I'm digging post holes in my yard for a fence and have come upon hard
clay soil with tons of tree roots below. I cant get my shovel more
that 2 inches deep. I have to finish my fence because i have half done
all this work to get 1/2 up already. The one side was very moist and
muddy but the trouble section is hard/clay like cememnt.

What are the tools and options I have to inexpensively get these holes
dug? Is there any reasonably priced machine that I should use? I'd
rather do manually if anyone has any tricks....

Some options:
* Fill the hole with water. After it soaks in, the soil might be
softer.
* Buy post-hole diggers.
* Buy a digging bar. It looks like a six-foot, thirty-pound nail. Use
it to break up the bottom, then take out the chips with the diggers.
Wear gloves if you're fond of the skin on your palms.
* Sharpen the diggers with a file.

Best option:
* Rent a motor-driven auger. You'll finish each hole in about three
minutes. Half a day's rental will be about the same as buying good
digging tools.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX USA