The Post-Pounder’s Best Friend: Choosing the Best Post Hole Digger (Auger) System

The Post-Pounder’s Best Friend: Choosing the Best Post Hole Digger (Auger) System

If there's one job on the farm or homestead that demands sheer, brute force and endless repetition, it's digging post holes. Whether you’re putting in a new perimeter fence, building a deck, or planting a few hundred trees, the manual post hole digger is a tool of torture. That’s why the tractor-mounted post hole digger (PHD) is often considered the first specialized implement a landowner buys—it's the ultimate back-saver and a serious productivity booster.

But here’s the million-dollar question I’ve fielded over three decades in the accessory business: which type of digger is truly the best? The answer hinges on two intertwined, critical considerations: hydraulic vs. PTO power and the strategic choice of bit sizes. A mismatch here leads to frustration, broken shear pins, and uneven holes.

Think of it this way: the traditional PTO-powered digger is the hammer—it’s simple, rugged, and runs off the raw, reliable horsepower of your tractor’s Power Take-Off shaft. It’s affordable and requires minimal tractor features. However, it can struggle with roots and rocks, often resulting in violent kickback or a snapped shear pin, forcing you to use a huge pipe wrench to reverse the stuck auger. The hydraulic digger, on the other hand, is the sophisticated drill press—it offers superior torque, can be mounted on your loader for better visibility and down-pressure, and, crucially, can be instantly reversed from the cab to back out of a jam. This instant reversibility is often worth the higher cost alone, especially if your ground is unforgiving.

We’re going to dive into the pros and cons of these power systems and review seven of the best diggers on the market, paying close attention to the auger bit sizes that will truly set you up for fencing, planting, and construction success.

The Power Debate: Hydraulic Torque vs. PTO Horsepower

The power source dictates everything about how your post hole digger behaves when it hits a difficult patch of earth.

1. PTO Power (3-Point Hitch Mounted)

PTO-driven diggers are the classic choice. They attach to the rear 3-point hitch and are powered by the 540 RPM PTO shaft.

• Pros: They are significantly less expensive than hydraulic units and require no specialized hydraulic plumbing beyond the standard 3-point hookup. They rely on the tractor’s raw horsepower, which is usually sufficient for general digging in soft-to-moderate soil.

• Cons: Safety and Control. When a PTO auger hits a rock or root, it stops dead. The PTO shaft is directly connected, and this shock is either absorbed by the shear pin (which breaks to save the gearbox) or transferred violently to the tractor and the operator—a major safety concern. Also, raising and lowering the auger is done solely by the 3-point lift arms, which means you have little downward pressure capability.

2. Hydraulic Power (Loader or 3-Point Mounted)

Hydraulic auger drives are powered by the tractor's auxiliary hydraulic flow (GPM and PSI). They are often mounted on the front-end loader using a universal quick-attach (SSQA) plate.

• Pros: Torque and Reversibility. Hydraulic units deliver consistent, high torque, making them far better at grinding through tough clay and small roots without stalling. More importantly, they offer instant reverse capability from the cab, allowing the operator to back the auger out of a jam immediately, protecting the bit and the driveline. Mounting on the front loader provides superior visibility and allows the operator to use the loader's weight and down-pressure for faster digging in hard ground.

• Cons: Cost and Plumbing. They have a significantly higher initial purchase price and require the tractor to have sufficient hydraulic flow (GPM) and pressure (PSI) to operate efficiently.

The consensus? For high volume or consistently rocky/clay ground, a hydraulic auger is the superior, safer, and more efficient choice. For occasional use in relatively soft soil, a robust PTO digger is a perfectly reliable and economical solution.

The Auger Arsenal: Choosing the Right Bit Sizes

Your choice of auger bit diameter is critical to project success and is often overlooked. Getting the right size provides wiggle room for post alignment and proper space for tamping or concrete.

Post Size ExampleRecommended Auger DiameterPrimary Use4x4 Wood Post (3.5" diagonal)8-inch to 10-inchFence line, mailboxes, small decks. Provides 2-3 inches of room for tamping/concrete.6x6 Wood Post (5.5" diagonal)12-inchHeavy-duty fencing, larger deck supports, structural piers. Provides necessary room for concrete fill.Small Poles/Trees6-inchSteel fence posts (T-posts, 1 7/8"), small trees, sapling planting.

Key Takeaway: Always use an auger that is at least 4 inches wider than the post to ensure adequate backfill material or concrete, and to allow for vertical alignment correction.

Seven Top-Rated Post Hole Diggers (Augers) Systems

We will review both PTO and Hydraulic models to cover the needs of all compact tractor owners.

1. Land Pride PD15 Series Post Hole Digger (PTO)

• The Go-To Standard PTO: Land Pride's PD15 series is an extremely popular PTO digger for compact tractors (20-45 HP). It features a durable, heavy-duty tubular boom and offers multiple adjustment points for digging on slopes. The gearbox is often over-rated (e.g., 40-45 HP), providing a good safety margin against shock loads. The standard unit accepts augers from 6 to 12 inches, making it a highly versatile farm tool. The Land Pride warranty on the gearbox is a major vote of confidence in its reliability.

