Will the Power Planter dig solid clay?

The question that gets asked more than any other and the answer is a very definite yes.
It would be much use if it didnt handle digging clay when we have so much of it in Australia!
#powerplanter #lovemypowerplanter #claydigging
www.powerplanter.com.au

[@mrdavidurquhart]

When you're using an auger resist the urge to go more than an inch or two deep in harder ground. As the auger burrows deeper, the amount of contact with the sides of the hole increases and there will be no warning when the friction is sufficient to seize the bit. When the bit is seized the drill in your hands will instantly counter rotate because the motor is still running and you have no time to release the trigger and it can easily break out of a strong grip - even when a side handle is used. With a small hand held drill you risk a minor injury - such as a blow to the hand strong enough to fracture a man's finger. Larger drills can cause more serious injuries. Keep your head and face well away from the drill. But even a fractured finger is an annoying injury that typically can't be treated but must heal over several weeks, aching all the while. So watch this video carefully and see how he makes very shallow cuts. The length of the auger is helpful ergonomically, but pretend the long flighting (the twisty bit) is not there. Take care everyone!

[@luckyfamilyman]

Good info & thx for the heads up

[@chubbydinosaur9148]

FUCK THIS! I'm on my way to go buy one, stupid crap and I was digging holes with a pickaxe for years!

[@cagedavis9334]

Give the man a brake people saying thats not "solid sun baked clay" ... Who plants a plant in concrete like clay?

[@engfeiyin]

Clayey soils are full of nutrients. Some plants, trees thrive in them.

[@VoodooDangerbird]

It’s about compaction; bulk density

[@harrymyhero]

Well, you can't help where you were born and raised. It is all over this area. It used to be a swamp.

[@rbhe357]

Someone putting posts 24" deep. You shouldn't need a power tool to put a plant in the dirt.

[@missjennemeg1]

Woooow!! Thank you so much. I live in NC USA. All we have is red clay.

[@DoctorJonesPhD]

Shoutout from Seagrove, the pottery capital of the world 😎

[@slowliving1989]

Me too!!just found this video today and it saved me my back and a lot of time!! My jasmine is already in the ground!!

[@stevesbonesai]

I just finished drilling about 300 holes in wet sticky clay that could be used to make pots.. Those holes are now filled with compost with the hope that I can one day turn the area into a garden. I used a brushless ozito pxc and power planter. It was hard work but it screwed that crap out of the ground over and over again. I don't have a side handle either, just grab the side of the drill with your support hand if need be👍

[@stellaq3306]

I took the plunge & bought the recommended DeWalt drill & the auger like in the video. I’m watching all the videos & reading the manual & trying it out today. I’m a little bit scared but gotta do this. Wish me luck, I’m going in. 🇦🇺👍

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Not too hard is it Stella. Thanks for making the purchase. If you have any troubles just give us a call 1800 222 800. Brian :-)

[@TheNosePickler]

HEY....Your video is literally on the amazon website for this auger product...by the actual power planter company.

[@haraldpaulsen9180]

I hate the fact that I hawent seen this video befor digging 😂

[@billhesford6098]

I am using a 10kg crowbar to try dig several small holes for the trees. It bounces. Your clay looks quite easy clay to dig. My clay will make that mattock bounce. My mattock which is identical to yours is useless. The question remains, will that thing actually dig hard clay? My guess is no it will spin and go nowhere. Today I am trying a concrete drill bit in a jackhammer and I am mildly hopeful.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Hi Bill we have over 90000 customers digging with Power Planters and yes they are designed to dig clay. Just cant be bone dry or it wont be able to bind the particles. Have a hose trickling if really dry. Brian

[@billhesford6098]

@@aussiegardenerstore It was somewhat easier than the crowbar, that's for sure.

