110TLB Auger options?

[azbrad]

I own a 110 and have used a rented bobcat skidsteer auger attachment and it worked fine but it was attached to the front end and I wasn't able to see the ground so I needed a spotter. A local dealer said I could buy a PA30 skidsteer auger and attach it to my backhoe which has the quick disconnect for changing buckets. I do have the aux hydraulics on the backhoe but I can't find any info on this setup. It would be nice as I need to drill 1,000 holes and it would be great if I didn't need a spotter and could drill 4 holes before moving the tractor. Has anyone seen this configuration?

AZBrad

110, 4-in-one-bucket, F250

 

[AKfish]

Just the pictures on the JD website. It appears to be a little better than the FEL mounted auger in terms of visibility but getting a vertical hole will still be a challenge. Left or right tilt is easy to see. Front to back tilt is less noticable because you'll be looking staight on the auger bit.

Likely another case of practice, practice, practice.

But with a 1,000 holes - you'll have lot's of practice!!

(Get ready for some "sticker shock" on the cost of that WorkSite Pro auger!!) Have noticed a fair number of augers at auctions and fleet reduction sales, though. So, you might get lucky on a good used one.

AKfish

 

[jenkinsph]

AZBrad, I too have used a Bobcat auger on the front and needed a spotter.
With 1000 holes to make you should be a pro before your finished.

I would think the rear mount would make positioning a lot easier, and will soon know how much trouble it will be with the front mount variety as I have to drill about 190 holes for new fencing in a week or so. If I had a 1000 holes to drill I would spring for the rear mount PA 30.



Steve

 

[CurlyDave]

I would think the rear mount would make positioning a lot easier...

Are you sure about that?

Every time I have a task that can be done either from the front, or the rear, say picking up a rock with the hoe and thumb, or with the front-mounted rock bucket, doing it from the front is at least twice as fast. Of course, part of the difference is that I can see what the rock bucket & grapple are doing.

I just would not be thrilled at the prospect of flipping the seat over and lowering the stabilizers 1000 times, or even 500 if I could get two holes per setup. And, climbing over the seat that many times in a day or two might strain some part of my aging body.

I would be strongly tempted to find a way to mount a mirror or two to eliminate the spotter. In fact, with two mirrors you could get the auger vertical without leaving your seat.

 

[two_bit_score]

Definately agree with you on the front vs rear issue.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would think the rear mount would make positioning a lot easier...

Are you sure about that?

Every time I have a task that can be done either from the front, or the rear, say picking up a rock with the hoe and thumb, or with the front-mounted rock bucket, doing it from the front is at least twice as fast. Of course, part of the difference is that I can see what the rock bucket & grapple are doing.

I just would not be thrilled at the prospect of flipping the seat over and lowering the stabilizers 1000 times, or even 500 if I could get two holes per setup. And, climbing over the seat that many times in a day or two might strain some part of my aging body.

I would be strongly tempted to find a way to mount a mirror or two to eliminate the spotter. In fact, with two mirrors you could get the auger vertical without leaving your seat.

Why would you flip the seat over when you can drive from the rear seat?
Since the auger is perfectly centered in front of the hood it is difficult to see anything, whereas with the rear mount you can move in all three axis. I would think that in most instances that you are drilling 1000 holes you would be operating in a linear fashion, thus small corrections with swing and dipper with everything in plain sight.

The easiest way to drill this many holes is with a bobcat, you can drive to each one as you suggest and still have a clear view.


Steve

 

[AKfish]

Dave; when I'm using the hoe - I hardly ever leave the seat. I turn around and steer with one hand and use the heck outta that creep-to-reposition lever. I have found you can go where ever you want to and it's not that awkward at all.

But, I'm not strongly convinced that the hoe mounted auger will be a great deal easier to line up without a spotter or mirrors. That said, I do think it will be faster than the FEL mount. I could also visualize being able to dig 3 holes without repositioning very much. One in the center of the hoe and 2 more left and right at 180 degrees -- not sure how you'd do 4 or more, though.

This discussion reminds me of the old TLB's that had a graduated dial level on the boom that went from zero to 45 degrees. The needle would point to the angle that the dipper was at (roughly).

AKfish

 

[two_bit_score]

If you can use the creeper gear and move down the fence line you would be better off with the backhoe.

Guess I was making the 'assumption' that you would have to work perpendictular to the line because in my own situation that's what I would have to do.

 

[AKfish]

If you can use the creeper gear and move down the fence line you would be better off with the backhoe.

Guess I was making the 'assumption' that you would have to work perpendictular to the line because in my own situation that's what I would have to do.

That's how I was thinkin', too. I generally run a long cord from one corner, etc. to another corner and drill in line with the cord.

That would make it a bit difficult having the TLB in line with my string....

AKfish

 

[CurlyDave]

Dave; when I'm using the hoe - I hardly ever leave the seat. I turn around and steer with one hand and use the heck outta that creep-to-reposition lever...

But, I'm not strongly convinced that the hoe mounted auger will be a great deal easier to line up without a spotter or mirrors. That said, I do think it will be faster than the FEL mount. I could also visualize being able to dig 3 holes without repositioning very much. One in the center of the hoe and 2 more left and right at 180 degrees -- not sure how you'd do 4 or more, though.

