All About the Gasoline Auger Drill

In this primer, we discuss the typical uses and functions of a gasoline auger, the varieties available, and a bit on proper hand safety.

A gasoline auger drill is one of those tools that you probably won't appreciate until you have to complete the task by hand. With the cost of the average back injury case over $25,000- it is easy to justify adding this handy tool to your collection. Primarily used for digging holes for fence posts, garages, and decks, these tools have additional attachments that can dramatically increase their usefulness. They can quickly be adapted to create holes for planting bulbs, plants and even small trees.

In its simplest form a gas powered, hydraulic auger is simply a motor connected by a drive shaft to a bit. The bits are designed to remove the earth from a hole as the bit bores into the ground. There are many different types and sizes and your choice will be influenced by a variety of factors. Many augers are designed to be used by one person, but it is often safer and more efficient to use a two person model.

The typical gasoline auger drill is designed for a light industrial use. If you plan on digging holes 12 hours a day for most of the year, you would probably be better served by a tractor mounted auger or at least a heavy duty two man drill. 

Traditional wisdom holds that at least a third of a fence post should be underground. A 6 foot post will require a hole depth of approximately two feet. An often overlooked advantage to using a gas powered earth auger for post holes is that you generally disturb less of the surrounding soil. The efficiency of going straight up and down will often result in less lean and more solid post placement.

When selecting the right auger for your needs weight can be a double edged sword. If you are going to have to haul the auger some distance to the job area, the thought would obviously be to get the lightest auger possible. Most of the weight in an auger is in the motor itself, and that additional weight really helps in maintaining smooth downward pressure on the auger. A 1 inch or even a 4 inch drive shaft will be typical, and should be sufficient for all but the heaviest of projects. Most augers have a maximum depth of about 4 feet and if you are consistently drilling to close to this depth an extension will make the job much more comfortable.

A quick word on hand safety is probably in order. Most augers have a hand controlled throttle that will stop the drill when it is released. Never bypass this safety feature, and make sure that you can operate it comfortably while wearing gloves or other protective equipment.   Bottom line:  mastering the auger drill means you must also master the basics of good safety habits.

Attachments for a typical gasoline auger drill may include a bulb bit- usually about 4” in diameter. These make planting large flower displays a simple task. Consistent depth is often critical in having the bulbs bloom at the same time. You can also get bits that will create holes of up to 12” in diameter for plants or trees with small root balls.

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