A few days ago my neighbor asked me to dig some fence post holes for him in his back yard. He wanted 16 holes drilled 2' deep. I have a skid steer with a auger attachment so I was happy to do it for him. I have turned a 36" auger and dug holes 10' deep with this rig, but I couldn't dig past a foot with a 6" auger in the clay he had in his back yard. We poured 5 gallons of water in one of the holes and left it overnight. Most of the water was still there the next morning, and it still wouldn't drill. The night before, my neighbor ran across your video and suggested we try it. We found a bolt on spiral auger tip at Tractor Supply for $44. I told him that it looked like it would fit my bobcat auger with some modification. So he bought it, we installed it, I was skeptical. We drilled the 16 holes in 15 minutes. It was awesome. Thanks for posting this video, it saved us from a lot of work.
Handheld gas driven augers have a fishtail point, which works a lot better than that screw lead point. But the nice thing about your idea is that it allows absolutely precise placement of the auger, right where you want the hole to be centred- assuming it isn't knocked off centre by a stone or the like.
Thanks so much for sharing this. We’re just west of San Antonio and have been having the same problem. Finally gave up and dug 19 holes by hand with a digging bar and post hole shovel. I can not wait to try this! Thanks again. God bless!
that pilot hole with the tube was a great idea am using my auger for the first time this week on hard clay it has not rained for month. thanks USA from the UK
I spent 2 hours trying to get through clay to put in a new mail box. Nothing worked, I even tried to use a hand auger I used your suggestion and I was done in 5 minutes. Thanks for the tip.
Mate, I'm from Queensland Australia, which I've heard has similarities to Texas. Was having same drama, thanks for tip, and tell your boy, "his blood's worth bottling".
very good idea your son thought of, well done. i will pass this video info on to "Captain Kleeman" youtube channel because he is having this same problem , but he is operating near the shaft of the auger which could go wrong quite quickly indeed.? 👈👺👀👀
From north Texas too but I have the black clay. I’ve been using the “pilot hole” method for years now and it does work wonders! Keeps it from walking all over the place too. My issue now is that it’s spinning and not going down even though the lift arm is all the way down. I think it maybe time to replace the boring bit (not sure if that’s the right term) and the very bottom and the 2 side blades but can’t find videos on how to replace the very bottom one. 😢
Putting in a fence in IN and the red clay is very difficult, especially with a compact tractor. Do you try to level tractor before drilling? What speed do you use? I understand the pipe method as holes I drill seem to migrate about and then I need to clean out the hole. Your soil is much easier than mine, then again you do have a more powerful machine. Don't you have to back tractor to keep it vertical as you go? Does your suspended auger hang vertically? Lastly, are you aware of a reversing valve?
Norman, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I did not see a notification from your comment. As far as leveling the tractor, I try to position the tractor as level as possible and then back the tractor up to plumb the auger as needed. I max my rpms on my tractor engine out. This puts my PTO rpms at about 540rpm. I have a hydraulic 3-point that I am using to apply downward pressure as the auger is engaged. This doesn't provide a lot of psi, maybe a 200-500 lbs, but it is enough to give it what it needs. My suspended auger does hang mostly vertical. Gear boxes on tractors are generally single directional. I'm not sure if there is some type of gear box that has a reverse function. However, I haven't looked for one.
Hi Nick - could I use this with a handheld post auger? I haven’t seen many bits that attach to one that support the bolt on Tractor Supply bit that you linked.
Possibly. That is something you would probably need to experiment with. Be CAREFUL and get a second person to help you out. Handheld augers can be dangerous as well because people will use their weight to drive it down and sometimes this will cause them to lose their balance.
Yes, hollow pipe. Just hit it on a t-post or something metal. Not sure about a cone. The method shown here worked better than anything we’ve ever tried. If you find something better, please share!
@@BarnDwellers Wow, wasn't expecting a reply so fast! The auger I'm renting has a pilot bit, but not a corkscrew shape, more like a guide to keep the auger from wandering when boring down. The way I understand your technique is the core you removed is to allow the main body of the auger to make contact with the bottom of the hole, while the tip keeps the auger centered in the hole. Sorry to ask another question, but the clay has brought my fence project to a halt and your video is my only hope so far.
Thanks Nick. I was able to break through with a digging bar before the rental place opened this morning. Will let you know if I end up trying the auger again though!
