Hand Augers

Hand Augers

Whether you’re putting up fencing for a livestock pen or doing landscaping such as planting shrubs and trees, the holes for your posts or plants have to be consistently wide and deep. To help you out, Tractor Supply stocks a lineup of hand augers to save you time and effort digging.

Create the Ideal-Sized Hole for Your Needs

Augers are used for digging holes for deck and fence posts, plus gardening work such as incorporating new greenery. They’re different from manual post hole diggers, as they’re gas- or electric-powered and less labor-intensive. They have two main parts: an engine or powerhead and a drill bit, which you can swap out depending on the width and depth of the hole.

Two-Cycle-Engine Augers

Augers with smaller, two-cycle engines are for digging shallower holes in soft or lightly compacted soil, such as when building residential fences or planting gardens. They usually need a mix of gas and oil to run, though some are battery-powered. As lighter-weight tools, one person can use them more comfortably.

Four-Cycle-Engine Augers

Larger, four-cycle augers are for digging larger-diameter holes in heavier, more compacted soil. Unlike two-cycle augers, they shouldn’t need any fuel mixing. They’re heavier, so you may need at least two people to use them, though some models have dual-throttle controls that let one person do the digging.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Augers

How do I use a hand auger to dig a post hole?

First, stabilize the auger. Then, turn the choke on or to a run setting — to full choke with a cold engine or half choke with a warm one. Pump the primer bulb until gas goes up the fuel line. Now, turn on the ignition and squeeze the throttle while pulling the start cord to engage the auger, keeping your hands and feet away from the turning bit. Squeeze the throttle just enough for the bit to start digging and once it’s a few inches in the ground, increase its speed to dig further. Stop the auger bit in the hole and pull it out occasionally to remove dirt and any roots or rocks you hit. Save some soil to top off any post holes you’ve let concrete set in and get rid of excess with a shovel or post hole digger and a rake. Be sure to use safety glasses and gloves and ear protection and follow manufacturer instructions.

What size bit does my auger need?

That depends on how wide or deep the holes need to be for the size of the posts that you want to drive. Check building codes in your area for requirements. Generally, a post hole should be up to three times the width of a post, with a depth between one-half and one-third of the height of the post above-ground. Bit diameter typically ranges from 2 to 12 inches and bit length/depth can range from 30 to 36 inches. If you’re digging holes deeper than 3 feet, you’ll typically need a bit extension; some let you dig up to an additional 2 feet and have a blade attached near their points, cutting into the ground more effectively.

Shop Hand Augers at Tractor Supply

Building a fence or putting in new plants doesn’t have to be a backbreaker — a reliable auger can help you take care of the job with less strain. Visit your local Tractor Supply store or browse our huge online selection to find the ideal model for your next post-driving project.