Replies

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 17, 2005 12:23am | #1

   dan...depends on the type of soil where you work..

    here in NE.. one -man & two-ma augers are more3 than useless.. they're dangerous..

    you hit a rock and it kicks back and knocks you down

   guy who works for my digger   ( the guy is about 6'-4"  and weighs close to 300 )... figured he'd make some extra money on the side..

   bought a one-man .. i hired him to dig our 20 post holes for a big deck..

    he got it done... but he beat himself up so bad he sold the auger to the first guy with cash..

    if you work in areas with almost no rocks.. go for it

   but me...  i hire guys with  augers on thier backhoes now..

   or.. we dig the holes by hand

   BTW.. those chain trenchers don't work here either.... for the same reason... too many big rocks

   Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
1. 
   dieselpig | Sep 17, 2005 06:58am | #8

   We still dig quite a few by hand too, but if I've got a bunch to do I've been renting a mini-ex.  Those things are great, but at about $225/day you gotta be able to justify it.  I usually get it for two days.  I get about 1/2 the holes dug and call for inspection.  By the time he gets there, I've got them all finished.  Then we still have the machine for backfilling and spreading stone under the deck/porch area.

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 17, 2005 07:02am | #9

   oh, wow !...  a new toy i could play with...

   ...... hmmmmm...  a mini-exMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   Paddy | Sep 17, 2005 07:11am | #10

   I recently purchased the Earthquake auger from Lowes. I have dug out maybe 100 holes with it. I think for the money it is a great investment. Only problem I have had is a few big tree roots. It will throw you a little but it seems like a clutch slips to help save you before it gets to bad. Also we have had one man on each side of it at certain times, makes it alot easier. Its great for setting fence posts,decks etc. We call the 1800 Call before you dig guys, before starting. We have to give them 48 hrs. notice which is cool, since in Houston electric,phone, and gas lines sometimes are only buried 12 to 24 inches deep. All said we still end up doing alot of hand digging.

3. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 17, 2005 07:17am | #11

   brian... you did catch the end of that game , right ?

   OMG !.... 3-2 with one earned runMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   dieselpig | Sep 17, 2005 07:34am | #12

   Had it on the radio while I was ripping out sheetrock in my old office.  We needed that, big time.  Tough way to win a game, but a win's a win, right?

   Papi, for MVP?  Or will they take they easy road and give it to A-Fraud?

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 17, 2005 01:54pm | #13

   i fortgot that you're up to your keester in remodeling .... i guess the radio will be it for quite a while...

   good thing the game lends itself to radio

   what was the scoring in that last inning?  a double , hit batter, intentional walk, hit batter.... macha must of choked on a pretzelMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   PeteDraganic | Sep 17, 2005 06:02pm | #14

   I use a one-man auger all the time... rock, roots, hard soil... never a problem... the auger attaches to the end of a skidsteer and only takes one man to operate ;-)

   http://www.peteforgovernor.com

3. 
   Danno | Sep 17, 2005 06:10pm | #15

   I was wondering if you held the one-man auger with thumbs not curled around opposite the fingers it would keep from breaking your arm or wrist if it hit a rock or root? When cranking old cars without starters you were supposed to keep the thumb on the same side as the fingers so if the crank recoiled it wouldn't break your wrist. (On an auger, don't know if you could even hold onto it without thumbs opposite fingers.)

4. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 17, 2005 09:44pm | #16

   i've handcranked my share of one lung diesels... no fun at allMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

5. 
   Danno | Sep 18, 2005 12:54am | #22

   The augers have a "dead man's" throttle, don't they?--so they turn off if you let go of it?

6. 
   MGMaxwell | Sep 23, 2005 02:50am | #26

   Not fast enough so that damage can't be done. Move to Florida and dig your way to China. In sand, you can dig so fast they tend to disappear before you know it.

2. 
   DANSW44 | Sep 18, 2005 12:01am | #20

   I have to agree with your statement in RI I wouldnt even try to use a 1 man auger.  I live in Michigan and we have some clay and rocks but also a majority of soils.  I am not sure what to do I guess.

2. 
   ChrisG1 | Sep 17, 2005 02:31am | #2

   I agree with Mike, one man are dangerous, they don't like rocks or Roots. I have seen it break an arm. I use a real loose grip, that way it just spins away. not sure about the different brands though.

1. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Sep 17, 2005 03:06am | #3

   I would not hold a 1 man auger loosely, way to much recoil to risk getting smacked.In normal conditions a 1 man auger can be very efficient but  during drought or soil cement you have to break the hard ground with a heavy tamper bar.When using the 1 man auger  I set my hip against the handle and get an extreme grip with both arms locking it in so that it just locks up instead of smacking you. Have worn one earhquake internals gear out and it would cost 60$ just for the part so bought new head and retired old one.In normal clay and sandy soils they work great and have definately improved production but if there are irrigation or other utility lines close you will not be able to feel until it is to late so I usually hand dig on property lines because the utilities are often run on the same path.

   ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.

   Remodeler/Punchout

1. 
   DANSW44 | Sep 18, 2005 12:04am | #21

   Andy would you buy the Earthquake again or would you get another brand I can also get a General.  What do you think?

1. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Sep 18, 2005 02:19am | #23

   I have only used the earthquake and it lasted through a 1000 holes before the gear on top of the clutch broke I definately felt like  I got my moneys worth  so I bought another one.

   But let me make it clear that this tool can burn you on the hot exhaust at stomach level ,it can break bones if you even slightly let down your guard and it bruises me on my best days but it can double my production.I bought a fiskar post hole digger and use it more than the gas auger if that tells you anything. If I was doing a quantity of holes I would consider renting a tractor auger combo that has a hydraulic three point attachment that can put donward force on the auger  or a Dingo  with auger these are much faster and a whole lot easier on your back.

   ANDYSZ2 I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.

   Remodeler/Punchout

3. 
   4Lorn1 | Sep 17, 2005 03:48am | #4

   Yes, there are one-man augers.

   But they are more expensive and complicated. The ones I have seen are essentially a heavy duty two-man auger where a steel leg, looked about 10' long, was attached to the motor mounts. This was attached to either a small wheeled cart or a plate and hinge assembly that bolts to the bumper of a truck, tractor or heavy equipment. Larger units tend to be more the later design.

   The arm is counter weighted or supported by spring tension to take the weight of the auger. Some of these have the engine directly over the auger while other, quite a bit more complicated, have a drive shaft going to the engine at the other end of the arm.

   Some of these units are hydraulic units operable from the length of the arm or even from the cab of the vehicle and driven by the vehicles engine but some are manually controlled with the arm absorbing the torque and bearing most of the weight of the auger but the operator working the unit by pressing down and guiding a direct drive seven horse engine while standing beside the auger.

   They are available. Maybe rentable. I'm not clear as to the wisdom of working one of these, with the exception of the ones you could safely run from the cab of a MF tractor, alone in a rural setting. The closer you get to the unit and the more difficult the digging conditions the more it would seem you are at risk. A pants cuff that gets caught or stumbling when the unit hits a rock could ruin your whole day.

   I doubt any coworker, short of Superman, could react fast enough to prevent you from being injured in such a case. Not really different with a two-man unit. But they could be reasonable expected to turn off the auger, dial 911 and apply direct pressure or a tourniquet waiting for the ambulance. Maybe, in real rural areas, stuff you into the truck for a wild ride to medical help.

   At the very least keep the cell phone charged, a spare battery would be nice, and in a pocket close to hand but safe from harm. Have 911 on speed dial. Make sure you have the location, address clearly identified in a manner the emergency services can use. On some remote sites builders have been known to place brightly painted signs at key rural intersections and the beginning of the drive telling the EMTs where to turn to get to where they are working.

   The price of some 2' square pieces of 1/2" plywood and some orange, background, and black paint seem cheap enough. Being able to tell EMS to 'follow the bright orange signs' could save your life. Something to think about on any site using an auger or not.

4. 
   MSA1 | Sep 17, 2005 05:00am | #5

   I've got an earthquake auger and I havent had a problem with it. I think it works well. You do need to pay attention while using but i've never had it get away from me when I hit a rock, usually it hits relatively light before it tears your arm off.

    I did find it kind of funny that Lowes sells the motor and the screws but not the extension that allows you to dig to 42" (frost line in Michigan). I guess that what happens when purchasing is located in N.C.

