Posthole Digger Posthole Conundrum

[sweettractors]

Dug a whole bunch of really nice 9" x 4' holes for the llama corral today.

Problem is they have to be a full 4' deep and a regular hand porthole digger will not close enough to hold the dry loose dirt.

The wife is threatening to getting my shop vac and have me string 500' of extension cord.

Any ideas on how to save my shop vac and get me out of just saying "Yes Dear " for the next few days ?

We use hand held manual post hole diggers that can be bought at Lowes and most TSC farm stores. Ken Sweet

 

[E/S]

Ill be dammed, the shop vac worked !

Real quick and the boss is happy.

I have attached some pictures of what I am trying to fix.

Thanks for all your input.

E/S

 

[SPYDERLK]

A corner post should have an additional brace -- a diagonal running from just below that horizontal one down and over to the adjacent post to be fastened to it near the ground. Also, loop a wire between the posts just below the horiz brace so they can spread.
larry

 

[Duffster]

A corner post should have an additional brace -- a diagonal running from just below that horizontal one down and over to the adjacent post to be fastened to it near the ground. Also, loop a wire between the posts just below the horiz brace so they can spread.
larry

What would the additional brace accomplish?

Got any pics of what you are talking about?

 

[2manyrocks]

The strongest man made structure is a triangle. Adding a diagonal brace helps transfer the load from the top of the post to ground level at the adjoining post. It's a leverage thing.

I would have never thought anybody would use a shop vac to clean out a post hole until I read this thread. TBN is always good some kind of entertainment.

 

[Duffster]

The strongest man made structure is a triangle. Adding a diagonal brace helps transfer the load from the top of the post to ground level at the adjoining post. It's a leverage thing.

I would have never thought anybody would use a shop vac to clean out a post hole until I read this thread. TBN is always good some kind of entertainment.

Isn't the triangle already there with the use of the "X" made out of wire?

 

[CurlyDave]

What would the additional brace accomplish?

This brace resists the tension in the wire which causes a torque on the post causing the post to lean in the direction of the wire.

If you look at the pictures you will see that the corner posts were "braced" with an X between them and the next post in line in an attempt to strengthen them. Unfortunately theses wires are only strong in tension, and provide no compressive resistance. You need a wooden brace from the top of the corner post to the base of the second post in both fence directions in order to keep the corners upright.

This article illustrates two methods of bracing properly bracing a corner post How to build a good fence for your homestead by Charles Sanders Issue #103

 

[Duffster]

What would the additional brace accomplish?

This brace resists the tension in the wire which causes a torque on the post causing the post to lean in the direction of the wire.

If you look at the pictures you will see that the corner posts were "braced" with an X between them and the next post in line in an attempt to strengthen them. Unfortunately theses wires are only strong in tension, and provide no compressive resistance. You need a wooden brace from the top of the corner post to the base of the second post in both fence directions in order to keep the corners upright.

That is what the horizantal wood brace is for. Which IMO should be at the top of the posts, not near the middle.

This is the same discussion I have had with the old man for the last 20 years.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I agree - there's nothing wrong with the brace design. It doesn't look like the posts were well tamped. The corner post came up and it would do the same thing with a diagonal brace under compression.

 

[Egon]

Good show on the vac job. Glad it worked for you.:thumbsup: