Buying Guide for Augers Posthole Diggers
This piece of equipment is used for digging postholes and trenches. We construct the posthole by digging the bottom part of the hole, then we place the auger down the hole to stabilize it. At this time we can place the soil in the hole and cover the hole. If the hole is a large one we can place the auger in a central location, then we can use the handle to pull the auger as we move towards the sides of the hole. This can be used for placement of cement footings, as well as for placing the soil in the hole.
Benefits of Augers Posthole Diggers
They Don't Need Gas
A handheld auger, like any machine with a small engine, requires routine maintenance and a steady supply of fuel. Whereas an auger can run out of gas at an inconvenient time—like when you’re at the far edge of a pasture and a quarter mile from your tool shed—an old-fashioned post-hole digger runs on manpower. If you provide the power, the post-hole digger will do the rest.
Easy to Use
Some augers can be heavy and difficult to control, requiring more than one person to use. This is far from the case with a simple post-hole digger, which can be used by a single person and requires no special effort to prepare. You simply pick it up and start digging.
Easy to Transport
Machines like augers require a certain amount of care to avoid damage, but a post-hole digger is essentially two shovels connected together—you’re not going to easily damage it, so don’t hesitate about throwing it in a wagon or the back of a pickup truck.
Perfect for Simple Task
Picture these scenarios: An old fence post has rotted and broken off at the base, requiring a new post to be installed. Or you’re building a fancy trellis for your garden and want to put a couple of large posts in the ground. You could fire up an auger to dig the needed holes, but for simple tasks like these, post-hole diggers can be more convenient and help you complete the job without much effort on your part. And if your auger isn’t a handheld model and is instead mounted on your tractor, then a post-hole digger might be the only option for digging holes in small, delicate spaces like a garden.
Factors to Consider Before Buying of Augers Posthole Diggers
Engine Power
The power on an earth auger ranges between 2HP to 5HP. The larger ones are best suited for harder soil. When buying earth auger, you will have a choice between two-stroke and four-stroke engines. Machines with two-stroke engines are affordable but produce a lot of noise and require high maintenance whereas four-stroke machines produce lesser noise with simpler operation.
Diameter of Drill Bit
The diameter of earth auger bits ranges from 2” to 12” for one man operated machines and to 14” for two-man operated. Clearly, it is important to determine the drill bit size on the auger you purchase as this will determine the diameter of poles you can place into the hole that you make.
Depth Capacity
Depth is another factor in selecting earth auger. To dig deeper, more powerful engine and a larger bit is required. Typically, the depth of the auger bit is 2.5 feet or 76 cm. To dig deeper, extension up to 7.5 feet can be used.
Size
The auger come in sizes ranging from two to nine inches in diameter. The 2- and 3-inch diameter augers can be powered by a regular power drill. They come in lengths ranging between 7 inches and 48 inches. Larger digging augers (4, 5, 7, 8 and 9-inch diameters) all require a gas power head or a minimum of 60V of power output to use. View our auger sizing page for more help deciding what size of auger is right for you.
Conclusion
If you need to dig a hole, you can choose all sorts of tools to use, from shovels to post-hole diggers. However, the power of an earth auger will help you dig that hole more quickly with less effort. If you have multiple holes to dig, you'll finish that project much sooner than you would by using a simple shovel. If your outdoor project is looking daunting, don't dig yourself into a hole. Dig your holes with an earth auger instead!
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