Using an ice auger to drill holes in dirt?

[mnvikingsfreak]

Could I use an eskimo shark 2.1hp 51cc ice auger to drill holes in the ground if I get an eskimo earth bit? or do I need a stronger powerhead with the 2 long arms so 2 people can hold on to it? it will cost just as much buying an earth bit as renting an earth auger for a day I was just curious.

thanks!

[wishing for walleyes]

I have my old strikemaster magnum III 49cc that i use to drill post holes with.I have drilled about 50 holes with it and even drilled through rocky ground.All it does is wear down the blade very fast.

[sparcebag]

I'd rent it,Or you'll have another piece of equipment layin around that you will seldom use,More junk to store!

[lotsofish]

The earth auger bit is nice. I think they sell them under the name "Earthquake"? Menards carries them. They also sell powerheads under the Earthquake brand name, but I think they are either the same or very close to the same think as the ones they sell under the Eskimo brand. I used one a few years ago. It was the single powerhead like you have with an earth auger bit. It worked great. This was drilling to make footings for a deck. If it's the same price as renting, I would just buy it. If you decide later you don't want to keep it anymore you could sell it on an online classifieds.

[Sandmannd]

So if you buy one of these blades for earth is it going to cause any harm to the power head? Is it hard for it to dig through the earth than through ice?

[IFallsRon]

The digging isn't too bad. It's the rocks and roots that cause problems. Then there's the pulling up the auger full of dirt. That's where the long arms on ground version come in handy.

[polarsusd81]

Not to mention, you hit one rock with your ice blade if that is what you choose to do and you throw it way out of pitch and have to get it fixed. In all reality, you are probably better off renting one of the earth augers. You will have a little piece of mind and it is probably cheaper than buying an earth blade.

[MIKE IN lINO III]

I used my Ice auger to drill the holes for my deck. I am in SAND country and did not hit any rocks though. That was years ago and I have drilled quite a few of ice holes since.

Good Luck,

Mike

[Dozer]

I used my 3hp jiffy to drill holes for planting 50 trees. Put a new blade on it when I was done and it worked like a charm.

[icehousebob]

A buddy of mine has an old Eskimo that is about 15years old that he uses for both ice and fence post holes. The post hole auger has the shock absorbing springs to save on the gears. He has used it hard for all those years and it still is working.

[katoguy]

I used mine to drill my deck holes, 40 holes for planting lilacs, 20 holes for planting hybrid willows, and at least 50 holes for planting a privet hedge. I put old blades on for ground work and keep a good set for the ice. A couple friends want to borrow it, but I won't borrow it out for others to potentially wreck.

My auger is at least 15 years old. I wouldn't drill in dirt with a new one, though.

[theoilman]

Most augers and post hole diggers use the same power head and gear box. Definitely use a bit for post holes in the ground, the ice auger bit will probably get damaged digging dirt. The different handles on a machine bought to be a post hole digger are more convenient, but you should be able to get by as is.

[walleyeaddict]

Have seen several people do this with ice blades...and go back out the next season and drill ice with it. I imagine they did not hit any rocks.

[Neighbor_guy]

I use the 3hp jiffy to dig post holes or plant trees etc in clay country. I just replace the blades when winter comes. I do like a 6" mora hand auger better though. I can "dig" over a dozen before you could dig an equal hole with a regular post hole digger.

[mnvikingsfreak]

thanks for the information guys I think I'm going to go with buying an earth bit for the auger I have a ton of holes to drill for a fence this summer also it will work great for digging holes for planting trees this spring I dont want to be rushed with the rental auger when I can buy a earth bit for the same price any more advice would be great if not thanks again everyone!