Harbor Freight Auger - Rocky Soil Test

[@slipspectrum9253]

I just got a predator auger. It works very well. I don’t let it manhandle me, I’m 6 ft and 240 pounds, more of a muscle-ly build, but I think the issue people have is they want to gun the thing. Take it easy and let the auger do the work, ease into the throttle. I can stop mine from spinning and burn the clutch in it by holding on to it and working the throttle up to full, so it shouldn’t be taking anyone for a ride. I think that happens when you gun it, it gets up to speed and then grabs because you are pushing it into the ground rather than letting it do the work. Also your grip! DO NOT wrap your thumbs over the handle bars! Just keep your thumbs on top of the bar and kind of grip it with your palms on the outsides of the bar. Your right thumb should be on top of the kill switch, but not wrapping over it or in front of it! If it grabs on you, it’s best to just let it go and it will stop pretty quick when the throttle gets dumped. Best to let it spin and get out of the way then have it tearing up your arms and shoulders. Stay safe!

[@brockramsey3227]

Rocky soil. Drills a hole and the cleanest dirt I’ve ever seen comes out. Not a single rock.

[@Daniel-deMerrivale]

I’m a strong old boy of 72 and where I live the soil is rocky (very rocky) and, having used this, it’s a dangerous wrist breaker for my soil 😂 It took me for a dance a few times and it would have done me damage even in my 20’s 😂I eventually did around 20 holes and finally the penny dropped that the risk wasn’t worth it. I now hand dig everything. But, the question was a good one and frankly my answer is steer clear if your soil is really rocky.

[@DXT61]

My father in law has a 2 man version of handheld auger. That thing caught some rocks and about broke us both in half. Man they have some torque.

[@roymariano7116]

Where I live, I've got BOULDERS in the ground. Digging holes requires a jackhammer.

[@jordanspackman9563]

Damn if only it worked like that for me 😂 I live in PA mountains only 1900ft above sea level. I can’t get more than 3 inches down without it getting caught on rocks. Sucks!!!

[@Gasp7000]

Shale? We have shale here in south central PA. But my husband got through it for a post hole with a tubular post hole “pounder” that he built, basically hammering in a steel tube 18” down to then slide the 12’ post into. Any deeper, and we might’ve needed a jack hammer. But nothing would’ve stopped us-we would’ve just rented a jack hammer if necessary. There is a huge line of boulder rock here in the area too, that follows the entire Appalachian Mountain range from Maine to Georgia. Luckily, we are just outside that rock line. The shale is irritating, but at least it crushes somewhat. I think these little augers would work if intermittently used with the pounder tool and a solid rod, like a leverage rod with a flattened or pointed end on it that can crack PA shale. If all else fails, we’ll be pulling out the tractor shovel and rearranging the entire top layer of the property, 🥵

[@andreaberryman5354]

Same. In scablands of Eastern Eashington-on a cliff that was once the shores of ancient glacial Spokane lake. Soil type: "Extremely sandy gravelly loam". In otherwords, nothing but super compressed river rock and silt. Pretty much need an industrial hydrologic CAT auger to safely do a thing. Takes me 45 minutes to dig a square foot hole.

[@anothersomebody8195]

@@andreaberryman5354 funny, I'm in Yakima and doubting this would work either.

[@dethmaul]

@@andreaberryman5354 It's basalt bedrock, not river rock. That's why it's so hard.

[@ArbitraryLifestyle]

Colorado "soil" ain't no joke with those rocks. Oftentimes I can't even get my tent stakes in all the way, hah.

[@nofatchicks2315]

I bought a cheap jackhammer specifically for working at the foothills. Here in Colorado the auger just beats you up and your lucky if you can get a foot of depth

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Great idea! Like you said if you get a foot deep with this you're doing good. It works great in gravel, clay or regular dirt but large rocks stop it in it's tracks.

[@sjeverett75]

Thats not a bad idea. I've rented jack hammers to break up rocks before putting in the catwalk on our fishing dock. Thanks for the tip.

[@nofatchicks2315]

@@sjeverett75 also drill 3 3/8 holes into the rock in a triangle pattern. Cut 6 inch pieces of 3/8 rebar or 3/8 spikes beat them in the holes and that will keep the post from rocking

[@spikemorbid7159]

If anyone has done any post driving they know the answers. A little auger isn't going to cut those rocks. Geesh

[@1stFlyingeagle]

Well, I also learned a skid steer with a 12" auger in the bed of river stone does not work worth a dam either. Next time skid steer with a backhoe.

[@1stFlyingeagle]

Remember also if dealing with powder soil or rocks and powder. run auger down. poor enough water in so powder becomes moist and sticks together. Too much make Mud. Works really well when your hole get bigger from walking around. Get it wet and you can for sure get some nice-looking holes.

[@donniecastleman5701]

Dad and I dug all of our post holes by hand, ouch! I don't think he realized this thing existed LOL.

[@rekostarr7149]

how many total?

[@donniecastleman5701]

@@rekostarr7149 we did at least 15 by hand, ouch!

[@thatsinteresting8810]

Respect to all those ground hogs out there

[@divinebliss4846]

Seriously

[@soulessvalleys8404]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@groundedinfirstprinciples383]

How much do I have to pay to have that kind of rocky soil instead of the kind that I have? 🙂 Happy for you brother!

[@homezman]

Thanks for the video. I have some serious rock land and that video was great.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Thank you!

[@fpixel7190]

Nice vid! Where are the rocks though? Lol I live in Colorado and have the same HF auger and can't dig much with it usually unless I drill out a pilot hole with a smaller drill. Then again, the expensive ones don't really do any better.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

I shot this on a gopro and it doesn't really show all the gravel that I'm pulling up. It works great on small rocks. When you hit a big rock it stops in it's tracks and you either have to move or dig out the rock/boulder. I'm sure a lot of it is going to depend on soil type.

[@BillTalbott-lk5go]

It’ll bite you when you least expect it. Best used by two strong guys and be ready for the torque when you hit a Apple sized rock!

[@hawkkim1974]

I'm impressed. I'm definitely getting one to dig out all the freaking bamboo roots!

[@RichaRat]

So how did using the auger to dig bamboo roots work out?

[@moparnut6286]

Just did 80 ft of fence in small rock soil it did ok but if you hit a big one your done get the rock out is the only answer. But in Sandy soil it will get the job done big rocks you got to get a bigger machine with way more power!

[@1stFlyingeagle]

I did the bigger machine. Skid steer and auger. What I learned. River bed rocky get a small backhoe on a skid steer. dig holes remove big rocks. backfill hole and pack with a backhoe. now run the auger. I did it another way with sonic tubes and craters for holes from the skid steer auger. A lot extra concrete and sonic tubes. It worked the big sign went up and deals with high winds. The company put up rent a fence and put the green cloth on with no wind holes. Warned them fence can not take that force. They ignored my warning and big winds blew and folded the fence over. About 250' of the fence got folded over. And my large sign on 4x4 posts and bracing had no problems with the wind. Since then backhoe for river bottom crap.

[@moparnut6286]

@@1stFlyingeagle like always free advice is ignored! Cool story man!

[@fsca72]

Buy the auger extension, much easier on your back when going 2 foot or deeper

[@kingmike40]

I was thinking about buying one of these for a fence around my house. I live in west Texas and the ground is hard dry clay with gravel mixed in. Its almost brick. Better than post hole digger by hand.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Yeah I'd wet it down the night before you auger. It should work for ya. Good luck.

[@sjeverett75]

I'm in west central TX and we have alot of caliche. Almost impossible to dig holes without a rock bar

[@mxracr521]

How did this work out for you? Have property in Big Bend area and was thinking about getting an auger.

[@babouras123]

What a beautiful place!

[@leeb.7188]

Try it in Rockville, MD!

[@CoCotheTurtle]

Actual drilling starts at 1:11

[@luedream2521]

That thing does great in rocky soil. Nice!

[@acesandeights65]

I have one,it just bouces around and when it gets jammed up it rips your arms off.

[@CringePanda]

So can you dig a 12" hole using the 8" bit by shaking it around? Lowe's doesn't rent one with 12" bit.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Yes, just lean it slightly and it will work.

[@CringePanda]

@@TheHandsOnChannel ​ So dig at an angle? Thanks! I need to drill holes for some 12 inch sonotubes.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

@@CringePanda Go in straight and after you reach the desired depth, gently lean it from side. They call it wallering out the hole where I'm from.

[@SimpleEarthSelfReliance]

Sometime you dont even need to lean, as the vibration and torque moves it around. Holes always end up a little larger than the bit

[@CringePanda]

@@TheHandsOnChannel I bought it, but I wish I had spent a little more and got an Earthquake. The 8" bit tends to get stuck once it's all the way down, then I have to dig it out by hand.

[@luispadovani3788]

Thank you, bought one yesterday!

[@onarampage247]

the rockies maybe in sight but that doesn't seem to rocky. Bring that thing to my house and I will show you the rockies and digging in rocks .

