Hydraulic ssqa augers?

[countrybumpkin]

Looking into buying a ssqa style hydraulic post hole auger, local dealers have Danuser, land-pride, Mcmillen. Mainly looking at the planetary drive style over the ones with a standard gear box and hydraulic motor , such as the shaver style. This will be used as small farm - ranch, not commercially on a 55 hp 11gpm tractor. Just looking for thought, and likes or dislikes of these types of units and brands.

 

[bdog]

I have a beltec 150. Have drilled thousands of holes with it. Most 9” to 4’ but have drilled 18” to 8’. Ran it on a 95 hp tractor and now run it on a skid steer. No issues. Amazing piece of equipment. I bought it as a dealer demo unit from the local kubota dealer in 2011 or so.

 

[flyerdan]

Lowe is a big player in the skidsteer auger department, lots of fence companies use them. They seem to be pretty bulletproof, especially the planetary drive ones.

 

[Rustyiron]

I have a non planetary McMillan unit, (JD SS attachment re branded) and use it like you say you will. It's worked fine and has been service free. The planetary type would be a must if I were making a living with it but they are more expensive.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Not sure if anyone local carries the beltec but I have ran across them on the net, but will do some further looking into them, also a dealer not to far carries Premier brand that I may look at, he is advertising the unit with mount for 1850 minus auger. The only other price I have is the Danuser EP6 with mount and 9" standard auger for 2000. Also I know the Danuser has the lifetime warranty against the shaft pulling out, I'm sure I'll find others that offer that too as I do more research.

 

[Fallon]

I got the small planetary Danhuser for my L4060. At worst it's as fast as my old modified 3pth PHD. It was quick hitch compatible & had downforce for the first foot or 2 in the hole. Not to mention 200lbs strapped over the gearbox. The hydraulic has better downpressure, better control, better visibility & easier hookup. One thing it doesn't have is more power.

My old L3200 had 25hp PTO. I'm assuming most of that was getting to to the PHD. My L4060 has 9-10gpm of hydraulics and a 2,500psi relief. That translates into 14hp or so. I can definitely feel the missing 10hp on my new PHD compared to my old 3pt one despite having a bigger more powerfully machine running it. The extra control outweighs the lack of power. At worst my productivity in holes per hour is about the same . Hookup & setup time for small jobs is easier & faster.

 

[blackrams]

I got the small planetary Danhuser for my L4060. At worst it's as fast as my old modified 3pth PHD. It was quick hitch compatible & had downforce for the first foot or 2 in the hole. Not to mention 200lbs strapped over the gearbox. The hydraulic has better downpressure, better control, better visibility & easier hookup. One thing it doesn't have is more power.

My old L3200 had 25hp PTO. I'm assuming most of that was getting to to the PHD. My L4060 has 9-10gpm of hydraulics and a 2,500psi relief. That translates into 14hp or so. I can definitely feel the missing 10hp on my new PHD compared to my old 3pt one despite having a bigger more powerfully machine running it. The extra control outweighs the lack of power. At worst my productivity in holes per hour is about the same . Hookup & setup time for small jobs is easier & faster.

I assume post holes per hour is pretty important? If you're digging them as a money maker, I can see the advantage if it's just for yourself, not sure it would be worth it to me. That's just my opinion though. I've always had to make do with what I had..

Sounds like a nice machine though. :thumbsup:

 

[countrybumpkin]

I'm really leaning towards the ep6 like you have, as for holes per hour, with the 3 pt pto it was hours per hole, I kid you not. Just for the fact of no down pressure and worn out bits. I hate borrowing stuff , specially stuff that's not taken care of or in good shape, it's always a bigger pain to use them it seems like. As for the holes, it's all personal use around the property, between some new fishing docks, a deck or two for the house, a bunch of fencing and a few left for the fire pit project. And this is all just in he next few months , not to mention all he years to follow. The other unit I'm looking into is the Belltec n150 may still look at the landpride and the Mcmillen from the local case IH dealer too though.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Also what size bits do best for 4x4 , 6x6 , and 8-10" round posts? Like to stay with just two sizes for now, seeing how costly they are. Been looking at the better cast bit with hardened or carbide teeth. For clay and such, don't really need the full on rock bits.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I'm running a McMillen x1950 and its awesome, Paladin support is also top notch. No many companies have customer service that's worth a dam anymore.

Matt