Posthole Digger Post hole digger versus post hole driver?

[Cormac]

Before I decide an alternate approach, I am looking for some advice. I have access to a Rhino pneumatic post driver and can drive 2 7/8" pipe 3-5' into the ground. The soil is sandy with rock (Wise County, TX), so I think the 5' is do-able. I plan to make a pipe and cable (or sucker rod) fence. Will it hold up without concrete? I do not want a leaning fence over the next few years. Or, do I do the post hole digging and concrete route. Driving the fence would certainly save a lot of time, assure deeply placed pipe, and eliminate concerns with sandy soil cave-ins in the post hole drilling process. What do you think? BTW, I will have some cattle. Thanks to all.

 

[gabby]

Drive 'em if you can. 3 feet deep ought to be plenty.
gabby

 

[rdbrumfield]

driving is the way to go if you have the equipment to do it.

 

[greggyy]

You could still make various stays as needed if worried either way ?

 

[Birdhunter1]

Driven posts will be more solid than holes filled with concrete. For what its worth I have clay soil with little rock and no sand, I do not have any issues with 4-10" wooden posts driven 3' deep in the wet weather or the frost heaving time of year on a high tensile fence which is known to uproot posts at dips and valleys.

 

[greggyy]

The way the posts are put in is more important than the size of the post, or in other words, the better the fit in the hold (i.e perfect when driven) means it should always be superior, but down here heaps of posts were done by hand and they are still there as strainers for a long time, many generations and still going.