Manufacturer: RICE Hydro, Inc. | Made in: USA | Models: DIRTDAWG-9HON-T, DIRTDAWG-TM11, DIRTDAWG-CUB
The DirtDawg is a professional-grade post hole digger line manufactured by RICE Hydro, Inc. of Mound House, Nevada — the same company that invented the original hydrostatic test pump in 1976. The DirtDawg line has earned a reputation among fencing contractors, equipment rental yards, farmers, ranchers, parks departments, and the Department of Transportation as one of the most durable, high-torque auger systems available in the US market.
Unlike consumer-grade post hole diggers sold at big-box stores, the DirtDawg is engineered for professionals who dig in hard, rocky, and uneven terrain — and who need a machine that keeps earning revenue for years without breaking down in the field.
DirtDawg Model Lineup: Which One Is Right for You?
Rice Hydro offers three DirtDawg models, each targeting a different operator profile and job type.
DIRTDAWG-9HON-T — One Man Hydraulic Post Hole Digger
The flagship model. A towable, one-man hydraulic auger designed for contractors who need serious torque without a second operator. The torque-free hydraulic system eliminates the kick-back and pinch-point hazards common with mechanical augers, making it significantly safer for solo operation.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Torque | 351 ft-lbs at 83 RPM |
| Engine | 389CC 9HP Honda with Oil Alert |
| Operation | One man; forward and reverse auger |
| Auger Capacity | 2″ to 18″ diameter bits |
| Arm | Telescoping, swivels 180° for angled digging |
| Axle Width | 44″ for stability; retracts to under 36″ for gate access |
| Towing | Integrated tow hitch; highway speed capable |
| Weight | 330 lbs (shipping: 380 lbs) |
| Warranty | 3 years from manufacturer’s defect |
Best for: Fencing contractors, equipment rental yards, DOT and forestry crews, parks and recreation departments, vineyard and agricultural operations.
DIRTDAWG-TM11 — Two Man Post Hole Digger
A handheld two-man earth auger built for jobs that benefit from two-operator control. Heavy metal handlebars with Pro-Grip hand grips reduce vibration and fatigue during extended digging sessions. A standout safety feature: the centrifugal clutch automatically slips when it encounters a rock or obstruction, preventing the dangerous kickback that injures operators on lesser machines. Kill switches are positioned at both operator stations.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Torque | 190 ft-lbs |
| Engine | 160CC 5.5HP Honda with dual kill switches |
| Operation | Two man; handheld |
| Auger Capacity | 2″ to 12″ diameter bits; 7/8″ square drive |
| Transmission | All gear drive for maximum power |
| Bearings | Timken tapered roller bearings (less maintenance, longer life) |
| Castings | Heavy duty aluminum, manufactured in the USA |
| Safety | Centrifugal clutch slips on obstruction; dual kill switches |
| Weight | 80 lbs (shipping: 90 lbs) |
| Warranty | 1 year from manufacturer’s defect |
Best for: General contractors, irrigation installers, utility crews, agricultural fencing.
DIRTDAWG-CUB — Compact One Man Post Hole Digger
The lightest DirtDawg in the lineup at just 24 lbs. Designed for homeowners, do-it-yourselfers, and light-duty professional use. The compact stand-alone frame stores upright on a shelf without tipping. Ergonomic Pro-Grip handles and a hip saver pad reduce fatigue for operators working solo. The Honda engine delivers reliable starting even in cold weather. Also available with an 8″ ice fishing auger bit.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | Honda with bi-directional exhaust |
| Operation | One man; handheld |
| Auger Capacity | 6″ or 8″ bits in 36″ length; 8″ ice fishing bit available |
| Handles | Pro-Grip ergonomic with hip saver pad |
| Frame | Compact; stand-alone for upright shelf storage |
| Weight | 24 lbs (shipping: 28 lbs) |
| Warranty | 1 year from manufacturer’s defect |
Best for: Homeowners, landscapers, small fencing jobs, ice fishing.