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

I need one of these. I live in central Arizona, the ground is so hard trying to dig with. shovel I have actually bent the shovel blade and it takes absolutely forever to get anywhere digging. when its 115 degrees out that amount of effort is too much. it took me two days to dig a hole big enough to plant a small tree last summer.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Head to www.powerplanter.com in the USA. They will look after you well. Brian :-)

[@nukeyourhouse]

We've go different clay here, mate.

[@tauruszuma]

the only reason all the other videos fail in hard stuff is that they all use those green toy drills, works great with a red or yellow one! Cheers from the great white north.

[@lindseymakes5364]

Looks like a good way to burn my green one out so I can upgrade!

[@pamketron]

I just bought this very auger yesterday. I live in Tennessee USA and all I have is hard, red clay soil. I’m so excited to start using this instead of having to hand dig with a mattock. Just watched your troubleshooting video and it was great. I have a DeWalt drill to use with it. Thank you for all the information you have shared. It really is helpful. Happy Digging!

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Thanks Pam. Be sure to watch the 7min training video before using to learn the safety aspects and best technique to use. www.aussiegardener.com.au/go Brian :-)

[@pamketron]

@@aussiegardenerstore Thanks Brian. I watched it first and then your troubleshooting video. It’s raining here today so it will be the weekend before I use it.

[@jaysmith7774]

Who the fuck from Tennessee says "mattock"

[@randyman8984]

@@pamketron How did you like it?

[@blake9358]

Get a gasoline 300 mm augur

[@tyo6896]

Mhmmm, well how bout a few feet lol

[@jhonviel7381]

but i dig with shovel, pick ax is to just break the ground first?

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Well, they are both digging. Either way, it's harder work than using a power planter. :-)

[@jackbenner11]

Just wondering what the exact size he’s using I need to make a trench through a crawl space and have no room for a pick this seems so perfect

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Hi Jack This is the 324h power planter. www.aussiegardener.com.au/324h Brian :-)

[@soraya6627]

Hi Where do you get that handle from you had attached to the drill? Thanks

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Hi Soroya They come as part of the drill. Generally the cheaper model cordless drills dont have side handle options. If you are using the Power Planters a fair bit I recommend investing in a cordless drill with side handle as it is much easier to control. Brian :-) P.s. we do sell one on our website. www.powerplanter.com.au/996

[@soraya6627]

@@aussiegardenerstore Thanks for that Brian 😊 I've got a makita drill - maybe I can buy the handle as a separate attachment.

[@randyman8984]

@@soraya6627 see if your drill has a screw in bolt on the sides? If it does that means your is compatiable with a handle grip. You have to have that bolt for the handle to screw into

[@soraya6627]

@@randyman8984Thanks 😊

[@1337MaxRabbit]

Wow. I happened to search "dig clay soil" on KZbin because I was all out of ideas. This seems perfect.

[@AmiteshNaidu]

Thank you sir. You have a new subscriber today

[@dalayeofficial]

That’s what I need for water proofing

[@richardread7270]

Your clay must be different to Australian clay. Doing as you did and the clay just does not want to give in.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Im in Sydney Richard. What drill are you running the Power Planter on? Brian :-)

[@mi3mi80]

sounds like every prisoner should have one 😂

[@mikeswain1945]

In all the videos, people seem to use a cordless drill and I wondered if the process would still work with an electric drill? The reason I ask is that none of the cordless drills I own have a side handle.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Best to only use cordless as they are designed to run at low speed under constant load. They also have a clutch to protect your wrists ftom kickback. 240v corded drills spin too fast and tend to overheat. Brian :-)

[@Supriyadi-tq2yt]

so we need a high torque tool. Has anyone try it with impact driver ?

[@aussiegardenerstore]

It needs to be a cordless drill with opening chuck that you turn to lock. Impact drivers usually have a single small slot end. Also impact drives have a stepping action rather th asn constant torque which is needed for digging. The drill we use is the Dewalt 996 www.aussiegardener.com.au/996 Brian :-)

[@TheHappyCoder]

Thanks so much for the idea. Got a similar tool from Bunnings and it worked. Although it doesn't work as easy as in your video. I'll try watering the ground first when I do my next round. Should help?