• Key Feature Focus: Over-rated gearbox, robust boom construction.

• Price Range (Head only): $\$1,000 - \$1,500$

2. Everything Attachments Compact Tractor Post Hole Digger (PTO)

• The Feature-Packed PTO: Everything Attachments (EA) builds its compact digger specifically for Category 1 sub-compact and compact tractors. It features a heavy-duty frame and a unique arch design that maximizes lift height, which is essential for clearing the dirt from the hole. The gearbox is rated for up to 44 HP, perfect for smaller machines. They offer excellent bolt-on, heavy-duty auger bits in 6, 9, and 12-inch diameters with replaceable tips for longevity in tough ground.

• Key Feature Focus: High lift boom design, USA-made auger bits with replaceable tips.

• Price Range (With Auger): $\$1,400 - \$1,800$

3. Land Pride SA10 Series Hydraulic Post Hole Digger (Loader Mount)

• The Compact Hydraulic Specialist: The SA10 is Land Pride's hydraulic solution, often mounted on the front-end loader's bucket (or dedicated SSQA frame). It’s specifically designed for sub-compact tractors with lower hydraulic flow (GPM), offering higher torque at lower speeds. This loader mounting provides the operator with excellent visibility and allows them to utilize the loader’s weight to apply necessary downward pressure, making it highly effective in compacted or rocky ground.

• Key Feature Focus: Loader mount for down-pressure and visibility; Optimized for low GPM tractors.

• Price Range (Drive Unit Only): $\$2,000 - \$3,000$

4. IronCraft Loader Mounted Hydraulic Auger (1500 Drive)

• High-Torque Planetary Design: IronCraft (formerly Paladin/CustomWorks) offers a line of hydraulic augers known for their planetary drive system, which delivers exceptional torque—a must for hard digging. The 1500 Drive model is ideal for compact tractors with moderate hydraulic flow (5–13 GPM). It mounts directly to the front loader's SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) and can handle auger bits from 6 up to 18 inches, providing incredible versatility for both fencing and tree planting.

• Key Feature Focus: Heavy-duty planetary drive; High torque output; Wide range of bit compatibility.

• Price Range (Drive Unit Only): $\$2,500 - \$3,500$

5. Woods PHD Series Post Hole Digger (PTO)

• The Reliable Standard: Woods has a long-standing reputation for quality implements, and their PHD series diggers are mainstays on smaller farms. Built for Cat 1 hitches, these diggers are simple, rugged, and reliable. They feature a robust drivetrain and augers built with heavy flighting (the spiral blade) that stands up to abuse. The standard boom is designed to provide good ground clearance when raised, making it easier to maneuver between digging spots.

• Key Feature Focus: Trusted brand durability; Heavy-duty flighting on augers.

• Price Range (Head only): $\$900 - \$1,400$

6. CountyLine 3-Point Post Hole Digger (PTO)

• The Budget-Friendly Beginner: Sold widely, the CountyLine 3-Point Digger is often the most accessible entry point to mechanized post hole digging. The head unit is rated for minimum tractor HP (e.g., 18 HP) and is built for standard, moderately difficult soil. While typically shear-pin protected, it’s a robust system for its price. It allows you to buy the necessary auger bits (usually 6, 9, and 12-inch) separately, allowing you to tailor the purchase to your specific project needs.

• Key Feature Focus: Extremely accessible price point; Designed for lower HP compact tractors.

• Price Range (Head only): $$600 - $\$800$

7. Titan Attachments 3 Point Post Hole Digger (PTO)

• Value in Build Quality: Titan offers a Category 1 PTO digger that is physically built to handle the torque of compact tractors. Featuring a reinforced A-frame and a robust gearbox, this is a heavy-duty option for its price class. Like many PTO units, it relies on the sheer pin for protection, but the overall structure is designed for hard use. It accepts standard auger sizes and is an excellent choice for landowners prioritizing frame durability on a budget.

• Key Feature Focus: Heavy-duty, reinforced frame and A-frame; High value for the price.

• Price Range (Head only): $$750 - $\$1,100$

The Final Dig: Making Your Post Hole Choice

Choosing the Best Post Hole Digger is about aligning the tool's power system with your land's difficulty and your budget. If you are fencing a huge field in hard clay or rocky soil, the hydraulic auger offers the superior control, safety, and productivity that justifies the higher investment. You’ll be able to reverse out of jams instantly and use the loader’s down-pressure to bore through tough spots.

If your needs are occasional or your soil is forgiving, a quality PTO digger from a trusted brand provides the raw horsepower to get the job done for a fraction of the cost. Either way, remember the golden rule of bit sizes: always choose an auger that is large enough to allow you to easily align your post and adequately backfill the hole. Get this simple tool right, and you'll spend less time fighting pins and more time enjoying your newly fenced, planted, or built property!