1. 
   DANSW44 | Sep 17, 2005 11:43pm | #18

   I did see the one at lowes and you are right they dont sell the extension.  I also live in michigan and we have clay and some rocks, how does it feel against the rocks, you mentioned that it has some indication before it breaks your arm.  I also know that HD sells the General ones and have extesions and augers.  Would you buy it again or go with a different setup.

1. 
   MSA1 | Sep 18, 2005 04:46am | #24

   Depends on how you hit the rock. usually it just stops drilling and out comes the shovel and pry bar. I dont use it that often but i've never been sorry I got it. You can order the extension from the manufacturer, I think it cost $40 and about a week of waiting.

    

5. 
   cynwyd | Sep 17, 2005 06:16am | #6

   even a Milwaukee Hole Hawg comes with a caution that a snag can break your wrist or arm

1. 
   4Lorn1 | Sep 17, 2005 06:47am | #7

   Good point.We had to use a 6" whole saw to bore a dozen holes in in hard, heart pine planks. Nails were everywhere and the saw nearly hurt a couple of people. Went out to the truck and returned with the handle, 3/4" RMC with a NPT end, off the bender and fitted in place of the normal, shorter side handle. Same conduit, or the corresponding pipe, fits most large drills. This let one man work the drill while another on a second ladder steadied the extended handle. When the saw hit a nail or bound up the long handle provided more leverage. No more close calls or wrenched wrists.

6. 
   OverKnight | Sep 17, 2005 11:33pm | #17

   I think it depends upon the kind of soil you're digging in and in what physical condition you're in.

   I rented a one-man from HD a mont ago to dig some 8" holes. The soil around here has a lot of clay, and during the dry spell we've had, it's almost like concrete. The auger never got away from me, but I don't think I've had a beating this bad since grade school. A 1.5" stone embedded in this hard soil would make the auger kick like a mule. However, once I got below this hardpacked layer of clay, the soil was much looser, and it went through that relatively easily.

1. 
   DANSW44 | Sep 17, 2005 11:50pm | #19

   We do have some clay and rocks in Michigan mostly a variety of soils, I was wondering if it was a General the one you rented from Home Depot or was it a EarthQuake?  I think the General has a better clutch but I am still researching that.  I am also trying to see how much kick back before it would do damage too you was really severe or was it too much too endure?

1. 
   OverKnight | Sep 22, 2005 11:40pm | #25

   I don't remember, but I should be in HD this weekend. I'll check the brand and report back.

2. 
   OverKnight | Oct 11, 2005 03:41am | #29

   I thought I would have gotten into a HD before this, but didn't have the chance to. I was in there over this past weekend, and I had rented a General 210. As far as how much kick back there was, well, I wasn't injured, but someone a mite younger, bigger and stronger than I would have had an easier time with it. Also, I've since been told that it's much easier to dig in moist clay than hard, dry clay, i.e., make mud.
   Good luck.

7. 
   JeffBuck | Sep 23, 2005 02:53am | #27

   I've rented the kind that have the motor sitting on the 4 wheel dolly and have the long extension arm out to the handle.

   no way of getting hurt there ... just binds when ya hit a rock.

   and ... more than half the weight is sitting on the ground ... still not light ... but managable. I think they also have more power in those types.

   That's the only type I'd consider buying.

   That said ... I much prefer Pete's idea.

    

   Jeff

       Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

8. 
   wmtcarp | Sep 23, 2005 05:02am | #28

   I have rented  1 man augers several times for deck jobs.  The last time I got the unit in a little to far and having no reverse I couldn't lift it out! ( This was after about the sixth hole!)  Took me about 1/2 hour to lever the thing out with my digging bar and an increasing stack of 2 x 4 scraps!!  Next time I plan to use a small self propelled unit (a Dingo or such))

9. 
   MisterSteve | Oct 11, 2005 05:15am | #30

   I own a one man General (210 I think) that I bought used from a Home Depot Rental auction. I clear the hole often and have not had a problem.

   Also I use it 50% of the time with another person, mainly the DW, on the other side. Have hit rocks, but its mainly roots or not clearing the hole that will get it to spin on you.

   The clutch is good, but so is letting go, or just clearing the hole often, like every five inches or so.

   Great for owning so you can dig that hole here or there without running to the rental place. Also very popular with the neighbors; everyone needs a new fence hole or such.

   Also the one man was great for useing under an exisitn porch.
   FYI it was 45 bucks from the auction.