An auger is a spiral shaped tool designed to move solid or liquid material from one area to another. When the tool rotates, the material moves along the spiral to the desired location. A drill bit, which is the most common auger, uses the design to remove the shavings and other debris from the hole while it is being drilled.
Augers have been in use since as long ago as between 100 and 200 BC, when Greek mathematician Archimedes is known to have invented the first one. This design was called a water-screw, which transferred water from lower to higher levels. The Archimedes Screw is still in use today, although the task is usually done with pumps.
An auger used for digging post holes is called an earth auger, soil auger, or mechanized post hole digger. This kind of auger can be a manually turned, handheld device, or powered by an electric motor or internal-combustion engine, possibly attached to a tractor (being provided with power by the tractor engine's power take-off as shown). Handheld augers can also be used for making holes for garden planting.
Augers can be very useful when tree roots interfere with the digging of fence post holes. Augers come in many different types and sizes. Here are a few:
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This is a good post. Neal should look at it.
ReplyDeleteOur pleasure, Peter. Thanks for reading and we'll keep the info coming. We need you guys. Where would fence installers be without post hole diggers?
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