Earth auger

[1] It typically consists of a rotating vertical metal rod or pipe with one or more blades attached at the lower end, that cut or scrape the soil.

[4] The first known power earth auger was built in 1943 by John Habluetzel, a farmer in Wamego, Kansas, from parts scavenged from other equipment, including a 7-inch helical blade from a screw separator.

[5] The most common design of earth auger has a helical screw blade (the flighting) winding around lower part of the shaft.

[citation needed] Hand-powered earth augers are typically used to plant saplings and trees or to set up posts for fences or other ends.

[7] Large mechanized earth augers, called drilling rigs, are used to make holes for piles destined to be deep foundations or retaining wall.