Auger won't drill hard clay

[ning]

I've been using my 3pt PHD to drill holes for fence poles, and in some spots I've hit a really hard layer of clay that the auger just sits and spins on, getting nowhere. With a metal digging rod we can chip the clay and dig it out, but unless we get through the layer, the phd is useless there.

I've verified that I have good teeth on the auger (they're brand new pengo carbide) and point (also new, pengo Triflow Auger Bit Pilot). The auger powers right through everything else (unless it gets wedged by rocks) but this is really frustrating!

I rigged up something and hung 300# off the back of the phd and it didn't make any difference.

Ideas?

 

[RjCorazza]

Try throwing some gravel in the hole. I have also adjusted the lowering valve so that the auger drops fast (hard) allowing the auger vanes to begin digging into the soil. Dropping the auger hard while rotating is not without risk though... It will be more prone to screwing straight into the ground.
Good luck!

 

[K5lwq]

I was helping a buddy one time and we ran into a similar situation. I used the bucket of my tractor to add down force to the PHD. It worked but was a slow go. Thankfully it was only like 10 holes we had issues with. Everything else was like butter.

Hopefully you will get out of that area soon and things smooth out. :thumbsup:

 

[Jerry/MT]

I've been using my 3pt PHD to drill holes for fence poles, and in some spots I've hit a really hard layer of clay that the auger just sits and spins on, getting nowhere. With a metal digging rod we can chip the clay and dig it out, but unless we get through the layer, the phd is useless there.

I've verified that I have good teeth on the auger (they're brand new pengo carbide) and point (also new, pengo Triflow Auger Bit Pilot). The auger powers right through everything else (unless it gets wedged by rocks) but this is really frustrating!

I rigged up something and hung 300# off the back of the phd and it didn't make any difference.

Ideas?

Pour some water in the hole and let it sit for awhile. Then try to auger again.

 

[ning]

Pour some water in the hole and let it sit for awhile. Then try to auger again.

I filled a hole that we'd gotten 18" deep with water the other day and came back the next morning. The phd got two inches...

Are there better center tips for hard clay?

 

[Diggin It]

^^ That's why they line ponds and ditches with it and make pottery out of it.. Stuff gets like rock when dry, but turns to playdoh when wet and gets super slippery to walk on. I've got lots of it. I couldn't budge it with the BH when dry. Kept lifting the tractor off the ground. Once it got wet after some rains that soaked it well enough, I could almost dig it with my fingers.

I had a few areas where I had to dig out small amounts for a project. Poured water on, let it set an hour or so, then went at it with a shovel. Dig two or three inches until hard, then add more water and let set again.

 

[bcp]

Check the angle of the cutting edge of your teeth.

Here's a diagram of a PHD auger I examined in the store. The cutter would be running on the heel of the angle, not the tip. It probably worked in soft ground but wouldn't in the really hard stuff.

Bruce

 

[EarPlug]

I had an old 18 inch - 1/2 inch drill. Put in about 6-8 holes and filled with water. Came back the next day and finally got through.

 

[CoyPatton]

Another problem with most types of clay, clay tends to ball up and plug openings if it too wet. Adding water can soften it, but be careful on how much you add at a time. Also clay does not percolate water well. Typically only a few inches of soaking then it holds the water much like a clay baked bowl.

 

[5030]

Time to invest in a hydraulic post driver like a Worksaver. No worries about clay with them.

 

[Rebeldad1]

Not sure what your clay is like but around here blue clay is common. Adding water to soften it up is like putting water in a glass and waiting for it to drain out.

What size auger are you using? my best recommendation is to get a very small auger (6") and drill a pilot hole. Good chance your teeth arnt digging. The point is stopping them from touching. If you have enough hole to hold the auger centered you could try removing the point and see if it will dig.

 

[Smokeydog]

Screw point tip? Reason for different teeth and points. Picture of your auger might help with prognosis. Have rocks and red clay here so concur with the workability. Had problems with cheap or worn augers. Have more of a problem drilling too fast and getting auger stuck in the ground.

 

[5030]

Hang a fat gal on the gearbox of the auger for 'Down pressure'....:laughing:

 

[Smokeydog]

Growing up my dad had phd that we would hang on trying to get it to drill. Unshielded pto and auger turning is an accident waiting to happen. Always frustrating. Finally after 40 years brought it over and threw on my metal scrap pile. Bought a new screw point bit auger for $100 and used to build a new section of fence. He couldn’t believe the difference. He took it back to his place afterwards ;-)

 

[CoyPatton]

Not sure what your clay is like but around here blue clay is common. Adding water to soften it up is like putting water in a glass and waiting for it to drain out.

Perc test is soils is based on the diameter and depth of a hole and how long it takes water to be absorbed into the soil. Frequently discussed concerning septic systems. Clays are the worse. They are only slightly better than baked and glazed clay pottery bowls, but just barely.

 

[bullbreaker]

Hang a fat gal on the gearbox of the auger for 'Down pressure'....:laughing:

What are you trying to do ? Get him to bend his auger or go through 10 shear bolts per hole ?

 

[bdog]

I hate 3 point augers for this very reason. The only solution is lots of down pressure. Get a hydraulic auger that mounts on your loader. We drill holes for dynamite anywhere from 10-30’ deep. Our drill rig is a modified skid steer that weighs 10,000 lbs. Most drilling is done with an auger, 3.5” in diameter. We often have so much down pressure when drilling that we are on the verge of lifting the front of the machine up.

Now I have a beltec auger for post holes but years ago when I had 3 point auger I welded up about 400 lbs of weight on it. It helped immensely but still digged no where near as good as a hydraulic unit with down pressure.

I don’t know how many holes you have to dig but if buying one isn’t an option go rent one. You will be amazed at the difference.

 

[bullbreaker]

Time to invest in a hydraulic post driver like a Worksaver. No worries about clay with them.

Thats a great suggestion imo , even though for some it might not be affordable or cost efficient . I just always wondered though about the damage to a t post or wooden post when they hit good solid rock .

Post Hole Driver Shaver Saver Demo - YouTube

I hate 3 point augers for this very reason. The only solution is lots of down pressure. Get a hydraulic auger that mounts on your loader.
Now I have a beltec auger for post holes but years ago when I had 3 point auger I welded up about 400 lbs of weight on it. It helped immensely but still digged no where near as good as a hydraulic unit with down pressure.

I don稚 know how many holes you have to dig but if buying one isn稚 an option go rent one. You will be amazed at the difference.

Totally spot on also ! :thumbsup: I used as good as 3 point PHD 's made except the homemade one's made from rear ends and what I can't stand is the constant turning around body and neck twisting that goes with it setting it up even with the ground marked to drill the holes .

BTW here's a pic of TBN member"s "MouseField"s home made rear end unit .

 

[kthompson]

Check the angle of the cutting edge of your teeth.

Here's a diagram of a PHD auger I examined in the store. The cutter would be running on the heel of the angle, not the tip. It probably worked in soft ground but wouldn't in the really hard stuff.

View attachment 660367

Bruce

That is interesting and a good catch on your part. Same issue on subsoiler points if not set at correct angle, the subsoiler.

 

[repete]

That is interesting and a good catch on your part. Same issue on subsoiler points if not set at correct angle, the subsoiler.

This was my problem as well a few months back. Over time the cutting edge had worn away until it was just a rounded edge rubbing on the clay. Made two new ones and bolted one on. I was unable to find the manufacturer to get a new (hopefully hardened one) but none to be found. So at least I have a spare.