Which DirtDawg Model Should You Choose?
| If you are… | Best model |
|---|---|
| A fencing or construction contractor digging dozens of holes per day, solo | DIRTDAWG-9HON-T |
| A rental yard looking for a machine customers keep requesting back | DIRTDAWG-9HON-T |
| A parks department, DOT crew, or forestry team on rough terrain | DIRTDAWG-9HON-T |
| A general contractor or utility crew with two-person teams | DIRTDAWG-TM11 |
| A farmer or vineyard owner on sloped or hilly ground | DIRTDAWG-TM11 or 9HON-T |
| A homeowner, landscaper, or light-duty DIYer | DIRTDAWG-CUB |
| An ice fisherman needing a portable auger | DIRTDAWG-CUB with ice bit |
What Makes the DirtDawg Different from Other Post Hole Diggers?
There are dozens of post hole diggers on the market. Here is why professionals keep coming back to the DirtDawg:
Hydraulic torque-free system (9HON-T). Most one-man augers transfer reactive torque directly to the operator’s wrists and body when the bit hits a rock. The DirtDawg 9HON-T’s hydraulic drive neutralizes this torque, making solo operation dramatically safer and less fatiguing over a full work day.
Weight distribution and balance. The machine’s weight is engineered to sit over the auger, not behind it. This means the operator guides rather than wrestles the digger, reducing fatigue on long jobs.
Telescoping 180° swivel arm (9HON-T). The arm rotates a full 180 degrees and telescopes, allowing operators to dig at an angle — useful for retaining walls, sloped terrain, and tight fence lines.
Honda engines across the lineup. All DirtDawg models run Honda engines, chosen for their reliability, easy starting, and low long-term maintenance costs. Honda’s Oil Alert system protects the 9HON-T engine against running low on oil.
USA-manufactured aluminum castings. Critical drive components are made from heavy-duty aluminum alloy cast in the USA. This is the difference between a DirtDawg that still digs cleanly after 5,000 holes and a competitor’s unit that wobbles and binds at 500.
Towable at highway speed (9HON-T). The integrated tow package means the 9HON-T goes wherever a truck goes, without a trailer permit or special rig. Axles retract from 44″ to under 36″ for passing through standard gates and doorways.
Bearing Buddies and oil sight glass. The 9HON-T uses Bearing Buddies on the wheel axles to reduce grease maintenance. All models include an oil sight glass for quick fluid level checks without pulling dipsticks.
Who Uses the DirtDawg?
The DirtDawg is used across a wide range of professional and semi-professional applications:
Fencing contractors rely on the 9HON-T for high-volume production digging. The combination of one-man operation, tow capability, and auger sizes up to 18″ covers every residential, agricultural, and commercial fencing job.
Equipment rental yards consistently find the DirtDawg to be their most-requested auger. Greg Collett, owner of Arrow Rents in Montgomery, AL, reports that customers specifically request the “red one-man machine” and are willing to wait for it even when other brands are available on the lot.
Parks and recreation departments use it for trail construction, bridge foundations, sign installation, and habitat improvement in rough terrain. Ryan Sokoloski of Makoshika State Park in Montana uses the DirtDawg on some of America’s most challenging terrain and reports that it handles every soil type the park throws at it.
Farmers and vineyard owners use it for post installation on slopes and hillside property where tractor-mounted augers cannot safely operate. Pony Creek Farm in Iowa found the DirtDawg especially effective on sloped vineyard terrain where their 3-point tractor auger was impractical.
The Department of Transportation and forestry services use it for sign post installation and reforestation projects on public land and right-of-way.
Building services contractors have used it on 30-degree slopes, digging through glacial till, tethering the machine on steep terrain where no other portable auger would be viable.
DirtDawg in the Field: Real Customer Results
“On our first unit we have collected over $12,000 in rental against a meager $165.00 in maintenance costs and never have we had to make a service call or infield repair. Our customers request the ‘red’ one-man machine and are willing to wait even if our other units are out earning income, while we have other manufacturers in the yard and available.”
