Description
Digging holes in tough soil with roots and rocks is hard work, so you need a tool that’s tougher. Fortunately, our Tamping / Digging Bar is designed for digging into tough ground, loosening dirt, cutting buried roots, breaking up hardpan, and levering rocks for when you need to set posts, plant trees, or dislodge tree stumps. Then, once the hole is backfilled, flip the bar to tamp dry or damp soil with the flat plate handle so your posts are well set. The 3/8 inch thick blade, 3/8 inch thick end plate, and handle consist of an all-steel construction from 100% Made In The USA steel, which is up to 30% more durable against foreign competitors. The thick handle gives you the needed heft for the perfect leverage as you dig and tamp. This bar comes in two different lengths: 48 inches and 69 inches, either are useful depending on the size of the job. The Bully Tools Steel Tamping / Digging Bar with 3/8-Inch Thick Plate comes with a limited lifetime warranty that protects against defects in material and workmanship.
Founded in 1994. Bully Tools manufactures 100% made in the USA gardening and farm tools, shingle removers, floor scrapers, forestry and other specialty tools. With an unprecedented history of quality, Bully Tools is committed to applying the same reliability to our business practices. Bully Tools continues to grow and adapt to meet the ever changing needs of the economy and their consumers.
EJ –
Have being using it to dig holes in Arizona, very hard soil and it is strong enough for that purpose, I could recommend the product for the purpose and it is value for money.
Paladin –
This is a beast! If you have the strength to control the point of impact it will do the job. I was digging post holes near several trees in my back yard and easily cut through several roots up to 2″ thick. I also broke a few large rocks with it. After cutting some (Quartz and Sandstone) rocks and I hit another large root I use a 4 inch angle grinder to dress the end and proceeded to dispatch the root. The tamping head works great on damp or dry soil. If the ground it too wet the tamping head will pack with mud. It still compacts well even packed with a layer of mud. I’ll never wear this thing out in my life time, but if I did I would get another right away.
Alex C. –
I grew up in NYC and moved to the country – a farmer came over to give me a hand and had something like this – though it was his grandfather’s – called it a “shale bar” – right away I knew that I needed one of these here on our farm. I got both the 69″ and the 48″ for smaller jobs along with this bigger one. This is a well made heavy tool for digging and anything to do with ground work – putting up posts or planting trees – it’s great for loosening dirt, cutting buried roots or stones. It can “tamp” dirt down and make it hard. Well made, good design and weight – will probably outlast your lifetime!
Cbrew –
It’s a solid tool to have.. used this to help dig post holes for my fence to move big rocks you inevitably run Into while digging that deep. Also used to get some small stumps out.. heavy enough to get the job done. I was able to slightly bend it however on a particularly strong stump.. it’s very slight.. I think it’s going to last for a number of jobs though. Served me well so far.
Scott Lewis –
Heavy
MEM –
Works well. It’s not too thin and bendy nor is it too thick and heavy to tamp the ground. It’s just right.
Glen E Thomas –
I like Bully tools and have switched most of my digging tools to bully tools. This digging bar works well for clay and soil with tree roots and construction debris. New homes tend to have a bunch of construction debris in the top soil and then you hit the clay a foot or so into the hole. This bar makes quick work of the debris and easily cuts the clay. This is not a pry bar and when used as intended I don’t expect that I will ever need to replace the tool. I like the larger cutting head compared to the big box bars that have a 1 inch taper head. Well worth the investment IMHO.
Steedee –
Where others failed, this one got the job done. This is the 68in bar. Needed it for breaking up the hardest effing concrete ever in the entire world while removing a flagpole. Although the top bent from violent striking of a 15lbs sledge hammer, this was the only one of my 4 breaker bars that could actually reach that far into the hole and break the concrete. Well worth the money. Highly recommended.
Markus –
Wonderful tool, I like everything about it. It is heavy and heavy duty. Speaking of heavy, if this bar is heavy to anyone, get the 48″ version of this bar, I did along with the 69″, and I love it, too.
I like the way it cuts into the ground. I liked how large the rounded tamping end was. The digging end chops through heavy soil. I liked how wide and not narrow the digging end was.
John Smith –
Mixed feelings about this item.
If your a home owner without access to a metal yard and a welder, this is the tool for you. Heavy enough to tamper and break thru roots and rocks.
If you have access to a metal yard and welder, I would pass and build it yourself. Go find some rems- 1″ rod, a 3/8″ plate, and fire up your welder and your done. Should be a simple project.
I like it is American made. Time will tell how it holds up.
SonnyK –
Primarily use this to dig through hard pan. Works great on roots too, but it will tire you out quickly. I have found a cutter mattock to be more effective since you can simply swing it more times. Like all bully tools I own, this is heavily built. People are concerned about snapping the blade off, but I can assure you it can handle anything you throw at it. If it does break, call Bully tools and they will take care of you.
PapaHop –
Setting a post is not always easy when you run into roots and rocks. This tool makes it easier to get the hole to the proper depth and then set the base or soil and rock when installing posts.
krejcia –
works great and shipped fast
Mark Sizer –
I needed to lever up the flagstones of my sidewalk. A crowbar was not cutting it. This worked exactly as desired – and it strong enough that it barely flexed levering up 100lb stones.
Joshua Terry –
Absolutely fantastic. I bought the 48in. version a few months back and it has worked like a charm. The 69in. version probably would have been overkill for me, but might be useful for taller folks. Definitely gonna try more of Bully products.
markld –
Favorite digging bar ever. I like the 4′ size. I like the weight. I did purchase the next size up Bully Tool digging bar, the 68″, and it is a beast. However, Bully Tools did a great thing making a 4′ digging/tamping bar. In all my years of landscaping I have always used ones 1-2′ longer. They weigh a lot more that is for sure. Both bars can make quick work of hard heavy dirt.
This bar is commercial grade! All steel construction, 3/8″ thick head, 1-inch diameter solid steel bar and 3/8-inch thick plate, made in USA, cant ask for any better.
Steve –
This bar has survived an endless amount of abuse over the years. From pulling bushes and trees, to demoing a concrete patio, this is the first and last tool I grab. It’s heavy, but I love it. If you’re like me and you’re sick of breaking bars and shovels trying to keep up with your fixer-upper home, this beast will make you smile (once you’re done sweating).
Pete –
The Bad-The packing could have been much better. Was wrapped in a plastic material and a shipping label stuck on. My address and most of my name was obliterated so good job by FedEx. The left it on my front steps and the tamping end was sticking out. Nothing damaged.
The Good-The construction is top notch. They mill a slot at the end of the 1-inch round bar and the chisel is inserted. It’s then welded on BOTH sides and in addition to giving it great strength the tool is well balanced. Looking at it on their website it’s a little difficult to see the weld on both sides. Looks like its welded on only one side. The welds are superb. Next, I dug a test hole to 31 inches deep by 8-inch diameter. Used my spade shovel to scoop out the dirt. With this tool you can easily sculpt a perfect hole by chiseling the walls of the hole and then removing the dirt. Went down to depth and used the tamping end to flatten the hole bottom. At that point I had a perfect hole. Warning, this thing is a beast and its heavy.
It’s a top quality made in the USA tool, and I highly recommend it. It’s designed to dig fence post holes in conjunction with a spade shovel or a post hole digger and it excels at this. Do not use it as a pry bar, if you need to pry something then buy a pry bar.