Digging into the soil

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by ognend

I moved from South Florida where soil was mostly sand with a bit of clay underneath. I was able to hand dig big holes in no time using just shovels.

I am getting ready to build a barn out of wood and for that I need to dig some large lumber into the ground. Since I am in the Hill country (Wimberley), what do folks here use to dig holes large/deep enough to hold large posts with concrete? I am aware that the soil is largely limestone and clay but what tools are used locally? Where do I find them? Are they rentable?

Thanks!
OD

What you would need is an auger which you can rent from Home Depot (if they have a rental desk) or check the Yellow Pages for equipment rental places such as United Rental, as well as others. If you do not need to dig deep, and will not encounter the limestone, then you can rent a gas powered hand auger. This would be the less expensive option. Otherwise you can rent a Bobcat with a blade and an auger attached to the rear, with the appropriate bit for breaching the limestone. The Bobcat blade can be very useful to prepare the area and perform final grading as well.

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Yep, that is what I call a breaker bar, used one for many hours as a kid :P. The on thing that grows really well around here is rocks.....

Plus cactus, cedars & fireants.

[ognend]

Originally Posted by escanlan

What you would need is an auger which you can rent from Home Depot (if they have a rental desk) or check the Yellow Pages for equipment rental places such as United Rental, as well as others. If you do not need to dig deep, and will not encounter the limestone, then you can rent a gas powered hand auger. This would be the less expensive option. Otherwise you can rent a Bobcat with a blade and an auger attached to the rear, with the appropriate bit for breaching the limestone. The Bobcat blade can be very useful to prepare the area and perform final grading as well.

Thanks! I am guessing the bobcat is not something you just get into and drive, it needs someone who knows how to run it properly?

OD

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by ognend

Thanks! I am guessing the bobcat is not something you just get into and drive, it needs someone who knows how to run it properly?

OD

Bobcat is a brand name that is a generally used term for skid steer loaders. Here is a picture of one from the manufacturer of that brand name Skid-Steer Loaders - Bobcat Company. Some loaders have three point attachment points other than on the front that you can attach the auger to and some require removing the blade and adding the auger.

A Bobcat is one of the easiest pieces of light construction equipment you can learn to use. They're also loads of fun to work with!

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...xbL4oeIN5RkIX2

[ognend]

Originally Posted by escanlan

What you would need is an auger which you can rent from Home Depot (if they have a rental desk) or check the Yellow Pages for equipment rental places such as United Rental, as well as others. If you do not need to dig deep, and will not encounter the limestone, then you can rent a gas powered hand auger. This would be the less expensive option. Otherwise you can rent a Bobcat with a blade and an auger attached to the rear, with the appropriate bit for breaching the limestone. The Bobcat blade can be very useful to prepare the area and perform final grading as well.

Thank you, that was informative. I am building a pole barn of sorts so I need to burry the carrying posts into the ground to a certain depth. I am fairly sure I will run into rock at some point so I think the best idea is to find someone that can operate a bobcat with an auger attachment, like you say.

Thank you,
OD

[Trainwreck20]

If you do not need to dig deep, and will not encounter the limestone

He did say Wimberely area, right? Anyway, I expect he can get 1-2" before he hits limestone.....

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by ognend

Thank you, that was informative. I am building a pole barn of sorts so I need to burry the carrying posts into the ground to a certain depth. I am fairly sure I will run into rock at some point so I think the best idea is to find someone that can operate a bobcat with an auger attachment, like you say.

Thank you,
OD

Just take a shovel and see how deep you can go. Chances are you wont be able to go more than 6 inches. I dont think an auger will be effective in austin limestone.

[ognend]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

He did say Wimberely area, right? Anyway, I expect he can get 1-2" before he hits limestone.....

Yup, I tried with a shovel in a few places I hit limestone pretty quick...
OD