Mucky post holes

JimS · Feb 19, 2015

I drilled some post holes, but before I got the chance to clean them out it rained.

I am using a two handled post hole digger.

How can I clean these post holes without having to scrape the digger every time I pull it out? I have tried cleaning it and spraying it with WD or cooking spray. I have tried simply banging it on breaker bar to knock the much off (this seems the best option so far).

Ideas? I can't wait until everything is dry.

fixerupper · Feb 19, 2015

Wish I had an answer. We have sticky soil here too and judging from my experience all I can say is to lay a post down beside you and bang it off on the post. Bang it on one side, then flip it over and bang the other side. It's work any way you spell it. A spade works as a good scraper if you need to scrape it off.

ss55 · Feb 19, 2015

Have you tried a graphite paint like is used inside gravity boxes?

Brendon Warren · Feb 19, 2015

Move to NNY and you won't have to dig post holes this time of year. Not a drop of muck to be found.

State of Jefferson · Feb 19, 2015

I worked on a ranch in Argentina for a few months after high school, spent a few days working with the fencing crew while I was there to see how things worked in a different part of the world. They just used a spade to dig post holes. The ground was so sticky that regular post hole diggers would plug up just like you're describing. Which is why a spade worked so well. Just 'throw' the spade in the hole, pull it out covered in dirt. Bang it off and repeat.
Really worked well. Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't tried it for myself.
Ben

JimS · Feb 19, 2015

I'll give it a try. Thanks.

The first time I heard of the Argentines having a good idea. I used to work with a bunch at a polo field. Argentine is Spanish for danger.

Dean Olson · Feb 20, 2015

We have a black to gray gumbo clay here in TX. Crawfish love it. Anyway I have a 5 gallon bucket of water close so I can dip shovel or post hole digger. Gumbo comes off easier. Dip with evey scoop.

Geo-TH,In · Feb 20, 2015

Menards stopped selling post holes or I would have sent you there.

black · Feb 20, 2015

I seen gov. workers pounding posts into the ground with backhoes after they were pencil sharpened . This is common on the saftey rails for the highways and works good .

BushogPapa · Feb 20, 2015

My Grandad (Ditcher and Grave Digger) ALWAYS kept his shovels, spades, etc coated with Talow and I can tell you, it makes a REAL difference in how the soil releases..
It couldn't hurt to try it, but Muck is a Bear no matter...
The old Hand-turned screw-type Post Hole Digger may be as good as you will get, if you can't get a PTO powered post hole digger..

Ken Macfarlane · Feb 20, 2015

Usually if its wet like that you can push or pound sharpened posts in.

MARK ROBKE · Feb 20, 2015

I have done just as Fixerupper does-just bang the digger on the new post,1 side then the other. I now mostly use my postdriver-the posts are set much tighter in the ground.Mark

Mucky post holes

JimS

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fixerupper

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ss55

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Brendon Warren

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State of Jefferson

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JimS

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Dean Olson

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Geo-TH,In

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black

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BushogPapa

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Ken Macfarlane

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MARK ROBKE

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