Our Secrets to Digging Fence Post Holes in Rocky Ground

[@SWiFence]

Make sure you watch to the end so you don’t miss the bonus tip at 13:17

[@brucefaz55]

short reply to safe space ;>

[@1stFlyingeagle]

13:17 can I take that to the bank. LMAO

[@theface9703]

I’m stuck! I have to dig some 24 post holes into 2ft of aggregates Sand/stone which loves to fall back into its self and refill the hole. I have been given one rabbit hole digging spade and told to crack on…. It’s taking hours and hours to dig one hole…. What else could I try before I jump in the hole and fill it back in on myself lol 😂

[@gregd6022]

Amazing man, it's great how articulate you are, dead clear commentary. youtube needs more vids like this.

[@wesdizzle333]

I can’t seem to find bentonite anywhere in Ontario!

[@mikethallheimer7163]

Best trick yet. I’ve been building fence for 23 years and this is an honest and straight forward solution for rocky conditions. We don’t usually have to deal with this type of ground but occasionally find spots near rivers or places that there were once rivers. I’m definitely keeping this one as an ace up my sleeve. Good job fellas. Also to all the critics in the comments, fence building is a very lucrative business. Bobcats or other skid steers are a must for companies that want to keep there employees production level consistent. Just a drop in the bucket for a busy company. Keep up the good work.

[@winstonsmith3685]

Secrets for digging in rocky ground: Step 1: Buy a $40,000 bobcat drilling rig.

[@SWiFence]

100%. However, even that isn't good enough if you don't get the right auger or know to use water and bentonite.

[@kylegallardy1894]

40k might get you a very used one right now

[@Ampersandrascott]

If you already have a tractor, $1500 will get you just about the heaviest duty unit on the market. Not as easy as a Bobcat, but sure gets the job done.

[@metatechnologist]

@Well Utopia lol. Digging holes with machines are easy no matter how you do it. They need to tell us how to do it better using muscle!

[@trackmader]

@@metatechnologist The easiest way to hand dig a post hole is a machine....

[@ibfgarage9365]

Fellow fence guy here, this is an awesome tip and I can't wait to try it out! Thanks for sharing 👍 I'm subscribing!

[@SWiFence]

Glad you liked it!

[@DaleDirt]

Hey man , I used up one hole day digging 9 holes in the same kind of rocky soil . This is a game changer for me . Thank you Sir .

[@SWiFence]

Sweet! Love to hear that! You're welcome. 👍🏻

[@workisfun...2438]

It's cool to see how to tackle this in different parts of the country. Been around the fence business since I was knee high to a grasshopper in the Midwest. Blessed we don't have to deal with that on a regular basis. Keep up the good work!

[@davindawson6964]

I just discovered this channel when I was looking up some forgotten "know-hows." because I'm not fencing anymore, but I have a big fence project for my new job and I'm a little rusty. Never thought I'd say this but watching these videos is ACTUALLY invigorating. It's an interesting concept to watch how other people do things similarly and differently. Also, I like how y'all use humor and editing to make these videos less stale haha.

[@SWiFence]

We love sharing with folks. Thanks for coming along!

[@alandematei6374]

A wise man once said. Don't take a fence. The gate is alot easier to carry.

[@throngcleaver]

@@alandematei6374 Haha! I'm using that!

[@jakebrown9829]

We have a small fence business in Oregon and have the same auger setup. We often run into the exact same issue. But now I have a solution. Thanks for the tips!

[@SWiFence]

That's awesome! Glad we could help!

[@throngcleaver]

So I guess you have a lot of customers with small horses. ;)

[@jessemartin2652]

Do you guys do 8 foot fence?

[@jakebrown9829]

We have done 8 ft Chain link. But that's the only 8 ft anything we've done

[@jessemartin2652]

@@jakebrown9829 okay, I was just wondering because when me and my wife get our own land we would like to do a 8ft stockade fence since her dog can jump 6ft with ease

[@jgm9927]

I grew up on a ranch in SD. I've been digging post holes for more yrs than I care to think about. This is the best method I've seen for pinpointing a hole in hard-scrabble ground. Nice job on the video & thanks for sharing!

