Changed my mind on using a skid steer for every post hole

For years, I thought a skid steer with an auger was the only way to go for any job over ten holes. It was fast, right? Then I took on a job in an old part of town with tiny backyards and fences right on the property line. The skid steer was just too big and clumsy. I ended up having to dig the last six holes by hand with a manual post hole digger, which I hated. But you know what? For those tight spots, the hand digger was actually faster overall because I wasn't fighting to get the machine in place. I saved about two hours on that half day job just by switching methods. It made me see that the 'best' tool isn't always the biggest one. Now I look at the site access first before I even load the skid steer. Anyone else find themselves going back to basic tools sometimes?

3 comments

3 Comments

gavin36513d ago

What's the smallest yard that made you ditch the machine completely?

lewis.mila13d ago

Depends on the shape more than the size honestly. A tiny but wide open square is way easier than a narrow strip with a bunch of corners. Once you spend more time turning than cutting, it's time for the string trimmer.

quinn_reed1713d ago

That "fighting to get the machine in place" part is exactly why I keep a manual digger on the truck.