How Deep can a Tractor Auger Dig?

How deep can a tractor auger dig is a question you might be asking if you’ve got some holes to drill this upcoming season.

The answer is “that depends”.  Read on to find out how deep a tractor auger can dig so you can get to work right away.

how deep can a tractor auger dig
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What are Tractor Post Hole Diggers?

Tractor post hole diggers or 3 point post hole augers are a post hole digger attachments for heavy equipment like tractors or bobcats.  You are then using the power of the tractors motor to drill into the soil.

If you’re looking for the safest and easiest solution to boring holes all around your property, it’s time to consider the best post hole auger for tractors. Even though they are more costly than other types of augers, their efficiency and ease of use are unmatched, once installed. 

Tractor augers are perfect for larger scale agricultural or farming use because you can drill a ton of holes while minimizing your use of many power.  An auger attached to your tractor also speeds up the process, so you can complete your task faster than if you had to do it manually.

If you have hard or difficult soil, the best post hole digger for a tractor will crush through your post holes without issue.

How Deep Can a Tractor Auger Dig?

Tractor post hole diggers are limited to how deep they can dig by the length of your bit.  Same goes for a regular post hole auger.  

How deep can a 3 point post hole digger go? Most tractor auger bits let you drill down about 4 feet, which is the perfect depth to cement in a fence post.  If you’re using your auger bits to drill footings for decks or other structures, you’ll be needing a bit that can drill down to 6 feet.  

Some tractor diggers will include an extension rod so you can drill down that low.  Otherwise, you should also purchase an extension rod.

Drilling Wells: Can a Tractor Auger Drill that Deep?

Not the standard ones you can buy online or at the local shop.  Since they are limited in how deep that can drill (up to 4 feet or so), you won’t be hitting a decent water source that shallow.   Call out the Pros to drill a deep well.  They have huge auger drill bits and machinery to drill 100’s of feet deep and tap that aquifer.

How Deep can a Bobcat Auger Drill?

Bobcat Augers are the same drill bits as tractor augers and can normally drill down to about 4 feet or so.

Auger Diameter and Your Hole

Just as important as the depth of your hole, is making sure that the bit you’ve chosen if the right diameter for the hole size you need to achieve.

Down Pressure Kits and Hole Depth

A down pressure kit, also called a 3 point down pressure kit, will apply downward hydraulic force to your auger so that the bit travels deeper more quickly. Tractors are supposed to push and pull things, not forced something downwards, so this kit may be necessary depending on your soil conditions.

Soil Conditions, Rocks, and Hole Depth

The easier the soil conditions, the deeper you’ll be able to drill. If you run into harder soils like limestone and solid rock, that may be the end of your hole drilling, unless you hire a professional.

Conclusion

How deep can a tractor auger did depends on the length of the standard bit it comes with and whether or not you have an extension rod. 

What does PTO stand for?

PTO means Power Take Over Auger

Why Use a Tractor Auger

Tractor augers have much more power than a regular powered auger that you operate by hand. They are heavy and specially designed for difficult soil conditions such as roots or rocky soil. They are great for when you need to drill a ton of holes because it saves your body and back from having to do them yourself.