[@SWiFence]

Thank you so much!

[@disndat1000]

brother knows what he's talking about for real. Respect.

[@ArieteArmsRAMLITE]

Spoiler: add water and bentonite in the way they show at the end of the video. You need expensive machinery and an adapted cast auger with rebar welded onto flat surfaces for extra grip.

[@AmberaeSettle]

Thank you! I appreciate these comments for the sake of time

[@MidwestAdventureTeam]

I dont do fences. Im Landscaper and light excavation.. found this very educational. Learned a few things we can do

[@andyallen7509]

Hats off to you my friend. That looks insanely difficult and expensive. That perfectly illustrates why the Brits, Scots, Irish often use stone fences. Pick it up, stack it up. No digging. Well done!

[@mightyconker3903]

And fencing wire didn't used to exist... Building a dry stone wall takes a looong time.

[@damianweyand1531]

Probably one of the most useful videos on youtube.

[@lhurst9550]

Wow, local boys on the youtube. I live in Clark, yeah. I gave up with posthole diggers a long time ago. Bought a mini-ex and dig a big hole, then just back fill, the ground compacts well. The water route is fine, if you have access to water. I can see that 'trick' working well in someone's yard. Well done video by the way.

[@SWiFence]

Clark...that's rough digging!

[@felishiadarling]

Must be nice

[@MrReadandlearn]

I like the flow of information. Some videos people make are just full of jawing about nothing important.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks! We still get plenty of hate so its good to hear positive comments.

[@1stFlyingeagle]

Good Job again. It's funny did not know about this trick with water. I was sinking a hole for a signpost and dirt was dry silty powder. While the auger was in the hole I started dumping in some water. Man, that I wish I knew a long time ago. I ended up with such a perfect hole. Amazing.

[@SWiFence]

Good stuff!

[@conradbarrett2252]

Great video and very good tips for rocky ground. I used to live in Montana before KZbin and this would have helped a lot. Need a video about what to do when the rocks are like basketballs.

[@SWiFence]

Close your eyes so you can’t see them. 🙈

[@GwinnettLawns]

Protect this man at all cost...he is a National Treasure!

[@snurb48]

The tape measure transformed to light sabre was classic! Good laugh! Excellent content, thanks.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks for watching!

[@artillerybuff2000]

This is awesome and should work perfect for our super rocky soil. Thank you!

[@SWiFence]

You bet!

[@alpinealpine2793]

I learnt 2 things from this video, obviously the bentonite being the point of the video but just as importantly for me is the welding of rebar to to form a retaining wall on the auger. Thumbs up from me.

[@nicolaskrinis7614]

Impressive. Great job from some excellent professionals.

[@SWiFence]

Well thanks!

[@MapleGroveProductions]

Very helpful and informative video. Thank you!

[@SWiFence]

You're very welcome!

[@drumcdoo9050]

Great practical comments.... If you can't afford a Bobcat with an auger drill and have to use hand tools, then using that chisel bar is rubbish. Instead get a scaffold pole, taper and cap the end, then weld it onto a 4 inch wide ditching shovel head. Make sure shovel head points straight downwards. The extra weight of the scaffold pole helps pounding downwards and can also break stones. Instead of using those crappy shovel holers you see in video, can make your own. Make them with a scissor action with push to grab action. This action makes them much easier to use. Buy shovel heads similar to ones on video, however cut rounded edge off bottom making it square. Follow this by castllating base by cutting 3 slots in each side. This helps to dislodge stones and cut more easily using a thrusting and twisting action when lifting. Also Run a weld over castelations to help harden and toughen. Finally metal tube shafts with a slight S shape keep them narrow at base and wider at top. Being metal they ars better for pounding. Being a farmer, have dug many holes like this in flinty dry ground. Compared with using hand tools on the market, holes can be dug twice as quickly. Holes remain small and parallel. In dry conditions, dig a small initial hole and fill with plenty of water from hose pipe if possible. Wait a few hours or over night, then job will be considerably easier.

