Setting posts for fence end brace These were the Hardest Post Holes I've ever drilled.

[@ArtGardenFoodExpressions]

One of few Channels whose videos I truly look forward to receiving. Thanks.

[@JamesCouch777]

You are really lucky where you live. It has taken me a whole day to dig one posthole in the ozarks.

[@glenbobnick5660]

We have similar soil conditions. My usual strategy is to run a pilot hole down with a small auger first, then follow with the big auger. I apply pressure by sticking the chisel-end of a long tamping/pry bar under the wrist at the top of the gear box, and then sit or lean on it. With the small auger it generally goes full depth quickly. The bigger auger then has a smaller cutting surface to work on, and then follows in pretty quick too. I appreciate your honest and straight forward videos that show your experiences.

[@bigDH123]

Evan, you more than likely could just drill right after you put the water in the hole. We used to do that when we drilled post holes by hand, and it worked really good. Thanks for sharing.

[@stephenbinion6348]

The exposed PTO and you pushing down on the post hole digger made me wince. My father’s oldest brother got tangled up in an unguarded shaft on his feed grinder. He was wrapped around it till the tractor ran out of fuel. He was long dead before that. Weld a hook on the post hole digger and add weight that way. I don’t want to be that guy, but my family’s loss was beat into my head.

[@sroberts605]

Horrifying, I'm so sorry to hear that but props to you for passing on what can go wrong on the one in a thousand (or whatever it is) instance. There are so many anecdotal stories around it's surprising that safety features aren't mandatory on pto's. edit: sorry deleted by mistake!

[@stephenbinion6348]

S Roberts They are mandatory on new equipment. His shield was not covering his shaft at the outer end though. Unlike a factory no OSHA inspectors are checking for un protected shafts on farms.

[@patwanner1781]

That’s some hard work Evan, but your persistence is paying off.

[@BillTheTractorMan]

We had a D17 on the farm. Bought it for a chore tractor. It spent more time at the fuel barrel then any of our larger tractors that were worked more. It also had loaded tires and weights but struggled for traction. I now have a Fordson Major, I strongly believe it uses 75-80% less fuel and does way better. Can actually pull a plow or a disc with the Major.

[@dwightl5863]

Those Ford Majors were noted for their fuel efficiency.

[@tonylarson1960able]

Just for future reference if you hand tamp to about 3/4 the way then pour a gallon of water in hole that dirt will set up like concrete! That's what we did for the state setting sign posts in! Great job God bless be safe! Tony n Lee Ann

[@tommmarree3689]

Evan, you are living the dream! Nice wife, house, very nicely set up farm, etc. keep up the GREAT WORK !!!!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Evan, you did a great job UNTIL the end of this video. Gotta be more careful especially when working alone, one slip and you are history with that post hole drill !!! Other than that you figured out what to do to sink those holes easier in the dried hard packed soil!! 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Thanks for sharing with us and keep up the videos and good safe work.

[@JimsNBHomestead]

wish all the big guys supported the little guys

[@joannak4640]

A while week off!! Wow, so happy for you. Looking forward to videos on your fencing job ❤️

[@kingkong7617]

Evan, I see the water worked by pouring it in the hole and letting it soak in, here in Alabama we have red clay and it is hard as a rock when it is dry, but with some water, you can drill holes and you have the same problem. It takes a little longer but it works and I am glad it worked for you.

[@alanmcclorey8047]

wow i have never seen the ground drill that hard . the water was a great idea.

[@CentralNH]

When I was a kid my grandfather would dig a few inches for each hole and us kids would dump a bucket of water in each hole the next day he would cruze through digging. We'd do the same when digging up bushes and trees dump water on them the night before and they would pull right out.

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Looks like a fun and easy project.

[@genecarr4568]

My son taught me a trick they use in highway construction. As you add each layer of dirt, sprinkle in 1-2 cups of water before tamping. Do this on each layer of additional dirt. It comes out rock solid.

[@thomasraynoha1732]

I love watching you do all this stuff. 👍👍

[@bobjoncas2814]

...comin' along nicely. keep safe and have a great week...

