This is the ultimate tool for performing heavy-duty tasks for gardeners and landscaping enthusiasts seeking to make holes for erecting posts or planting trees. 
The Best Pole Digger for Rocky Soil is a must-have tool for digging into the earth and loosening the soil with that ultimate power and precision – just like tillers for small gardens.
Run Down: 9 Best Pole Digger for Rocky Soil 2023
1. Landworks Heavy Duty Eco-Friendly Electric Cordless Auger
This Landworks series is powered by a high capacity lithium-ion battery which digs at a rate of 30 holes per full charge.
In addition to its high performance, its fairly priced and eco-friendly and reputed for providing consistent and efficient hole digging performance with minimal effort.
The innovative and professional design of this unit will make your life easy and simple in all your hole digging tasks. This unit provides an eco-friendly and cost-effective option with a rotation rate of 320 RPMs.
The battery-powered option of this unit gives you the convenience of unlimited reach as compared to corded units. It features a lithium-ion battery and a charger.
This high capacity battery offers a heavy-duty performance of 320 rotations per minute and is capable of digging 30 holes on a single charge session. What’s more? The eco-friendly option provided by this unit offers you quiet and efficient performance.
This unit’s ergonomically designed handles are also widely spaced offering the user superior exceptional balance and control in tight and closed spaces. A reverse torque control (RTC) feature allows the user to pull out the equipment from tight areas if stuck.
- It features high end construction
- Quiet and powerful performance
- Features LED lighting
- Relatively heavy (35lbs)
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2. Southland SEA438 One Man Earth Auger with 43cc, 2 Cycle
If you are looking for beastly performance in a hole digger, the SEA438 series is the ultimate tool to go for.
This unit is specially designed for extreme use on clay and sandy soil as depicted by its excellent performance when digging holes on clay, rocky and sandy soil. This is an all-around toll for gardening professionals and landscapers alike.
This unit is powered by a highly dependable 43cc engine offering 316 rotations per minute for quick and efficient drilling performance. It also features an 8-inch drill bit capable of digging 2.5 feet with minimal effort.
With the Southland SEA438 pole digger, you are guaranteed years of reliable and flawless performance provided by this high-quality product. The manual recoil feature of this product allows you to start the unit effortlessly. Its easily detachable ergonomic handles ease maneuverability, storage, and control.
One of the key highlights of this model is its budget-friendly price as compared to other high end models that offer exceptional performance. It also features high end construction and ease of assembly.
- Easy start capability
- Highly affordable
- It offers a heavy duty performance
- Features detachable handles
- A translucent tank allows you to keep check of fuel levels
- Gasoline powered and unfriendly to the environment
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3. XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger 3/4″ Shaft 1-Man Auger
This brand is popular for its lightweight design coupled with unmatched performance and convenience.
This XtremepowerUS tool is powered by a 55c 2-stroke air-cooled engine and is an ideal choice for homeowners looking for a speedy and efficient way of planting trees and erecting posts. The air-cooled feature prevents overheating and other performance hitches.
A high-performance motor allows you to tackle rocky soils with relative ease. This power-packed unit will dig holes of up to 2.5ft in a relatively short time given its variable speed feature. It also offers you the convenience of use given its lightweight design and small size.
This unit is highly versatile and comes equipped with 6,8 and 12” drilling bits for that excellent performance.
For quick and effortless start-up, this unit’s electric ignition is just what you need to perform tasks on the go. Its ergonomically designed handles guarantee user comfort and traction for all those demanding tasks such as installing fences, ice fishing and planting trees. This unit’s durability is guaranteed by its limited lifetime warranty feature.
- Ideal for drilling in rocky soil
- Features a lifetime warranty
- Features an electric ignition
- Highly affordable
- Ease of control and manoeuvrability
- It tends to clog easily
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4. Seymour 21306 AU-S6 Iwan Auger with Hardwood Handle
This is the ultimate tool for drilling into hard-packed soils when installing fences or planting trees.
With this unit, you will relish every moment of hole digging because it comes equipped with multiple features and an ingenious design that simplifies the user’s work. In addition to a 6” auger drill, this unit also features a steel blade, an ergonomically designed handle and a lightweight design.
The solid T-handle design of this unit is augmented by a riveted steel blade while a rugged iron yoke exerts the necessary force required for digging into that rocky soil. The twisting action provided by the drilling force takes the time and effort from hole digging tasks.
This unit’s ease of use and its wide range of convenience features makes it the ideal choice for homeowners whereas its wooden handle offers user comfort. Weighing in at just 8.5lbs, this hole digger is highly portable and its handle long enough so you don’t have to bend over when making holes.
- The lightweight construction design of this unit renders it highly convenient.
- The simplistic design of this unit is devoid of many additional features but is nevertheless hardy enough to provide superior performance.
- This unit is cost-effective and highly dependable, providing excellent performance in different types of soils.
- It features a sharp blade and user friendly handling design.
- Not ideal for large scale work
5. PROYAMA 51.7CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger Earth Auger
This unit is powered by a 54cc gasoline engine which is sufficient for all your small scale and large scale pole digging tasks in rocky soils. It features manual recoil for easy start up during usage whereas an integrated cooling system prevents the unit from overheating.
