A Motorized Post Hole Digger Makes Life Easier
Should you rent a post hole digger or buy one? To be honest, you’ve got to do a little bit of math here. A gas powered post hole digger is not something that’s needed in every home. If you just have a small project to complete, it might be total overkill. Sometimes you can even get by with using a manual approach to labor. Other times though, the trade off in time and effort just isn’t worth it.
Digging fence post holes is a time consuming chore that can be a serious pain in the neck (and back). When there’s a good deal of work to be done, one of these powerful digging machines can be a real blessing. You should consider how much your time is worth and how much renting one of these machines could end up costing you. You might be better off buying yourself one of these earth augers if you are going to need it for more than just a day or two. Back when we first bought our home, I went the rental path a few times, but it didn’t take long for me to figure out that just a couple of multi-day rentals often ended up costing me enough to have purchased the item I needed (a rototiller comes to mind here).
The Earthquake Post Hole Digger
If you are looking for a gas powered auger, and you’ve been doing any research, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across the Ardisam Earthquake name. These earth augers are popular because both the price and the performance are pretty good compared to other comparable brands. Just as with any post hole digger you might purchase, you’ve got to use care in handling one of these machines, but they can get serious digging jobs done for you at a reasonable cost. Compare the price of owning one of these to what it would cost to rent an auger for one or two big jobs. You have your choice of power with the Earthquake diggers.
Here is a linke to one of the more popular Earthquake models sold on Amazon.
One Man and Two Man Augers
These gas powered hole diggers save a ton of time!
If you have a fence to install or another project that involves digging similar sized holes, you will save a lot of time by using a gas powered post hole digger. These diggers make the job much easier on your back and can finish a job, which would take hours by hand, in minutes. There are quite a few models that are able to be operated by one person. There are also many models that take two to control the digger effectively, so you will want to factor this into your decision as to which brand to purchase. The two diggers shown above are pretty typical of what is out there in one and two model designs.
Working Safely with an Auger
Protect yourself when you’re working.
Buy safety goggles. You will want to have some ear and eye protection as these machines can be fairly loud. The eye protection will keep you safe in case the auger encounters a rock in the soil. It will also save you some time if you clearly mark all of the areas in which you need to dig holes. This will allow you to move from one hole to the next without having to stop and start the digger each time. Most post hole diggers that are gas powered will require a pilot hole in order to make certain that the digger remains stable. A pilot hole is basically a starter hole and can be quickly dug out with a hand shovel. Obviously you should read, understand, and follow all of the directions that come with the post hole digger you purchase.
How Much Power Do You Need?
Get the tool that’s right for the job
When you are selecting a brand of gas powered post hole digger, make certain that it includes the drill size that you need. Many models come with multiple drills and these will help you to accomplish different jobs. A one-person auger will be suitable for most backyard style jobs. The two-man augers will be able to accomplish these jobs and will also be suitable for more industrial style work. Be certain that the digger you select has a comfortable grip and drills that can be replaced if they become damaged. You will also want to make certain that the model you select has enough horsepower to complete the job you have in mind. The more horsepower a model has, the more likely it will take two people to effectively use the post hole digger in a safe manner.
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