A post auger provides gives workers the power to dig a post hole through all types of soil and clay, depending on the type of post hole digger. For simple jobs, a one man post hole digger will work to make a hole for fence or lamp posts. If you have a bigger job, a gas post hole digger or tractor post hole digger will provide the necessary power to get the hole large and deep enough for street lights, telephone poles and other types of post holes.

Whether you are using a hydraulic post hole auger or something smaller, proper training is essential for the safety of the equipment and the operators. You can find many resources for post hole digger education and training, including:

1. Operation instructions and training from the manufacturer that can be useful for both a new or used post hole digger.

2. Classes that teach how to use a gas powered post hole digger safely.

3. Seminars and other events that teach advanced skills.

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Find training resources provided by point post hole digger manufacturers

All manufacturers should be able to provide consumers with some type of operational training material for their post diggers. Often they simply provide an operational manual for the model of digger, but many manufacturers go beyond that to offer training classes and programs that teach businesses how to use its equipment.

I recommend: Gearmore provides user manuals for all of its machinery, including diggers. These guides can be used for training employees individually or in a classroom setting. Diamond Tool provides many training courses that will come in handy on the job site, including general safety and trenching and excavations.

Attend classes to learn how to operate a post hole digger

While vocational training is not required for post hole digger operators, it is often helpful. Some post digger operators are educated in fence building or industrial machine repair. You can find many educational opportunities for fence building and machine operations through vocational schools and tradesmen organizations.

I recommend: Kansas State University provides a hazardous occupations training course for those who work with heavy machinery, which includes training on proper use of post hole diggers. Northwest Laborers-Employers provides a course on basic fence building that covers topics like equipment operation and safety procedures.

Sign up for seminars and events to learn more about post auger technology

Many tradesmen find that seminars and workshops are an excellent way to receive continuing education in their field. Seminars give you the opportunity to learn new skills, check out the latest auger technology, and update your safety certifications for the job.

I recommend: United Rentals requires safety certification for people who use its equipment, and offers training seminars to help them get it. Dig Safely New York provides excavator seminars that teach the skills necessary to use all type of excavation equipment.

If you are a contractor, landscaper or fence builder, then you will need a post hole digger at some point in time. The questions you need to ask are:

1. How often will I use the post hole digger?
2. What type of hole digger do I need?

The type of post hole digger you need depends on the jobs you do. If you need to dig shallow holes, then a handheld post hole digger will do the job just fine. If you need to dig deep holes, then you probably want a gas-powered post hole digger or a tractor post hole digger.

Here are a few things to remember when buying post hole diggers:

1. Research the different types of post hole diggers.
2. Buy new if you can afford it.
3. If you buy a used post hole digger, ensure that the product is in good working order and replacement parts are still available.

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Research different types of post hole diggers

The type of company you have and the amount of holes you dig will determine the type of post hole digger(s) you need. Do some research to find out what different products offer.

I recommend: John Deere has a great comparison chart for the post hole diggers they sell. Shaver Manufacturing Company offers a hydraulic post hole auger as well as a PTO post hole digger. This website compares both product lines. Another way to compare different types and brands of post hole diggers is to visit websites like NexTag, Inc.

Buy post hole diggers directly from the manufacturer

Buying from manufacturers can have advantages and disadvantages. You have to buy the product new. This means it will cost you more money; however, manufacturers usually have better prices on their products than retail stores. Manufacturer buying also helps you with warranties and product replacement.

I recommend: Leinbach Machinery is a manufacturer of post hole diggers. Their products are online, but you need to contact them for pricing. Green Manufacturing offers a selection of the post hole diggers they manufacture. On this website, you can find a hydraulic post hole auger as well as a tractor post hole digger.

If you can afford it, buy new post hole diggers

Buying new is always the way to go, if it is in your budget. A new product offers a warranty, and a new post hole digger is no exception. These products are pricey but much more reliable.

I recommend: PostHoleAuger.com has everything from a one-man post auger to a gas post hole digger auger. Northern Tool + Equipment also has a large selection of products. Wikco.com, Inc. has a tractor post hole digger for every tractor. For handheld post hole diggers, visit Swartz Tools.

If the post hole digger you need is too expensive, consider buying used

Obviously a used product is going to cost less than a product that is new. You can get some great deals on used post hole diggers.

I recommend: Used Field Tractors has everything from a tractor post hole digger to a post hole digger that comes with a post auger. eBay also has a nice selection.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you buy a post hole digger that uses an auger, check to see if the auger comes with the digger. This may end up being a separate purchase.
• •  If you do not use post hole diggers that often, consider a post hole digger rental. Most hardware stores offer rental equipment for fees much smaller than the purchase price.

The post hole digger is an example of a "simple machine" tool that has become more complex for today's high-tech world. In the beginning, these were simple hand-held tools operated manually; today's post or fence hole diggers are made in different designs, some gas-powered or hydraulic or otherwise powered by mounting onto machinery. Learn about the kinds of post hole diggers on the market and key terms for these devices.

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Clamshell post hole digger

This is generally a hand-held model. The simple machine has two halves of a 'clam shell' design: the worker digs down, pushes the halves together, and lifts the dirt out of the hole. These devices work best with lighter and softer soils.

I recommend: Get a great guide to using the clamshell hand-held post hole digger along with visuals at DIYNetwork.

Hydraulic diggers

Hydraulic post hole digger models give more heft to the digging tool and allow for getting through tougher soils. They can be free-standing or mounted on a tractor.

I recommend: Read up on the use of hydraulic diggers at Ag Equipment Power.

Post hole auger

The auger represents a huge improvement in design for tools that handle post hole and fence hole digging jobs. The auger is a drill tool that displaces soil with a circular motion rather than removing the earth vertically.

I recommend: See some wheeled- and tractor-style power augers at this page from the LSU Ag Center. For more tractor post hole auger designs, check out Vintage Projects.

One-man powered earth auger

The one-man powered earth auger version of the post hole digger combines simple design with a gasoline-powered unit at the top.

I recommend: Learn more about the one-man powered earth auger from Hoffco.

Lever action digger

The lever action digger scoops up soil from a hole by a moving blade attached to a lever further up on the handle.

I recommend: Learn about how a lever action digger works at Gardening Basics online.

Reversible post hole auger

Many of the powered post hole auger models include a reversible auger so that the digging implement can turn both ways. This is helpful if the tool gets stuck while digging.

I recommend: For some details on a reversible post hole auger, see Post Hole Augers.

Post hole diggers are a valuable piece of equipment for hardscaping companies and fencing companies. The pieces of equipment enable you to dig an even hole of a precise size. The price you can expect to pay is largely dependent upon the type of post hole diggers you need to purchase.

If your company only does shallow post hole digging in soft mediums, such as dirt, the least expensive manual models may suffice. However, if your company is going to drill deep or through more than just dirt, spending more money for a powered model is advisable. Consider the following suggestions to get a general idea of post hole digger pricing and costs:

1. Opt for a basic post hole digger for infrequent or simple uses.

2. Purchase a post auger to make manual post hole digging easier without spending a lot more money.

3. Spend extra money to enjoy a less labor intensive drill while increasing the possible jobs you can perform.

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Save money with basic post hole diggers

Basic post hole diggers are a good option for a business that can't afford to put a large investment into the post hole digger. These models are the least expensive of all the post hole diggers; however, they are also the most time and labor consuming models.

I recommend: Ace Hardware sells basic post hole diggers starting at around $30. You can also find dual packs of post hole diggers at this company. TheHardwareCity.com sells hole diggers and replacement parts for them. You can expect to pay at least $20 for a new post hole digger and around $10 for replacement blades for a used post hole digger.

Upgrade to a post auger

While a post auger is manually operated, these models are generally easier to use than basic post hole diggers because of the blade design. When pricing these models, you can expect to pay more for an adjustable model; however, spending this extra money gives you more leeway when planning projects that involve using the auger.

I recommend: Hardware World sells a manual auger for under $50. Deerso.com sells a varied selection of post hole auger models. Prices start at around $70 for an adjustable post hole digger auger.

Invest in powered post hole diggers

If your business does a lot of work that involves post hole diggers, a powered model may be the bests option for you. Generally, a one man gas operated model will be the least expensive option, while a tractor post hole digger or a two man version will be more expensive.

I recommend: If your business does a lot of work that involves post hole diggers, a powered model may be the bests option for you. Generally, a one man gas operated model will be the least expensive option, while a tractor post hole digger or a two man version will be more expensive.