Auger for Shale?

[avc8130]

Does an auger exist that will dig (cut/pound/whatever) through shale? I set out this morning to do 30 fence posts on the property for some new goat fence we were hoping to put up. I borrowed a friend's Dingo (Toro branded tracked mini-skid steer) equipped with a 6", 9" and 12" auger selection. NONE of the bits would dig. They would all chew straight through the nice 12" of soil on top of the shale, and then it was no progress. No amount of down pressure the Dingo could produce was helping. Different rotation speeds didn't help. The teeth look a bit worn on the 9" bit so we gave it a go at sharpening them. No better.

We wound up digging the holes with the backhoe. With the hoe we can usually get a deep enough hole if we make it big enough. Now I have 30 fence post holes that need serious work tamping.

Does a bit exist that works in shale? Is shale considered a "fracturable" rock?

ac

 

[whistlepig]

They do make augers with "Rock Bits". Tips on an auger designed to go through rock. I have never used one and can not comment on how well they work.

 

[leonz]

Surface shales love to fracture when pressure is applied along the fracture lines which are the sedimentary deposity layers laid down so many years ago.

Short of using a large diameter drill bit from a Bucyrus Erie spudder/pounder water drill there are not to many options other than a big back hoe with good teeth.

 

[Egon]

There are other options but they could get expensive real quick. If the backhoe digs your shale be happy and use it.

 

[avc8130]

Surface shales love to fracture when pressure is applied along the fracture lines which are the sedimentary deposity layers laid down so many years ago.

Short of using a large diameter drill bit from a Bucyrus Erie spudder/pounder water drill there are not to many options other than a big back hoe with good teeth.

Would something like this work?

McMillen Rock Ripper Auger Bits (was HDR Style) for your Skid Steer, Skidsteer, Hydraulic Drive Auger Unit in 2" Hex shaft size, 48" length

Rick from EA said it would drill solid granite so he figured it would.

My fear is that shale is not granite. They are very different actually.

I watched their auger videos. They are all in loamy soil! I should offer to make them a sweet "rock auger" video for a discount! My shale is INTENSE!

ac

 

[avc8130]

There are other options but they could get expensive real quick. If the backhoe digs your shale be happy and use it.

The backhoe digs it, but it is certainly less than ideal for setting posts.

The resulting hole is HUGE in comparison. Back-filling and tamping is MUCH more difficult. I am also not that happy with the "strength" of the posts. Since so much soil is disturbed to get the hole dug, it is extremely tough to get a "tight" post.

An auger would be MUCH better.

ac

 

[SSdoxie]

Would something like this work?

McMillen Rock Ripper Auger Bits (was HDR Style) for your Skid Steer, Skidsteer, Hydraulic Drive Auger Unit in 2" Hex shaft size, 48" length

Rick from EA said it would drill solid granite so he figured it would.

My fear is that shale is not granite. They are very different actually.

I watched their auger videos. They are all in loamy soil! I should offer to make them a sweet "rock auger" video for a discount! My shale is INTENSE!

ac

I used auger like that years ago working on a pole barn crew, we cut through limestome if it was in thin layers. Takes good down pressure weight and on hydraulic auger. With a PTO you would be burning up slip clutch or constantly changing shear pins.

 

[creekbend]

Good Luck. Any type of rock is tough on auger bits. I rented a skid steer around 3 years ago, to install a fence around our home to keep our dog in and to protect the home. It was a good thing that my rental agreement included an insurance clause. I wore out two auger rock bits, 9" and 12". And I mean that I really wore those bits down. They were a mess. And I did my best to drill slowly after encountering rock. Good Luck.:tractor:

 

[AchingBack]

I've seen fences built on top of rocky ground, using 55 gal. drums filled with the surrounding rock. It seems it would be sturdy enough for goats. Just a thought.

I've successfully trenched through shale using special rock teeth, but never tried using an auger in it.

 

[avc8130]

I used auger like that years ago working on a pole barn crew, we cut through limestome if it was in thin layers. Takes good down pressure weight and on hydraulic auger. With a PTO you would be burning up slip clutch or constantly changing shear pins.

3 point is long out of the question for me. I am looking solely at bucket mount, skid steer mount and back hoe mount hydraulics at this point.

The video EA shows on their site has the auger chewing through concrete. It works perfectly there, but again, shale is not concrete.

The shale is solid from about 1 foot down, but it is a "layered" rock. Once the surface chips the shale just breaks and rips up. I THINK the rock auger would work as it should be able to scrape and chip the rock as it goes. I just wish I could try one. If it works it would be worth every penny...if it doesnt it would be worth scrap to me.

ac