[@SWiFence]

Any pictures of this? You have me curious. It sounds like a slide hammer of sorts.

[@SWiFence]

Send any info to [e-mail] and I'll put it to the test.

[@trackmader]

Brings up nightmares of a project this summer

[@SWiFence]

There are solutions for every problem 😉

[@WoodFenceExpert]

Oh that was an awesome method for drilling in those conditions!! Thanks for that!

[@SWiFence]

You're welcome!

[@noocnosaj]

Highly informative and fun content! Thanks for taking the time and effort to make these videos.

[@sholland42]

I can assure you that digging in Coral Springs, Florida, is a challenge. I remember being unable to drive a sixteen penny nail into it. Thanks for the tips.

[@SWiFence]

😳 That sounds like some tough dirt!

[@beefstuart8769]

Great idea adding bentonite as a binder. I just need a high-flow skid steer with beefy auger.

[@SWiFence]

Rent one! 👍🏻

[@madmaddux5769]

This is mostly what our digging is like where I'm from. To combat the big holes we have 12" diameter pvc tubes with rope tied off at the top. We put the tube in with the rope at the top and backfill around the pvc where the hole should be. Pour concrete in the green tube, then pull it out of the hole. The concrete sinks a little but maintains the overall shape by keeping the surrounding rocks displaced allowing you to set your post.

[@Danohaw]

Great video! I live in Tucson AZ and deal with nasty Caliche. Thanks!

[@jeffdunn9865]

Worked like a charm with the bentonite!

[@charlesahon]

Great secret. Our Utah rocky clay is fun to dig in. This could really help.

[@3fingerclay439]

Dealing with that in Box Elder..

[@matthirn7858]

Great tips for moderate size rocky soil. Here in Wisconsin I have glacial rock deposits with rocks that are often as big as a large watermelon. What a bear to hit that at the 40” mark.

[@SWiFence]

😬 That sounds... fun.

[@passionfruitestate9691]

Great tips ! Only those of us who struggle to do holes in rocky soil would appreciate this video. We use a mini-skidsteer to make holes for grapevines in vineyard. As you said the right strong auger/teeth is key to start. For difficult holes I'm going to try the water tip but I can't go to the bentonite route as the vines have to send out roots in all directions in the hole. We "punch" 24-32 inch holes every 4 feet in row. Thank you for showing this video.

[@SWiFence]

Sometimes the water alone is good enough as long at there is some soil there to get "gummy".

[@adamtweakland4088]

In Pennsylvania it's all rock clay mixed with topsoil and that's the best condition we have.....I've learned to use a hammer drill to use like a jackhammer to break everything up before I use the pole digger to get it out.

[@TheSagerider]

Got the same problem at my place due to glacier deposit, I believe it is called an alluvial plain. I am building a wood shed using railroad ties for posts, over kill but they will never rot. Dug my first hole today and I got to 20 inches and that was it. I also have a cheap auger so maybe time for an upgrade. Thanks for your video.

[@SWiFence]

It takes the right auger or you will end up throwing teeth and getting nowhere. There are some major glacial deposits at the foot of the mountains here so this is something we fight on a regular basis. Good luck!

[@TheSagerider]

@@SWiFence I have a 1967 built Ford diesel 3000 tractor. The posthole digger I have has a round auger shaft, for now I will just say it is two inches in diameter. The shear bolt is located at the U joint and is 3/8ths inch. Not real concerned about having to change shear bolts but I am about destroying my tractors transmission. No real teeth on the auger and is 12 inches in diameter.. Got any sources for a good or decent auger that would fit on my gear box? The thing was sold under the Howse brand. It works just fine in other locations just not where I need it to work right now.

