So I need to drill some 2"x36" holes in ground. Clay soil.

Have this impact wrench- DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench Kit, Brushless, High Torque, Detent Pin Anvil, 1/2-Inch (DCF899M1) - - Amazon.com

Thought is to weld a 1/2" drive socket to this auger- 2 in. Auger Pilot Bit (harborfreight.com)

Think it'll work? Any better ways without screwing with a gas or PTO auger?

Those hand held gas units will kick your butt. Don't let the pictures fool you, they're not 1 man units.

Had to drill 6 holes as part of a research project in Trinity River bottom outside Shepherd a few years back. Sandy loam beat the hell out of two of us.

Edit, that 2 inch bit won't be as bad.

Power washer?

Senator Blutarski said:

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Power washer?

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That is how I would do it. Unless you need a clean hole...the drill should work ok unless you have rocky soil.

Yes.

Setting poles for wood duck boxes. Very little lateral pressure. The metal was for free so no reason to go buy big post that require larger holes.

Use a Tpost driver?

Assuming your using a UBolt to attach the boxes to the metal pole anyways?

Didn't think about that. I have a trash pump and nearby water sources. Could just clamp the discharge hose to the pipe, bore down, remove clamp, and move to the next one. Thanks!

CS78 said:

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Yes.

Setting poles for wood duck boxes. Very little lateral pressure. The metal was for free so no reason to go buy big post that require larger holes.

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Yeah, I would burrow it with a pressure washer and then just drive the pipe into the muddy wallow. If you want to clear it out, use a pressure washer and a shop vac. We use a larger version of that all the time to predrill 8-10" borings to 5 feet for utility avoidance.

That might work too. Just have to get on a ladder but what could be more fun than running a t post driver 10ft in the air.

CS78 said:

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Didn't think about that. I have a trash pump and nearby water sources. Could just clamp the discharge hose to the pipe, bore down, remove clamp, and move to the next one. Thanks!

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Yeah, the trash pump necked down should work fine too. Just be careful with the pressure you are pushing and eye protection when disconnecting or driving.

That setup should easily manage what you are describing. The drill for sure will work. I've drilled through solid limestone with a much less capable drill albeit with a shorter bit.

I've used a big old worn out wood auger bit to make smaller holes with a drill. It did work.

Clay can get sticky fast and if you don't have enough torque to drive it you'll either hurt yourself or burn the drill up. Cleaning the auger frequently will help, but still no guarantee. The power washer is the best way to go after that maybe one of the large drills, but they also are meant for the large amount of friction caused by clay. I'm a geologist who does a lot of geotech work for the last decade.

I use a 1" auger for soil samples using a Dewalt cordless hammer drill. Bet it would work fine.

FBG_Ag78 said:

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I use a 1" auger for soil samples using a Dewalt cordless hammer drill. Bet it would work fine.

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Came to say just this. We use the auger for various soil sampling setups. I think the deepest I've used is 24". Works just fine. WD40 on the auger before you use it will help deal with the clay and make the auger slide in better.

I use an auger to set soil moisture probes with that same drill. We are generally going 4' deep with an auger right at 1-1/2".

Just be careful in clay. Clean the hole regularly. Don't expect the auger to "pull the soil up".

I'd keep on hand a farm jack to help you pull the auger out when you get it stuck in clay. A nice 2x8 about 10" long for the base of the jack is handy in clay also.