Post hole digger...I need to borrow one

[jbooth]

I am going to continue to look for a used PHD but I am also going to stop on the way home tonight and look at a new Howse PHD. I already know the price of the howse unit which is roughly close to most of my options thus far. I just don't like buying something for such a limited use. Manual PHD are just about useless in this case and the 1 and 2 man PHD was major effort for limited results. I was putting all of my weight on a 1 man while someone else held it and it just did not go down. Only other option is bore hole and dynamite.

By the time I rent a hoe, get it to my place and do what needs doing I have spent just as much as buying the Howse PHD. The local RSC wants to charge me for 2 days rental if I get anything during a weekend. That makes a 1 day rental of a 2 man PHD $200.:confused2: They do have a skid steer with a PHD but it would cost more then buying the Howse.

I like your dynamite solution. Dynamite was the only answer in KS. where I grew up. Rocks! Rocks and more Rocks! Known as the Flint Hills for a reason. Punch a hole with a bar, add maybe 1/8 stick of dynamite and you were done except for finding enough dirt/rocks for backfill. Total time 5 minutes if you used a long fuse. We could buy dynamite, caps, and fuse at any hardware store or lumber yard. It was dirt cheap. I was able to buy it before I turned 18 provided I would give the name of a responsible adult that I was working for. The availability of dynamite went away sometime after I left the farm in 1960. The mention of dynamite today will probably draw a visit from several government agencies. Everybody now uses rock augers with down pressure to punch post holes. It now takes a $3500 auger to do what 10 cent worth of dynamite used to accomplish. It was great fun too. Always like to use the leftover dynamite to shoot out big trees.

 

[SunnyJim]

When the going gets tough while digging a post hole, I usually pour water into it and go back the next day and finish her off. Ken Sweet

I have water soaking into a bore hole I started but could not finish just to see if it will help.

 

[ustmd]

For 14 holes, I might be tempted to try Sweet's suggestion of water.

I have to say, however, the skidsteer with the hydraulic auger makes a big difference.

I fenced my wife's horse pasture. I put in 50+ posts using the 3 pt auger. It took me the better part of three week-ends (we are on the Black Land Prarrie with heavy clay).

When I did the in-law's horse pasture (next door), I rented a skid steer with an auger. I did 50+ poles in less than a day. It took me more time to move hole to hole than to dig. It was like a hot knife through warm butter.

Best $300 bucks I spent (for the rental) for that project at least:laughing:

 

[JohninCT]

You might check out United Rentals for a mini skid steer with auger
United Rentals - Find Equipment - Earthmoving - Toro 322 22HP Compact Utility Loader

Personally considering the price of rentals I would bite the bullet and buy a PHD attachment. If you got horses, you are probably going to want to dig some more fence posts and you'll be back in the same situation.

 

[955er]

Like most needs, it depends on time. If you are patient and look online and elsewhere, you should be able to find a PHD for $300 or less in a month or so. I bought my TSC with a 12" auger, barely used, for $200. If you need this done now, skidsteer is the way.

 

[Chilly807]

If you already have a tractor, the PTO digger won't go astray in the coming years. We use ours even when replacing posts, you get a nice straight fresh hole every time.

You may need water in summer months to make the digging easier, I haven't had to use it yet but the digging is sure slower than in the spring/fall.

Once you rent something and return it, the money is gone forever. If you can buy something for not much more money, if you look after it it will still be worth something in 20 years when you want to sell it.

Sean