Looking for some info on post hole augers. I am setting telephone poles in the ground. The widest pole is 13 inches and the rest are around 10 11 inches. I am wondering if a 12 inch auger bit will drill a bigger hole than 12 inches.
Post hole auger
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Captain13
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M7040 4WD ROPS, ZD28, Woods (84” box blade, 72” harrow, 48” pallet forks)
Not really. Plus, you need extra room to set and plumb the pole and then be able to tamp in the dirt around it. If you don’t have that extra room, the pole will eventually loosen up and wobble. With that said, you can use a 12” auger and then manual hole diggers to enlarge the holes for the extra room you need.
Russell King
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In most soils the hole will be larger than the auger but not too much larger. Like using a 6 inch auger you are probably going to end up with something like an 8 to 10 inch hole.
Clay soils are generally smaller holes, gravelly and rocky soils will result inthe larger size
Clay soils are generally smaller holes, gravelly and rocky soils will result inthe larger size
Most earth augers are an inch over their dimension. My 6, 9 and 12 are 7, 10 and 13 so check the actual bit JIC.
They will also wallow out the hole a little.
Depending on the auger type, you can do some additional wallowing out.
I have a front mounted hydraulic auger and I can drill/wallow in most directions with it.
They will also wallow out the hole a little.
Depending on the auger type, you can do some additional wallowing out.
I have a front mounted hydraulic auger and I can drill/wallow in most directions with it.
Donystoy
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LX2610HSDCC, B/H, Loader, plus numerous other attachments. B7200 sold
Not sure how long your telephone poles are but anyone that I have installed I put at least six feet in the ground so they stay upright. Most augers I have seen will only go about 4 feet. I use my backhoe to dig the hole with it slotted on one side. I then tip the pole partially upright with my loader and the heavy end in the hole. I support it with some 4 x 4's and then go to the other side and pull it upright with a long rope. A crane would work better but I do not own one.
Rule of thumb on the pole crew it 10% of pole length plus two feet.
So a 40' pole would be set to 6 feet.
I have done several holes 6' with the auger, it is a pain and requires an extension.
You do not say WHY you are setting the poles in the ground. If just spaced out to carry an electrical wire, alignment will not matter, but if you are using those poles for something else, like supporting a deck, or whatever, then unless you are REALLY good, you will probably need a little wiggle room to align the poles in the same plane.
I have never been able to perfectly put the holes where I want them, when having more than one pole in a line...
But if you are just setting a pole here and there, and do not even have to worry about the pole being perfectly plumb, you may get by with the 12" auger. I would be more comfortable with my 14" for that 13" pole though...
When I bought my farm 10 years ago I had the utility poles removed, simplified the service and had the wires run underground. Looks a lot better and was not cost prohibitive. Doing the kind of work you are describing is dangerous. Being a formerly invincible middle aged male hillbilly I now recognize the true cost of potential construction/farming/do it yourself mishaps. One error could haunt you for the rest of your life. Be careful and consider all options.