What is a clamshell digger

A clamshell digger (also called a post hole digger) is a good tool for this type of work. The clamshell digger is essentially two shovels hinged together at the top of the blades. It works like a combination shovel and tongs. To use the tool, push the handles together, then plunge the blades into the dirt.

Is an auger the same as a post hole digger?

What is the difference between an auger and a post hole digger? The difference between the two is in how they dig holes. You thrust a traditional post hole digger into the ground and remove the soil between the scoops. An auger “screws” into the ground and transports dirt along the blade up to the surface.

What are post hole diggers called?

A post hole clam-shell digger, also called post hole pincer or simply post hole digger, is a tool consisting of two articulated shovel-like blades, forming an incomplete hollow cylinder about a foot long and a few inches wide, with two long handles that can put the blades in an “open” (parallel) position or a “closed” …

Is a post hole digger worth it?

While that won’t make a lot of difference if you have loamy, soft soil to begin with, for those who have hard-packed clay soils it certainly does. If your soil is very solid, or has a lot of rocks, a post hole digger is an essential tool to have.

Can you 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 walls of the hole straight up and down. … Once you’ve sheared off the sides of the hole into the bottom, then you scoop out the loose fill.

Do augers work in rocky soil?

Augers are very powerful machines with a lot of torque that can throw you like a sack of potatoes if the auger bit encounters a rock or a root. … But rocky ground or heavy clay can stymie even the most powerful auger.

How deep can you dig with a post hole digger?

Post hole diggers have a maximum effective depth of about 3/4 of their handle length, so a five foot pair will dig about 3 1/2 half deep. Very hard earth like clay is extremely difficult to dig with a manual pair of post hole diggers.

How much do hole diggers make?

The salaries of Post Hole Diggers in the US range from $28,370 to $76,160 , with a median salary of $44,240 .

Are post hole diggers hard to use?

A clamshell digger (also called a post hole digger) is a good tool for this type of work. The clamshell digger is essentially two shovels hinged together at the top of the blades. … Clamshell diggers are difficult to use in deep holes because the narrow width of the hole makes it awkward to spread the handles apart.

Are electric post hole diggers any good?

Best Electric Post Hole Digger With a powerful 1,500-watt electric motor capable of spinning a steel auger bit at to 2,700 revolutions per minute (rpm), the XtremepowerUS Industrial Electric Post Hole Digger is a great machine if you can to work close to a power source and don’t want a gas-burning unit.

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How big of a hole do you need for a 4x4 post?

The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you’re planning on using a four-inch round or 4×4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter. For a six-foot-high fence post, we would need a hole that’s 36 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.

Which post hole digger is best?

• True Temper 2704200 Post Hole Digger.
• AMES 2701600 Post Hole Digger.
• Seymour Structron Hercules Post Hole Digger.
• XtremepowerUS Electric Post Hole Digger.
• Southland SEA438 One Man Earth Auger (Our Top Pick)
• Hiltex 10525 Electric Earth Auger.

What does it mean to dig a hole?

to take an action that is going to cause a lot of trouble for you: He keeps borrowing more money, and I think he’s beginning to dig a hole for himself.

How do you dig a post hole without an auger?

1. Step 1: String your line and pound the stakes. …
2. Step 2: Carve out a soil divot with a spade. …
3. Step 3: Loosen earth with a tile shovel. …
4. Step 4: Use your clamshell digger. …
5. Step 5: Use a reciprocating saw on large roots. …
6. Step 6: Dislodge rocks with a digging bar. …
7. Step 7: Tamp the soil with the other end.

Will an auger cut through roots?

The most effective method of installing a post through a root is to drill through it. There is a power tool available known as an auger that will drill through the root, and allow you to put the post right where you need it.

Is 2 ft deep enough for fence post?

2 feet is the minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for. To dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height, is a general formula. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has.

How long does it take to dig a 4 foot deep hole?

Pace yourself, as a steady pace is always best For instance, digging a hole about 4′ deep, by 3′ wide, by 4′ long takes anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours. It depends on the ground conditions, and the ability of who’s digging the hole.

How deep do post holes need to be?

Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).

How long does it take to dig a post hole?

Post Hole Digging Tools In such soil, it can dig a 4-foot-deep hole that is the perfect size for a fence post in a matter of minutes.

How far apart do you set fence posts?

Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn’t cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.

How big should a hole be for a 6x6 post?

Dig, align, and finish the job Dig an 8″-diameter hole at least 6″ deeper than your area’s frost line for each 4×4 post, using a power auger, hand auger, or post-hole digger. A 6×6 post requires a 10″-diameter hole. Shovel a 6″ layer of gravel into the hole to provide drainage.

Why is my auger not digging?

An auger that is slow to cut through soil or does not cut at all may indicate an issue with the auger itself. Damaged blades on the auger will prevent it from properly cutting through the ground and moving the dirt up and out of the hole. … A local small engine shop or the factory can sharpen the blade on an auger.

Can an auger go through gravel?

If your gravel is compacted crushed gravel used as a footing, you may well be able to get the auger to bite into it and pull it up, though the squat method may be necessary for this, too.

Do garden augers work?

Earth augers make it easy for gardeners to dig holes, but they also create conditions for healthier plant growth. Because the augers “pulverize” the soil, roots can quickly settle in. If soil is poor or compacted, it’s easy to improve it with a handful of compost or well-rotted manure.

How do I make my auger dig better?

1. Remove Sod First. Considering how quickly augers drill through dirt—even heavy clay soil—it might surprise you to know they can choke when tasked with drilling through a thick layer of sod. …
2. Line It Up. …
3. Point Straight Down. …
4. Drill Wide Holes.

Should wood fence posts be set in concrete?

Concrete provides a strong foundation for wooden fence posts, but can rot them more quickly. Setting them in dirt, with or without gravel or crushed rock depending on your soil type, can help the posts last longer before going rotten. You can also use metal fence post anchors to prolong their life.

Does soaking ground make it easier to dig?

Soil that’s turned over when wet will form clods that will be very difficult to break apart later, Trinklein said. … This is because wet soil is more easily compacted than dry soil. He recommends the “baseball test” before you start digging.