[@ArtGardenFoodExpressions]

Love all of your vids, but it adds special touches when you show some cooking. Love cooking on anybody's channel.

[@TN-Land-Manager]

Your subscriber to views ratio is unmatched to many other channels. I’ve no doubt a tractor company will soon sponsor you. Well deserved I would say when that happens. Started watching your channel when you bought the property and I can say I look forward to every video.

[@lorenmeyer5290]

Well the water does work I have to do that from time to time! You need some of the rain that we been getting here in Florida! Great job Evan! Injoyed watching your videos! THANKS!

[@kenluvaas7258]

the end of auger is cutting bits. very fun videos

[@billclaussen5255]

Wow. that water trick sure was surprising!!! Good job!!! Thanks...Peace!!! Bill

[@outdoorstudios2022]

Thanks for sharing.

[@tb91506]

FYI New Tractors will not have any down pressure on the 3 pt.

[@jasongartner2525]

tb91506 exactly unless you get real real big farm tractor

[@raybornclark8617]

my tractors dont have down pressure, come to think of it...i dont know anyone that has a tractor with downpressure around here.....

[@jasongartner2525]

Lots of big John Deere farm tractors have down pressure , I’m pretty sure other brands do but I’m talking over 100hp. Not many compacts have it

[@allanvaneste6039]

Have a 2015 kubota L6060. No down pressure on the 3 point.

[@raybornclark8617]

@@jasongartner2525 we dont have anything over 85 hp....

[@SmallHoldingAtHillhigh]

SSSSOOOO envious. Would be happy as a clam to be able to set posts with just an auger, water, and my Kubota! We rented a 65lb jack hammer and a clay spade to dig holes in Northern Virginia, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its rock shelf....

[@yasminghani2073]

Doing a great job

[@notbuyingit5698]

At the conclusion of your video you were risking your life. If you had slipped you could have fallen into the auger or on to the PTO. Take your time and let the machine work for you. I'd hate to see you lose an arm or your life.

[@TexFarmer]

Agreed, keep your butt in that seat while that auger is spinning.

[@jimputnam2044]

I agree the only safe place when running an auger is in the seat with you foot on the clutch, Just in case.

[@cathiwim]

You might want to make fence-building a two man job, just in case. Btdt, still have several hundred feet to go.

[@cheeseburger9232]

Most youtubers don't want to hear it., he already hurt his back.

[@stevemartinez6757]

I also agree. One safety rule that I follow with my tractors is to NEVER go near the PTO or shaft when the tractor is running whether the PTO is engaged or not. It doesn't matter which tractor I'm working with (I have both an older tractor and a "newer modern" tractor) and it doesn't matter what is hooked up to it (auger, rotary cutter, etc.).

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi.... Evan nice to see you, thank you for sharing your video homestead chicken farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 👕🐔🐓🐥🐕🐖🐈🌱🐐🎥👍👍👍

[@JamesCouch777]

We chained a twelve foot post to the top beam of the post hole digger and then hung tractor wheel weights on the end of it to give the auger enough pressure to dig.

[@whspioneer89]

Can you do a video review of your 3 pt hitch conversion? What you like, don’t like. Maybe how the geometry works with different attachments. Thanks

[@leol1682]

Like the video exsept the end you play with your life .

[@edwinri]

Thanks

[@theburnhams2925]

Don't cut your top rail in your H brace, cut notches 1" in posts to receive rail. So glad you discovered the magic of water in clay! Pretty "dirt" Patience is a virtue.

[@mdrobnson3912]

PTO auger Best invention of all time!

[@piledriver141]

Helped a guy a few days same situation. Used a 16’ 2x8 as a lever attached it to top of the drill BUT man on tractor ready to kill it. You will succeed!!!

[@cathiwim]

Piledriver yep, thats how we did ours as well! One man on the tractor(me) and one on the other end of a 10 ft 2x4, leaning on it as hard as he could. We got 300 perennials, bulbs, corms tubers and fruit trees in this shale in under 6 weeks! Oh, and grape vines!

[@sebby_cnc]

if that would be my pole dril i would weld a basket on top of it so you can add weight to it since you have no down pressure

[@searay230adair7]

You make me nervous with the pto! I never mess around with any attachment while the tractor is running! I do very much enjoy your channel!

