Spent 8 years digging post holes with a clamshell digger before trying an auger

I was out on a job in Springfield last month, 40 holes to dig for a horse farm fence. By hole 12 my back was screaming and I was only 2 feet deep on each. My helper asked why I didn't just rent a one man auger from the depot. I thought augers were only for big crews with skid steers. Rented a 2 stroke Honda for $65 and knocked out the rest in under 3 hours. Has anyone else stuck with a manual tool way too long before upgrading?

2 comments

2 Comments

blakecampbell1mo ago

Did you see that video going around where a guy turned his clamshell digger into a rain gauge after switching to an auger? Tbh I think that's the real lesson here, we all just assume the manual way is the only way until something hurts bad enough to change. I swear half the contractors I know are still digging post holes like it's 1950 because they're too stubborn to spend sixty bucks at the depot.

white.grant1mo ago

Can't believe people are actually spending sixty bucks on something they could jury-rig for free, that's wild.