post hole digger recommendation

[stumpfield]

Is Speedco a good PHD? I can get one for $550 with a choice of 6" or 9" auger? I'm not talking about solid rock here. Just real hard decomposted granite. I was able to dig with a manual post hole digger. It took me 2 hours to dig 1 hole. I couldn't find any PHD at TSC website?

 

[N80]

TSC has them, there is just no picture. $350, unknown brand.

 

[hppyfngy]

Is Speedco a good PHD? I can get one for $550 with a choice of 6" or 9" auger? I'm not talking about solid rock here. Just real hard decomposted granite. I was able to dig with a manual post hole digger. It took me 2 hours to dig 1 hole. I couldn't find any PHD at TSC website?

I am looking at the same Speeco phd listed here

Tractor Supply Company - EXCLUSIVE MULTI-FIT POST HOLE DIGGER

Looks substantial enough for the few holes I need to dig. Anybody know of a problem with these or this brand?

 

[varmint]

I got my post hole auger with a 9" bit for $350 along with my used tractor. It's a brand X but has worked fine for me. The soil here in Merryland is mostly dirt with rocks mixed in, probably some kind of glacial stuff, since they range all over the place for content and size. The 9" auger makes the most sense to me- looking for rocks and roots in a hole with twice the area (the 12" auger) isn't going to help you get the job done. I was able to drill and place 4 x 6 locust posts within an inch or so of where they wanted to be. The only time I broke shear bolts was getting caught between major tree roots... bring a pipe wrench with you to back the auger out, since you can't turn it out by hand. Beats digging by hand, but you'll still want a bar and a spade to clean up and make small adjustments.

 

[hppyfngy]

I want an auger more for planting than for post holes. Small trees and such.

I'd like to have a 24" auger, but was wondering if I can get by with popping a couple of holes with a 9" or 12"? I understand smaller holes will want to run into each other, but is it a possibility for the 15-20 trees and shrubs I tend to plant in a year?

 

[AlanB]

Hppyfngy, yes, that works fine,

We run an 18" normally, are getting a 24" in a deal but wonder about how well it will work.

We used the 12" for quite a while and dug three holes usually, then opened them up with a shovel.