HF auger?

drkelly

drkelly

Dipstick who put two vehicles on jack stands
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Oak Ridge/Stokesdale, NC
Anyone own or used one of these style augers? I'm wondering if they will go through compacted NC clay or just bog down and jerk the operator around.

www.harborfreight.com

Gas Powered Earth Auger

Amazing deals on this Gas Powered Earth Auger 50:1 at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
 
Well, I have used a similar style at Uwaharrie to put in guardrail. They work fine as long as you don't hit big rocks. However, any portable auger is going to have the same issue.
 
My HS buddy and I rented one back in the late 90's to install a fence at my first house.

This was back in the driest summer we had ever had. Day 1 we punched 3 holes. The last hole we were both holding this thing for dear life. It caught and threw us both. Sumbitch spun for 10 minutes till Scooter jumped on it and rode that spinning death stick for 3 minutes. He hit the kill switch and it finally came to an end. I think he broke a couple of ribs stopping it.

I bought a soaker hose and laid it out along the fence line that evening. The next day we punched more than 20 holes due to the ground being moist and soft :rolleyes:
 
I've used one. A friend bought one because it cost about the same as renting one for a weekend. It worked fine, but I've never used another one to compare it to. I do remember an issue with a fuel line or something that was pouring fuel but easy fix.
 
Beats the hell out of a post hole diggers, and not near as good as a tractor, which isn't nearly as good as a skidsteer/mini-skid mounted one.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Beats the hell out of a post hole diggers, and not near as good as a tractor, which isn't nearly as good as a skidsteer/mini-skid mounted one.
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which isn't as good as paying somebody else to make it their problem
 
OK, thanks for the replies. I had been thinking about renting one, then the wife mentioned buying one.

This is the one I was looking at renting from Sunbelt. It looks like it would work great, but $140/day which puts you almost at the HF one.

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I own one of the HF ones. I don't remember paying that much for it though. I was thinking about $170ish. Has performed well in Virginia clay, however, learn to hold it with loose wrists.
 
I've used one that looks more like below. Little Beaver I think. Truly a one-man deal and has extensions to go deeper. Still gotta lift it out of the hole... Rental

little-beaver-mechanical-earth-drill.png
 
I have a brand new one like the harbor freight one that has never been even started i will sell for $100.00 bought it and never used it.
 
drkelly said:
OK, thanks for the replies. I had been thinking about renting one, then the wife mentioned buying one.

This is the one I was looking at renting from Sunbelt. It looks like it would work great, but $140/day which puts you almost at the HF one.

View attachment 357760
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Used one exactly like this foe ours. It worked great, you could put your body weight on it or two and it didn't slow down.
 
I got one you can borrow if you need, got a decent selection of augers bits as well. I planted about 40 4ft trees with it in jut a few hours. Have good shoulders and arms, cause when you hit a rock its a jolt.
 
BIGWOODY said:
I got one you can borrow if you need, got a decent selection of augers bits as well. I planted about 40 4ft trees with it in jut a few hours. Have good shoulders and arms, cause when you hit a rock its a jolt.
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I appreciate the offer, but I hate to borrow stuff that I know I will need again later. My wife is constantly buying plants/bushes/trees. I think I am just going to buy one from HF. Thanks.
 
LT1JEEP said:
I have a brand new one like the harbor freight one that has never been even started i will sell for $100.00 bought it and never used it.
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If you were closer, I would take it. I think I am just going to swing by HF this w/e and pick one up. Thanks.
 
drkelly said:
I appreciate the offer, but I hate to borrow stuff that I know I will need again later. My wife is constantly buying plants/bushes/trees. I think I am just going to buy one from HF. Thanks.
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For the sake of future proofing, you really should just go this way...
1632315873516.png

:laughing:
 
LT1JEEP said:
I have a brand new one like the harbor freight one that has never been even started i will sell for $100.00 bought it and never used it.
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Damn, wish you were closer. My PHD had a handle malfunction a couple weeks ago and I got some fence posts to install.
 
Fawk a shovel! It was like going through butter after 3" of rain over the past two days. Dug about 70 holes in no time. I should have bought this years ago.

PXL_20210923_192009340.jpg
 
Jody Treadway said:
Campfire story to tell?
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If you'll actually show up...and teach me how to wheel.....absolutely

We can take OUR wedding crasher skills and YOUR wedding crasher skills and for SUPER wedding crashers!!!!
 
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