I just spent 3 hours trying to back my auger OUT of the hole because it bit into the clay and just screwed itself into the ground. There's no "reverse" on the PTO, so I ended up breaking two pipe wrenches backing it out by hand. Not sure where to go from here. I'm in Bowie (northwest of Fort Worth) and the clay is stout.
@@BarnDwellers neither. I stopped it before anything catastrophic happened. After doing some research, I think one mistake I made was not setting the drop rate on the 3-point hitch to go slower. It seems that if you let the rear drop too fast, that's what allows it to screw into the ground. Having it go as slow as possible ensures that it will remove dirt without biting into it. We'll see tomorrow if it doesn't rain.
Good video but I’m unclear what the solution is? Do you start the hole with the auger then drive the pipe to produce a smaller hole within the primary hole?
Jeff, thank you for the questions. No, do not start it with the auger. Drive the pipe into the ground about 8" and then pull it out. The clay will stay lodged in the inner wall of the pipe. Then put the auger into the vacancy that was created and let her rip.
Easy solution? dig a little, until it stops. put water in the hole (gallon or two) and come back the next day. digs like butter. no beating pipes into the ground. just takes more time.
A few days ago my neighbor asked me to dig some fence post holes for him in his back yard. He wanted 16 holes drilled 2' deep. I have a skid steer with a auger attachment so I was happy to do it for him. I have turned a 36" auger and dug holes 10' deep with this rig, but I couldn't dig past a foot with a 6" auger in the clay he had in his back yard. We poured 5 gallons of water in one of the holes and left it overnight. Most of the water was still there the next morning, and it still wouldn't drill. The night before, my neighbor ran across your video and suggested we try it. We found a bolt on spiral auger tip at Tractor Supply for $44. I told him that it looked like it would fit my bobcat auger with some modification. So he bought it, we installed it, I was skeptical. We drilled the 16 holes in 15 minutes. It was awesome. Thanks for posting this video, it saved us from a lot of work.
Absolutely! That’s awesome!!!
So your 6" auger didn't have a spiral tip on it? What was different about the part he bought?
Handheld gas driven augers have a fishtail point, which works a lot better than that screw lead point. But the nice thing about your idea is that it allows absolutely precise placement of the auger, right where you want the hole to be centred- assuming it isn't knocked off centre by a stone or the like.
Thanks so much for sharing this. We’re just west of San Antonio and have been having the same problem. Finally gave up and dug 19 holes by hand with a digging bar and post hole shovel. I can not wait to try this! Thanks again. God bless!
Knights Helm Farms sure thing! Glad we could help others!
Great tip , I have suffered with the same issue for years. I will try it thanks!
Happy to hear!
that pilot hole with the tube was a great idea am using my auger for the first time this week on hard clay it has not rained for month. thanks USA from the UK
So glad we were able to help!
Great video,
Thanks for that! I was having issue with clay today and will try this technique tomorrow! I am in northern NM.
Let us know how it works!
I spent 2 hours trying to get through clay to put in a new mail box. Nothing worked, I even tried to use a hand auger I used your suggestion and I was done in 5 minutes. Thanks for the tip.
That is awesome! Glad it worked for you too.
Great idea
Mate, I'm from Queensland Australia, which I've heard has similarities to Texas. Was having same drama, thanks for tip, and tell your boy, "his blood's worth bottling".
Thank you! So glad it helped!!!
very good idea your son thought of, well done. i will pass this video info on to "Captain Kleeman" youtube channel because he is having this same problem , but he is operating near the shaft of the auger which could go wrong quite quickly indeed.? 👈👺👀👀
From north Texas too but I have the black clay. I’ve been using the “pilot hole” method for years now and it does work wonders! Keeps it from walking all over the place too. My issue now is that it’s spinning and not going down even though the lift arm is all the way down. I think it maybe time to replace the boring bit (not sure if that’s the right term) and the very bottom and the 2 side blades but can’t find videos on how to replace the very bottom one. 😢
Take a picture of it and post it. I will try to help out.
can you add that predrill piece to any auger?
I suppose you could weld one on if it doesn't have the proper fitting.
I have a Ford 3000 diesel tractor with a Post hole digger it does a good job
What inside diameter pipe in relationship to the auger point works best? The auger tip might grab better with a slightly smaller hole
We were using tubing around 1-1/2" in diameter.
sorry. i did not get the idea.do you use pipe to make small hole on clay before drilling? or you use special drill tip?
