Fence Posts In Rocky Soil

Using an auger in rocky soil means a lot of starting stopping and removing rocks from each hole as you drill.

Fence posts in rocky soil.

Fence lines often need to be run over areas of pure rock for instance when putting up stock fence in rural areas. Posts whether wooden or t posts can be set in solid rock. Michael thomas who ranches in lemhi county near salmon id has been building fence all his life and has also done custom fencing for other ranchers. Fencing can be a difficult challenge in the rocks especially when it s too rocky to dig post holes efficiently or to set posts using a tractor mounted driver post pounder.

I ve tried many techniques to dig deep holes and i ve broken many shovels. Here in northwest washington we have very rocky soil. Fence post holes are relatively easy to dig in sandy or loamy soil but the presence of rocks in the soil turns an easy task into a long drawn out process. Options in rocks include digging holes with a backhoe or chipping away the rock if it s a formation that will chip and break.

Or using a. The result is a fence line supported by solid posts. Building fence can be a challenge in rocky frozen or swampy ground where it s impossible to dig postholes efficiently or set posts with a tractor mounted post pounder. Follow our directions below to dig holes and footings in rocky soil and remove post hole rock.

Prying rocks out with a hand bar. Using an auger in rocky. This is the best method i v.