Skid steers are versatile pieces of compact equipment suitable for different job sites, including construction, farms, excavation, digging, clearing snow, and more. You can choose from various attachments to transform them into a multi-purpose machine to accomplish challenging tasks safely and efficiently. One such widely preferred skid steer attachment is the auger. It offers accurate digging capabilities on various terrains, such as rock and sand. Find out more about the applications and uses of auger bits to make an informed decision.
Skid Steer Augers and Their Components
Auger attachments for skid steer loaders are ideal for piercing into the ground and drilling precisely to get clean-cut holes. They have a heavy-duty steel shaft with rotating blades that twist downward in a helical shape. It is similar to the drill bit you can find on an electric drill. As you force the auger deep into the surface, its blades grasp the material and wrap it around the shaft for extraction. The attachment scatters it when coming up, leaving the pierced space hollow.
It helps to know that auger bits are a universal tool compatible with construction equipment, including compact track loaders, skid steers, multi-terrain loaders, and mini excavators. You can easily attach it to the desired machine with the help of the universal coupling functionality.
If you want to buy a skid steer auger, here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Hydraulic System
Check if your skid steer model has the necessary hydraulic flow rate to control the auger you need. Your machine’s hydraulic system will determine the auger’s speed and performance. It is best to consult the dealer and clear your doubts before buying an auger drive to ensure it is suitable for your compact equipment.
Torque
Auger attachments have variable torque ratings. The heavy-duty ones have torque levels of around 5,000 foot-pounds. Here are a few tips to get it right:
- Typically, the wider the auger’s diameter, the more rigid ground it can break and the deeper it can drill.
- It helps to know that torque and speed are inversely related. To put it clearly, if you need to make a large hole in hard ground, you may have to sacrifice speed to get the necessary torque level.
- Choosing the proper speed-to-torque ratio is essential to achieve the desired result without prematurely damaging the blades.
Depth
Most auger bits have a depth of up to 70-72 inches. It is wise to know that the actual dig depth varies based on your skid steer’s model. You can also use extension attachments to increase depth if necessary.
Diameter
When choosing an auger attachment for your skid steer, consider the application to get the best results. If you are a contractor or landscaper and want to drill fence posts, an auger bit with a smaller diameter is an ideal choice. However, if you are installing footings or industrial columns, equip your machine with an auger that has a wider diameter.
Drive
You can power skid steer augers using different mechanisms, such as chain, planetary, and direct drives.
- Planetary drives – ideal for working on frozen or rocky ground because they offer the most power.
- Chain drives – less potent than planetary drives but offer enough power to drill through the dirt.
- Direct auger drives – come with the least power and are the most affordable option.
7 Top Uses of Skid Steer Auger Bits
Auger applications for skid steers typically revolve around drilling precise holes efficiently by removing the material. When you use a suitable attachment, you can easily achieve an unobstructed, smooth hole. It can dig into sand, dirt, rock, clay, concrete, asphalt, and wood.
Signpost & Fence Installation
You can save effort and time by using the auger to dig holes for signposts and fence posts for commercial and residential properties. It can help you achieve the necessary depth and create precise pits for your needs, even in frozen ground.
Tree Planting
You can speed up the planting process and enhance the quality of work with an auger for skid steers. This way, you can excavate soil and rock and drill deep holes for planting trees, shrubs and other plants.
Stump Grinding
You can outfit a skid steer auger with extensions to boost its functionality. Using a stump planer with rotating blades is best to remove the stumps. The attachment will help drive the tool into the stump, and the planer rotates to shave it in layers.
Footing & Pile Drilling
Auger attachment is a tool for contractors having skid steers in their equipment fleet. When building foundations, you can drill accurate holes of desired depth for installing concrete piles and forming footings.
Cement Mixing
Although unconventional, you can use an auger drive to combine and pour cement using a cement mixing extension. Doing so will help stir the mixture effectively, resulting in a smooth blend.
Pipe Laying
Drilling accurate holes in the ground is crucial for laying pipes and drainage for sewers, gas pipelines, underground water, electrical wires, and more. Using a skid steer auger attachment will help you achieve this.
Multi-Purpose Applications
In addition to digging into the ground, you can use augers for various purposes by changing the bits and adding different extensions. Some of the most widely used ones include a splitter, stump shaving, and cement-mixing add-ons.
Shop High-Quality Skid Steer Augers & Bits at Fair Prices
Tag Equipment offers a wide range of skid steer attachments for different applications to meet the various needs of customers. In addition to auger drives, we also feature Pengo auger bits from 6 – 36 inches.
Our selection of skid steer augers includes the following:
Roughneck Auger Drives Models by Baumalight
RC442, RC552, RC556, RC582, RC586, RC780
Pengo Aggressor Augers
They feature 40/50 dual angle teeth, a triple locking system, and Triflow three drill points for better stability and 50% longer wear.
For more information about our auger attachments for skid steers, please get in touch with us by calling 416-716-5850 or filling out our online form.