I need to set 40 or 50 cedar fence posts in flat but rocky soil, mostly potato to basketball sized granite rocks. I've learned that shovels don't work on this property, so I've got a Woods 80X backhoe on a B7800 that can dig through most everything. I can dig the post holes with that, but working alone, I'm anticipating it being difficult to set the posts upright in the big holes that the BH will make, and tamp them solid.
A PHD with a 9" auger would make nice neat holes, with little tamping required afterwards, if I can get it to work with the rocks. And that is a big IF. I'd like to try one first, but no local rental shops have them (perhaps they've all learned through experience).
I guess my question is this: if I already have a tool that will do the job (the BH), but perhaps not as well as another tool (the PHD) am I crazy for thinking about getting the other tool?
A PHD with a 9" auger would make nice neat holes, with little tamping required afterwards, if I can get it to work with the rocks. And that is a big IF. I'd like to try one first, but no local rental shops have them (perhaps they've all learned through experience).
I guess my question is this: if I already have a tool that will do the job (the BH), but perhaps not as well as another tool (the PHD) am I crazy for thinking about getting the other tool?