Figured out a trick for setting posts in rocky soil

Been fighting with rocky ground for years on jobs around here. Last week I tried using a digging bar to punch pilot holes first instead of just swinging a shovel, and it cut my setting time by like half. Anyone else got a method for dealing with solid rock layers without renting a jackhammer?

2 comments

2 Comments

alex_taylor101mo ago

A digging bar helps some but if you hit solid rock more than a few inches down you're just going to be bruising your hands. I've found that renting a small electric jackhammer for half a day saves way more time and hassle than trying to muscle through it. Plus it keeps your back from hating you the next morning.

casey8431mo ago

That electric jackhammer route sounds promising, but do you have to be real careful not to crack the post itself with the vibration? I've always wondered if that messes up the concrete setting right around it.