Hydraulic Auger for L48

[rcspott]

I have a Kubota L48 and was wondering if anyone is using a hydraulic Auger off the front of the tractor with the quick attach.

I would appreciate any feed back on Brand your using, gallon flow rate of unit.

The reading I have done says a 3 or 4 way hydraulic valve is needed. Was also wondering a ballpark cost to have the Kubota Dealer install this valve. Or if there is any good reference on doing it myself.

I have about 4 projects over the next 2 years, 12" holes 48" deep.

Thanks in advance

Rich

 

[_RaT_]

While I have not seen it on a L48, I saw one on a L3430. It was attached to one of the loader arms as I recall. All hydraulic and with less hydraulic flow then the L48, it worked quite well.

 

[LarryRB]

unfortunately, Ursushoribilus who use to be on here, no longer has a computer,, He has an awesome hydraulic post hole digger on the L 48.... He bought the whole set up from Neil Messick, who posts on here frequently. I am sure Neil can fill you in..

 

[Muleskinner]

With the highest GPM flow rating of any Kubota, I believe the L48 will handle it just fine. Just make sure the hydraulic lines servicing the attachment are large enough in diameter for good flow.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

most often those augers are designed and suggested for use on high flow skid steers pushing over 30gpm. However we've had pretty good luck putting them on machines with much less flow. There are some small models that will fall into the GPM range of a compact tractor, personaly I'd rather have a larger model with more torque and less speed.

We stock McMillen Augers, great stuff! I used an X1975 on the L48 Larry is talking about.

McMillen Augers

 

[monkeymonk]

I too am looking for one for my L48. But for the Backhoe arm, all you need is the quick attach for the rear and the front. hydraulics for both and you can switch them.

Price is something else I was quoted from several dealers around $1,400 just for the hydraulics for the rear foot pedal,hoses, valve, coupler, The front was about the same. they put another valve type transfer on the arm box of the FEL welded for the front works as well for a 4-in one bucket if i remember. looks nice. The Gearmore catalog has two units for the L48 that would work with the hydraulic-flow. That unit is around $2,200-2,600 auger included if i remember correct. I was hoping to do the rear installiation myself when i do pick one up. These unit will make life a whole lot easier. I like the BH boom because you can put a hole anywhere you can reach that arm have downward and upward pressure

WOW someone else out there has a L48

 

[stevenf]

rcspott, I'm not terribly experienced with different makes and models of hydraulic augers but my Tractor dealer certainly had access to both he recommended strongly not using a front mount unit because of the way a tractor loader arms are designed VS a bobcat style machine. Apparently you will put undue stress on the loader frame when in operation. I have a beltec 3pt mounted unit that I truly love it will drill up to 6' deep holes and up to 18" around. I have a 12" and a puff drill bit for tpost after hundreds of holes many, maybe most into solid rock, I believe if a tpost auger were used you'd be fine but with the 12" RAD mounted on the beltec on the back of my M9000 with solid filled tires total weight over 12,000 lbs I can tell you first hand that it is a rough ride, the tractor starts oscillating and rocking side to side to the point that possibly even tires are coming off the ground slightly. You might want to go test a front mounted one on a tractor before investing I really believe the pounding your loader arms would sustain would do severe damage quickly, if drilling in rock. In dirt I'd think it would be fine and a lot easier to line up, but if your talking hydraulic augers you must be planning on rock or a combination of dirt and large rock.
Steve