Additionally, the versatile nature of this pole digger makes it an ideal choice for both professional amateur users. This pole digger’s handles are padded with rubber which guarantees a tough grip regardless of the weather conditions. This feature also helps in absorbing shock during usage particularly in rocky terrains.
The PROYAMA hole digger’s small capacity engine makes it an efficient choice for small scale tasks as depicted by its 100% EPA approval. What’s more? Its engine performs excellently on relatively small fuel uptake. In addition to its ergonomic design, this pole digger it easy to use and highly economical.
This digger can be fitted with bits of various sizes ranging from 4 to 8 inches which allows you to make holes of varying diameters. The PROYAMA Auger is just what you need to achieve professional quality work.
- A translucent tank allows you to track gasoline levels
- Highly portable due to its lightweight design
- Features a comfortable handle design
- Relatively expensive
6. Earthquake 9800H 2-Person Earth Auger Powerhead with 160cc
This is arguably the best 2-person hole digger. This unit provides industrial scale service given its ability to dig holes that are larger than the standard size.
Powered by a 4-stroke 190cc engine (Briggs & Stratton), this unit is CARB certified and capable of delivering a maximum auger speed of 121rpm. The 9800B series is capable of drilling holes as large as 14” with relative ease.
This series is made of solid steel and enclosed in an alloy steel cage which makes it the ideal choice for rocky soils. The engine is enclosed in a cast aluminum casing which is rust-resistant and lighter in weight. A 3” centrifugal clutch also adds to this unit’s durability.
Its alloy gear transmission system is also highly durable and suited for different soil terrains. Despite its heavy nature, this unit’s handles are widely placed to allow optimal user control. This feature makes it relatively easy for two persons to operate the unit while the long handles offer ease manoeuvrability. The gas tank is made of industrial grade material making it ideal for large scale and rugged tasks.
- Highly durable
- Ideal for industrial scale tasks
- Features a powerful engine
- Highly efficient and CARB certified
- Relatively expensive
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7. Goplus 1200W Electric Post Hole Digger 110V 1.6HP
The rugged nature of this unit attests to its sheer strength and durability. Regardless of the soil type or terrain, this GOplus series can attach to different drill bits to allow the user to withstand any resistance.
This unit’s electric engine provides a staggering 1200 watts of power output which is just what you need for digging pole holes in rocky soils.
This electric pole digger offers you a speed of 200 RPMs while its 4” drill bit is capable of digging depth of 22 inches.
A heavy paint coating adds to this unit’s durability while ensuring it is rust and corrosion-resistant. Two anti-skid and vibration-proof handle grips to the user’s comfort and stability during usage. Two conveniently located buttons allow the user to start and lock the machine with relative ease hence guaranteeing user safety.
Another unique feature of this unit is that it features a standard length electric power code which does not get in the way during usage. Overall, this unit’s electric engine and auger drill are strong and durable and capable of tackling all soil types.
- It attaches to different drill types
- It provides high power output
- Guaranteed user comfort and handling
- Start and lock feature ensure user safety
- Not ideal for large scale use
Considerations for buying Pole Digger for Rocky Soil
1. Power output
This is an important consideration if you are planning to work on rocky soil. Gasoline powered engines are more ideal for rocky terrain. In addition, the serviceability and reliability of the engine and availability of spare parts are important considerations for rocky soil pole diggers.
More importantly, the engine power output should match the auger specifications. A unit with an engine capacity of 40-50cc can be fitted with an auger of 12” whereas an auger bit of 14” is considered ideal for 150-200cc engine capacity.
2. Auger bits
This is the part that makes contact with the ground and hence it needs to be of the best quality to ensure it does not break or wear down easily. Although many auger bits are interchangeable, it is imperative to stick to known brand names. For gas-powered pole hole diggers, the diameter of drill is an important consideration in determining the hole size.
3. Weight and Materials
Although most pole hole diggers are designed for heavy-duty work, they are lightweight in nature which eases and maneuverability around the work area. Consider also the material used to make the motor and the High Lift Mower blade.
Although most models are designed to be operated single-handed, more than a person may be required to operate the machine in rough terrains.
4. Handles
Since automatic pole diggers are powerful enough to vibrate during usage, one of the most important features is padded and ergonomic handles. This feature also provides the user with a firm grip during usage, particularly during prolonged working periods.
5. Lawn size
This is an important consideration in choosing between an automatic and manual pole hole digger.
A manual auger would not be ideal for larger lawns because it would both be cumbersome and time-consuming. The automatic option is considered ideal for lawns ranging from 10000-25000 square feet.
6. Budgetary constraints
The best pole digger should provide value for money for the end-user. Gardeners might want to go for low priced manual pole diggers if they are dealing with smaller lawns. Nevertheless, the best auger pole diggers fall in the $100 range.
7. Utility
During late summer and early spring, the ground becomes firm and needs to be aired out. For occasional hole digging, the manual pole digger is considered more ideal.
Conclusion
The choice of the best pole digger for rocky soil depends on several factors. The GOplus 1200W pole hole digger distinguishes itself as the ideal choice for both small and medium scale tasks.
In addition to its highly efficient and environmentally friendly engine, the versatile nature of this pole digger makes it an ideal choice for both professional amateur users.
