"Cute" is our friend Eli Mosely's favorite response every time I hand him the cordless OPE product. We made him a believer in chainsaws, so I met him at the ranch to fix some fence wire with a Ryobi 40V HP brushless drill.
advantage
- Familiar gas-style design with quick-connect pin connection to the drill
- 2 speeds to match the type of hole you are digging
- Enough power to dig into clay soil and some roots
- Automatic recoil and overload control
- Kit comes with everything you need to get started
shortcoming
- Could use some extra handle material to keep it from sliding around the back of the truck
- Trigger the stick if too much dust has accumulated around
The Ryobi uses a brushless motor to spin the auger up to 8 inches at speeds up to 210 RPM. For better control, there's also the low-speed mode, which is what we use most of the time. Ryobi claims about 54 foot-pounds of engine torque—30 percent more than comparable gas augers.
Using the 8 inch drill bit, we started drilling a few holes and see what happens. It navigated Florida soil with confidence, both at high and low speeds.
But what about clay?
Florida clay soils are not like the bright orange soils you find in Georgia. It was a tan/gray, sticky, wet kind that wasn't very comfortable. Even in thick soil, the Ryobi is capable of digging to a maximum depth of 31 inches.
It's at the edge of its capabilities, though. When we got to the bottom, it kept doing overload protection.
As usual, tree roots and rocks are obstacles. We were able to break through 1/2" or sometimes 3/4" of root, but anything bigger than that stopped the drill.
When you hit those bit plugs, there is a kickback sensor to help. It sometimes allows the handle to be rotated further than we would like, but it works for the most part. As always, having competent operators is the biggest key to safety.
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Ground Drill Runtime
With the power issue out of the way, our next task was to find out how long the Ryobi 40V HP earth drill can run on a full charge.
Ryobi packs a 4.0Ah battery with the kit, and that's what we used for testing. With such a tool, the answer to the runtime question depends on several factors.
Let's start with what we know for sure. In relatively light, dry soil, we can expect to drill 25 to 30 holes with an 8-inch bit to a depth of 30 inches. For clay, it's between 20 and 25.
Now it's ifs, ands, and buts. In loose soil, you can push 40 holes at a time. If you're only digging down 15 inches for new garden plants, 40 to 50 holes are reasonable.
Of course, you also get significantly more holes when you use a smaller drill diameter. A 5Ah or 6Ah battery will also extend your run time.
Take all of these factors into consideration when you decide how much battery you need to get the job done efficiently.
Design Notes
The design team did a good job sticking with a traditional gas auger design, which makes things a little easier if you're used to gas.
On the right handle is your control switch. There are high and low speeds and reverse.
There is a foam cover on the left handle. This helps you control the auger with your legs for support when using forward speed. It also cushions any blow you might take if the drill gets stuck.
You install the auger bits with a standard pin-based quick connect, so if you want to add another size, most bits of any brand are compatible.
One thing I don't like is how easily it slides on the back of my truck. Like many people, I have a sheet that just doesn't have enough friction to keep it from sliding. I would love to see some rubber pads on the handle corners to help reduce this.
In terms of maintenance, be sure to wipe the trigger off after a particularly dirty day. Our crew let so much dirt build up on it that it started to stick.
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Ground Drill Price
You can get this Ryobi ground drill from The Home Depot for $299. It includes everything you need to get started: tools, 4.0Ah battery, 8" auger and charger. Backed by a 5-year warranty, this is a very attractive price if you're considering ditching your petrol or old manual backhole digger.
the bottom line
We were pleasantly surprised at how well the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Soil Auger performed in a variety of soil types. It's great for digging fence post holes like we're used to, and it's also a great choice for planting, setting up supports for landscape structures, or even drilling for ice fishing.
Ryobi Earth Drill Specifications
- Model: Rimei RY40710
- Power source: Ryobi 40V battery
- Speed: 210 RPM (High)
- Engine Torque: 53.98 ft-lbs.
- Maximum Drill Diameter: 8 inches
- Maximum Hole Depth: 31 inches
- Weight: 40.2 lbs
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $299