Digging holes by hand

[Irish NZ]

Strainrite do some good tools, can't remember who the importer is though

http://www.strainrite.co.nz/Category/34-post-hole-tools.aspx

Kiwi kit?

 

[Cowcalf]

had a guy who could blast a fairly clean hole for a strainer by cutting a piece of wood to create a vortex effect, always thought we would have been more productive at one of the local financial institutions

 

[Dry Rot]

had a guy who could blast a fairly clean hole for a strainer by cutting a piece of wood to create a vortex effect, always thought we would have been more productive at one of the local financial institutions

I'm told the GPO would blast a hole in boggy ground before digging in a pole. The blast apparently seals the soil and prevents the water seeping back in too quickly before they got the hole dug (by hand). I'd be interested to hear if anyone can verify that.

 

[Philip Watkins]

I'm told the GPO would blast a hole in boggy ground before digging in a pole. The blast apparently seals the soil and prevents the water seeping back in too quickly before they got the hole dug (by hand). I'd be interested to hear if anyone can verify that.

Don't know if it's true about the GPO doing that but there is some truth in the theory. Bomb craters form ponds for the same reason.

 

[Zebbedee]

Few more pictures View attachment 257298View attachment 257300

Oh hey that is good @davedb seriously that should be in production you could make bigger ones for bigger machines for shed footings

 

[kx-91]

@davedb do you know what size ram you used and how much travel it has?

 

[davedb]

Oh hey that is good @davedb seriously that should be in production you could make bigger ones for bigger machines for shed footings

Thanks I did dig a lot of post holes for new shed with it works well like you say a bigger one would be very handy

@davedb do you know what size ram you used and how much travel it has?

Can't remember of the top of my head but I think it was 4" ram

 

[suffolksmallholder]

I have a Danuser tractor mounted auger for gateposts and a 6' chad to go deeper if needed.
My favorite tool is the air spade, particularly for difficult to get to places. This breaks up the soil leaving just the shovelling out which is done in 6" increments. I bought this tool some years ago before they became popular. Saves a lot of effort and is really good for planting young trees/hedges too.
Love the digger mounted contraption @Nearly
SS

 

[kx-91]

@davedb if you put some teeth on the sides of the spades would it make a good log grab too? And did you mean 4" stroke or bore?thanks

 

[Paddington]

6' wrecking bar and Norfolk spoon:

 

[Landy Nick]

Welded a 6ft scaffold pipe onto a narrow trenching spade end, makes digging holes a lot easier, my brother (a landscaper) offer borrows it, how he bent the pipe I will never know. But I like the idea of the pick axe head

Have one here too with 1,1/2" galvanised pipe welded to an old bulldog trenching spade. Takes no prisoners lol. Digs a good hole.

 

[davedb]

@davedb if you put some teeth on the sides of the spades would it make a good log grab too? And did you mean 4" stroke or bore?thanks

4 " ram cant remember stroke, I did think of putting teeth on it but tbh I've loaded loads of logs with it as it is no problem, just need a tow hitch on digger and il be away

 

[kx-91]

A decent sized ram then!was it off the scrap shear grab you chopped up to make the spades?

 

[davedb]

A decent sized ram then!was it off the scrap shear grab you chopped up to make the spades?

It was a new ram the same as a local engineer uses on muck grabs he makes

 

[Forever Fendt]

It was a new ram the same as a local engineer uses on muck grabs he makes

ajp ?

 

[davedb]

ajp ?

Hall engineering in leek get quite a few bits, steel, hydraulic pipes ect from there

 

[kx-91]

Is it made with 8" channel? And what does the little plate at the top held with the Allen bolts do? @davedb

 

[kx-91]

@davedb would it double up as a tree shear too if you removed the spades and made some blades for it?

 

[davedb]

@davedb would it double up as a tree shear too if you removed the spades and made some blades for it?

possibly but it would probably be as easy to just make a tree sheer as i am planning to do at some point

 

[kx-91]

possibly but it would probably be as easy to just make a tree sheer as i am planning to do at some point

make sure you take pictures of the build and put them on here☺ do you have a design in mind?