Posthole Digger Question About Hydraulics for Auger

[B Hoofed]

I am thinking about buying a hydraulic auger drive for my Kubota M6040. It would be mounted on the loader. I'm favoring the Danuser EP6:
Model EP6 | Danuser
The EP6 is requires 6-15 gpm, which seems to be a good match for my tractor's hydraulic pump, rated at 11 gpm.
I'm also probably going to get a grapple for the FEL, so I'm considering adding a 3rd-function valve. Would a 3rd function valve be able to run the auger drive, or do I need to run hoses from a rear remote valve?
I'm concerned about having enough flow and also whether the on/off switch control of the third function valve would be too abrupt for the auger drive, versus engaging it gradually with the rear remote valve.

[Rustyiron]

The elec valve should be no trouble for the auger. Hyd flow (I would think) should be equal at all available locations although the size of the piping out front on the loader arms might be smaller and limit the flow. This will only slow down the auger but other than that is should work properly. I have a hyd. PHD that I let a friend borrow for his older 50hp or so Kubota with limited aux hyd flow. His results are as I've stated above. Unless you have a ton of fence to build, an auger is a good rental candidate, esp if your tractor has the ss universal hitch on the loader.

[kennyd]

I think the feathering ability of a regular spool valve would be better to operate a auger.

[jenkinsph]

I'm with Kennyd on this, while the auger is turning slow on mine through the planetary drive I am sure the hydraulic motor is turning much faster. The sudden strain of stopping instantly without a motor spool valve should be avoided. Hopefully you can buy an electric operated valve with the motor spool setup which allows the fluid a path thru the ports when in the center position. Inquire of your hydraulic supplier for this, bear in mind it won't work for cylinders though.

[B Hoofed]

So it sounds like if I get the hydraulic auger drive I may want to run a pair of hydraulic lines from the rear remote. I could engage and disengage the drive slowly with the spool valve.

Thanks!

[SSdoxie]

I would try it with what you have first before spending extra $ on plumbing you may not need. Hydraulic augers have been used on skid-steers for years and most of the newer models have some type of electric over hydraulic engagement and work fine with no problem. You can always and another circuit back to the rear remote if needed. Depending on the soil you may not need to run at full throttle RPM, at lower RPM would reduce the sudden on impact. If you have foot throttle you can engage auger at lower RPM then use the foot throttle to bring it up to speed.

[Rustyiron]

I would try it with what you have first before spending extra $ on plumbing you may not need. Hydraulic augers have been used on skid-steers for years and most of the newer models have some type of electric over hydraulic engagement and work fine with no problem. You can always and another circuit back to the rear remote if needed. Depending on the soil you may not need to run at full throttle RPM, at lower RPM would reduce the sudden on impact. If you have foot throttle you can engage auger at lower RPM then use the foot throttle to bring it up to speed.

Bingo!

[Sponge Bob]

B Hoofed,
I have the very same set up that you speak of here. I run the EP 6 off of the front on the 3rd function valve. I have only tried a couple of test holes so far in some clay. It appeared to work fine. I can't comment on the feathering issue, but will say that when you take your hand off of the button, the drive will stop quickly. I have to put in some small trees this fall which I hope to get done prior to wintah. Or at least that is what the boss says....

[B Hoofed]

Thanks for all of the great advice. If I go the hydraulic auger route I think I will try running I off of a third function valve, and engage/disengage at low throttle. I think I will go for the hydraulic auger drive because I see a lot of fencing in my future, with difficult ground conditions.

[B Hoofed]

B Hoofed,
I have the very same set up that you speak of here. I run the EP 6 off of the front on the 3rd function valve. I have only tried a couple of test holes so far in some clay. It appeared to work fine. I can't comment on the feathering issue, but will say that when you take your hand off of the button, the drive will stop quickly. I have to put in some small trees this fall which I hope to get done prior to wintah. Or at least that is what the boss says....

Good luck on the trees! Let me know how it works.