Changing goals and speed

[AClark]

I've used post hole diggers at my parents - they are hard on the arms. Being that I have had a major arm surgery, I decided not to buy one when I bought the t-post pounder. I actually didn't expect rocks, the other places we have dug in 4x4's have been a lot softer and not this crap.

I was thinking a pickmatic might have been a useful buy, but that dawned on me while standing on a shovel and using my kid for balance. After the first 6 inches of it was broken up it was easy digging, but those first 6 inches were bad.

Honestly, we wasted more time looking for the right tools than anything. We seriously need to clean out the barn and organize stuff so we can find it, a lot of it is still packed from the move and we have to dig through boxes to find stuff.

The gates are really tight in there, I might trim them down a little with the reciprocal saw. I am no carpenter, so I'm just glad it all matched up.
I still have the shelters to work on, which should be easy but I decided I'm going to wedge the roof so it's at an angle to drain.

 

[greybeard]

If you think PH diggers are hard on arms and shoulders, you surely will think the same about that pick. Mankillers. I've given all mine away as of years ago.

 

[AClark]

Shoulders I don't mind, it's the elbow. I can't keep it bent for prolonged periods because the doctor moved the "funny bone" nerve outside of between the bones and into the muscle in my arm since it was pinched. I have some shortening of the nerve due to it, so if I keep my elbow bent, it irritates it. Bright side, if I bang that elbow, I don't get smarted by a funny bone since I don't have one there anymore, lol.

This is what they do if anyone is interested. It's weird, but I got some of the feeling back in my fingers so it did help.

 

[Bruce]

They'll dig right thru that clay and able you to pull out most rocks too.

You'll need to tell me what type/brand of PH digger you use that will easily dig through clay and pick up most rocks. I find once I hit a rock of any size from a couple of inches to BIG, the PHD is pretty much worthless. If they are on the smaller side I can use the PHD to pick them up but only after I've dug them up with a shovel some to find the "edges".

 

[Baymule]

Nice pen. I know your goats will like having their own place. Your mare is really looking good, glad that she is relaxing and trusting you more. Your baby is so beautiful. She is so precious.

 

[greybeard]

You'll need to tell me what type/brand of PH digger you use that will easily dig through clay and pick up most rocks. I find once I hit a rock of any size from a couple of inches to BIG, the PHD is pretty much worthless. If they are on the smaller side I can use the PHD to pick them up but only after I've dug them up with a shovel some to find the "edges".

I know all about rocks--used to live in city called San Angelo Tex out where the Caprock and Llano Estacado begins..
This, was developed there, for breaking up the rocks just under surface, then you remove the rubble with a regular pair of PH diggers without disturbing the hard packed surrounding soil. That's the key to setting posts--disturb as little surrounding soil and strata as possible.
Dug lots of holes with it in sheep and goat country.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/truper-san-angelo-bar
http://www.dewalt.com/products/hand-tools/hammers-and-pry-bars/70-san-angelo-bar/dwht55148

How to:
http://www.landscapeadvisor.com/how-to-dig-a-post-hole/

 

[Bruce]

I've always tried to use the PHD from start to finish. That does look like a good tool and one that I'm sure would have helped me. I had a pointed with 4 sides bar I could smack with the hand sledge and pry with but I think that smaller flat end of the San Angelo bar would have made digging around the edges of rocks and smaller stones much easier. Thanks.

 

[AClark]

I think if I was going to dig an obscene number of posts I would buy an auger at this point. I don't know how my parents did their place in AZ, I know grandpa hand dug all the posts with a PHD, but on 320 acres that is a ton of digging. I know when they bought the place it only had a perimeter fence, so grandpa must have really busted his butt doing it. Their arena is all railroad ties and boards, as are most of their corrals.
Makes me wonder why they never bought an auger for their tractor. They have a little Ford 9N, that could have made short work of a lot of it.

My kids horse is looking bigger and bigger in the belly. It looks like we may have a foal yet.

 

[Mike CHS]

We were advised not to get an 3 point hitch auger for a lot of reasons including not much down pressure but other than one section where we had slab rock it has been a life saver. I even used it to plant a bunch of trees. I carry several shear pins whenever I'm using it though.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Well, I'm sure your grandpa was more comfortable and used to using the PHD cause he grew up with them and it is just how it is done....long before an auger was readily available. Even today, many stay with what they "Know" even tho technology advances so quickly, we tend to hang onto things of the past. I still wish they sold cars with carbs and without the computer, chips, and sensors....just with the regular basic stuff PS, PB, AC, and a radio. I could care less about the bells and whistles....but, those days are past and will never return.
I hope things go well for the foaling....any idea when ya are expecting it to arrive?