Earth auger... 3pt or Backhoe mount?

[Doofy]

Any thoughts or experience with either/or? I have used a 3pt auger but the backhoe unit looks like a better idea and possibly a cheaper option. A man needs a post hole digger!

Looking at a 8-12" auger capable of about 4' deep.

 

[ehinson]

I have an boom/auger I use quite often, I think off hand it's a 6".

I have buried it to the gearbox before by accident and it was a booger to get out " was thinking a reversible pto would have been nice ".

I use it often, a backhoe would be nice to have on occasion.

I been using the bucket instead!

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I prefer a loader mounted one if there is a third option!

 

[TomSeller]

I have my hydraulic auger on my FEL. Works great. Frees up my backhoe for dropping my concrete fence posts (500 lbs) in the hole. TBN member Bindian has a auger on the backhoe, it works well there too. I have the setup with the auger off to one side so I can see it beside the hood.

 

[Doofy]

The more I read and hear the more confused I become. Implements and attachments are endless. If anyone has thought of a better way to get the job done...an implement was designed and built. Forefathers were Awesome!

 

[Doofy]

It is hard to balance 'Wants' with 'Needs'. I want every implement and attachment known to man but I only need a select few. With a Cadillac taste on a Chevy budget, I need to make frugal but wise decisions.

The 3pt PTO driven auger is the logical choice because they are cheap and get the job done. Do I even need an auger? I am just wanting to build a small pole barn for the tractor and implements. I could dig the holes rather than drill the holes for the poles. Conundrums Suck!

 

[Piston]

If you don't see a lot of use for it, I would certainly skip the hydraulic auger.
Just go with a used 3 point off Craigslist (I see them all the time) and use it for your pole barn (because yes, you NEED an implement ) and when you are all done, go put it in the weeds for a couple years until you need it again.

IF, you were going to go hydraulic, I recommend putting it on the backhoe if possible. Seems like it would be a very slick setup.

I do not like the FEL mount. It doesn't have as good Vis, it's a pain in the rear to hook up, and you lose the use of your bucket or grapple. At least the 3 point or backhoe mount would enable you to do something (anything) with your FEL.

In addition, a lot of 3rd function valves for the FEL are run with 1/4" hose. If this is what you have, it's not big enough to get full flow to the auger motor.
Then you need ridiculously long and cumbersome hoses.

I don't see what all the fuss is with the FEL mount. Yes, you get down pressure, but they make those for 3 pt mounts as well. They just aren't as "great" as you'd think by what you read online, in my opinion.

I think JD even has down pressure on the 3 pt hitch. I can't believe more companies don't do that!

 

[Doofy]

Thanks, Piston.

I'm thinking, I feel the exact same way. The 3pt auger may not be as elegant or as fancy as others but it can get the job done at a fraction of the cost.

 

[TomSeller]

IF, you were going to go hydraulic, I recommend putting it on the backhoe if possible. Seems like it would be a very slick setup.

I do not like the FEL mount. It doesn't have as good Vis, it's a pain in the rear to hook up, and you lose the use of your bucket or grapple. At least the 3 point or backhoe mount would enable you to do something (anything) with your FEL.

In addition, a lot of 3rd function valves for the FEL are run with 1/4" hose. If this is what you have, it's not big enough to get full flow to the auger motor.
Then you need ridiculously long and cumbersome hoses.

I have an auger on my FEL and none of the above is true with my setup. It is a simple SSQA attachment and offset for visibility. Down pressure and the ability to reverse the bit are huge.

Having said that I use mine a lot. If you are drilling a few holes, go ahead and get a used 3 pt if it is available to you.

 

[Doofy]

Besides the price differences between style and function my vision and agility sucks. I've been messing around with backup cameras and think I can make a 3pt auger more user friendly. Having a cab on a tractor can be a pain at times.

 

[Piston]

I have an auger on my FEL and none of the above is true with my setup. It is a simple SSQA attachment and offset for visibility. Down pressure and the ability to reverse the bit are huge.

Having said that I use mine a lot. If you are drilling a few holes, go ahead and get a used 3 pt if it is available to you.

Hi Tom,
Well, you do still lose the use of your FEL bucket or grapple so some of what I said is true in your situation
Do you plug it into your 3rd function on the FEL? Or run lines to your remotes?

The skidsteer disconnect must make it ten times easier, and much less of an issue than bolting it to the side of your bucket. Perhaps I'd have a different outlook if it was easier to hook up.

