Posthole digging in the woods
 

Has anyone here got some first-hand knowledge about using a PTO auger? Seems like roots would be problem.

I have a PTO auger and have drilled hundred of holes for fences near tree lines.

Roots are an issue but we learned early that it is a two person job and to go slow....there are no points for speed.

The guy in back not only helps with placement and vertical orientation, but can see the composition of the dirt coming up the auger and helps the operator when roots and rock are in the mix.

A few other tips, use the smallest auger possible for the job at hand. Make sure you can reverse the auger as well...the main problem with roots is they can "grab" the auger and make a mess of things. Lastly, ensure your shear bolts in the PTO are calibrated to the job, meaning they will shear when they are supposed to.

I actually enjoy the work.

Watch out for underground wires! J/K!

Why not just pound fence posts in like 99.9999% of the other fence posts in rural areas?

Thank you Paul.

I'm in LDR (Low Density Residential) and am planning to install three types of fence. 170' wooden privacy, 680' 6' chain link and 100' aluminum (faux wrought iron) and 3 gates.

Good mix.

I forgot a few things.

Keep the RPMs up on the auger once in the dirt and a good grip is established at low RPMs and really pay attention to the vertical speed of penetration (Dear Penthouse) into the soil. Slow penetration. (I never thought this would happen to me).

Clear the hole a lot, meaning, lift the auger every foot of penetration or so (Her soil was compact yet moist). You don't have to reverse the auger, just lift it at speed just below the top of the hole. (No more Penthouse!)

Again, I really enjoyed being the auger Monkey off the tractor. Very satisfying work.

Are you setting steel pipes for the wooden privacy fence?

As long as your bit has the teeth on it you shouldn't have much trouble with roots unless you hit a really big one. Disclaimer: I have never used a 3 point auger I have a Skid Steer.

Pressure-treated 4X4's for the privacy fence, with PT planking.

For that quantity I'd rent a skidsteer with the front auger.

That makes sense, dad. But I have a tractor. Might rent a digger by itself.

Long time ago I put in a fence along the side of our yard.
There are/were cypress trees along the property line.
The hand held auger was a chore to hold when it hit a root from one of those, but it worked.

That’s an ambitious project.
I have 300’ feet across the front of my property and was going to put up a 4 rail fence backed with wire mesh to keep animals away from our chickens with two solar powered electric gates. I have a tractor with an auger but decided it’s too damn hot and too much work so I hired someone yesterday to do it all.
Good luck, that’s a whole lot of holes
Tony

I think as long as you're careful with the down pressure and speed, your tractor will be fine.

Why not just forget the fence posts and string your wire tree to tree in like 99.999% of the other "fences" in rural areas?

With a battery reciprocating saw you can cut any big roots out of the way if they are causing issues.
Cut them off into the wall of the hole to get clearance for the auger to continue digging.

Big job but transforming for your space to get some privacy from neighbors.

Cheers Richard.

Thing is I got a quote for handbilt 170’ privacy fence, the 4’ chain link (I want 6’ so that cost will go up), the 100’ aluminum and a couple gates installed, complete for around $13k. I got the time and the tractor but I’m not sure I want to tackle the half of the fence requiring posthole-drilling in the woods. The more I think about it paying the $ and having a beer is looking pretty good.

Either way, I gotta decide and gitter done before the snow flies.

How 'woodsie' is 'in the woods'?

Asking from a purely city perspective.

Not very dense. I’ve cleaned out the underbrush but some of the oaks and white pine near the proposed fence line are 24” and 12” diameter chest high, respectively. It’s a pretty old woods.

Nice :D