[@nedflanders6433]

Some areas in Oklahoma where I'm at have very similar soil but what often saves us here is the high clay content which acts just like your water and bentonite trick. Good informative video. Interesting stuff.

[@Chapooski]

A 5 gallon bucket might be a good investment to go with the skid-steer and drill rig.

[@Ojja78]

Glad I'm not the only person who hates those clam shell diggers and thinks they're more trouble than they're worth.

[@woodywoodpecker3643]

Crocs covered with orange safety vest. Very stylish. 😂 great vid

[@SWiFence]

🤣👍🏻

[@driverjamescopeland]

Thanks for the tip! A bag of bentonite is definitely cheaper than a case of auger bits/teeth.

[@ezm6153]

Excellent tip - thanks for sharing - will give that a try next time I'm in pit run trying to drill a post hole !!!!

[@kevinstenger4334]

I live just outside of Chattanooga at the foot of the Cumberland plateau. We have lots of rock here also but instead of sand and rock, we have red clay and rock. Oh what a treat that is! Here we use the auger where we get luck enough but often have to use a jack hammer or the iron bar. Actually the iron bar does pretty well in combination with the auger but sometimes we can only get 5 or 6 holes in a day.

[@SWiFence]

That sounds like... fun... 😳

[@justintroy6768]

i feel your pain, been fencing in TN for decades. sometimes it is a fight for every hole. Rock augers with points instead of teeth do a great job of grinding out a hole

[@jessicat3951]

Auger + knowlege! Love the mini!

[@qwerty12341244]

ive had that same problem cutting trenches in rocky areas... gonna try that bentonite next time thanks!

[@SWiFence]

No problem 👍

[@-S-K-Miller]

Drybelt here in southwestern BC. Looks like my type of ground. Just subscribed. Awesome content.

[@apxpandy4965]

Gosh - never thought about reducing file sizes like that! Very smart! rofl! Great vid - thanks!

[@JN-mu5vi]

we have a digging machine called a dandy digger that has a on board water system that the operator controls from the operators seat,it is about the size of a skid steer, it is a monster in rocky or hard ground.

[@SWiFence]

Nice!

[@themuckler8176]

Company I work has an old Dandy Digger

[@geraldvg67]

In the Ozarks, we use a steel punch bar and regular clam style posthole diggeryto lift out the loosened spoil most effectively.

[@SWiFence]

They are near worthless here.

[@tombrownca]

Wow! Lots of impressive tips!!

[@onetruesoldiervt3686]

Good stuff smart man them órgão machines really helpful along with that betenite stuff in the bag was a great big help keep up your good work

[@SWiFence]

Thanks 👍

[@Alaskapickleball]

I live on an ancient river bed up in Alaska and come across small rocks and rocks all the way up to 3’ diameter and so far every hole I’ve dug in the past for fence posts/deck footings have blown out to be rather large. In situations where the hole blows out because of large rocks, would setting sonotubes plumb and compacting soil with a jumping jack and then setting post in sonotubes make sense?

[@MrRustydawg]

Great info. Thanks for the video.

[@SWiFence]

You bet!

[@jasonkloos1498]

"Wobbly Auger" needs to be a band name!

[@SWiFence]

They're waaaay more popular than "Double Shovels", those guys can't sing worth beans!

[@radiusguitars5039]

Thanks, this got me past the hard parts.

[@noahdevine915]

Hey mark great video, the lightsaber effects perfect

[@SWiFence]

Apparently we have all kinds of hidden meeting in that as well 😎

[@williamgrissom9022]

Interesting and humorous. Makes one wonder how hard it was for the pioneers to set fence posts there. Where I live in California, the soil is similar, with same big round river rocks. Thinking of getting a hand power-auger.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks, that’s what we are always going for, entertaining and informative. I would have hated fencing 60 years ago!

[@needhelp2453]

I'm not a fence guy but that was incredibly interesting.

