My $400 auger rental taught me a lesson about rocky soil

I figured I'd save time on a 50-foot run of posts by renting a one-man auger instead of hand-digging (like I used to do back in the day). Got it from the equipment yard for a weekend, cost me about $400 with the deposit. First three holes went fine, then I hit a patch of what looked like old construction rubble mixed with ledge. That auger bound up so hard it nearly twisted my arm off before the shear pin gave out. Spent half the next day with a digging bar and a shovel anyway, plus had to pay for the damaged bit. Did I just get unlucky with the ground, or do you guys always scope the soil before renting power tools?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryanprice29d ago

Ngl I think $400 for a weekend rental is steep for what you got, but the real issue is you dove in blind. Rocky soil is pretty common in a lot of areas, especially if you're near any kind of construction history. That one man auger is a toy in anything but soft dirt. I've seen guys snap those things clean in half on ledge. Next time just walk the line with a probe bar first. Costs nothing and tells you exactly what you're up against. Saves your arm and your wallet.

ivan8229d ago

Oh come on, is it really that big of a deal? I mean yeah it sucks but it's just dirt, not like you're drilling for oil or something.