When you dig a post hole in rocky soil, you need a good digger. But there are different types of diggers available.
· How can you know which type of digger you should buy?
· What motor power should you choose?
· Are there any other things to consider when shopping for a digger?
In this post, we will answer all of these questions for you and helo you find the best post hole digger for rocky soil.
Here are the best post hole diggers for rocky soil you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Southland SEA438
- Powerful: XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC
- Best for Fence Installation: XtremepowerUS 81094 2365
- Best for Planting: ECO LLC 52cc 2.4HP
- Best for Professionals: PROYAMA 51.7CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger
| 5 Best Post Hole Diggers for Rocky Soil | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Southland SEA438 | |
Powerful | XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC | |
Best for Fence Installation | XtremepowerUS 81094 2365 | |
Best for Planting | ECO LLC 52cc 2.4HP | |
Best for Professionals | PROYAMA 51.7CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger | |
Best Overall: Southland SEA438
- Offer extra convenient storage and good balance - ultra-wide handle design
- Easy to direct the gear and operate smoothly - solid steel drive shaft & easy start fuel delivery system
- Not for big rocks and roots
Southland SEA438 is one of the most inexpensive post hole diggers that you can find on Amazon.
It has a 32-gallon fuel tank, removable butterfly handles, and a solid steel drive shaft.
Therein, we really like its ultra-wide handle design for extra convenient storage and good balance.
As being built with a sharp blade, it can reach a max depth of up to 2.5 feet, possibly another inch or two if you push it all the way to the ground. You can use an extension if you want to go down 4 feet.
Talking about its performance over rocky soil, we would say it’s best to handle small rocks or roots. With medium-sized to large ones, you might need another one.
| Southland SEA438 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 40 pounds |
Dimension | 26 x 11 x 48 inches |
Horsepower | 3HP |
Highlight Features | Ultra-wide handle design |
For the price, quality, and performance, the Southland SEA438 earns the highest scoring from us, making it the Best Buy Award Winner here.
Powerful: XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC
- The most inexpensive in this review list - under $230
- Multifunctional & powerful - a 55cc 2.3HP gas powerhead auger motor
- Allow for speed control and power-enhancing - switch control and finger throttle
- No handle lever to operate the choke
- Slightly finicky to start
- Poor instructions
Our testers love the XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC because it is the cheapest and also the most powerful post hole digger out of a bunch – something that’s really hard to find.
We find nearly nothing else out there that features a 55cc 2.3HP gas powerhead auger motor but is priced under $230. Not to say that it even includes a 6” auger bit kit in the package.
Giving such decent power, it’s quite multifunctional to dig and bore efficiently through holes for tree planting, fence posts, decks, and so on.
It also allows you to control the speeds or enhance the power as wanted through the switch control and finger throttle. Plus, this unit is compatible with any standard auger bit featuring ¾” shaft size.
| XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 30 pounds |
Dimension | 20 x 20 x 20 inches |
Horsepower | 2.3 |
Highlight Features | A 55cc 2.3HP gas powerhead auger motor |
If being asked about the most powerful post hole digger for rocky soil, we, with no hesitation, will recommend the XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC.
Best for Fence Installation: XtremepowerUS 81094 2365
- Versatile – able to fit augers from 6” to 10” diameter
- Dig up to 24” deep holes for fence posts - solid blades and 2-Cycle, 43cc engine
- Good vibration absorption capabilities - foam grip handles
- The driveshaft is prone to be bent
- Not include a bottle of oil
The XtremepowerUS 81094 2365 is an impressively versatile post hole digger due to the built-in Earth auger that makes fence digging work a breeze.
Its 8” bit combined with solid blades and 2-Cycle, 43cc engine does a great job in digging up to 24" deep holes, through tough rocky dirt, to capably get fence 4” x 4” posts into the ground.
It is also able to work well with augers from 6” to 10” diameter to handle other lots of projects if wanted.
What we like the most about this post hole digger is its anti-vibration foam grip handles as it eliminates pain and fatigue effectively, which is perfect for weak-armed people.
| XtremepowerUS 81094 2365 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 27.5 lbs (including a 8" x 28" auger bit) |
Dimension | 30.5" x 21" x 16" |
Horsepower | 2.7 |
Highlight Features | Able to fit augers from 6” to 10” diameter |
The XtremepowerUS 81094 2365 is an excellent investment for fence installation.
Best for Planting: ECO LLC 52cc 2.4HP
- Decently powerful performance - 2 auger bits and One-Man 52CC gasoline auger
- Offer extra ease of use and accuracy while drilling holes - extension rod
- Dig through tree roots and rocky soils like a breeze
- The handles aren’t zip-tied
- The plastic trigger feels cheap
If you’re a serious gardener, we greatly suggest the ECO LLC 52cc 2.4HP based on its decently powerful performance.
Featuring 2 auger bits and One-Man 52CC gasoline auger, the gear is able to dig and bore efficiently through up to 30” deep holes.
A big plus is while other similar counterparts might slow down its excavating process once hitting tree roots and rocky soils, this isn’t a thing. It’s even able to dig through them with little effort.
We also like the added extension rod for extra ease of use and accuracy while drilling different sizes of holes.
| ECO LLC 52cc 2.4HP Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 51.5 pounds |
Dimension | 49.25 x 16.25 x 12.25 inches |
Horsepower | 2.4HP |
Highlight Features | 2 auger bits and One-Man 52CC gasoline auger |
The ECO LLC 52cc 2.4HP is an excellent all-around post hole digger, especially well-suited to planting.
Best for Professionals: PROYAMA 51.7CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger
- Reliable, environment-friendly, and safe for human’s health - 1-year manufacturer warranty, caring customer service, and EPA certified engine
- Powerful – a 2.4HP 1300W 51.7cc engine
- Bang for bucks – include free glasses, gloves, and ear defenders
- The manual is not as comprehensive
We test tons of post hole digger options, and it's easy to get critical and cynical; after all, that's our job. But when it comes to the PROYAMA 51.7CC, our tester team is completely excited.
Brand’s fame aside, it earns us the highest trust due to the 1-year manufacturer warranty, caring customer service, and EPA certified engine.
What’s worth talking about this engine design is it doesn’t cause harm to either human’s health or pollution by discharging less amount of gas in use. Want to know the secret? It all lies in the special 2-cycle gas mixing ratio of 1: 25.
Besides, it is super-powerful yet easy to start, all thanks to the 2.4HP 1300W 51.7cc engine and easy starter.
Although the price tag is a bit high, as including free glasses, gloves, and ear defenders plus featuring a shock-absorbent handle design, it’s definitely well-worth.
| PROYAMA 51.7CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 43 pounds |
Dimension | 33 x 23.5 x 14.6 inches |
Horsepower | 2.4HP |
Highlight Features | 1-year manufacturer warranty, caring customer service, and EPA certified engine |
For professional use, we find nothing that can beat the PROYAMA 51.7CC.
How To Choose The Best Post Hole Digger for Rocky Soil?
When shopping for a hole digger for rocky solid, you will first have to choose between manual, gas, and electric diggers.
Manual | Gas | Electric | |
Highlight features | Feature a pair of curved blades on the two handles | Steel augers Run by gas | Steel augers Run by electricity |
Pros | Create perfect holes | Very powerful | Powerful Quieter |
Cons | Require a lot of muscular strength | Dig only three feet deep | Require a power source nearby Can’t work on a large area |
Best for | Repairing small fence, dig small holes in soft, loose soil | Rocky soil | Rocky soil A small area with a nearby power source |
Now that you have decided on the type of diggers you want, there are a few more things you should look into when choosing a model.
Manual Digger
Handle: wooden handles tear over time and will break down eventually. You should pick reinforced fiberglass handles. They are stronger, offering more leverage when you dig. Also, look for handles that can be modified so you can bring them closer together without the knuckles bashing to each other.
Handle length: choose longer handles because they give you better leverage and help you dig deeper. Sixty inches can be a good choice.
Joint: make sure your new digger has a strong joint or it will break easily.
Gas
Motor: look for a motor with at least 2-2.5 horsepower. Lower power will be useless.
Auger: you should opt for high-carbon steel. Augers made of other materials tend to snap when hitting solid soil. Besides, consider buying interchangeable augers with the size ranging from 2 inches to 10-12 inches.
Handles: definitely opt for extremely sturdy handles. Anti-vibration padding is a plus and will come in handy when you have to work for long hours.
Weight: most automatic diggers are light enough for you to hold on your own, but still keep this factor in mind when choosing a gas digger.
Electric
Motor: the lowest power acceptable is 1200W, you should only look for this level or higher.
Power cords: electric diggers need plugging, so find the longest cord possible. Or you can buy an extension cord to expand the working area.
Augers: similar to gas differs, you should look for high-carbon steel, interchangeable augers.
Handles: also opt for sturdy handles with anti-vibration padding, which will help you work for long hours with more comfort.
Weight: make sure your new electric digger is light enough you can hold on your own.
Which Brands Make The Best Post Hole Digger for Rocky Soil?
Southland
Being in the business for over a century, this brand will offer you the best outdoor tools. If you’re looking for a gas digger, this is your go-to brand.
XtremepowerUS
Founded in 2006, this brand comes with a wide selection of products, including diggers of good quality so you can freely choose the perfect tool.
FAQs
Do augers work in rocky soil?
Yes, they can. But for rocky soil, you will need powerful gas or electric augers.
How do you dig holes in rocky soil?
String a line and pound the stakes
Use a spade to carve out a soil divot
Use a tile shovel to loosen the soil
Use a clamshell to remove loose soil
If you encounter large roots, use a reciprocating saw
Use a digging bar to dislodge rocks
Tamp the soil
How do you put fence posts in the rocky ground?
First, you have to dig a post hole, either manually for using an automatic digger.
Then, mark the locations of the post edge.
Next, position and plumb the post into the hole.
Backfill the hole with dirt and add concrete.
How sturdy is the drill?
The drill is sturdy enough to cut different materials, even strong ones like steel, iron, stainless steel, brass, and copper.
Conclusion
Through this comprehensive guide, we hope that you now know what to do before buying the best post hole digger for rocky soil. Digging into a rocky solid is hard and irritating, but once you’ve got the perfect tool, you will find it much easier.
