Sign Installation, Help Please!

I’m starting to get a lot of HC sign jobs and I have to call another striping company to help. This eats up all my profit, with his min. charge. I weight 125 lbs and I’m 5’4, female, not that strong I can’t figure a way to install by myself, any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm putting the signs in the ground, not asphalt or concret. Thanks Linda

sounds like you need a helper, Linda. Do you work alone?

Linda, You might want to rent a motorized post hole digger from your local rental center. They are easily towed behind your truck or can be loaded on your trailer. It will cut down on your physical labor and the rental amount is probably way lower than the minimum charge from the other striping company. I rent one in my area for $65 per day. If you have several signs to install those machines are a lifesaver not to mention no wear and tear on your back. Just be sure to check for sprinkler lines and other cables before digging. Best of luck to you. Domingo

be sure you rent one of these: http://www.toolfetch.com/tools/DIRTDAWG-9ROB.html Not a handheld digger. Those towable are low effort, it's even self propelled.

Linda, Several weeks ago the same subject came up and there is a company that makes an air operated post driver that will run off a small compressor not the big tow behind compressor. I thought I had the name somewhere, but can not put my hands on it right now. You probably can find it going back on this site. I don't remember the weight of the post driver, but I don't think it was that heavy. If you were in Nashville I would try to give you a decent price, but the drive to Atlanta would put me out of the ball park.

Salty, I work alone most of the time, and helpers are hard to find, because I can’t guarantee them work on a regular basic. Domingo, I was going to rent a motorized post hole digger, but I couldn’t pick it up. Robert, I like the dirtdawg, looks easy and I’ll check into it tomorrow. Fine Line Striping, wish you were here . I’ll try to find the post you are referring to. Thank you all very much! I'll let you know how it works out.

I agree with Fine Line, goto the tips section and look there for the post drivers that use the small compresser. The hole set up is less than 1500.00 but not to heavy the unit is about 70 lbs. Jim

Linda- Being in a large metro area, one suggestion might be to find the nearest "day labor" store. It may be cheaper to rent a casual laborer for half a day to help with posts than sub out the work.

Linda, Many years back, after installing 20 HC & fire lane signs by myself with a manual post hole digger, I went out and bought a one man auger for about $150. I, too, am a woman and don't have trouble handling it. No need to trailer it around and it doesn't take up much space in my van. Just a thought.

One suggestion when using power augers of any kind. Make sure you know that there isn't anything under where you are digging, such as irrigation pipes, electrical, phone, or water pipes.

I know this may be expensive but it saves in manhours. I bought a Skidril hydralic post driver www.skidril.com/g23.htm and love it. No compressor, lines, generators, just a 2 cycle engine. With the right bits you can drive #2 Uchannel or 2" Telspar post. I drive the 3' spike into the ground then atttach the 8' post to that to make the break-a-way post. I have installed posts and went through the frost line without a problem. Plus in some of the pictures they show a guy pounding a 12' single post with a jack hammer type pounder, I would not want to fool with something like that.... Mike In-Line

Mike, The website did not give a price. How much? Thanks, Jay

I bought in December 2005 and it was about $250.00 per bit and $3750.00 for the driver. You can put a sign up in dirt in about 10 minutes, and it is great if you have to core through asphalt, and will go through the crush/run under asphalt easily Mike In-Line

In-Line, Can you get the posts straight driving thru asphalt and crusher run? Will it do 2 3/8" OD round posts as well as the channel posts? Fine Line Striping

That machine looks similar to the one i am suggesting. It was basically a Shindaiwa 2-cycle engine with a auger bit on it. My buddy uses It for his sign work. I'll find out where he bought it and let you know Linda.

I love all of you for being so helpful. Sundog, Lowes has a one man auger, called (earthquake) about 22 lb / bit 7 lbs. Is this simular to what you are using? I may try it because it's $250 plus $100 for the bit. Also, i can rent an auger on two wheels for $44 per day. The bits come in 4" and 6", which is better for H/C signs? And do you fill with concret? I really wanted to use the short post, then attach the an extension post, but I was told that this was not considered permanent and I could'nt use it for H/C signs. Linda