“I just dug 5,225 twelve inch diameter, three foot deep holes in rocky/clay soil, 2,800 feet high in the Rocky Mountains. I rented the Dirtdawg. After a while, I bought my own. I’ll probably never buy another. Don’t need to. This one still runs like new. Next year I have another 31,000 holes planned.”
“Our new Dirtdawg works like a charm — we can take it almost anywhere. The best thing about the Dirtdawg is it only takes one man to operate. This machine is the best gas powered auger we have ever used. This Dawg hunts, and you can take that to the bank!”
“The Dirt Dawg is engineered and manufactured by the people who are using it in the field. It’s sleek, sturdy and simple; obviously made of quality materials… One man or woman can quickly and effortlessly get the Dirt Dawg and be at the job site in a matter of no time; once there, they can fire up the easy start motor and immediately begin punching perfect holes to any depth.”
“We’ve been using this on a 30 degree slope (had to tether the machine and haul it up the slope with a block and tackle). Auguring through glacial till (tons of rock) without a hitch. Makes digging holes ‘fun.'”
“The Dirtdawg has been a great asset to our farm and vineyard… We’ve found that your digger is great on our hill property. Our only problem was figuring out how to slow it down so that we didn’t have to ‘run’ to keep up with it between locations! We love the digger!”
DirtDawg Accessories
Rice Hydro offers a full range of accessories to extend the capability of every DirtDawg model:
Auger bits are available from 2″ to 18″ in diameter depending on model. Bit extensions in 6″, 12″, 24″, and 36″ lengths allow digging to custom depths. Adapters make it possible to use existing auger bit stock from other manufacturers. A post pounder and post puller round out the lineup for jobs that combine installation and removal. View the complete accessory catalog at ricehydro.com/post-hole-diggers/dirtdawg-post-hole-diggers-accessories/.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one person really operate the DIRTDAWG-9HON-T safely?
Yes. The hydraulic drive system is specifically engineered to eliminate the reactive torque that makes conventional one-man augers dangerous solo. The weight is balanced over the bit, not behind it, so the operator guides the machine rather than wrestling it. Thousands of contractors run the 9HON-T solo every day.
What soil types can the DirtDawg handle?
DirtDawg units have been used in clay, rocky soil, glacial till, sandy barrier beach soil, and mountainous terrain up to 2,800 feet elevation. The 9HON-T’s 351 ft-lbs of torque handles conditions that stop most handheld augers.
What auger bit sizes does the DirtDawg accept?
The 9HON-T accepts 2″ to 18″ diameter bits. The TM11 accepts 2″ to 12″ bits. The CUB accepts 6″ and 8″ bits. Adapters allow use of existing auger bit stock from other manufacturers.
How is the DirtDawg transported to job sites?
The 9HON-T includes an integrated tow hitch rated for normal highway speeds. The axles retract from 44″ to under 36″ for gate and doorway access. The TM11 (80 lbs) and CUB (24 lbs) load easily into a pickup bed.
What warranty does the DirtDawg carry?
The DIRTDAWG-9HON-T carries a 3-year full product warranty. The TM11 and CUB carry a 1-year warranty. All Rice Hydro units can also be custom-built to suit specific job requirements — contact the factory for special order options.
Where can I rent or buy a DirtDawg?
DirtDawg units are available through authorized Rice Hydro dealers across the US. Use the dealer locator to find the nearest location, or request a quote directly from Rice Hydro. Call 800-245-4777 or email rice@ricehydro.com.
About the Manufacturer: RICE Hydro, Inc.
RICE Hydro, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing industrial pumps and equipment in the USA since 1976. The company invented the original hydrostatic test pump and has been the industry leader in that category for five decades, serving contractors, municipalities, fire departments, and the US military. The DirtDawg line was developed with the same engineering philosophy: build it rugged, keep it simple, and make sure it outlasts every competitor’s product in the field.
Rice Hydro is headquartered at 86 Carry Way, Mound House, NV 89706. Phone: 800-245-4777. Website: ricehydro.com.
