The Ultimate Guide to Post Hole Digger Hire on iseekplant

Whether you're tackling a fencing project, landscaping your garden, or constructing robust retaining walls, precision and efficiency in digging cannot be overstated. At iseekplant, we understand the critical role of the right equipment in ensuring project success, which is why we offer an extensive selection of post hole diggers for hire to meet any project requirement across Australia.

Discover rates for a wide range of machinery and equipment in our comprehensive machine hire rates guide.

DIY Hire (Dry Hire) Rates for a Post Hole Digger

Digging post holes in a speedy and precise way is a really common earthmoving task in residential, civil and commercial construction. This means there are an infinite number of different ways post hole digging can be done, and a heap of plant hire companies offering you a range of very low cost, to higher cost ways to dig a post hole. The largest factor in choosing the right machine and attachment for the job will be the type of rock or materials you are trying to dig through.

Here's a quick rundown of these

• Manual Post Hole Digger: One-man hand-operated boring machine, dry hire - $100 – $120 per day
• Manual Post Hole Digger: Two-man hand-operated boring machine, dry hire - $150 – $180 per day
• Gas-Powered Post Hole Diggers: $70 – $160 per day | $210 – $480 per week
• Electric Post Hole Diggers: $60 – $130 per day | $180 – $390 per week
• Hydraulic Post Hole Diggers: $130 – $270 per day | $390 – $810 per week
• Tractor-Mounted Post Hole Diggers: $220 – $440 per day | $660 – $1,320 per week
• Handheld Augers: $40 – $70 per day | $120 – $210 per week

Harder materials, like rock, clay, or limestone, will most likely require an auger attachment affixed to something with a bit of grunt (a large engine) and a bit of purchase (tracks). A skid steer loader, large dingo digger or mini excavator would do the trick.

If you are going to dig a six-inch hole in very firm material, you're going to need the motor of an earthmoving machine to drive the auger through it. Conversely, if you are displacing really loose and light material like soil or sand, then you can get really wide holes by using just a hand-operated post-hole digger.

Here's what these machine costs look like:

• Mini Loader with post hole digger attachment: $150 – $180 per day
• Dingo Loader with post hole digger attachment: $160 – $190 per day
• Kanga Loader with auger attachment: $170 – $200 per day
• Mini Excavator (1-3 tonne) with auger attachment: dry hire, $320 – $520 per day
• Wheeled Skid Steer (small) with auger attachment: dry hire, $320 – $520 per day
• Posi-Track Skid Steer or Bobcat with auger attachment: dry hire, $350 – $550 per day

Even though auger attachments affixed to earthmoving machines are much more expensive to hire on a daily dry hire basis (compared to a hand-operated device), a skilled operator can whip around a site in a matter of minutes and puncture a large number of post holes. Hand-operated devices are much slower, so you often see them on DIY residential jobs, but they are perfect for a weekend warrior guy or gal.

Need to dig post holes? Get free competitive quotes through iseekplant!

With Operator Hire (Wet Hire) Post Hole Digger Hire Rates

If you are not willing to post hole dig on a DIY basis, you can easily hire a local wet hire operator who will come to your site with a machine & attachment and dig the holes for you. These rates are standard but may differ from one supplier to another:

• Dingo digger with post hole digger attachment: $70 – $110 per hour (min 4 hours hire)
• Kanga loader with auger attachment: $70 – $110 per hour (min 4 hours hire)
• Mini Excavator (1-3 tonne) with auger attachment: $150 per hour (min 4 hours hire)
• Posi-Track skid steer or bobcat with auger attachment: $80 – $130 per hour (min 4 hours hire)

Wet hire operators are skilled on their machines, work very quickly, and usually provide clear operating instructions to ensure efficiency on-site. Many also offer a reliable service with a heap of auger attachments in various sizes. If you hire an auger with a machine on a wet hire basis, you can usually expect to pay another $20 an hour on the base wet hire machine rate for that attachment.

With an emphasis on safety, having a professional manage the job ensures compliance with regulations and reduces risks. If you have heaps of post holes to dig, hiring an operator who can transport their machine in a car towed trailer can often be the most cost-effective and productive way to do it.

