Will a CK35 run a hydraulic auger?

[archer39]

I have a 2014 ck35 and i would like to rent a skidsteer style auger to drill the footings for the deck i plan to build. I am worried that my CK35 will not have enough GPM flow to operate the auger. The local rental company was not able to tell me the exact make and model of the auger they rent but they said they require at least 7gpm. from my research my ck35 will flow 12.9 gpm total and 8.5 gpm to the aux. function. Will i be able to operate the auger and still use the FEL with auger using most of the GPM for the auger? If i will be able to operate the auger can i use the rear remotes with long hydro lines running to the front to operate it by the selector valve next the seat?

I dont want to use a 3pt auger, i have heard they are tough to use in rocky ground due to not having reverse

 

[Sysop]

Reverse is only good if the operator screws up and screws the auger into the ground. The only real benefit to hydraulic on the FEL is the downforce that can be added. Bad part about the added downforce, is an inept operator can really bind them into the earth to the point reverse is useless and recovery is a chore. Key to successful auger usage is go slow. Spin it slow, and lower it slow. Let the machine do the work and chew the earth up as it goes. Every few inches, raise the auger to clean out the hole.

Another concern using a skid steer tool on a tractor is visibility. You will not be able to see where you are placing the auger, unlike a 3pt which you can clearly see behind you. Using an auger on the front of a tractor is a two man job, one operator, one set of eyes on the target. A 3pt can easily be done single handedly.

You should have enough flow to make it run okay. If you have a concern, ask the rental yard about a PTO powered hydraulic pump to operate it.

 

[N2DFire]

First let me say that I agree with everything Sysop said & it's pretty much the same as I would have told you & I would likewise recommend the 3pt Auger.

but to answer more of your questions ...

Will i be able to operate the auger and still use the FEL with auger using most of the GPM for the auger? If i will be able to operate the auger can i use the rear remotes with long hydro lines running to the front to operate it by the selector valve next the seat?

The hydraulic system is basically one big loop (my understanding is the CK has a split pump with a dedicated portion of the output going to power steering in it's own circuit separate from the other portion of the pump output feeding the hydraulics)

So your hydraulic circuit flows like this

Tank -> Pump -> Loader Valve (Lift/Lower function then Dump/Curl function then out the Power Beyond Port) -> Rear Remotes (SCV's) -> 3 Point Lift -> back to the Tank

So - yes you *can* still use the FEL while using the auger but any time you move the FEL it's going to get fluid / power in priority over the auger and thus the auger will slow down / stop depending on how much fluid you put thru the FEL. Try dumping the bucket & raising the loader at the same time & you'll see what I mean. Dumping stops if you make large lift control inputs.


And Yes you can run long lines from the rear remotes to the front to run the auger itself.

 

[archer39]

Thank you guys for your input. This makes my decision on what to use harder now. I talked to a few people that have ran 3pt augers and they said pretty much the opposite. They said they are very temperamental and the soil needs to have next to no rocks to be worth using and suggest getting something with reverse. Have either of you guys used both types?

 

[trihounds]

I have used both and would pair the hydraulic auger with a SS for optimal performance. I have a 3pt auger and while it can be tricky in rocky soil, I would take that over the front mount hydraulic on a tractor. Front mount on a SS wins all day long though.

I have not paired a tractor with hydraulic front auger but would be concerned about a) visibility, b) durability of the FEL especially on a small-ish tractor when drilling in rocky soil.

 

[N2DFire]

Thank you guys for your input. This makes my decision on what to use harder now. I talked to a few people that have ran 3pt augers and they said pretty much the opposite. They said they are very temperamental and the soil needs to have next to no rocks to be worth using and suggest getting something with reverse. Have either of you guys used both types?

The most common issue with PHD's is most people treat them like a drill - just cram it into the ground till it gets to the depth you want and yank it out. Now depending on the size & type of equipment and the soil conditions - sometimes you can get away with that, but it's not how things were *meant* to be - especially for a non-reversing model.

Depending on how dense, rocky, roots, etc - you need to dig a little & lift to clear the hole/auger & dig a little more. The worse the conditions the smaller the bites you make. It's really no different than using the old manual scissor style diggers - if the ground is hard or has lots of obstacles - you take smaller bites then too.

After re-reading your initial post - since this is a one time project my top suggestion would be to see how much more it would cost to rent the skid steer or even a walk behind mini skid steer to run the PHD.
Get a bucket & a set of forks in the deal and maximize the rental doing other work on the deck project while you have it.

Best of luck what ever you go with.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Unless you expect to do a LOT of holes or have long-term use for the PHD, I'd suggest renting. I decided on a hydraulic unit and have not been dissapointed at all. However, some of the comments above are apt...especially the visibility one. I cannot see the exact point where the auger tip hits the ground. I have purchased a camera system to allow me to do that in the future, but haven't installed it yet.
I use the reverse function to clear the auger when I raise it, but forward does the job, too. So far, I haven't managed to get the auger stuck in a hole, so haven't used the reverse for that purpose. The hydraulic augers units for CUTs are feable compared to a SS unit; the work OK in reasonably uniform soil, but don't have the oomph of a unit with more flow and/or higher pressure.