Are you in the search for a posthole digger? We hear you; to run a farm and for things to go smoothly, you need all kinds of tools and equipment, and that includes the best post hole digger you can find. The reason why we’ll be sharing with you, everything you need to know about a posthole digger.
The right post hole digger will help you place posts on your property quickly and efficiently, as this can be a physically demanding task. post hole diggers are also helpful for other landscaping projects, like tilling soil creating planting holes for bushes and trees.
As you can see, a post hole digger is an integral addition to your machinery set, particularly if your farm exceeds a certain size. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about a post hole digger and a lot more.
Post Hole Digger FAQs
What is the best tool for digging post holes?
Don’t stop at a shovel and a clamshell digger if you have more than a couple of postholes to dig. You’ll treasure two more tools just as much. Pick up a tile spade. The long, narrow blade will get you places no other shovel can.
Is a post hole digger worth it?
While that won’t make much difference if you have loamy, soft soil, to begin with, it certainly does for those who have hard-packed clay soils. If your soil is very solid or has a lot of rocks, a post hole digger is an essential tool to have.
Can I dig a post hole with a shovel?
With the turf removed, a long-handled shovel does a good job of removing the dirt. Dig with the blade plumb and the handle pushed forward to keep the hole’s walls straight up and down. Once you’ve sheared off the sides of the hole into the bottom, then you scoop out the loose fill. A Machete could also be helpful; you can choose from very different types of machetes.
What are the different styles of post hole diggers?
These diggers come in different styles, which do essentially the same task.
Manual
Manual post hole diggers are the most common and traditional option for digging holes for fence posts, mailboxes, and lots of other projects. They look similar to giant salad tongs, with a pair of long handles and two hinged scoops on end.
Manual post hole diggers work by thrusting the scoops into the soil, working the handles back and forth a few times to loosen dirt and rocks, and then scooping them out of the hole. Some post hole diggers come with measurements on the handles to track progress quickly.
Gas
When it comes to boring deep holes in a hurry, a gas-operated post hole digger is the way to go. These machines have gasoline-powered engines mounted on top, similar to those found in weed whackers, chainsaws, and lawnmowers.
The engine turns a large auger, allowing it to bore deeply into the ground. There are occasions where a gas-powered post hole digger will bury itself in the ground, catching on a tough root or rock.
Electric
Electric post hole diggers work similarly to gas-powered models but with an electric motor to power the auger. The electric motor is quieter and creates none of the exhaust fumes of a gas option. They’re often lighter, more convenient, and require much less maintenance, but that can come at the cost of power.
What to consider when picking a post hole digger?
It would help if you took the time to consider precisely what you’re going to be using your post hole digger for; otherwise, you could end up with an expensive tool that may not be as useful as it could be. If you’re only going to be digging a couple of holes at a time, you should probably go with a simple manual option. Anything more than that, we would probably recommend going with a gas, electric, or battery-powered model. Keep in mind if you’re going to be securing your posts in place with concrete, the general rule of thumb is to dig holes three times as wide as the post.
What features should you look for in a post hole digger?
- Engine or Motor: Some soils and surfaces are more accessible to dig into than others. When using a powered post hole digger, be sure that it can handle the task at hand.
Gasoline powerheads come in engine sizes in cubic centimeters (or cc for short). Look for a model 40cc or larger. For powerhead style, look for a model with at least 1½ horsepower. - Auger: The auger is the spindle that bores into the ground. It looks like a drill bit. Augers come in a few sizes, so choosing the proper size for the project and machine is essential. Choosing the proper auger size depends on the project.
- Depth Capacity: Most manual post hole diggers have long handles that enable digging to depths of around 4 feet, which is code in many areas for deck and fence posts. A depth of 4 feet will also bring you below the frost line in all but the most frigid climates.
- Weight: While power, auger size, and depth are necessary, none of them matter more than weight to safely or easily operate the post hole digger. Manual post hole diggers are the lightest option, often weighing around 10 pounds.
- Handles: Whether using a manual option or a post hole digger with a powerhead, give some thought to the grips. They’ll be the user’s main points of contact with the tool for hours on end, so they need to be comfortable and offer the necessary leverage to bore or scoop and remove the tool as easily as possible.
What are the advantages of a manual post hole digger over a powered one?
The main advantage of a manual post hole digger over a powered one is the cost. Manual diggers tend to be far less expensive. They’re also highly portable and don’t require a battery, gasoline, or an extension cord.
What are some of the top benefits of having a post hole digger?
- Avoid large-scale excavations and the messes that go with them.
- Post hole diggers cut down the time it takes to complete projects.
- Dig holes for ice fishing or planting flowers and shrubs.
Post Hole Digger
Xtremepower HP Electric Post Hole Digger
The auger drill bit is made of high-strength manganese steel; well withstand impact, extrusion, material wear, and other bad working conditions.
Sprayed with durable black paint, resist rust and corrosion ensures its long-last service lifespan. Powerhead is equipped with a safety lock function that prevents accidental triggering for added security.
Perfect for installing fence posts, decks, planting trees, and many other lawn applications.
Features:
- Corded Electric
- 115 Volts
- Strong and Durable
- Vibration-proof grips
AMES Post Hole Digger
The Ames post hole digger is used for digging post holes for decks and fencing. It can also be used to dig footings.
This tool is ideal for digging precise holes for projects like fence posts and in-ground supports for decks and mailboxes.
Measuring stick on the handle for accuracy in hole depths and oversized cushion grip for comfort and hardwood handle for strength and durability.
Features:
- Hardwood handle
- 8.78 pounds
Gas Powered Post Hole Digger
The auger is ideal for quickly drilling into the earth to set into the ground: fence posts, poles, trees, shrubs, etc. Alloy body and tungsten steel drill, with high hardness test, durable, easy to drill.
It is equipped with a 52CC 2.5HP gasoline engine; one or two people can easily handle the auger for a wide variety of tasks.
Lightweight and easy to start, it is the perfect machine that will empower you to have ultimate control over your land.
Features:
- Tungsten Steel
- Lightweight
- Gasoline Engine
Industrial Electric Post Hole Digger
Powerhead is equipped with a safety lock function that prevents any accidental triggering for added security.
The auger drill bit is made of high-strength manganese steel; well withstand impact, extrusion, material wear, and other bad working conditions. Sprayed with durable black paint, resist rust and corrosion ensures its long-last service lifespan.
Powerhead is equipped with a safety lock function that prevents any accidental triggering for added security.
Features:
- Ergonomic design
- Heavy-Duty Motor
- Durable
