Drilling in rock

jimmyt · Feb 18, 2005

Does anyone have experience with a Beltec 48 on a Compact tractor? I have a B7500 and need to fence my place in the Texas Hill Country. I am curious if anyone has experience drilling post holes in rocky conditions. I have seen the Beltec 48 and it is recommended for 28+ hp. Could I use one if I took it slow? I don't have the room to bring in a large tractor, because of trees.
Thankx

WhiteRock · Feb 18, 2005

What kind of post are you putting in?

I am putting in T-post. I just take an SDS-Max hammer drill with a 1 3/8" x 20" bit, drill the hole, (easily) pound it in. Hole is drilled in a minute or so, rock or no rock.

For larger corner and bracing post, I just drill a series of holes in a circle, use hand diggers to finish.

I spent $250 for the drill, $85 for the bit, $15 for a set of chisels if needed. I already had a Yamaha EF1000is generator. It is better if you have 2000 Watts. I have to run my drill at about 30%. I just drive down the fence line with all the stuff on the truck dropping holes and post.

Works pretty good. Pfobably takes all the fun out of it though, and you probably don't get to spend as much time playing with the tractor. Its harder to spend as much money. But the Beltec unit is really cool. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

It is an option that works well for me.

equipman · Feb 18, 2005

jimmyt
You need a lot more tractor to use the Belltec. The Kubota L5030 is really about as small as you can go. The machine is large physically and you need that to be able to carry the Belltec. The Kubota M series tractors are good fits for that digger.
Lewis

stevenf · Feb 18, 2005

jimmyt, I have to agree with equipman I own a Belltec TM48 and it is a good sized machine it is mounted on the back of my M9000. They do have a relief valve system to adjust to your tractor weight although mines cranked all the way up as I solid filled my tires also. I do believe that if you could manage to move it comfortably with your tractor as its a tall machine as well that you might be able to run it slow I didn't look at your hydraulic pump capacity nor do I remember what is the minimum required by the beltec. It is a fine machine although for the price I'm thinking WhiteRock has the right Idea if your fence needs are limited Electric drill, generator, long rock/masonry bit $350. or my way Belltec TM48 auger, 2" puff drill, 2nd rear remote $4,700. I'm thinking ouch and WhiteRock is thinking heck for that price I can buy 3 or 4 other ground engaging tools for my tractor and still have money left over for BEER!
Steve /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

RedRocker · Feb 18, 2005

I've got the same problem, I was thinking about one of those hydraulic rigs that mounts to the FEL, 2 7/8 pipe for most of my holes. Will one of those rigs work on a CK30? I don't have that yet either.

stevenf · Feb 18, 2005

Redrocker, The TM48 Beltec is strictly a 3pt attachment to get one for the FEL I think you need to check I believe you'll have to get a Skidsteer quick attach front bracket and my dealer said even with my 10,000+ lb rig that the FEL wouldn't be as good as the 3pt for a tractor because of weight considerations and useability as the tractor nose is in your sight path of the ground where on a skidsteer its not. Also I think a CK30 is a Kioti and assuming its a 30HP tractor again you need to check both the beltec hyd requirements and the CK30 output. After having done lots of FEL work and Beltec work in the last couple of months I see what the sales guy was saying about not being able to see the ground in front but that off the rear its perfect we just stretch out masonry line and mark an x exactly where the holes go I back up, level front to back with a glue on bubble level I glued to the Beltec and drill if your drilling thru solid rock to 24" depending on the rock, in limestone it takes somewhere between 5 and 8 minutes if its not solid it'll drill it in 10 seconds or less bear in mind thats with a 2" puff drill designed to drill holes for t post I haven't invested in the larger auger yet but a 9" bit is around a $1,000. and it goes up in apprx $200 increments per inch after that. Which reminds me add that into my previous post and Whiterocks idea of the electric drill and rock bit just keeps sounding better. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Steve

WhiteRock · Feb 18, 2005

I checked out the Belltec website for hydraulic specs. Their smallest unit requires 10GPM and it looks they would like to see 2000 psi for a reasonable torque.

I don't think the B7500 will do this. I think its total flow is 7 GPM (that includes the power steering). Subtract 2 and your at 5 GPM. That would half the drill speed (at full tractor RPMs). I think the B7500 can do around 2000 psi, so you might be ok there. I couldn't find the weight, but I think it will be a load because of how far back on the 3pt the unit sits.

The CK30 appears to have 12 GPM total. So it is closer, but subtracting the power steering will put you pretty close. Pressure should be ok. I suspect the weight would be a full load.

You would need the hydraulic service outlets to connect. I think operation assumes two services. One for the motor, and another for the toplink alignment.

If you don't have the service outlets, and you feel you have to make this work, you might want to consider a hydraulic PTO pump. You can put your full PTO hp into the proper flow and pressure to operate the machine the way it needs to run.

Just some thoughts I had.....