Post pounders go by many names – post knocker, post hole digger, and post driver. But despite the different labels, these machines serve the same purpose: to dig holes in the ground to erect fences or signposts.
The post pounder is like many other power tools. This device has existed in one form or another for centuries but has modernized, motorized, and powered equivalent that requires less arm power and uses more ingenious engineering.
Why do you need a post pounder?
If you’re going to install a fence, the last thing you want is for your fence (or signpost, etc.) to fall over because the posts were installed too shallowly into the ground. And most of all, you want your posts to be securely rooted into the ground so that they remain firmly standing even against strong winds and other external elements.
This is where you will need a post pounder. What this device does is to give the posts a uniform downward motion against the post, ensuring it is driven deeply and securely into the ground, causing only the slightest damage to the post.
There are many iterations of post-pounders, including manual, pneumatic, and gas-driven. If you’re currently using rudimentary post hole-digging tools, you know how challenging it is to drive the posts securely into the ground, praying that they won’t give in to strong winds or any strong impact. You may encounter several stones, big rocks, clods (lumps of soil), or frozen ground while trying to bore a hole into it.
But thanks to technology, digging a post hole has been made easier and faster with machines doing all the hard work. Several manufacturers have continued looking for ways to come up with enhanced features to meet the growing demands of farmers, farm operators, contractors, fencing providers, and a lot more.
Post pounders from Shaver
Shaver Manufacturing is one of the leading manufacturers of skid steer and three-point hitch attachments. The company also offers a complete line of post drivers, post hole diggers, stump grinders, and its proprietary Predator extractor (that takes out trees and removes fences with ease).
Shaver’s top-grade post pounders are powerful, enabling you to dig holes to your required or desired depth and diameter quickly and efficiently. The company’s PTO and hydraulic configurations are designed to meet their clients' specific post- and fence-digging requirements.
1) PTO-powered post pounders
Shaver’s PTO-powered post pounders are engineered to give you heavy-duty digging power even in the toughest conditions
The augers come in various sizes, ranging from 4 to 30 inches in diameter. The augers are available in a standard length of 42 inches and in semi-double and double flights. Digging deeper holes? Shaver also offers bolt-on auger extensions of various lengths – 9 to 14 inches.
- Orchard Augers – features:
- Ideal for nurseries and orchards
- Standard diameters: 16, 18, 24, and 30 inches.
- Standard length: 30 inches
- The point is made of austempered ductile iron for excellent wear resistance.
- The cutting teeth are made from forged steel and are bolted on for easy replacement when worn
- Rock Augers – features:
- Designed for extremely rugged conditions in loose rock, solid rock, dirt, and clay.
- Standard diameters range from 4 ½ to 30 inches.
- Replaceable carbide bullet teeth
- A 3/4-inch-thick double-flight boring head
- A 3/8-inch-thick flighting with Rockwell 65 hardfacing.
- Can be used on any Shaver post hole digger model, depending on the size
- Down Pressure Kit
- It provides heavy-duty digging power by supplying an additional 500 lbs. of downward force on the unit. The unit easily attaches to both PTO and hydraulic diggers and is powered using the hydraulics from your tractor or skid steer loader, so it doesn’t interfere with the digger’s regular operation. Choose this option if you’re working in compact, rocky, or semi-frozen ground.
The PTO-powered post pounders are available in four models:
- Model 301H – It has bolted-on and forged steel cutting teeth, replaceable on 6”, 9”, 12”, and 14” augers.
- Model 601H – It has bolted-on and forged steel cutting teeth, replaceable on 6” to 24” augers.
- Model 101 – It has bolted-on and forged steel cutting teeth, replaceable on 6” and 9” augers.
- Model 901 – It has bolted-on and forged steel cutting teeth, replaceable on 6” to 30” augers.
2) Hydraulic post pounders
Shaver’s hydraulically powered post pounder. Each post pounder has augers of varying sizes, ranging from 4 to 30 inches in diameter. The augers come in a standard length of 42 inches and are available in semi-double flights and double flights. Shaver also offers bolt-on auger extensions of various lengths – 9 to 14 inches – when added depth is needed.
- Orchard Augers – features:
- Ideal for nurseries and orchards
- Standard diameters: 16, 18, 24, and 30 inches.
- Standard length: 30 inches
- The point is made of austempered ductile iron for excellent wear resistance.
- The cutting teeth are made from forged steel and are bolted on for easy replacement when worn
- Rock Augers – features:
- Designed for extremely rugged conditions in loose rock, solid rock, dirt, and clay.
- Standard diameters range from 4 ½ to 30 inches.
- Replaceable carbide bullet teeth
- A 3/4-inch-thick double-flight boring head
- A 3/8-inch-thick flighting with Rockwell 65 hardfacing.
- Can be used on any Shaver post hole digger model, depending on the size
- Down Pressure Kit
- It provides heavy-duty digging power by supplying an additional 500 lbs. of downward force on the unit. The unit easily attaches to both PTO and hydraulic diggers and is powered using the hydraulics from your tractor or skid steer loader, so it doesn’t interfere with the digger’s regular operation. Choose this option if you’re working in compact, rocky, or semi-frozen ground.
The hydraulic post pounders are available in four models:
- Model 510 – 700 foot pounds of torque and a 5-10 gpm hydraulic requirement.
- Model 1020 – 1,000 foot-pounds of torque and a hydraulic requirement of 10-20 gpm.
“Which post pounder is the right for my job?”
The answer is: it depends on your needs. In either case, the PTO and the hydraulic-powered post pounders from Shaver can be either purchased or rented, so you should pay attention to that factor. For example, hydraulics may be more powerful and versatile, but they may not be available in your area and require a complex setup.
It is important to assess the job at hand first because it will help you determine the right type of post pounder. In any case, both PTO- and hydraulic-powered models are engineered even for the toughest soils, including rocky ones. They are developed and designed to meet the growing needs of everyone who erects poles and fences, including farmers, ranchers, and anyone involved in the construction industry.