[@Grggeorge]

I am and it hurts my head how slow he was I’m done with the rock holes like that 2-5 minutes tops

[@chargermopar]

Redrilling is a good trick here too. Coral rock is uneven so when you drill the hole often deflects. You have to drill then try and angle drill to move the hole, refill add water and drill the final hole. You do have to put carbide bullet teeth on your auger here.

[@garybiggs9010]

Hey, that was my secret too! A shovel, pinch bar, sledge hammer and clam shells!

[@SWiFence]

You lost me at clam shells.

[@johnking975]

That was a great idea about using a grinder to cut the shovel down 🤯🤓

[@marclauzon7444]

I also love to run m'y Auger reverse after to compact soil around hole

[@splycedawg]

Excellent pro tips

[@62-62]

They make a great tool to use vs getting a grinder to cut your shovels down. Used in Pipeline work. My crews used them in Colorado

[@SWiFence]

What is it called?

[@26Testy]

Ok…but what about those of us that don’t have expensive giant drills to cheat nature with?

[@SWiFence]

We would recommend renting a giant drill (although the giant drill is not the "secret" of the video). If renting is not an option you can still get it done manually--but there's no shortcut around how backbreaking it will be. 😞

[@semiliterati]

My house is on old riverbed, it's rough. I hand dug (8) 5' post holes, and a 4'x8'x3' for garden steps. My post hole digger was mostly useless, with the exception of one of the holes. On it's own, I got to about 42" before I came to the largest rock I ended up digging up on the entire project. The hole was about 18" wide when I hit it. About 36" wide when I dislodged it. And, after every attempt to avoid climbing in the hole to lift it out, about 60" after I finally accepted that's what life wanted from me. So, the post hole diggers best hole ended up twice as wide as the second largest one. I guess it was still kind of useful for cleaning up the sides of the holes, but 90% of the work was loosing everything up with the digging rod, and shoveling it out with a standard spade, because the post holes diggers jaws couldn't even open up wide enough for the average rock size even after knocking them loose.

[@SWiFence]

I hear that!

[@92EGcxGSR]

Smokes that is gold!!

[@oby-1607]

We plant fruit trees in rocky ground like yours and when the auger gets knocked off center by rocks, it is very frustrating because the row has to be straight. Good tips. Will have to try the Bentonite.

[@SWiFence]

Be careful because I am not sure what consequence the bentonite may have on the trees.

[@puneetpuri2758]

Great lesson, thanks for sharing

[@SWiFence]

Glad you liked it!

[@Zoro.d.uchihaa]

Our auger is almost identical we just have weights added on our mast but with a sharper edge and drive in rock teeth 10" width .

[@robsmith7681]

Hell yeah man, thanks for the tip! Bentonight!!

[@SWiFence]

You bet!

[@rasputian2010]

I dig in stuff like that all the time and I use bolt on carbide teeth and add a couple welds on. I also like a double flute it carries more dirt out of the hole. I know the single is supposedly better for bigger Rocks but the double just does a better job in my opinion. Using the additive like you did seems like a really good trick on a stubborn hole.

[@tgaming8745]

I would have thought that Marky Mark would be rich and famous enough that he would have had someone else do the physical labor but them again, I guess he's more humble and hard working than I thought. Good for you Goldberg. 😂👏 PS-just poking fun at resemblance. Great video

[@SWiFence]

🤣

[@moneymattersmastery55897]

Digging my own fence by hand here in Gillette. Lots of shale and rocks.

[@SWiFence]

Yeah, Wyoming's a fun place to dig. 😑

[@geriatricginger]

I love your property. I grew up on 6500, and miss the life.. Also, I'll keep the 'video small things' in the back of my mind when I'm running low on hdd space LOL

[@SWiFence]

Haha glad you learned something.

[@oiboy626]

Excellent video brother! Thank you for the info.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks!

[@richardthomas1566]

If your not a fence guy this is why you work extra hours at your job and pay a pro.

