[Timber Lane]

I need to dig 20 or 30 postholes in the rock and clay soil of the West Virginia mountains. I can rent a Bosch electric jackhammer for $55 a day, but it is too short with the distance from the tip of the bit to the handles only 34 inches.

Is there an extension bit that will give me another 18"-24" in length? The bit is 1 1/8" hex steel. Or do I need to buy a bit and have a receiving end fabricated and welded onto it?

I had my guys dig 4 postholes by hand last week and it took them 4 1/2 hours. I'm thinking the jackhammer will make digging easier.

[Lanelle]

Can you rent a two-man gas powered auger? It will give you the depth and width hole that you need. If there is a lot of large rock, the jack hammer may still be needed in some spots.

[Timber Lane]

I inquired on this website about renting an auger for my skid steer, but both who replied said the auger would never go through the rock. I believe they are correct, especially after seeing how much my guys beat on the 4 gate postholes they dug with bars and picks.

So that is why I'm thinking electric jackhammer with an extension. Also, the fence we'll put in is going through the woods, so using the skid steer is no longer an option. But we can drag a generator along with us to power the jackhammer.

[Stonehenge]

I found extensions on eBay, but they were 1 7/8". But I would think extensions exist for that make/model. The local rental yards don't have extensions? Maybe they would for a bigger model?

[Timber Lane]

I swear I've seen an extension bit for the Bosch, but a pretty thorough search of the internet didn't turn up any. I am going with the Bosch because it is the only electric jackhammer I can rent in the area. I guess I'll have to buy a bit (about $72), then have a receiving end welded on.