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 | John Talbert
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2000-04-16 14831
How deep of a hole can be dug with a 3 pt post hole digger with a 12' auger? I neeed to dig 12 footings for a barn 16" X 16" X 48". I was thinking of buying a Tractor Supply post hole digger with a 12" auger, digging as deep as I can with it, then digging the rest by hand. Any comments?
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| Steve Hansen
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2000-04-16 14832
Check your local equipment rental. They should have a three point post hole digger and auger. You should be able to get 48" of depth without a problem. Be carefull. Should be a lot cheaper than buying the rig for one time use. The augers are really screws. If you lose control they will drill right in. Can be a bear to back out. Make sure you have extra shear pins. ....
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| John Talbert
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2000-04-16 14833
Seems none of the rental places around here rent 3 pt implements. I called several, and no go. I will either have to buy one, or pay someone to dig the holes. I can use it later to plant trees on my 15 acre homesite. ....
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| Bird Senter
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 962 
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2000-04-16 14834
In theory they should go 48" deep, and I suppose such diggers exist, but in reality, I've not seen one that would quite make 36" without adding an extension, so you may want to inquire further before you buy or rent. ....
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| Jack in IL
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2000-04-16 14835
You may need more than one auger. For planting trees, the root balls are usually much larger than 12". Most root balls would require a 30 inch or larger auger. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
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2000-04-16 14837
John, you should have no problem augering holes for 16" sono-tubes, we do it to a depth of 8' all the time (with a 4' extension & 4' auger). A 12" auger will actually create a hole a few inches larger than its own diameter, especially if it is left turning in the hole a while. Your only limit as to the depth you can auger is the amount of lift the 3pth can produce to lift the bit back out of the hole. It is pretty unlikely that you will find a rent-all that will rent an auger, a larger dealer might, especially a used or trade-in unit they have in stock. Your best bet is to find a large electrical contractor who does pole line work, they will have a 'digger' truck for setting poles, a 16" hole 6' deep is a breeze for them, and you may be surprised at how cheap they will do it. Best of luck. ....
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 | lsheaffer
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 1082 Northern Illinois 
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2000-04-16 14842
I rent posthole diggers, usually with a compact tractor. I also can get augers in 14", 18", 24',& 30"widths . Also 12" auger extension. Feel free to contact me at sheaftractor@coiinc.com or 815-284-3226 for more info. ....
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| droz
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2000-04-17 14846
Someone mentioned that you can get stuck if you aren't careful with the post hole digger. Speaking from experience, I was using my Bobcat and trying the post hole digger for the first time and drove it down 48" pretty easily. And then realized that I couldn't get it back up or move it at all. I was scared until I called the dealer and found out that on the Bobcat (fortunately), you can run the auxilliary hydraulics in reverse and I unscrewed it easily. But it would have been major work if I had to dig it out by hand. So with a three point one, go slowly and keep backing it out. ....
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| JonB
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2000-04-18 14876
John, I've a Bush Hog auger that I've buried to the gear box. I've never measured it but I will tomorrow. If I hit hard pan, the auger stops there--whether 2 or 4 feet or whereever. I recently put in a similar foundation and decided to hire someone. $250 minimum for backhoe work, but cash reduced the price to $200. I could have used the auger but decided this was easier on my small machine. Best of luck. ....
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| Chris
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2000-04-20 14973
I've got a similar situation, I ended up buying a no-name post-hole digger and 12" auger from Fleet Farm for around $400. All of the rental places wanted at least $100/day for one. I've used it for planting 30+ trees all with 36" root balls and putting in fence posts, seems to be heavy duty enough, had no problem burying it to the gearbox. ....
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