[@aussiegardenerstore]

We sell the original USA made power planter. They are built to last. Anything Bunnings sells is a chinese low quality copy. www.aussiegardener.com.au/powerplanter 1800 222 800 Brian :-)

[@garymarshall1246]

To plant say, 7 G palm tree, would the 324 be big enough ?

[@MervB1]

Our clay is more like concrete and the digger has little efect on it, though I must admit putting it on a slower speed you can feel the added torque. I'm trying to dig a tunnel to put a larger size pipe between two fishponds .... anyadditional tips are more than welcome.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

If the clay is bone dry it wont be able to bite in. Wet the area as you go. The drill must be in slow speed to be effective. Brian :-)

[@melissamybubbles6139]

So to get an auger to work in clay, the soil needs to be pre-loosened and wet? I guess tomorrow I can keep water next to me to see if water helps. Today my auger didn't penetrate the soil, but softened it a little.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

No it doesnt need to be preloosened. That clay being dug was original not having been dug before. Yes it cant be bone dry otherwise you are scraping dust. Make sure your cordless drill is on slow speed and spinning clockwise. Brian :-)

[@melissamybubbles6139]

@@aussiegardenerstore My soil was moist but not wet. The auger definitely needed to have pre-digging. Then it could soften the ground for another round of digging. I tried different drill speeds, directions, and amounts of pressure.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

@@melissamybubbles6139 what was happening when you tried to dig? Was it spinning on the surface or was it failing to turn in the clay?

[@stateniland]

well done! Exactly what model/size is that auger? ty

[@aussiegardenerstore]

This one is the 324h model. www.powerplanter.com.au/324h Brian :-)

[@missjennemeg1]

Can you use the big 9 inch auger ok??

[@aussiegardenerstore]

You will need a different drill for that. The one we use is Dewalt joist drill. 54v But if just digging for planting dont use the big auger, use the 324h and break up all the soil. Only use the big augers for post holes. Brian :-)

[@engfeiyin]

When I dig in, clumps of clayey, sticky soils gets stuck to the mattock, doesn't crumble like in the demo.

[@benllben]

Depends on the type of clay / wetness of the clay. I don't own one of these but have built a garden in heavy clay and i can say that my clay also doesnt crumble like the demo, however it just sticks to the pickaxe and fly's everywhere!

[@randyman8984]

@@benllben Sounds like you need to let it dry out some. Although in the summer its HOT and the ground is harder I find my red clay is easier to work with just the fact it isnt messy/muddy/sticky and it can also get very heavy to move around when wet/damp.

[@randyman8984]

Was you using the additional tip that connects to the end of the auger in this video? Theese tips make it easier to penetrate clay soil from what ive read.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Hi Randy in this video it is just the original 324h model. It is only the wider units that benefit from having the pilot auger. These are called the thd models. Ie. 428thd, 528thd, 728thd Brian :-)

[@randyman8984]

@@aussiegardenerstore Go to 13.00 in this video. Wonder what this size would do for your soil in video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/joasoZyYaN6Vnqs

[@aussiegardenerstore]

@@randyman8984 yes that is the 728 I couldnt see if it was a thd unit with the pilot auger as well. Generally we use smaller power planters to cultivate the ground rather than just drilling a single hole. Better for the plants. Brian :-)

[@randyman8984]

@@aussiegardenerstore In that video she is drilling in red clay She is in north carolina and I am in georgia with the same soil structure. If you look closely it shreds the clay into fluff which was a real eye opener. I would imagine it doing that would be awesome for the plants too

[@stephenarling1667]

With a stout enough drill motor, the bit will drill 'till it twists in half.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

True. So you use the cordless drill in screwdriver mode set to a high number to protect your wrists from twisting.