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

It was rockier than it looks on film. Gravelly if that's a word.

[@onarampage247]

@@TheHandsOnChannel good review of the predator auger though. Keep posting

[@demi12342002]

just about broke my wrist today hitting a rock. kentucky is impossible to use an auger. need the tractor version

[@dennisconrad6124]

I just unboxed one if these. Looks good to me.

[@mattlyons8180]

Was i the only one gripping my phone hard when he was drilling?

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

LOL, sounds like you have run one of these arm twisters before.

[@bobitobob3453]

Great video 👍

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Thanks!

[@Rabbit.760]

There's one... another 5000 to go

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

That's the truth.

[@bonholio0o]

hello, I have the same model. Just replaced the entire carburetor, fuel line, filter, and spark plug (amazon kit) and it's now easily start immediately after 1 crank. However, it's no longer putting out the same torque as before where it would toss me around like rag doll. It's just slowly turning ...very very slow. It's running excellent though, no hesitation, smooth ride minus terrible torque when digging. Please help, any tips to to fix my issue? Anyone?

[@publicdomain3378]

Thank you!!

[@CP-kb1du]

Is there speed control idle throttle ? doing a fence terrain is similar to this video ..... great display

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Yes you can use the throttle to control speed to some degree. Although you have to have it spinning fast enough to penetrate.

[@paulgarduno9756]

QUESTION.: When you hit a rock , ! Isn't that rock already a good foundation ? I would say, " no need to dig any deeper.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Sure could, as long as you're in a couple of feet.

[@SimpleEarthSelfReliance]

@@TheHandsOnChannel Exactly. Mine starts about 5cm down. All the auger does is polish the rocks, so sadly I'm stuck. Tractor diamond tip PTO auger, maybe, or crowbar digging :(

[@drguitar78]

lol...look at that dirt, like BUTTER. Come out to El Dorado county and I'll show you what rocky soil looks like. lmao

[@micheldaillet8144]

thank you

[@DaddyLocz4]

He was tired as hell, lol what rock?

[@lard1892]

Rocky Soil??????

[@trich3357]

Will this go through tree roots???

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

If they are smaller than your thumb but not large roots.

[@hippo-potamus]

I would not call that a rocky soil test. Not even close.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Hard to see on the gopro footage but it has lots of gravel and big boulders below the surface.

[@hippo-potamus]

@@TheHandsOnChannel How do you think the machine would do in a dirt road compacted by years of vehicle traffic?

[@gianfrancopellegri6757]

did i hear that auger laughing at him??😂

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Hey now, lol. Have you ever run an auger through rocky soil at 8,700 feet? It ain't easy.

[@rosieudoferreira5276]

O preço??

[@deckape2423]

Rocky soil? 🤣

[@e3erockstar08]

Bad. Ass.

[@timeb9300]

I know she dynamite for r the rocks

[@uncletry4945]

Dyna digger is much better than that

[@johnmichaelkarma]

I didn't see even ONE rock come of of that hole. Ya call that a "rocky soil test"! Thumbs Down! 😎👎

[@tty3146]

at 2:39 you see it was trying to hit you...ufff...

[@Losi5t20]

Nepa was trashed

[@RandomSmith]

That is not rocky soil...

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Right, it's on top of a mountain and it's not rocky. YT critics crack me up.

[@RandomSmith]

@@TheHandsOnChannel if it were rocky soil, there would be rocks coming out. I see no rocks coming out of your hole. I see nice fine soil coming out. It would be great to see people not misrepresenting augers on KZbin, augers are fairly dangerous in rocky soil, as soon as you hit rocks of a certain size (a few cm’s) the machine stops rotating and you start rotating instead unless the machine has a cutout lever. I know this because I have dig holes with a two man post digger in my rocky garden. I have also hired someone who had a dingo/kanga machine (the type with caterpillar tracks) digging large holes and when that thing hit a rock, the tool shifted laterally about 10cm taking the path of least resistance. I have also seen other KZbin videos where the were using a tractor to drill holes and as soon as they hit rocks, they had to dig or use demolition hammer to break them up. If people thing about it logically an auger cannot cut rocks which is why you use impact tools or 6ft fencing poles to break them up.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

​@@RandomSmith I never said it would cut rock. Maybe you didn't look hard enough. Are you on a cellphone? It may look like soil but it's full of rocks. I even hit a big one at the end of the video. I usually put a death grip on this 1 man auger and it'll stop if you get bound up. It doesn't twist me up.

[@dennisconrad6124]

I just unboxed one if these. Looks good to me.