Alright fellas, I'm getting tired of getting slapped in the face with chunks of frozen dirt chips, and its exhausting chipping beds in frozen ground. Who has a trick? Drill with masonry bit and drill a bunch of holes first, then chip? I'm going for quicker and easier.

Dig beds before the ground freezes when possible.

Go find a axe or similar,,, you do not like cut hole size you want fast and the easiest I have found.

I use a railroad pick.
Jim

I bought a Dewalt 20 volt hammer drill and a tile chisel. Used it for the first time two days ago to dig trap beds. Worked great, no flying chunks, dug the bed in half the time of using my digging hammer. It is also easier to control the size of the bed. I also use the drill to drill pilot holes for stakes and to make bait or lure holes in frozen ground.

I use a masonry chisel to cut the bed

I use a 20V rotary hammer and tile chisel when the ground gets super hard.The work goes quickly without wearing you out and it is the only thing I have used that does not throw chips.They just roll off the chisel.It is also used to predrill stakes and drill mouse holes if I want.It saves me from carrying two hammers that weigh a total of 8 lbs so there is no weight or extra equipment issues and during badly frozen ground conditions,I can set twice as many traps without any fatigue,wrist or shoulder issues.

I feel your pain, already busted three hammers this year and my shoulder hurts like heck!

Thanks guys. I had actually given thought to a rotary hammerdrill, but I don't have a cordless one. Yet

Milwaukee rotary hammer drill also. Same as Taximan, wouldn't be without it. Batteries last a lot longer than you think. I also have a ground rod driver for it to drive in earth anchors. Some of the best money I've spent.

Use your skirt to pull up in front of your face to block the chips.........jk, lol. You might look into hay sets.

Let one of your kids do it.

Snares

estwing makes a heavy hatchet that will send the dirt chunks sideways

Brick hammer for me less chip tossing.

Thats a hog