Post Holes

omnibuilder

We have a couple of pole barns to build. I called the rental place to see about digging some post holes for us and they said they won't rent out a Bobcat with an auger as long as the frost is in the ground. There can't be but a couple inches. We will use a spud bar and hand diggers if we have to but that takes a while as it is hard clay we will be digging. Any suggestions as to an easier way?

IDIGDIRT

Not sure of your area but here is some advice on the type of equipment. Tractor/PTO type augers have 2 limitations 1- no down pressure unless you stand on the attachment although that is too dangerous. 2-they only spin in one direction-down.Gas powered augers have the same limitations. That being said an auger mounted on a skid steer can offer you the advantage of lots of down pressure and the ability to reverse the auger out should it get hung up. I have used all three and prefer the skid steer type but in my area, the frost and hard clay don't usually pose too much of a problem. Plus it's much easier on the back muscles!!
However with the cost of repair to equipment these days I can see why they are a little cautious. Sorry I could'nt be of more help.

tgeb

If the rental place won't rent it out...nothing I can say will help, other than frozen soil is softer than a lot of rocky soil that can be encountered.

In the event you can talk them into a rental I would advise slow going through the frost, with new teeth you should be fine.

Where are you located? how deep is the frost by now? Seems a shame for this to hold up your barn construction.

Here, we rent, we break, we buy!

It is up to us to take the risk, talk 'em into it if you have to.

Edit: You can buy an auger attachment for a couple thousand, and rent the loader. I would not let the rental house stop the project. What is it worth to keep moving, once the posts are in you have months of good work ahead.

__________________
Tom

www.gebcon.com

mdshunk

You might check to see if any of the electricians in your area have a digger derrick. This is the machine that is used to drill for and set telephone poles. I have an old one, and have loaned it out quite a few times to pole barn builders.

IDIGDIRT

TGEB makes an interesting point. If you have enough work to do purchasing the auger atachment and renting the skid steer makes sense. I see them on EBAY all the time,new & used, and it will probably pay for itself in short order. Also since most skid steer's use the universal attach plate, you won't be limited to where you rent from.

Dustball

I don't know where you are but I suppose if you're desperate, you can buy a gas powered ice hole auger (popular in ice fishing areas).

TheBuildingFirm

check around for a local guy who sets post holes for a living. we've got a guy around here who's prices we can't compare to by doing it ourselves.

DecksEtc

That would be my suggestion. The guy I use is pretty cheap compared to renting.

(we might even use the same guy TBF)