[@leonannegers7874]

Growing up dad and I would drill out end posts than run string between the 2 post to get a straight line

[@blakem6717]

A lot of those augers have a hole in the top of them that you can put a long bar in, so you can use leverage and make your own down pressure, while being at a safe distance from the auger.

[@ssfoste]

Evan, I have the same problem with my clay. It just gets so dry that when you try to drill it just turns to dust and there isn't anything for the auger to grab ahold of. I bought a 12" 3" diameter auger to drill holes to plant tulips this fall an have the same problem. Of course I am using a 3/8 cordless drill. Am going to go buy a cheap corded drill to see if that helps. Otherwise like you will have to resort to water.

[@raytravis4097]

G day from Australia evan on your post hole digger can you put the linkage pins on the digger on the inside of linkage part of digger it might work ??.. great videos as always ..

[@davidgourdie3691]

Something you might consider,first and third posts weren't plumb.Nailing a 2x1 on top of a post and tying off plumbbob to it,allows top mount to turn 90 degrees.As far as the ramming bar is concerned,piece of 1.5 inch galv pipe 5' foot long with a 6"x 3" solid bar,alt sq. tube welded to the end of it.Weight of that foot works wonders compared to lighter timber style rammer.

[@mrmrjeremy37]

We have a bar to jam into the pivot point above the gear box and it becomes a two man job... one on the tractor and one hanging on the bar...like someone else stated there aren’t really any new tractors with down pressure

[@maxinerose6664]

I know you will think this crazy. But my dad used to use an old baseball bat to tamp post holes. He never drill a hole more than 30 inches deep. The bat worked really good. He used both ends. I noticed too that you might want to paint your barn roof soon.

[@downhilltwofour0082]

Amazing what a sharp edge can do! Maybe if you hung a 5 gallon plastic bucket full of sand or soil and attached it to the top of the drill you would get more bite??

[@ej7447]

Two things I learned about fence posts......do it in the spring or winter for softer ground or, best solution, buy a digger with a down pressure set up......

[@djmoulton1558]

Another possible reason for your difficulties may be soil compaction. You can get a measuring device called a penetrometer to test for compaction. Or you could contact your local county extension office for help with testing. You may need to hire someone with a subsoiler to break up the soil. This helps with drainage if it is done in the right directions (i.e. working with the contours of the land) and will help with soil oxygenation.

[@hfbroady]

You could mount a rack on the top of the pothole digger that can hold rocks. You could just keep adding rock for the tough stuff.

[@marcerivest6204]

I would put weights on the 3 point or right on the boom of the auger would help. On another note lots of tractors do not have down pressure.

[@michaelbobbiharris2587]

Good video

[@fredhart7904]

You can build most anything, build you a Post hole digger cross brace bracket with the outside pins that will fit the width of the case lower hitch pins Then your post hole digger will work faster for you as you can use the case tractor Worth a shot,

[@southpauldingfarms5947]

Weld a steel pole to the auger arm so you can push down on it (I lay on mine sometimes) to get some down force. I ratchet strapped my first one to it

[@josephclark7163]

We lived in the Mojave desert. Installed 400 feet of fence. We used a pipe with a hose on it (water auger) pushed it down 6 feet then used a 2 person auger to remove the slurry from the hole. You said you had no down pressure on the 3 point. What if you welded a weight bracket on it and added some tractor weights. 3 point should have no problem lifting it, but a couple hundred lbs might help a bunch.

[@devonm15]

When we used to have hard ground we set the loader bucket on the top arm and used some down pressure. Need two people tho

[@carolmackenzie2283]

Yehhh 50 k subscribers, congrats.

[@kerryburke3864]

Hang some weights on your post hole auger frame. We have similar issues in Australia and that is how we get past that although it does present other problems. Bit of a balancing act though to get it right. Soft ground or wet ground means you have to control the hydraulics a bit more. Cheers

[@margaretbedwell58]

How about some orange paint....measure and mark where the hole is to be, go back with auger and drill as much as is easy on each orange spot then go back and add the water Or if you have someone could pour in the water after you pull out the auger. Assembly line style. The next day of drilling should be a breeze. Also lay the post at each position too so that it will be ready to drop into the hole when its finished. Just a thought. Have a Blessed day.

