Changed my mind about using a skid steer for post holes

I always thought a skid steer with an auger was the only way to go for a big job, but a crew in Bend, Oregon showed me their two-man gas auger setup. They did 40 holes in hard clay in under 3 hours, which was faster than I could have gotten my machine set up and moved around the site. The lack of compaction and the ability to work in tighter spots was a real eye-opener. Anyone have a favorite model of two-man auger they swear by?

3 comments

3 Comments

baker.holly2mo ago

Hold on, you're only looking at the best case scenario. What about when you hit a rock or a root? That two man auger is going to try and break your arms, and then you're stuck. A skid steer has the power to just push through. For forty holes on flat, clear ground, maybe a hand auger wins. But for any real job with surprises, the machine saves your back and your time. You can't beat having that hydraulic power when you need it.

pat_moore2mo ago

Well I'll be honest, I was in that same camp for years. Always figured bigger equipment meant faster work, no question. Seeing a two man team move like that really makes you reconsider the basics. The setup time and machine weight you avoid adds up quick. I've had good luck with an older Stihl model, but honestly, keeping any brand's engine tuned and using sharp blades matters more than the name.

phoenix_lewis2mo ago

Exactly, that setup time is the silent killer on a lot of jobs. You spend half the morning just getting the big machine off the trailer and positioned, and then you're stuck in that one spot. A two man team with a sharp auger can just walk to the next hole and start turning. The real win is in the flow of the work, not just the raw digging speed. It keeps the whole job moving without those long pauses.