I know that even with the unit offset all the way to the side of the bucket or grapple I still need move around quite a bit to get good visibility of the auger. The visibility is certainly better on the 3 point styles as it is right there behind you.

I do agree with the down pressure being nice, but as mentioned there are kits to get down pressure on the 3 pt units as well. However I have to admit that I've never used a downpressure kit on the 3 point style, so I don't know how well they truly work. Not to mention, that you wouldn't be able to change direction if the auger were to get stuck, which is arguably More important than the down pressure.

I thought the FEL mount was the cats meow of post hole diggers but i just have not found that to be the case, in my personal opinion.

I'm just pointing out my own perspective of it, not knocking the setup you have or trying to convince you or anyone else, of the "better" way to do things. It's always good to see differing points of view.

 

[TomSeller]

Hi Tom,
Well, you do still lose the use of your FEL bucket or grapple so some of what I said is true in your situation
.

Not really. That would be like saying if I use a wrench, I lose the ability to use a screwdriver. I set the wrench down and pick up the screwdriver.

If I have the auger on the FEL, I can quickly take it off and put a bucket or grapple on.

Having The hydraulic auger on the FEL works for me when I install my 500 lb concrete corner and line posts. After drilling the hole, I turn around and use the backhoe to manipulate the post into position. This way I can use the dipper, boom, swing or even curl to get the post in the exact correct position while standing next to the backhoe controls. That is me and my setup but not everyone installs 500 lb fenceposts. Lining them up with the braces and getting them vertical (or at least on the bubble somewhere) takes more control than I can get with the FEL. Otherwise I have to look at that out of plumb fence post the rest of my life every time I go past it.

 

[Rustyiron]

Thanks, Piston.

I'm thinking, I feel the exact same way. The 3pt auger may not be as elegant or as fancy as others but it can get the job done at a fraction of the cost.

How about just renting a SS with an auger & bucket for a day. I'm sure you'd find other job's for it. Down pressure is a huge help along with the visibility. Depending on your soils, a 3 pt gravity phd can be useless. What's your frost depth there in AK? A commercial hyd auger has extensions available.

 

[Doofy]

Rustyiron, I did consider renting but the nearest rental place is 120 miles away on the other side of the mountains. My truck is a little Ford Ranger and is not adequate for the terrain or towing capacity.

The reason I purchased the LS Tractor was to do these little projects with the help of some well chosen attachments. Just researching all my options, at the moment.

Frostline here is a little less than 4'. Normally, I can cement in posts at between 3-4' with no heaving.

 

[mopardude318]

The 3pt PTO driven auger is the logical choice because they are cheap and get the job done. Do I even need an auger? I am just wanting to build a small pole barn for the tractor and implements. I could dig the holes rather than drill the holes for the poles. Conundrums Suck!

HA. I bought a tractor, so then I needed to build a pole barn to store the tractor. So then I thought, well I ain't gonna dig the holes for the 8x8 posts by hand, so I went and bought a McMillen X1475 hydraulic PHD! I also have a few hundred feet of fence to put up so it will get used.

I have an auger on my FEL and none of the above is true with my setup. It is a simple SSQA attachment and offset for visibility. Down pressure and the ability to reverse the bit are huge.

Having said that I use mine a lot. If you are drilling a few holes, go ahead and get a used 3 pt if it is available to you.

Yea, SSQA and offset mounted so visibility isnt an issue really. If I need my bucket, I unhook and go get it.

 

[kthompson]

It may be me but getting a true vertical hole with the 3 pth phd is near impossible.

doofy any company that you could hire to dig those holes such as utility company or contractor?

 

[EddieWalker]

You are comparing two different things. 3 point is gear driven, which means it only spins in one direction. The deepest you can get with a 3 point auger is going to be around 3 feet. If you want to go deeper, you will need to disconnect the auger while it's in the hole, add an extender, drill, then remove the extender, attach the auger to remove it from the hole.

A hydraulic auger is going to cost a lot more money, but it gives you the ability to reverse the auger. If you have a good tip on your 3 point auger, it can bury itself in the ground and it's a real challenge unscrewing it with a large pipe wrench and a cheater bar.

Hydraulic auger can easily drill 4 feet, or more. It will clean out the hole better, it will be more precise and it will have more down pressure. Except for the price, in every regard, it is a lot better.

I personally have a 3 point auger with a country line auger. For the money, it works well for 3 foot holes.

 

[Doofy]

Semper Fi, EddieWalker.

I do understand the differences between the PTO driven auger and a hydraulic one. I would love what's best, but my pocket book usually dictates something less!