Hi, I need to auger out some holes. What's the best way to thaw the frosted ground? I have a 2 cycle auger, but I'd like to find a better way to get through the frost than with a pick ax! Thanks, ahead of time.....
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
This may sound funny but if you wet and dig this should work.Wet-dig Wet-dig and so on.Hope it helped.The water should thaw the ground enough to dig a little then repeat.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
We are fortunate enough to live where we don't get much frost, if any. But a friend of mine in Edmonton dogs holes in up to 4 feet of frost routinely.
To get his holes dug he uses a small coal fire. He builds a fire on the ground to thaw the frost, digs, relights the fire until a new level if thawed and then sets a new fire.. etc. It takes time but he says its the only way to get through.
Personally, I like living where I am much better.
-dan
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
A small pile of calcium chloride, covered by some hay & a tarp. Timing depends on how thick & cold the ice is.
Posted by Mark Pinkse (Member # 1204) on :
Hi
Here along the North Shore of Lake Huron when this time of year comes along we don't dig - we hire a poleline truck with auger - we hire him for an hour, their minimum charge. This actually saves time,our back and money even if it is just a couple of 4x4's - we have done it both ways and compared actual costs based on our hourly rate.
Hope it helps.
Mark
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Contact a Utillity Line Contractor. These guys have the right equipment for digging holes in frost, as they routinely replace power line poles that have been damaged by accidents. The one I use for winter installations charges $85.00/man hour for digging the holes, but when you consider the time it would take you to go out and dig them yourself, while freezing your butt off, it's money well spent. Make sure that you have all line locates and clearances in hand, as these guys will not dig without having copies of these VERY IMPORTANT documents.
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
How about a bucket full of charcoal...you could roast weiners while you wait!
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Steve is right on!!, Simply the best way and cheapest to thaw ground that we have found, last year a week before we were to install a carved sign in january, we covered the hole areas with calcium chloride( aka ice melt) and a bail of hay, we didn't use a tarp. between that time we had a major ice storm, when we showed up to install, we removed the hay and dug straight through like being at the beach.
It was easier than in the summer.
Posted by Rick Whitmire (Member # 3443) on :
Tim, Near St Paul a lot of guys that put up pole buildings here say...A bag of charcole after lighting cover with a 5 gal old metel paint can... heats the groung underneathI ...I havent tried it but they say it works great ! Rick
Posted by Tim Whitcher (Member # 685) on :
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