Have You Operated a Large Auger With Your Tractor?

[kantuckid]

Before I spend $$$ to hire out some excavation for cabin piers, I'll ask this question: I own a 12" PHD and have used it a bunch, but it's too small for my main piers.
My current build site has some dispersed rocks in clay that are sometimes large enough to be a problem using a PHD. My piers need to be at least 24" diameter and I'll be using plastic pier forms (Redibase or Bigfoot brand) and sonotubes. I found only one hyd. operated skidsteer guy who wanted more than a backhoe for whats ~ a 1/2 days work overall. I'm rural so many operators ask much for the equipment move. The auger rental for a 24" auger is a 3 hr RT for me PU & return, plus $100 weeks rental.
24" auger rental that becomes a no/go makes hiring an excavator seem best? I have a local builder who has a trailer mtd excavator w/12" bucket @ $45 hourly.
Would you try the auger? or hire it out as three trenches which will be easier to line up build lines too. I do not need foundation design suggestions.

 

[tookielee]

How many piers? Get an 8" augur bit, lay out the 24" hole,
drill 3 holes around the perimeter, and use a shovel to finish it?

 

[Industrial Toys]

That seems well beyond what a tractor auger generally does. More like what Utilities use.

That $45.00 an hour is very reasonable but a pretty dinky "12"" bucket. I NEVER use my 12" bucket (on my backhoe) for anything but trenching utilities.

YES, for small jobs, transportation has become a real cost factor here too.

I would just find a larger excavator (bigger than 12" bucket) and bite that bullet. As you suggested, the line up might be more accurate. I personally, always have something else a machine could do while here.

OR, could you contact a pole line contractor?


AUGERS and TRENCHERS are amoung useless attachments to own here on account of stones.

 

[JPRambo]

Some larger landscaping companies around here use a 24 inch auger for tree planting holes.

 

[i7win7]

Sign companies have large augers for sign supports. Room on property for large truck?

 

[crashz]

The trailer mounted backhoe will probably be as productive as the post-hole digger. How deep are your piers? If they are 4 feet or deeper, I think you are better off renting a mini-excavator (7000lb machine or bigger) and dig them yourself. Not cheap, but you know you'll be able to get the job done if you hit a larger rock or other snag. And like you said, an open trench at the proper grade will allow you to align the piers perfectly.

If you are pretty handy with your tractor loader, you should be able to run the excavator in a few hours of practice. Just keep people away from your work and properly slope or bench your trench if you are 5 feet deep or more.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Really, I find hiring cheaper than renting. The transportation costs (unless very large equipment) is less or just figured into the hourly rate. Plus you get an experienced operator. No need to go get or return anything.

 

[rademamj1]

I would just hire a contractor to do the job. Its a one time need only, so renting equipment and training yourself saves very little.

 

[Code54]

Check with landscapers in the area. The ones that do landscape design/planting. A lot use Dingos (mini skid steers/walk behinds) and they can run a 24" auger fairly easily. Plus the machine is very easily transported so that is in your favor.
For example:
Product Spotlight: Toro Dingo 3 inch Auger - YouTube

 

[mtsman2]

How many piers? Get an 8" augur bit, lay out the 24" hole,
drill 3 holes around the perimeter, and use a shovel to finish it?

You would think this would work well but then you hit an angled rock and it pushes the auger tip into the 2nd hole you already drilled. You have a hydraulic arm on one side of your 3 point so you reposition the tractor and get the auger on an angle to give it another go. You give it a go and it pushes the auger into the 1st hole you previously drilled. After some initial choice words you decide to get after the rock BY HAND with a digging bar and maddox. Then you find out the rock is like a giant triangle and the big, 6" thick side of the triangle is directly down. No way that SOB is coming out w/o sweat equity. An hour and a half later including enough cussing for a lifetime, you get it out and your hole ends up twice the size you need. If you have rocks, maybe consider outsourcing it. Just saying, :laughing: