Heavy-Duty Augers

Yes, a heavy-duty hole digger can work in clay soil. How effective your digging experience is will depend on several factors, including the size of the auger, the moisture content of the soil, and the power of your drill. If you have ‘bone dry’ clay, it is often better to lightly moisten the soil the night before. Since clay soil can be dense and sticky, working in short bursts and periodically lifting the heavy-duty auger out of the ground can help clear any sticky soil from the bit and prevent clogging.

If you are using heavy-duty earth auger bits with a diameter of 5” or less and are digging less than 12 inches into loose soil, then you will need an 18V to 20V drill at a minimum. For larger heavy-duty augers and for use in more challenging soil conditions, we recommend a 60V drill; however, a 40V drill will work. Additionally, investing in a variable-speed drill gives you greater control over how aggressively the bit digs into the soil. See all of our compatible power tools. For more information on how much drill power you need for your heavy-duty auger, check out this handy guide.

To use your heavy-duty auger safely, make sure you use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, eye protection, and sturdy footwear. Maintain a firm grip on your drill with both hands, especially when working in rocky or uneven soil where the heavy-duty auger bit may catch suddenly. Keep loose clothing, jewelry, or long hair away from the bit to avoid entanglement. Also, be aware of any underground utilities and other potential hazards before you begin drilling with your heavy-duty hole digger. Always follow your drill manufacturer’s safety instructions, and call before you dig.

Not necessarily. While wetting soil can sometimes make it easier to shovel or till by hand, it might not always improve the effectiveness of a heavy-duty auger. An excess amount of water can even create muddy conditions, making the soil more difficult to handle and leading to clumping, which can put undue stress on your heavy-duty auger bit and drill. If the soil is too dry, adding a small amount of water might help. If it’s too wet, waiting for it to dry out may be beneficial. For best results, test a small area before committing to drilling multiple holes, and adjust your schedule based on how easily the heavy-duty garden auger moves through the ground.

If your heavy-duty auger drill bit encounters small rocks, it’s designed to churn them up and push them out of the hole with the rest of the soil. If the rock is too large, the force will likely stop the drill, thanks to the cordless drill’s clutch that disengages the motor if too much torque is applied. Should you hit a rock that causes your drill to stop, simply pause, remove the heavy-duty earth auger from the hole, and try to manually remove the rock. If the heavy-duty rock auger won’t budge, you might need to change your drilling spot.

Our high-quality long auger drill bits are ideal for construction and landscape applications that require deep drilling. Use these long reach augers for fence post installation, foundation footings, utility poles, signposts, and tree planting.

Heavy-duty augers are more durable, built with American steel. They also typically have a higher torque output, which is ideal for projects where you need to dig a hole in compacted soil, rocky terrain, or even frozen ground. Standard augers are suitable for typical soil conditions. However, there are specific types of augers for different soil grades. See our sand augers, compacted and clay soil augers, gravelly and rocky soil augers, and extreme soil augers.