Need a post hole digger...suggestions?

joerocker · Jun 20, 2006

I'll be fencing my 7.5 acres soon and I'm in the market for a post hole digger with a 12" auger. I'll actually be sinking 6" posts at the corners but I've heard that the holes are seldom perfectly straight in and the 12" allows for leeway.

Anyway, can anyone suggest a brand/model PHD and maybe even a place to get one at the lowest price?

I have a Farmpro 2420 (Jinma 20hp clone) so it will have to fit it.

Thanks...

George2615 · Jun 20, 2006

TSC and Northern Tool have light and med. duty PH diggers. Roughly around 600 including an augur bit and go up from there. Don't know how well they work since I havent had a need to buy one yet.

texasjohn · Jun 20, 2006

Danuser post hold diggers are top of the line, extremely heavy duty, pricey but they don't break. Be sure and understand the different types of tips for the augers... there are ones for sand/dirt, heavy clay/roots, rock. Suggest you get the heaviest one you can locate... else it will just sit and bounce when it hits roots/rock... assuming you have any of that where you are.

Mike1 · Jun 21, 2006

I'm in NE Alabama, on 5 acres. I've dug in excess of 400 post holes to fence, cross fence, then re-fence portions of my property to contain our horses. I use the TSC post hole digger with a 9 inch auger. I started out setting smallish posts, but have now moved up to building my fences with the 5-6" treated posts. The 9 inch auger allows me to line the posts up fairly well if I do a good job digging the holes in straight lines. With the slightly smaller auger, I don't use as much concrete to fill the holes back up. In my clay soil, tamping posts in does not seem to hold up as well as even a slight amount of concrete. If I used a 12 inch auger, it would be easier to line them up, but would require more concrete to set the posts.
No problems with the 500 dollar TSC post hole digger and auger, other than somewhat hard digging when the ground is extremely dry in the middle of the summer.

Brad_Blazer · Jun 21, 2006

The dealers around here, Corriher and Tarheel Tractor, sell the Lienbach w/ 9" auger for $425. An additional 12" auger adds another $90 or so. They usually have some listed on ebay for price comparison purposes but I doubt you would get a good deal including shipping. I am getting ready to fence 13 acres and will soon be buying one. Check your local implement dealers to see if they can beat the chain store prices.

Brad

3RRL · Jun 21, 2006

Check eBay too...for the brand you're looking for and the price range. Lots of hits. Some have free shipping.

johnk · Jun 22, 2006

I second that on the TSC post hole digger. I have drilled over 250 holes with a 9" auger and it performs well. Broke a lot of shear pins but thats about it. Got it stuck a few times and had to back it out with a 24" pipe wrench but no harm done. Using a 9" auger is tough if doing a lot of holes in a straight line with a fixed width fence because there isn't a lot of play in each hole to make a correction. If you take your time and mark the centers carefully it will work out for you. You still should have a manual clam type post hole digger handy to clean out the bottom of the holes. I don't find it necessary to buy a real expensive PHD if you're not drilling them for a living. Leaves extra money for more fun items....

MFL · Aug 28, 2006

I'll add my vote for TSC. Bought mine about 3 years ago. It's a Speeco unit and I don't think they sell that brand anymore, but the reason I'd buy again is the service from TSC. I had used the PHD to do about 75-100 9in. holes when the bottom seal blew out of the gearbox.

I called TSC and explained what had happened, and was fully prepared to have to pay for the repair. They said it was still under warrenty, ordered me a new gear box and traded me for the one with the blown gasket. From when I called to when I had the replacement took 4 days. No questions about my use, or any other attempts at trying to weasal out of helping with a problem.

I know some folks here have had less then good service from TSC, but I've always been very happy with their customer support.

Bought mine for around $360.00 and over the course of a year bought all three sizes of augers available for it. I've put in over 400 post holes on my property and friends properties without any more problems.