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Experience using towed auger/post hole digger?

Discussion in 'Garage / Workshop' started by kingston73, Oct 29, 2015.

  1. Oct 29, 2015 at 8:12 AM
    #1
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Curious to hear from anybody with experience with towed post hole augers. I live in new england with fairly rocky soil and will be digging about 40 post holes for a fence. I have a manual auger (haven't tried it yet) and can rent a towed auger for $95/day, a tomcat with auger attachement for $300/day, or a hydraulic auger on a self propelled track for the same price. It's on level ground, any input or suggestions are appreciated.
     
  2. Oct 29, 2015 at 9:39 AM
    #2
    Maticuno

    Maticuno Resident Pine Swine

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    By "manual" do you mean handheld but gas driven?
     
  3. Oct 29, 2015 at 10:53 AM
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    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  4. Oct 29, 2015 at 11:51 AM
    #4
    Maticuno

    Maticuno Resident Pine Swine

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    In rocky soil, I wouldn't be either. Even a two person unit will bruise you up pretty badly if it catches something.

    I don't have any personal experience with one, but a local support group has a specially built truck with a Bobcat auger mounted at the end of a crane arm mounted in the back of an F-350. It seems to work pretty well.
     
  5. Oct 29, 2015 at 1:17 PM
    #5
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Reserected from the dead.
    I've used both. The towable unit will make the holes deeper and you need 2 people to use it. It really helps when the other person pushes down to help pull auger out of the hole. Once you figure it out, it can be very fast.

    I own a tracked model. It works good, but is slower, but you only need one person to auger holes. It is more difficult to get holes that are drilled straight down.

    In short, if you have help, use the tow behind as long as ground is not hilly. If by yourself, use the self propelled.
     
    kingston73[OP] likes this.

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