[@cordovanbee]

Nice trick, subbed

[@byronolson1221]

great video, thanks. just bought a 2022 SUIHE 46 digger, don't know a lot about them, probably chinese made. will be for farm use

[@SWiFence]

Don't know anything about them either. Hope it works out well. 👍🏻

[@sarahkillgore6632]

After watching this video this is exactly what we need to do on our property which is literal riverbed. I’ve been searching high and low for the bentonite but can’t figure out which kind to buy as there are lots of different versions. Can you provide any direction? I saw that you get yours for free…could you tell me what version you use in the holes?

[@barbarapackard873]

Aw, man. I was hoping you could help as I live on an old riverbed. I have a small shovel.

[@lovetheNorml]

I thought every dig job on KZbin was done in Narnia, watch these guys dig a luxurious underground sanctuary with a stick and hand woven basket.

[@JimYeats]

This is what the enemies of Aslan have to deal with. Hard ground, rocks, pink shoes.

[@SWiFence]

Love the clever comment HAHA

[@codybroken]

good lord the rocks that auger brought up are nuts.

[@SWiFence]

Yes they are.

[@ucragnarok6658]

Had a interview for a digging test and the dirt was hard dirt with medium stones and had 20 minutes to dig 2ft deep and 2ft wide hole with shovel and pickaxe. They hosed everyone's ground to get it soft but mine wasn't wet and they had an easier time digging, but darn mine was difficult, tried letting the hiring manager know where I was digging was wasn't hosed and harder to get through compared to other area's but I got the "yeah,yeah keep digging" but didn't give heavy duty gloves, only cheap gloves that tore soon as I started digging. Lol I had to tap out because my hands got torn up quick trying to get through that dirt within 20 minutes in 107 degree weather. It wasn't worth it at that point and tapped out before my hands were too bad. She shook my hand and wished me good luck with a different job and honestly I got low key pretty pissed. I felt like I didn't need to get myself hurt for a interview while they supplied thin gloves and gave 20 minutes to dig hard dirt in 107 degrees. I've dug holes to plant tree's before but I had proper ppe for digging and wasn't ready to go all out creating the biggest blisters I've ever had in 20 min. Lol that 20 minutes sounded easy for me in most cases but damn in the scenario it felt like I was spending 40 minutes digging lol my hands were blistered in one and bloodshot in the other lol

[@mmjxtragood6528]

Learned a lot, thank you!

[@SWiFence]

Glad to hear it!

[@Zoro.d.uchihaa]

We use the posthole diggers because we never intentionally make our post holes any wider then a foot across with 6" posts. At least 20" deep if adding concrete, if we're doing without concrete we will go 24"-30" and tamp all the way up with an iron digger (tamp bar/spud bar) .

[@felishiadarling]

Well, I would love to use an auger and tractor, but, don’t have one.

[@jamesoliver5058]

Just saw you on Haxman channel . Noticed your shoes then . I like them.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks! It's amazing how much hate they stir up. 🤣

[@pkur1434]

Well done.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks

[@bossdog1480]

Great tips.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks!

[@aaronbaker617]

Great tips, thanks!!

[@SWiFence]

Thanks for watching!

[@laneburgess1643]

Awesome idea.

[@markbabaotv]

OMG!!! He's working for the DARKSIDE hahaha LoL 😁😁 Great Video and also The Editing...

[@j.hernandez983]

So would the bentonite work in like a beach area or would it be best to drive the post?

[@adamhearts9195]

and here I am with the hand post digger. crap I'm never going to get this mailbox hole dug.

[@SWiFence]

You will! You will! A good shovel, a digging bar, a half-hour, and a bunch of sweat can accomplish a lot. 👍🏻

[@Chipgillette]

Good info. Thanks. Chip!

[@SWiFence]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danielloder1461]

Thankyou

[@pacomier5540]

Nice work!

[@SWiFence]

Thanks!