For high-volume fencing work, a skid steer with an auger and post driver beats manual methods by a significant margin. The combination handles everything from ranch perimeter fencing to commercial lot fencing to windbreak installation — across the full range of Canadian soil conditions.
Fencing contractors and farm operators across the prairies run this two-attachment setup continuously during spring, summer, and fall. The auger drills the hole; the post driver sets the post. Each post takes seconds instead of minutes. On a long fence line with consistent soil, a single operator can install 200+ posts in a day. Without a skid steer, that same job requires a crew and takes multiple days.
The challenge is matching your auger bit size and style to your soil conditions. What works in loam on an Ontario farm doesn't necessarily work in the rock-and-clay mix found in parts of BC or the hardpan soils common in southern Alberta. This guide covers both the attachment selection and the soil-specific considerations that matter for Canadian fencing work.
A skid steer auger consists of a drive unit (the hydraulic motor and gearbox) and an interchangeable bit. Most operators buy the drive unit once and then stock multiple bit sizes for different post types. The drive unit should match your machine's hydraulic flow — most standard auger drives work on standard flow, but larger planetary gear drives may need higher flow for heavy-duty bits.
A hydraulic post driver hammers posts directly into the ground — no hole required for T-posts and lighter steel posts, or post-in-hole for wood posts after augering. For ranch fencing with T-posts, post drivers are faster than augers for light posts in softer ground. The combination of auger + post driver covers both use cases: auger for larger wood posts and corners, post driver for T-posts and steel line posts.
| Hole Diameter | Post Size | Typical Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4" | T-post, 3" round | Light line posts | In soft soil; better to use post driver for T-posts |
| 6" | 4"×4" wood, 4–5" round | Standard line posts, residential fence | Most common bit size for general fencing |
| 9" | 6"×6" wood, 6" round | Brace posts, gate posts | Good for corners and brace assemblies |
| 12" | 8"×8" timber, large round posts | Corner assemblies, large gates, signs | Requires more torque; check drive unit rating |
| 18"+ | Large anchor posts, tree planting | Windbreak planting, sign bases, power poles | High torque — match to high-capacity drive |
Standard auger bits drill efficiently. Use a standard pitch bit. Post drivers work well for T-posts without augering. Depth is typically 30–36" for a 6-foot post — frost depth in most of southern Canada requires 42–48" in frost-prone areas.
Clay grips the auger and can make it difficult to remove the bit from the hole. Flighted bits work better than cup-style bits in heavy clay. Always reverse the auger before lifting — this helps release suction. Wet clay is significantly harder to drill than dry clay. Plan fencing work in spring before the ground saturates or in early fall.
This is where bit selection matters most. Standard flighting hits rock and stalls. A carbide-tipped rock bit is required — it breaks rock rather than trying to auger through it. Rock augers run slower and create more heat. Budget more time per hole and check bit wear frequently. In seriously rocky ground, a combination of rock auger and post driver (for driven-in posts where rock is deeper) is the practical approach.
Find augers and post drivers available through Canadian dealers.
Augers Post Drivers