Yes. You are creating a bore that the pilot bit can grab and create momentum.
Putting in a fence in IN and the red clay is very difficult, especially with a compact tractor.
Do you try to level tractor before drilling?
What speed do you use?
I understand the pipe method as holes I drill seem to migrate about and then I need to clean out the hole.
Your soil is much easier than mine, then again you do have a more powerful machine.
Don't you have to back tractor to keep it vertical as you go? Does your suspended auger hang vertically? Lastly, are you aware of a reversing valve?
Norman, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I did not see a notification from your comment. As far as leveling the tractor, I try to position the tractor as level as possible and then back the tractor up to plumb the auger as needed. I max my rpms on my tractor engine out. This puts my PTO rpms at about 540rpm. I have a hydraulic 3-point that I am using to apply downward pressure as the auger is engaged. This doesn't provide a lot of psi, maybe a 200-500 lbs, but it is enough to give it what it needs. My suspended auger does hang mostly vertical. Gear boxes on tractors are generally single directional. I'm not sure if there is some type of gear box that has a reverse function. However, I haven't looked for one.
Hi Nick - could I use this with a handheld post auger? I haven’t seen many bits that attach to one that support the bolt on Tractor Supply bit that you linked.
Possibly. That is something you would probably need to experiment with. Be CAREFUL and get a second person to help you out. Handheld augers can be dangerous as well because people will use their weight to drive it down and sometimes this will cause them to lose their balance.
It might be easier to use a 1.5 inch auger to drill a pilot hole. Then use the big auger to drill the post hole.
Try an auger with a cutter blade on the tip
was it hollow pipe, if so how did you get rhe dirt out?
what about putting a cone on the end of the pipe.
Yes, hollow pipe. Just hit it on a t-post or something metal. Not sure about a cone. The method shown here worked better than anything we’ve ever tried. If you find something better, please share!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge sir !
Where did you find that predrill auger? Did you weld it onto the end of the original
Tractor Supply
It bolts to my auger bit.
Hey Nick, do I need to have an auger bit just like the one you have for this to work, or will getting the core out with the pipe suffice?
Hi Jeff, the pilot bit portion is what should grab the core vacancy.
@@BarnDwellers Wow, wasn't expecting a reply so fast! The auger I'm renting has a pilot bit, but not a corkscrew shape, more like a guide to keep the auger from wandering when boring down. The way I understand your technique is the core you removed is to allow the main body of the auger to make contact with the bottom of the hole, while the tip keeps the auger centered in the hole. Sorry to ask another question, but the clay has brought my fence project to a halt and your video is my only hope so far.
In our experience, the corkscrew tip was necessary. You can try it with the bit you have. Please let me know your results.
Thanks Nick. I was able to break through with a digging bar before the rental place opened this morning. Will let you know if I end up trying the auger again though!
I just spent 3 hours trying to back my auger OUT of the hole because it bit into the clay and just screwed itself into the ground. There's no "reverse" on the PTO, so I ended up breaking two pipe wrenches backing it out by hand. Not sure where to go from here. I'm in Bowie (northwest of Fort Worth) and the clay is stout.
Did your shear bolt break or did it just kill the tractor?
@@BarnDwellers neither. I stopped it before anything catastrophic happened. After doing some research, I think one mistake I made was not setting the drop rate on the 3-point hitch to go slower. It seems that if you let the rear drop too fast, that's what allows it to screw into the ground. Having it go as slow as possible ensures that it will remove dirt without biting into it. We'll see tomorrow if it doesn't rain.
Good video but I’m unclear what the solution is? Do you start the hole with the auger then drive the pipe to produce a smaller hole within the primary hole?
Jeff, thank you for the questions. No, do not start it with the auger. Drive the pipe into the ground about 8" and then pull it out. The clay will stay lodged in the inner wall of the pipe. Then put the auger into the vacancy that was created and let her rip.
TLDR: Pilot hole with 1.5" pipe
Easy solution? dig a little, until it stops. put water in the hole (gallon or two) and come back the next day. digs like butter. no beating pipes into the ground. just takes more time.
Oh! I never thought of that! I do it when I’m digging with a shovel, though - Thanks!
tried it. didn't work for us. many holes werenstill holding water even. red dirt clay tough!
That’s not real clay
bla bla bla bla, get to the point!...