Specifically about fasteners and finishing said fasteners. Our best option has seemed to be sourcing our own stainless pan head screws and spraying them black. Finding any sort info on guidelines for exterior installation has been difficult.

Im aware there are round head screws specifically made for Hardie products, but no one has those from what i can tell, and surely there are other nicer options as those cannot be countersunk.

The biggest trouble has been pre-countersinking in the panels. It looks great when done properly, but the fibre cement literally eats through spiral/countersink bits (3rd photo shows how the countersinking portion of the bit gets rounded in after 15 or so holes/1 sheet).

Tried looking into fibre cement specific countersink bits, hardie backer screws, and other options.

Is anyone familiar with this material, or have any super slick, high durability ideas?

installing 4x8 Hardie panel

I will be installing 4x8 sheets by myself up 20' of height and wanted opinions the best options to install. I tried 2 ladders with a ramp between the 2 but that's to unstable. I've tried some scaffolding but in a lot of the areas I couldn't set up because its to muddy near the foundation and there is a couple retaining walls for window wells that block my set up. I am now contemplating renting a boom lift to carry the panel and install but wonder how I'll hold it against the wall while trying to fasten it with screws. What's some ideas do we have to do this effectively as a solo guy. I am planning on renting the boom for a month as I'll need it for installing wood on the soffits.