[@davidgambler1591]

Dig many holes !st, allow all to soak in water, also, drop in post, line up and measure before back filling. Enforce digging holes, place a 50lb sandbag on top of drill to give it more weight, hope it helps 👍

[@philswords6390]

Last frame not good. Need someone near tractor to kill it if something goes wrong. I’ve had digger to break through ground and before I could stop it , it went too deep and snapped auger shaft in half. Biggest danger however is getting body parts into moving parts. Better safe than sorry !

[@kellykopsa384]

Please provide some drone video of the new barn yard and pasture area. it's hard for me to build a picture in my mind of the layout.

[@gandstillersales9551]

try raising and lowering auger quickly in the hole . they make down pressure kits that should help . J S

[@frrapp2366]

with really dry soil or dry sand you can just shake the post and the dirt will just sift down the hole . like david white said start your holes pour in water and leave for tomorrow

[@rdlowman6]

Use some u-bolts (or weld) to attach a platform to the high point of the drill frame. Then you can lay metal, concrete or rock to add weight.

[@geo52041]

Evan shouldn't use a level to get the post straight up and down or did I miss something ??? You could tie some pails of water to the top arm and fill them up. Evan you have a welder so make an adapter for the case. I think it would be easy once you think about it

[@steve-xo5bc]

Good for yard art!

[@gusbracewell3856]

Try adding some weight to the top of the auger where it curves and see if that helps with downward pressure

[@dustyone5423]

Most tractors do not have down pressure on 3pt. I own few from 55hp to 200 hp. All newer. Augers on skid steers work best, had one once but lost in fire. You will get done with what you have and do not have 30k invested.

[@davep5972]

I'd use a level Evan makes getting them straight easier

[@stephenbinion6348]

david perry or a plumb bob. Every phone pole is set using a heavy nut and a two foot piece of string.

[@Bernie5172]

We placed a 50 kg bag of dirt or fert on it, or got one of the farm hands to sit on it .We had a seat type bar on top of it though, unlike you digger Worked a treat

[@genecarr4568]

You might want to try replace the bits on the auger. Especially the bent one.

[@TheUserid82]

With the issues you had on drilling the holes and the time you have to get the work done it might be worth it to rent a skid steer with a post hole drill on it so you have a more modern option to see if it is the lack of down pressure

[@mwilliamshs]

that might be the most expensive way to get down pressure I've read yet

[@steveholton4130]

If the Case does have positive Down Pressure on the 3 point, find away to make the post digger fit it . Maybe flip the pins over to the Inside of the digger frame/

[@andylamm5571]

Where did you get your post and what was the cost of each. Thank you.

[@philipstreechon4523]

Your place looks like the Ponderosa Ranch: Bonanza TV Location

[@samuelgraham4071]

Hey mate, if you have a welder and some available pipe weld up a metal handle with a wider and heavier front. it'll make better tamping

[@hairymanonetwo]

Forget about tamping the posts in...... fill the hole with dirt......come back with a few bucks of water and allow the water to settle the dirt ! Much quicker and much more sturdy ! Always plan a year in advance of fixing fence. Allow the corner post to settle . Better yet.....if you live where if freezes..... put the wires on when the ground is frozen. This way each post in the fence line shares the load.

[@Beecozz7]

I knew the water would work!!! You're welcome!!! LOL

[@davidj.mackinney6568]

I asked my wife, isn't that post leaning. Can you change the eagle hitch on the Case?

[@nalley6815]

I’m fighting the same thing right now. I worked for probably 4 hours and got 2 holes drilled. They’re still a few inches shy of where I want them

[@terrycastor8299]

Be careful trying to push down on that auger while it's turning. That rascal can grab a pant leg and have you in a world of trouble in a heartbeat. If you need to add down pressure, add yourself a lever arm you can pull downwards but keeping yourself away from the auger.

[@dagorithe]

You need to get a post level. They're about $12 from the big box store.

