Backhoe Backhoe vs Post Hold Digger for Post Holes?

[bkuhn]

I have about 10 posts that I need to place in the next few weeks. I currently have a backhoe with an 18" bucket and I'm wondering how that would work for digging the post holes? I hate to invest another 6 to 7 hundred dollars in a 3 point post hold digger if it's not necessary, but I picture digging the hold with the backhoe and ending up with a much bigger hold than necessary and a bunch of disturbed ground that prevents the post from setting well. I wondered if anyones had any experience with this and can offer some guideance?

Thanks in advance,
Brad

P.S. I suspect the subject of renting a post drill will come up...I know that's an option but it seems like sinking posts is a recurring theme around my place so I'd like to have a solution on site and not rely on a rental yard...

 

[HighLoader]

Brad, If you use your backhoe the hole is going to be too big and it will be hard to pack the dirt back around the post. If you are setting them in concrete you will be using an unforgiveable amount! I had a three point post hole digger and got rid of it because my hand held one person earthquake digger is faster and easyer for me to use on slopes and rough terrain. My posts are only 2 and 7/8 inch in diameter and a 3 inch auger bit is easy to drill with. I also have a 6 inch auger bit I use when I am setting them in concrete. If I do get a post hole digger for my tractor in the future it would be a hydrolic one that attatches to the front bucket. This is just my opinion and what has worked for me. Attatched is a picture of some of the posts I have set in concrete and drilled with the one person earthquake digger.

 

[MikePA]

Using a backhoe to did post holes is a bad idea for the reasons you mentioned. If you're going to be doing a lot of this, buy a post hole digger. If it's only 10, I'd dig them by hand.

 

[weldingisfun]

I have about 10 posts that I need to place in the next few weeks. I currently have a backhoe with an 18" bucket and I'm wondering how that would work for digging the post holes? I hate to invest another 6 to 7 hundred dollars in a 3 point post hold digger if it's not necessary, but I picture digging the hold with the backhoe and ending up with a much bigger hold than necessary and a bunch of disturbed ground that prevents the post from setting well. I wondered if anyones had any experience with this and can offer some guideance?

Thanks in advance,
Brad

P.S. I suspect the subject of renting a post drill will come up...I know that's an option but it seems like sinking posts is a recurring theme around my place so I'd like to have a solution on site and not rely on a rental yard...

The key word you used is recurring. You will need a 3PT PHD at some point in time. Keep your eyes open, check the newspapers for farm equipment sales, auctions,etc. I bought a heavy-duty PHD with two augers for $150 a few years back. They are available for good to reasonable prices, if you are patient.
In the meantime, I would take MikePA's advice.

 

[ducati996]

For 10 posts I would rent a stand alone unit -

 

[mainiac]

I had a post hole digger for my tractor and got rid of it as there are alot of rocks here in Maine.

I rented one self powered unit(trailer type) for three holes and I remembered why I got rid of mine. Alot of sheer pins, a crow bar, a hand post hole digger and 6 hours later, I had my three holes dug. One was 36" deep two were 48" deep.

If you have alot of rocks, maybe you could find a smaller bucket for your backhoe for you holes, If you can not, use it any ways. If you are using cement, use a sonna tube. If not when you backfill around your post, have your hose right there and crow bar and as you back fill put the water to it and use you bar to pack the dirt until you can not drive your bar more than
4"to6". This is called chinking.

If you have no rocks, use an auger type. Not sure how much work it is as I have never worked any land without rocks. You still want to chink the back fill though.

I only use my backhoe for post holes now.

Mainiac

 

[shvl73]

I've had good luck with my freebie posthole digger. It sure doesn't like rocks though. For the current 10 post needs, I'd be tempted to hand dig and save the rental $ to put towards a good deal on a digger when one comes along.

 

[tuolumne]

For 10 I'd do them by hand. It's quicker than renting or borrowing by the time you go pick up the unit. You will have a stronger post with less disturbed earth around it.

 

[Timber]

I live hear in Massachusetts and all you have to do is look at all the pictures I have posted and see my rock piles. Never ever use a BH as a Post hole digger unless you don't mind your animals getting out of the wind knocking down your fence. I have never sheared a pin in my PHD either. A PHD will not dig through rock no matter how good it is. You have to stop and pull them out by hand. Laying fence requires a clam shell, several bars, a spade and a Tamper. A phd is just another tool in that in that task but it still will always require the basic tools.

 

[kwolfe]

I dug 14 holes for my deck footers. I rented a tow behind unit for $65 (for the whole weekend). The best part about that unit wsa it was hydraulically driven so it had reverse. We have a lot of iron stone in our clay. I would have been up a creek without reverse. I figure I could rent that unit at least 3-4 times for what I would pay for a PHD used.

you could also consider buyuing one used and reslling.