On Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:34:27 -0800 (PST), Billy wrote




Your local tool rental place most likely has a power 'auger' used to drill holes
into soil. Sizes range from 4" blades to 24" blades. One man, two man and vehicle
mount operation. Sounds like you would use the small one man operation.

Tool rental places like home depot, lowes, abc rental.

Manually, you can also rig up a power drill with an auger bit (such
as used in electrical work. Try a 3/4 or 1" variable speed drill with a right
angle handle for leverage.....

There are chisel bars about 1" diameter ranging in length. 2', 4', 6'
Used with a heavy sledge that would do the trick.... labor intensive
and a good chance you bust your knuckles with the sledge.....which after
you do several times, you'll feel motivated to rent a power auger.

Final note.... beware of underground utilities. I've seen pipes laid
24" below the surface... and the local phone companies and fiber
companies i.e. verizon, att, etc barely bury their cables at all.
So if you have any utility boxes at all in your vicinity, it might be
a good idea to have the lines marked...and remember, the markings
are plus or minus a foot or so...

Do it easy, Do it quickly, Do it right, but most important...get it done !!

Peter


I'm digging post holes in my yard for a fence and have come upon hard
clay soil with tons of tree roots below. I cant get my shovel more
that 2 inches deep. I have to finish my fence because i have half done
all this work to get 1/2 up already. The one side was very moist and
muddy but the trouble section is hard/clay like cememnt.

What are the tools and options I have to inexpensively get these holes
dug? Is there any reasonably priced machine that I should use? I'd
rather do manually if anyone has any tricks....