Haha. Yeah, he is my wife's great uncle and lives over 100km away, and hist tractor is likely 10,000lbs, so even a car hauler wouldn't get it here.
I thought about building an extension...
I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I went out and took it apart and flipped the gear box so I could get more lift. But at 90% lift it over centers. Even if I was careful not to go past 90%, that geometry puts a lot of strain on things. The frame is so bent on it, I could barely adjust my lift arm enough to get it vertical. By the time I got it straightened, I only had about 70% lift before the one arm over centered.
While working on it, I also noticed that the gear box is cracked. I could try and weld it, but welding cast likely wouldn't take that well or be that strong. With my luck it would fly apart on the first hole I dig.
If it was mine, or he'd sell it for $100, I'd build a new frame as mentioned before, and take my chances with the gear box. But I think for now, I am officially done with it.
I did my best to save a buck, but I am just going to buy the Princess Auto (Canadian Harbour Frieght). They are $1000CAD which is half of what people are asking for used Frontier/Woods/Land Pride augers. For the 200 holes I do this year, it will be good enough.