This discussion reminds me of the old TLB's that had a graduated dial level on the boom that went from zero to 45 degrees. The needle would point to the angle that the dipper was at (roughly).

AKfish

That is exactly how I use the hoe also, the creeper is great.

Now no one said what the post spacing is, but if I guess ~20 ft, 1000 posts is 4 miles. I have a hard time imagining backing up that far on my hilly property without getting into some kind of trouble. OTOH, on flat land it would be easy.

Maybe a better idea would be to get some kind of a short boom pole type extension fabricated for mounting the auger. This would move the auger out far enough so it would be visible from the seat facing forward. For 1000 holes, I would spring for the money in a heartbeat.

How many post holes you can set without repositioning depends on the post spacing. I bet you can't get more than 2 on any realistic spacing, and even that might be pushing it. Think about the geometry. I could do 3, but they couldn't be more than 7 or 8 feet apart.

 

[azbrad]

I'll be drilling holes on a 12x12 grid with each row offset by 6', it's for a tree plantation. So I believe from the backseat I should be able to hit 3 or 4 holes with the backhoe before using the creeper to move the tractor. It's all flat land so positioning will be easy.

I see the PA30 on the JD website with the front end skid steer attachment but can't find a picture of one mounted on a backhoe with quick disconnect. I'd like to see one in action before I shell out $3,300 or I swallow my pride and rent a bobcat and use my 110 to hang my coat on.

Thanks for all the input I really appreciate it.

azbrad

 

[AKfish]

I see the PA30 on the JD website with the front end skid steer attachment but can't find a picture of one mounted on a backhoe with quick disconnect. I'd like to see one in action before I shell out $3,300 or I swallow my pride and rent a bobcat and use my 110 to hang my coat on.

Thanks for all the input I really appreciate it.

azbrad

My local JD dealer sells, rents and repairs everything Bobcat, too. Everytime I go in there to talk about any kind of SS attachment - they hardly ever offer the JD stuff.

The Bobcat attachments work just fine off the front end, back end of the 110. And they are very rugged construction and cheaper than JD attachments.

AKfish

 

[GreenWannabe]

The Worksite Pro brochure shows a PA-30 on a mini-ex. Attachment on a 110 backhoe should be the same. You can view the brochure here: http://www.deere.com/en_US/cfd/construction/deere_const/media/pdf/attachments/DKAPROCWP.pdf.

You might also consider a McMillan auger, as I understand they are also quite good. EverythingAttachments.com has a video of an X1475 on a skidsteer on their website, at http://www.everythingattachments.com/category-s/2999.htm. McMillan's website is Paladin Light Construction Group. They offer a wide variety of connections, including TLB and mini-ex.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I know its neet to get to use all the toys you have but why not just use a 3pt post hole digger? they make hydr one or pto with hyd down pressure, I have one with from worksaver that has hyd down pressure and have no issues using for all the work we do in hard clay. I don't know how many holes we have drilled but I have replaced the teeth several times. Good luck.
When we planted that many trees we used a pt tree planter that cut a slit in the ground. We planted about 4000 trees 10 yrs ago.

 

[azbrad]

GreenWannabe, thanks for the link that is very helpful.

powerstroke444e, thanks for the idea about the 3 point auger, the only issue is that I want to be able to reverse the auger. I'm just digging the holes to break the hardpan so I want to leave the soil in the hole and plant the tree on top, unfortunately these trees can't be planted with a machine. You are right about wanting all the toys, I don't even plant a radish without digging the hole with by backhoe.

azbrad

 

[dynasim]

I am a little suprised that they don't make an auger that is offset from the center of the tractor. If it were me, I would mount the auger using a new QA plate with side extensions with the auger mounted outside of the wheel track. The augers are not that heavy, and don't have that much torque(relatively).

Chris

 

[powerstroke444e]

I am a little suprised that they don't make an auger that is offset from the center of the tractor. If it were me, I would mount the auger using a new QA plate with side extensions with the auger mounted outside of the wheel track. The augers are not that heavy, and don't have that much torque(relatively).

Chris

Worksaver has one that mounts like that Worksaver Hydraulic Post Hole Diggers
don't know the cost but have always had good luck with there equipment. what I have always liked about them is there factory was about 20 miles from where I live.

 

[jenkinsph]

AZBrad, thinking about this job you may find it is easier to simply dig in a straight line than trying to alternate between rows that are offset six feet.
I would think indexing the grid will be more time consuming than drilling the actual holes.

Are the hole placements marked on the ground for you or do you have to do this yourself?




Steve

 

[azbrad]

The hole locations haven't been determined yet I need to plot out the plantation. The spacing for these trees is on a 12'X12' diamond grid. I was planning on pulling a string between both ends and marking locations with marking paint. I'm not sure if it would be easier to dig the holes in a straight line or drive between the rows and hit holes on 2 rows before repositioning. Of course I still have to buy the PA30 and I may opt to rent a bobcat for a couple of days, I would really hate to do that but it may make the best financial sense.

azbrad

 

[Dutch445]

I think you will find the productivity of the
skid steer hard to beat, the visibility is perfect,
the maneuverability is fast, and you can do that
in probably 2 days if you are prepared when you
get the machine..


(but the 110 is so much fun to be on!)