PTO Post Hole Digger Auger Sizing for 6" CCA Posts - 9" or 12"?

[schmism]

6" and press the posts into the holes with the FEL and do no back tamping? (poor mans post pounder?)

[TomSeller]

That 6" would work. The posts are going to be crooked and in the wrong spots is all. If that doesn't bother you, it would be fast. Not my style though.

[Case485Guy]

I went from 9" to 12" and love the 12". Gives you a big enough hole to adjust the post to get it straight in line. I use cut mesquite posts, just put 54 in the ground last weekend. The 12" hole makes it easier to drop a crooked post in the ground and get it straight for the fence line. Honestly it is not that much harder to dig with than the 9". Couple of yrs ago we did over 200 holes with the 9" and had to "trim" the holes with hand diggers for some of the post.

[SanDucerro]

Thanks for all the replies!

I've decided to go with the 12" auger for the initial order. However, I'm pretty sure I'll also order the 9" auger as well. I had almost forgot I also need to drill holes for the trellis - and they're only 4"/5" posts.

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for all the replies!

I've decided to go with the 12" auger for the initial order. However, I'm pretty sure I'll also order the 9" auger as well. I had almost forgot I also need to drill holes for the trellis - and they're only 4"/5" posts.

It's a lot easier to fill a bigger hole then it is to change augers.

Eddie

[two_bit_score]

Thanks for all the replies!

I've decided to go with the 12" auger for the initial order. However, I'm pretty sure I'll also order the 9" auger as well. I had almost forgot I also need to drill holes for the trellis - and they're only 4"/5" posts.

I'm lucky to have a TLB to drill my post holes with and I use a 12 in auger for everything.
I doubt you will ever use that 9 in much.

[two_bit_score]

Maybe I should add that the ground is sandy loam and I don't think there is a rock any where on the property. I do have a hard pan in some sections about 36" under the surface. When we used a two man auger to plant the post for the house we hit that and literally couldn't go any further. It was almost like a shelf! Most of the property is easily dug though.

I realize you are doing this for a vineyard and not a fence but since you are going to be doing so many posts I'm wondering if Round metal posts driven in the ground would work for you?

This would put them in very easily:
Post Drivers - Rohrer Manufacturing

.

[SanDucerro]

It's a lot easier to fill a bigger hole then it is to change augers.

Eddie

Once I've done the post for the deer fence (6" CCA), then the rest of the project would be the trellis posts (4" to 5" CCA) - so theoretically I'll only have to switch once. But having said that, I'd have 4" per side with the 12" auger on the trellis posts and that does seem to be that much now that I think about it.

[SanDucerro]

I realize you are doing this for a vineyard and not a fence but since you are going to be doing so many posts I'm wondering if Round metal posts driven in the ground would work for you?

This would put them in very easily:
Post Drivers - Rohrer Manufacturing

.

Thanks for the link! Interesting read... Personally, I don't like T-Posts. They tend to discolor with surface rust and do not make for an attractive fence (in my opinion). In my situation we are fencing in the vines in the center of the property - we are not fencing in the perimeter of the entire property. The fenced area will be "part of" the overall experience our customers will see with gazebos and other such vistor draws located inside the fenced area or right next to it. So "looks" in our case are extremely important to the success of the venture.

[two_bit_score]

Thanks for the link! Interesting read... Personally, I don't like T-Posts. They tend to discolor with surface rust and do not make for an attractive fence (in my opinion). In my situation we are fencing in the vines in the center of the property - we are not fencing in the perimeter of the entire property. The fenced area will be "part of" the overall experience our customers will see with gazebos and other such vistor draws located inside the fenced area or right next to it. So "looks" in our case are extremely important to the success of the venture.

What I was talking about is ROUND metal posts. Not "T" posts.