cm (12 inches) deep with a diameter of approximately 20cm (8 inches). I still need to dig around 25 more holes. The soil is very clayey and rocky. I removed the top 10cm (4 inches) of topsoil with a spade and then used a hammer and chisel to finish the rest. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could make this easier? I am hesitant to use an earth auger because I’m worried it might damage the bit due to the stones and rocks.
Here the soil is very dense, rocky, and clayey:
A very good welded handheld earth auger (mws detachable garden auger / planting auger) DN 200 with a 500mm (20 inch) extension has proven itself with me and seems like a lifetime investment. So far, I have used it for planting holes for hedges and trees, as well as point foundations for garden houses, fences, and pull-up bars. It’s quiet but still quite exhausting 😉 You can get about a meter (3 feet) deep with it, unless you hit solid rock, and it allows you to clear the hole very well even with a small diameter, which is easier on the back. If you need a larger foundation, you can either make two holes or simply widen it by digging with a spade afterwards. This works much more easily when there’s already a hole in the middle!
Much better than any kind of drill attachment toy!
A very good welded handheld earth auger (mws detachable garden auger / planting auger) DN 200 with a 500mm (20 inch) extension has proven itself with me and seems like a lifetime investment. So far, I have used it for planting holes for hedges and trees, as well as point foundations for garden houses, fences, and pull-up bars. It’s quiet but still quite exhausting 😉 You can get about a meter (3 feet) deep with it, unless you hit solid rock, and it allows you to clear the hole very well even with a small diameter, which is easier on the back. If you need a larger foundation, you can either make two holes or simply widen it by digging with a spade afterwards. This works much more easily when there’s already a hole in the middle!
Much better than any kind of drill attachment toy!
I think that will be difficult. Even the simplest motorized earth auger has different requirements compared to an SDS attachment for, for example, a rotary hammer. This starts with the size of the drilling device, the operation while standing, the weight (over 10kg (22 lbs)), and also the power (entry-level 3 HP petrol engine, over 2 kW output).
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Myrna_Loy15 Mar 2022 09:44Take a look at what rental equipment is available at your local home improvement store. Here, you can rent almost everything—from floor sanders and concrete mixers to motorized tillers.
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Stefan2.8415 Mar 2022 10:32I’m going to buy a manual drill and see what I can rent at the hardware store. I just don’t want to damage any rented equipment because of the rocky ground.
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Stefan2.8415 Mar 2022 10:52I will then set these sleeves in concrete. Should you still dig a hole up to 80cm (31.5 inches) deep for that?
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