6 Best Skid Steer Post Hole Diggers For Fence Building Old Farmers Swear By
Discover the top 6 skid steer post hole diggers for fence building. This guide compares the farmer-approved models for power, durability, and efficiency.
Nothing will test your resolve like digging fence post holes by hand across a few acres of stubborn ground. A skid steer with a good post hole digger, or auger, transforms a week of back-breaking labor into a weekend project. But choosing the right one is about more than just hooking up the first attachment you find; it’s about matching the tool to your land, your machine, and your long-term plans.
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Choosing the Right Auger for Your Skid Steer
Before you even look at brand names, you need to know your skid steer’s hydraulic flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM). This is the single most important factor. An auger drive is just a hydraulic motor, and it needs the right amount of fluid moving through it to work properly. Mismatching the GPM can lead to a sluggish, underpowered auger or, worse, a burned-out motor.
Think of it like this: a high-flow auger on a standard-flow machine will be painfully slow and weak. A standard-flow auger on a high-flow machine might spin too fast to dig effectively and risks catastrophic damage. Your skid steer’s manual is your best friend here. Know your GPM before you shop.
Next, consider the fundamental tradeoff: speed versus torque. Direct-drive augers are simpler and spin faster, making quick work of soft, loamy soil. Planetary drive augers use a gearbox to multiply torque, turning the bit slower but with immense power. If your property is full of clay, compacted soil, or hidden rock, a planetary drive is non-negotiable. It’s the difference between drilling a hole and just polishing a rock.
Finally, be honest about your ground conditions. What you think your soil is like and what it’s actually like two feet down can be very different things.
- Soft Soil/Loam: A direct-drive unit is often sufficient and more affordable.
- Heavy Clay/Compacted Ground: You need the torque of a planetary drive.
- Rocky or Root-Filled Soil: A high-torque planetary drive is essential, paired with a heavy-duty bit.
Don’t buy an auger for the easy parts of your property; buy it for the toughest section you’ll ever have to fence.
Bobcat Auger: The Industry Standard Workhorse
There’s a reason you see Bobcat attachments everywhere, from rental yards to construction sites. They are built to a high standard, designed to take abuse, and parts are readily available. The Bobcat auger is a straightforward, reliable tool that does exactly what it’s supposed to do without a lot of fuss.
For a hobby farmer, this means peace of mind. When a hydraulic hose blows or a seal wears out, you can likely find a replacement at your local dealer the same day. This reliability comes at a price, as Bobcat attachments are often on the higher end of the cost spectrum. But if you value uptime and plan to put a lot of hours on your machine, that premium can be well worth it. It’s the safe, dependable choice.
Danuser EP Series: High-Torque for Tough Ground
When you hit ground that feels like concrete, you need serious power. The Danuser EP Series is legendary for its brute force. These are planetary drive units engineered to deliver maximum torque, allowing them to chew through compacted earth, shale, and difficult soil that would stall a lesser auger.
The secret is in the robust gearbox, which sacrifices speed for raw twisting power. This means it might take a few seconds longer per hole in easy soil, but it will actually dig the hole in the tough spots where other augers just spin. If you’ve ever spent an hour fighting one hole with a direct-drive unit, you understand the value of this kind of power. Danuser is the attachment you buy when you know your ground is going to fight back.
Titan Attachments HD Auger: Affordable Reliability
Let’s be practical: not everyone needs a commercial-grade, top-of-the-line attachment for occasional use. Titan Attachments has carved out a niche by offering heavy-duty equipment at a price point that’s accessible for hobby farmers. Their HD auger drives are surprisingly capable for the money.
Is it built to the same standard as a Danuser or Bobcat? No. The welds might not be as pretty, and the components may not have the same lifespan under daily, heavy use. But for building a perimeter fence, putting in a new paddock, or other intermittent projects, it represents an incredible value. For the farmer who needs a capable tool without the professional price tag, Titan is often the smartest financial decision.
Lowe SK Series: Versatility for Varied Soil Types
Lowe attachments are known for smart design, and their SK series augers are a perfect example. They offer a great balance of speed and torque, making them fantastic all-rounders for properties with mixed soil conditions. You get enough power for clay patches but enough speed to be efficient in softer ground.
One of their standout features is an inverted motor design. The hydraulic motor sits inside the top of the canister, protecting it from dirt and impact. This also means the hydraulic hoses connect at the top, keeping them up and away from the dirt and potential snags. It’s a thoughtful detail that speaks to the overall durability and user-friendly design. Lowe is the versatile workhorse for the farm with unpredictable ground.
Premier PD Series: Planetary Drive for Power
Premier is another name that commands respect for building tough, powerful attachments. Their PD series augers are all about the planetary gearbox. They are engineered for durability and consistent power delivery, making them a direct competitor to other high-torque models on the market.
What sets Premier apart is their focus on a robust and reliable drive system. They use heavy-duty components throughout the gearbox, ensuring it can handle the shock loads that come from hitting rocks or stubborn roots without failing. For the farmer who sees their auger as a long-term investment and prioritizes mechanical toughness above all else, the Premier PD series is a fantastic, no-nonsense choice.
Eterra Auger: Precision Control for Fencelines
Power is important, but for fencing, precision is king. A crooked fenceline is an eyesore and less effective. Eterra augers often feature unique mounting plates and linkage systems that provide the operator with a much better view of the bit. Being able to see exactly where the tip is starting the hole makes all the difference in keeping your line straight.
Beyond visibility, Eterra’s designs often allow for more precise control and articulation. This is invaluable when working on uneven terrain or needing to drill holes at a slight angle for bracing corner posts. While they deliver plenty of power, their real advantage lies in the thoughtful engineering that makes the operator’s job easier and the final result more professional. If you’re a perfectionist about your fencelines, Eterra is worth a serious look.
Matching Auger Bits to Your Fencing Project
The auger drive is the motor, but the bit does the cutting. Having the wrong bit is like putting bald tires on a race car; you’ll never get the performance you paid for. The bit needs to match both your soil type and your specific fencing needs.
For general-purpose digging in dirt and light clay, a standard-duty bit with replaceable teeth is usually fine. But for anything more challenging, you need to upgrade. A heavy-duty bit is built with thicker flighting (the spiral part) and often features more aggressive "fishtail" points or carbide "bullet" teeth. These are designed to fracture and pulverize hardpan and soft rock.
Think about the posts you’re using. The bit diameter should be 2-4 inches wider than your post to leave room for concrete and tamping.
- T-Posts/Small Wood Posts: A 6-inch or 9-inch bit is common.
- Standard 4×4 or 6×6 Posts: A 9-inch or 12-inch bit is ideal.
- Large Corner/Gate Posts: You might need a 12-inch or even an 18-inch bit for a proper footing.
Don’t cheap out on the bit. A high-quality, aggressive bit on a mid-range auger drive will often outperform a premium drive with a worn-out, cheap bit. The bit is where the work gets done, so invest accordingly.
Ultimately, the best skid steer auger is the one that fits your budget, matches your machine’s hydraulics, and has the power to conquer the worst soil on your property. Do your homework on your skid steer’s specs first, then choose the attachment that gives you the right balance of power, durability, and price for the fences you plan to build. A little research upfront will save you a world of frustration when it’s time to break ground.
