110TLB Auger options?

[azbrad]

I own a 110 and have used a rented bobcat skidsteer auger attachment and it worked fine but it was attached to the front end and I wasn't able to see the ground so I needed a spotter. A local dealer said I could buy a PA30 skidsteer auger and attach it to my backhoe which has the quick disconnect for changing buckets. I do have the aux hydraulics on the backhoe but I can't find any info on this setup. It would be nice as I need to drill 1,000 holes and it would be great if I didn't need a spotter and could drill 4 holes before moving the tractor. Has anyone seen this configuration?

AZBrad

110, 4-in-one-bucket, F250

 

[AKfish]

Just the pictures on the JD website. It appears to be a little better than the FEL mounted auger in terms of visibility but getting a vertical hole will still be a challenge. Left or right tilt is easy to see. Front to back tilt is less noticable because you'll be looking staight on the auger bit.

Likely another case of practice, practice, practice.

But with a 1,000 holes - you'll have lot's of practice!!

(Get ready for some "sticker shock" on the cost of that WorkSite Pro auger!!) Have noticed a fair number of augers at auctions and fleet reduction sales, though. So, you might get lucky on a good used one.

AKfish

 

[jenkinsph]

AZBrad, I too have used a Bobcat auger on the front and needed a spotter.
With 1000 holes to make you should be a pro before your finished.

I would think the rear mount would make positioning a lot easier, and will soon know how much trouble it will be with the front mount variety as I have to drill about 190 holes for new fencing in a week or so. If I had a 1000 holes to drill I would spring for the rear mount PA 30.



Steve

 

[CurlyDave]

I would think the rear mount would make positioning a lot easier...

Are you sure about that?

Every time I have a task that can be done either from the front, or the rear, say picking up a rock with the hoe and thumb, or with the front-mounted rock bucket, doing it from the front is at least twice as fast. Of course, part of the difference is that I can see what the rock bucket & grapple are doing.

I just would not be thrilled at the prospect of flipping the seat over and lowering the stabilizers 1000 times, or even 500 if I could get two holes per setup. And, climbing over the seat that many times in a day or two might strain some part of my aging body.

I would be strongly tempted to find a way to mount a mirror or two to eliminate the spotter. In fact, with two mirrors you could get the auger vertical without leaving your seat.

 

[two_bit_score]

Definately agree with you on the front vs rear issue.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would think the rear mount would make positioning a lot easier...

Are you sure about that?

Every time I have a task that can be done either from the front, or the rear, say picking up a rock with the hoe and thumb, or with the front-mounted rock bucket, doing it from the front is at least twice as fast. Of course, part of the difference is that I can see what the rock bucket & grapple are doing.

I just would not be thrilled at the prospect of flipping the seat over and lowering the stabilizers 1000 times, or even 500 if I could get two holes per setup. And, climbing over the seat that many times in a day or two might strain some part of my aging body.

I would be strongly tempted to find a way to mount a mirror or two to eliminate the spotter. In fact, with two mirrors you could get the auger vertical without leaving your seat.

Why would you flip the seat over when you can drive from the rear seat?
Since the auger is perfectly centered in front of the hood it is difficult to see anything, whereas with the rear mount you can move in all three axis. I would think that in most instances that you are drilling 1000 holes you would be operating in a linear fashion, thus small corrections with swing and dipper with everything in plain sight.

The easiest way to drill this many holes is with a bobcat, you can drive to each one as you suggest and still have a clear view.


Steve

 

[AKfish]

Dave; when I'm using the hoe - I hardly ever leave the seat. I turn around and steer with one hand and use the heck outta that creep-to-reposition lever. I have found you can go where ever you want to and it's not that awkward at all.

But, I'm not strongly convinced that the hoe mounted auger will be a great deal easier to line up without a spotter or mirrors. That said, I do think it will be faster than the FEL mount. I could also visualize being able to dig 3 holes without repositioning very much. One in the center of the hoe and 2 more left and right at 180 degrees -- not sure how you'd do 4 or more, though.

This discussion reminds me of the old TLB's that had a graduated dial level on the boom that went from zero to 45 degrees. The needle would point to the angle that the dipper was at (roughly).

AKfish

 

[two_bit_score]

If you can use the creeper gear and move down the fence line you would be better off with the backhoe.

Guess I was making the 'assumption' that you would have to work perpendictular to the line because in my own situation that's what I would have to do.

 

[AKfish]

If you can use the creeper gear and move down the fence line you would be better off with the backhoe.

Guess I was making the 'assumption' that you would have to work perpendictular to the line because in my own situation that's what I would have to do.

That's how I was thinkin', too. I generally run a long cord from one corner, etc. to another corner and drill in line with the cord.

That would make it a bit difficult having the TLB in line with my string....

AKfish

 

[CurlyDave]

Dave; when I'm using the hoe - I hardly ever leave the seat. I turn around and steer with one hand and use the heck outta that creep-to-reposition lever...

But, I'm not strongly convinced that the hoe mounted auger will be a great deal easier to line up without a spotter or mirrors. That said, I do think it will be faster than the FEL mount. I could also visualize being able to dig 3 holes without repositioning very much. One in the center of the hoe and 2 more left and right at 180 degrees -- not sure how you'd do 4 or more, though.

This discussion reminds me of the old TLB's that had a graduated dial level on the boom that went from zero to 45 degrees. The needle would point to the angle that the dipper was at (roughly).

AKfish

That is exactly how I use the hoe also, the creeper is great.

Now no one said what the post spacing is, but if I guess ~20 ft, 1000 posts is 4 miles. I have a hard time imagining backing up that far on my hilly property without getting into some kind of trouble. OTOH, on flat land it would be easy.

Maybe a better idea would be to get some kind of a short boom pole type extension fabricated for mounting the auger. This would move the auger out far enough so it would be visible from the seat facing forward. For 1000 holes, I would spring for the money in a heartbeat.

How many post holes you can set without repositioning depends on the post spacing. I bet you can't get more than 2 on any realistic spacing, and even that might be pushing it. Think about the geometry. I could do 3, but they couldn't be more than 7 or 8 feet apart.