How big does the auger attachment have to be for post hole digging?

The right auger size is paramount for your project's success. Here's a quick rundown of standard auger attachment sizes for skid steers, mini loaders, and mini excavators and their applications:

• Pool Fences: 6 inches (150mm)
• Garden Fences, Deck Supports, Pier: 9 inches - 12 inches (250mm - 300mm)
• Building Supports and Foundations: 15 inches, 18 inches, 20 inches, 24 inches, 30 inches and 36 inches (3500mm, 4000mm, 4500mm)
• Tree Planting: 20 inches, 24 inches, 30 inches, 36 inches

Auger attachments for skid steers, mini loaders & mini excavators come in fairly standard sizes in terms of the width of the auger shaft. They also come in various hardnesses depending on the type of aggregate you're trying to spin them through.

A lot of manufacturers make augers, and some make massive ones for huge excavators on drilling rigs. You can get augers in different sizes and fitted for so many machines. At the end of the day, the machine and attachment you use will come down to two factors:

1. The density and firmness of the material you're excavating
2. The width of what you're excavating

Many specialist auger attachment manufacturers make augers in a range of materials, from soft steel to titanium (and there are even some diamond augers around). Some of the high-end augers can add a couple hundred dollars or more to the hire rates of your machines. Many iseekplant members pride themselves on their specialist attachments. If you're in the market to hire a specialist auger attachment, we can do the hunting for you and get you the best rates available! Just click here to get a quote.

Hand Operated Post Hole Digger sizes and applications

Single-man diesel-powered post hole digger: 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm

Single-man post hole diggers are usually used for digging fence posts, retaining wall posts or even posts for piers, and can be operated by a single person. They come in petrol and diesel variations. Here are the usual sizes for single-man diesel-powered post hole diggers:

• 150mm
• 200mm
• 250mm
• 300mm

Two-man diesel powered post hole digger: 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm

On the other side of the coin, two-man post hole diggers can go deeper than single ma- diggers and are faster to operate. Two-man post hole diggers are used for digging fence posts, retaining walls and holes for planting trees. They come mostly in diesel variations, but there are petrol variations. These are the usual sizes you can choose from two-man diesel-powered post hole diggers:

• 150mm
• 200mm
• 250mm
• 300mm

Alternative Equipment to Post Hole Diggers

For certain projects, traditional post hole diggers might not always be the best fit. Here are some viable alternatives that offer unique advantages:

• Mini Excavator Hire: Ideal for versatility across multiple tasks. Mini excavators can dig precise holes and perform other excavation tasks efficiently with auger attachments.
• Skid Steer Loader Hire: Skid steers with auger attachments offer mobility and power, suitable for both drilling and site preparation.
• Excavator Hire (Various Tonnages): Larger excavators can handle heavier-duty drilling tasks and are perfect for big projects requiring deep drilling.
• Dingo Hire: Compact utility loaders like Dingos are great for small spaces. They can be equipped with auger attachments for drilling.
• Bobcat Hire: Similar to Dingos, Bobcats can navigate tight areas and come with auger options for effective hole digging.
• Backhoe Hire: Backhoes provide the dual functionality of digging and material handling, making them a practical choice for various site works.
• Trencher Hire: Trenchers specialise in creating narrow trenches for cables or pipes. They're fast, efficient, and precise, ideal for utility and landscaping projects.

This table provides an overview, comparing the alternatives to post hole diggers to help you make informed decisions based on your project’s needs:

Find the Perfect Match on iseekplant

Ready to start your project with confidence? iseekplant links you to Australia's leading suppliers of post hole diggers and a plethora of other construction equipment. From landscaping supplies to fencing contractors, our vast network ensures you find the ideal match for your project needs.

Have questions or need advice? Our expert team is just an email away at projects@iseekplant.com.au or give us a call at 1300 691 912. Kickstart your next project with the right tools and knowledge—click 'Get a Quote' to connect with suppliers today and make your construction or landscaping project a resounding success.