If you spend any amount of time planting trees and shrubs, erecting signs or putting in fences, an auger should be among your essential tools. It not only will get you out from behind a shovel, it also will save you tremendous time and effort, giving you the capability to get more done during a day.
Auger Options
There are augers that are one-person and two-person operated for small jobs, and augers that attach as attachments on skid-steers, front-end loaders, backhoes, tractors and cranes. You can customize an auger to fit your business by choosing what type of power head you need as well as the length and width of the auger bit.
Power Heads
Power heads can be divided into two categories: high speed and high torque. Within these categories, you can choose from planetary driven or chain driven. Depending on what kind of surface you are boring into, high-speed power heads are typically used with auger bits 12-inches in diameter and smaller; and high-torque power heads are used with larger bits.
If you're digging into something like peat moss, then speed is more important than torque, so you would choose a high-speed auger. Conversely, if you are digging into clay, more torque will be required.
The wider your auger bit, the more torque you need. When planting shrubs and trees, you're going to have so much surface to cover that you are going to need the extra torque.
The choice between a planetary or chain driven power head is not as clear cut, and is more up to the preference of the operator. Although a planetary drive is more compact and recommended for higher torque and speed, a chain drive is less expensive and just as effective for many jobs.
Auger Bits
The size of the hole you need to make will dictate what size of auger bit you will need. Bits range from 6 inches in diameter to more than 30 inches. If you are erecting signs, a 10-inch bit would best fit the job. Use a 12-inch bit for digging the fence post holes.
Unless you are digging tree holes, the 12-inch auger is probably the most popular and versatile size.
The most common length for auger bits is 48 inches, but auger extensions allow you to make the bit as long as you need.
On a smaller machine, try to keep the weight down. A bit that is no longer than 24-inches in length will help. There are not too many landscaping jobs in which the hole needs to be deeper than 24".
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