[@rkwatchauralnautsjediparty7303]

I just wish it worked in my clay which is hard like concrete. My plug-in 8-amp rotary hammer is helpless in my yard. Maybe I'll try a lower speed on the trigger to see if that ups the torque. The manual doesn't mention anything.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

If it is spinning too fast, it wont bite into the clay. Thats why we use 18v cordless drills as they have good speed adjustments. Also if your clay is bone dry it will just scrape dust. Their needs to be some moisture for the particles to be able to bind and then shift. Water the ground or have a hose trickling as you dig usually solves it. Brian :-)

[@rkwatchauralnautsjediparty7303]

@@aussiegardenerstore Yep, I switched to my 18V today (bought the corded for this because my *28V* battery was overheating too quickly--now I have a new smaller drill). I watered yesterday and it grabbed pretty well today. And...it twisted the hex shank right off. 😖

[@aussiegardenerstore]

@@rkwatchauralnautsjediparty7303 is this a genuine USA made Power Planter?

[@rkwatchauralnautsjediparty7303]

@@aussiegardenerstore Yessir, still has the label. It's been a day. I'll try replacing it.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

@@rkwatchauralnautsjediparty7303 the hex end can get stripped if the chuck is not gripping tightly and continues to be used. Generally its only cheaper drill chucks that have an issue staying tight. Yours may still be salvageable if there is enough steel left you can file the face flat again. Brian :-)

[@Jane-West]

Wow!! How have I missed this? Thank you so much for the demonstration, that's just what I need!

[@puneetsharma8593]

Can I use it for soil sampling ?? What's the battery life and what's the cost of it. Bczo I don't want to buy it for a lifetime but just for my sampling period (1-2 months). Plz reply as fast as u can .

[@papakelt1]

The battery life is going to be a function of what drill you're using. The planter doesn't come with the drill, the planter is the auger bit in the drill.

[@pwcronk]

Sounded to me that the Drill was going to lock out each time he presses down. Also the earth is wet clay and didn't look too hard. Im not trying to be picky but if you could demonstrate a dig on dry hard clay I would buy one to trial, but at present I am not convinced by this video.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Well it sounds like the only way you will be convinced is by trying it yourself. We give you a full month to try it out and know you always get your money back no hassles. And if you are still sceptical, have a look at the thousands of customer reviews. www.powerplanter.com.au/reviews If they didnt work, word would get round pretty quick. Brian

[@engfeiyin]

Wet clay is harder because, clumps of it will get stuck to the auger bit. I know how hard it is, because they get stuck to the shovel, huge sticky clumps. If clayey soil is dried out, it might get a good chance because it will crumble. But then, the rocks in between the clay would cause the auger bit to twist

[@aussiegardenerstore]

@@engfeiyin yes very wet clay is hard to dig because it sticks together again straight after being dug. Best to wait till its dried out a bit or pour some sand on as you dig. Brian

[@bobsdeadarse]

For starters that's not solid clay, that is damp clay. Solid clay is the stuff that is dry as a bone out in the sun all day especially the hot afternoon sun. Try digging on the northern side that isn't hidden from the afternoon sun. A company that does their own reviews will never convince me to buy something no matter how great they make it out to be. So yeh...show it digging real solid clay not damp clay with no camera trickery like the add I see on Facebook and I might buy one.

[@vtbn53]

Yes I was going to call it baked clay because that's pretty much what it is on my property.

[@krislind7765]

It’s pretty cheap add water to you clay...... Anytime you dig water spot few hours before durrrrrrrrr

[@bobsdeadarse]

What's cheap? By cheap, do you mean crap? And how it would be nice to take water for granted. If they made them in stainless steel, I'd buy one, but when I spoke to one of the guys, he claims no one make stainless steel garden tools. I buy stainless steel garden tools.

[@engfeiyin]

@@krislind7765 Nah, have you tried? With clay, it just doesn't work that way! It just gets stuck to the auger bit