L3400 Kubota

[Treeman63]

Yes I need a better way to dig holes, then a standard 3 point auger, so I bought a HD 35 Hydraulic auger, that requires 10-20 GPM system, well my tractor only puts out about 6 GPM, will it work or do I need to get the HD 25, that requires about 5-11 GPM

 

[murphy1244]

you will burn out your pump IMO.

 

[J_J]

The auger will work, but will run slower.
You will not burn out the pump, as it will only produce the amount of fluid based on the cu in displacement of the hyd motor.

Hydraulic augers are good because they can back out of a situation.

The torque remains about the same throughout the speed range.

The speed of the auger just allows you to get the job done faster.

If you get the auger GPM's matched to your tractor, it will run at the specified speed.

You can then vary the speed by reducing engine rpm or regulating the flow with a lever.

This is where a friction lever type valve comes in handy, or a three way detent valve.

You could also add a flow control like this to control the rpm, and use the remote valve for directional control. This will allow you to mount the flow control on the auger boom and be where you can watch the auger.

This one is 1-8 GPM, but they make larger GPM valves.

Surplus Center - 3/8 NPT HYD FLOW CONTROL VALVE W/RELIEF RDRS137-08

 

[Steve in MT]

You will need a P.T.O. pump sized for your auger, some hoses and a motor spool. I seen this setup on an L3400 a couple of weeks ago.
Steve

 

[J_J]

Why would you ask him to spend another $475 for a PTO pump when he can match the flow with his tractor.

The torque will be less using the PTO pump because it is only 2250 psi

 

[TomSeller]

The lower GPM of the pump will only reduce the speed of the auger as J_J points out. Torque is dependent on pressure, not GPM. You will not hurt your pump. You don't need a lot of speed when digging anyway. The only downside besides a slower dig time is that you very well may not be able to "clean off" your auger bit by "spinning the dirt off" (not enough RPMs). Typically you pull the auger up and spin the dirt off and drop down again. You may end up clearing it off with a shovel if you go with the larger model. Rev the engine up when you try to clear the auger bit and see how it goes. If your soil is dry and/or has rocks, you may be just fine. Wet clay will stick. You can always stutter the FEL when dropping to shake dirt off too. You can help matters by doing your fencing in drier months. I do mine in the wetter months because that is when I have time for fences. If you have not bought the larger auger yet, I would go with the 5-11 GPM to allow you to spin clean the auger. Good luck, You will like the hyd auger

 

[TomSeller]

You will need a P.T.O. pump sized for your auger, some hoses and a motor spool. I seen this setup on an L3400 a couple of weeks ago.
Steve

That gets into needing a tank as well, there is more to it than just adding a pump. I would say he tries it with his current pump and sees how it works.

OP, don't forget to recheck your hydraulic fluid after adding a device and long hoses.

 

[Tomtint]

The lower GPM of the pump will only reduce the speed of the auger as J_J points out. Torque is dependent on pressure, not GPM. You will not hurt your pump. You don't need a lot of speed when digging anyway. The only downside besides a slower dig time is that you very well may not be able to "clean off" your auger bit by "spinning the dirt off" (not enough RPMs). Typically you pull the auger up and spin the dirt off and drop down again. You may end up clearing it off with a shovel if you go with the larger model. Rev the engine up when you try to clear the auger bit and see how it goes. If your soil is dry and/or has rocks, you may be just fine. Wet clay will stick. You can always stutter the FEL when dropping to shake dirt off too. You can help matters by doing your fencing in drier months. I do mine in the wetter months because that is when I have time for fences. If you have not bought the larger auger yet, I would go with the 5-11 GPM to allow you to spin clean the auger. Good luck, You will like the hyd auger

He will be just fi e cleaning the dirt off the auger. ... Have you ever seen a L series 3pt hitch go up.... It will shake the dirt like no tomorrow. Hopefully he can keep it from shaking back into the hole.

 

[LD1]

He will be just fi e cleaning the dirt off the auger. ... Have you ever seen a L series 3pt hitch go up.... It will shake the dirt like no tomorrow. Hopefully he can keep it from shaking back into the hole.

I would guess he is putting it on the FEL. But I could be wrong. And the FEL is smooth as silk BTW.

I agree that you wont hurt anything, it will just run slower. But it would be best if you could swap it for the smaller model, that matches the specs of the tractor a bit better.

 

[J_J]

You never did state the pressure limits of the hyd motor for the auger.

If it is lower than your tractor, you might need a relief across the auger motor.