[@TexFarmer]

And some string line to get all the posts in the ground straight.

[@MrBigblueford]

Ground is dry, add water.... Ran outta gas sounds like something I'd do. I get so busy workin I forget to check gas, I take care of all the other maintenance as needed but forget the simple thing, gas........

[@RobertJones-ey9qz]

I find it pretty strange that you can drill a hole, put a big post in it, and barely have enough dirt to fill the hole. I put up a wood privacy fence several years back and was putting a bag of concrete in each hole and still had barely enough dirt to refill the holes. Interesting video, but was hoping to see the braces going in. I'll have to find the next video. Have a good day.

[@boscountry]

You might try changing the auger tip to a fishtail instead of the spiral. I have had better luck drilling in harder ground/areas with the fishtail tip.

[@aaronvincent7558]

I enjoyed the video we have older tractors to I don’t think the new tractors are not as good as the older tractors 🚜 other people told me the same thing they think the new tractors are not as good as the older tractors

[@randywells4674]

Use a spud bar to tamp

[@remushaynes2693]

greetings evan; if you refill the hole with pea gravel instead of dirt or concrete you will not have to brace them for your wire pull. i have never guyed nor braced any of my posts. respond if you want an explanation..................g

[@jonathanfrecking1210]

The only way to get a fence straight is use a string line!! You should use pipe between the corner and brace post, pipe doesn't rot like wood does. New tractors dont have down pressure on the 3pt just so you know.

[@jeanniearnold7906]

I'm with everyone else...STAY AWAY FROM THE AUGER AND PTO !!!!!!! Glad your back is well.

[@bobkelly2447]

How about a bucket or 2 hanging on the side of the curved lift arm on the post hole digger back by the gear box ..... so you can add weight to the downward force to drill the post holes ? adding a few hundred pounds would make all the difference in the hard ground ! ... a box or buckets or even just heavy steel chunks because there is no downward force to the hydraulics and it is all gravity so add weight ! the lift hydrologic will have no trouble with 200 more pounds and the post holes would go much faster and easier !

[@ithacacomments4811]

Never work alone on the farm...if you have a choice!

[@boathead22000]

Water water water, i said that in the last video.. hard headed Evan.

[@navarra4]

No concrete? How long will those posts last before having to be replaced? And how are those boots holding up

[@CountryViewAcres]

Electric poles don't use concrete either. These should last 30 years I hope. The boots are doing fine, still the same pair.

[@charlesthomas6210]

Put the pins on the inside of the arms on the Case

[@Brockjn]

Oh yeah and if you sell that Allis you let me know. I'm a collector :). Ps. I don't think there's many tractors with down pressure most, 3pts are free floating. But they do make post hole diggers with down pressure and it's operated by a hydraulic remotes. Incase that matters to ya. :)

[@CentralNH]

Guess I should have watched whole video you ended up doing what my grandfather used to do with water.

[@1969mackenzie]

Keep an eye out for something in the 70s for a tractor. Ford 4000 dsl, Massey Ferguson 135, IHC or case utility tractors. Most that are in good shape will run $4500-6500. Remember bud, you get what you pay for. Look for something in the 40-50 horsepower range. Take your time and be picky. Read farm forums about different tractor models and years to find out about tractors to stay away from. I have a 1971 Massey Ferguson that will work just like it was new but without all the late model electronic issues. Buy nothing newer than 1985-87. That was the big transition time. Good luck, bud. Great show!

[@python3574]

I'm not even going to read through the comments, but I suspect there are a LOT of people warning you about getting near a moving pto/auger. HEED their advice!! Between baggy jeans, shoe laces, standing on loose dirt......man it can all go wrong so easily and so quickly. It is not worth it. It is not worth it. It is not worth it. And as a maintenance professional, you already know this. That's why you lockout/tagout, don't work on live, moving machines unless it is an absolute necessity with strict procedures and precautions taken. Stay safe, man.....stay safe! And BTW, if you think those holes were tough, come on down to Giles Co. Tennessee, where our #1 crop is ROCKS. Those holes you drilled will seem like drilling in peanut butter. If you don't buy tips by the case, you won't be drilling long here....lol.