How Much PTO HP is needed for an 18" Auger?

[jk96]

That’s just completely wrong. An 18” hole is pretty easy work and people do it with mini skid augers every day. I doubt you could even find a 18” auger and gear box rated for 120 hp.

Yeah I just had a friend dig a flag pole for me using his stand on dingo and 24" auger. I couldn't do it with my 60hp kubota but not for lack of power. Issue was not having downpressure to keep the bit from spinning on top of our hardpack clay. Downpressure will be a bigger issue than hp for the op.

 

[BlueKnife]

An 18" auger, don't think it's a good idea on a small tractor like yours unless you start with a smaller auger. I would start with a 8" or 9" auger and then you'll see how hard the clay is. Then the 18"

Have you actually tried doing this?

 

[Sportsman762]

Horsepower requirements vary depending on soil types. Most 3 pt augers use Italian series 1 driveline that is good for 15 hp, with a 45 hp rated gear box. HD augers use Italian series 4 drivelines rated at 36 hp, and a 75 hp gearbox. The tractor will turn it, but the shear pin might break immediately. I had a friend digging with a 3pt unit in shale with a18" auger and could not get anywere due to breaking shear pins, however when he stepped up to a hd unit with larger shear pins he was able to dig the holes.

Then there is the issue of soil type, hard clay can be a pain to drill with an auger without down pressure. 3pt augers are notorious for their ability to spin without making any progress.

To answer ops question: a John Deere 770 can spin a 18" auger. However that does not mean the shear pin won't snap all the time or it will actually dig a hole.

 

[EddieWalker]

My first tractor was 37 hp and I used it to drill 12 inch holes with my 3 point auger. It worked pretty good, but not great. The biggest challenge was getting the auger out of the hole when it started digging too fast. The lift arms just where not strong enough to pull it out.

I now have that auger on a 65 hp tractor, and its night and day better. I've never buried it, and it has plenty of power to pull the auger up.

I think it's possible to drill a bigger hole with a smaller tractor, but I also think it will be very frustrating, and probably not worth the effort.

 

[M59]

Joe1,
Have a look at the currently running related post 3 pt. auger/post hole digger
Specifically Post #41 where I attach a graph detailing hydraulic flow and pressure and corresponding torque and auger spin rate for the McMillen X1475 SSQA hydraulic auger

 

[Angler]

I have dug over a hundred 24" holes with my Kubota L3010 in rocky/clay soil without a problem. just go as slow as you need to. If you start shearing the bolts that is a hint to slow down.

 

[cabover4us]

I used a 12" auger on my John Deere 855 drilling 4 foot holes for a 6' vinyl fence, I did three holes and had to quit and use backhoe.
I can't believe I didn't ruin the filings on the auger drill pulling out huge rocks.

 

[ernieatv]

Have you actually tried doing this?

Yes, and it worked good. It help opening the hole so it's not as hard on the tractor and the auger goes down easier. It worked for me. Again, depending on the ground you have. Try one and see if it works for you. Good luck. Let me know later if you can either way. Thanks

 

[BlueKnife]

Yes, and it worked good. It help opening the hole so it's not as hard on the tractor and the auger goes down easier. It worked for me. Again, depending on the ground you have. Try one and see if it works for you. Good luck. Let me know later if you can either way. Thanks

I have. I find that it makes it more difficult to be precise, since the auger tip can't guide the rest of the auger. I'm primarily drilling holes for post frame buildings though, where precision matters a lot. For a fence, it's less of an issue.

 

[LD1]

I have. I find that it makes it more difficult to be precise, since the auger tip can't guide the rest of the auger. I'm primarily drilling holes for post frame buildings though, where precision matters a lot. For a fence, it's less of an issue.

My experience is, its like trying to use a hole saw without the pilot bit.