Auger Drive Unit - Prices / Choices

[SkidRoe]

I am thinking of buying a used auger drive unit to add to my collection of attachments and I am wondering where I should be setting my budget.
Anybody have a idea of what a reasonable price for a used drive unit would be?
The dealer sells off their rental fleet from time to time, but do not have anything available at the moment and are reluctant to give me a rough estimate cost.
I rented a Bobcat 15C over the weekend to do some custom work and was really impressed with it. I am thinking that this or something equivalent would be my preffered choice.
Any comments on models and/or prices are welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
SR

 

[Tazza]

I'm from Australia, so my prices will be different. There are two main styles here, the older square ones that had a drive motor linked with chain to the auger drive part. The newer ones use planetary gears and are round so if you use an auger large enough, you can poke the drive down the hole too to get a little extra depth.
I bought a square one from auction for about $150, it needed new chain and sprockets that cost me about another $150. Then a used auger at $80. It works great, has a round 65mm drive (i think its 65).
New i believe they are around the 2k mark, plus an auger. You should be able to get hold of a good used one, but if its at auction, be careful, it may be busted.

 

[SkidRoe]

I'm from Australia, so my prices will be different. There are two main styles here, the older square ones that had a drive motor linked with chain to the auger drive part. The newer ones use planetary gears and are round so if you use an auger large enough, you can poke the drive down the hole too to get a little extra depth.
I bought a square one from auction for about $150, it needed new chain and sprockets that cost me about another $150. Then a used auger at $80. It works great, has a round 65mm drive (i think its 65).
New i believe they are around the 2k mark, plus an auger. You should be able to get hold of a good used one, but if its at auction, be careful, it may be busted.

Wow, sounds like you got yourself a smoking good deal. I unfortunately don't have the time to spend going to auctions (wife / kids do a good job of absorbing my "free" time).
I am preferring the planetary type, just an all around cleaner design. I have been considering building my own, but I have had a hard time finding a large enough motor for a reasonable price.
So I likely will end up buying one. I am not too concerned about the bits, just the drive unit. If I could find one for around $1000, I would jump at it.
Cheers,
SR

 

[Tazza]

Wow, sounds like you got yourself a smoking good deal. I unfortunately don't have the time to spend going to auctions (wife / kids do a good job of absorbing my "free" time).
I am preferring the planetary type, just an all around cleaner design. I have been considering building my own, but I have had a hard time finding a large enough motor for a reasonable price.
So I likely will end up buying one. I am not too concerned about the bits, just the drive unit. If I could find one for around $1000, I would jump at it.
Cheers,
SR

I think the motor should be easy to get from surplus center, but its still all time.
Mine needed a lot more work than i planned, i needed to machine new sprockets for it. I bought the sprockets then had to bore them out to fit the shafts then cut key ways, i even needed to add a spacer to one as it was too thin where it mounted to the shaft. Still, its only my time that was used, and now its good to go.
The auger needed work too, it was badly worn, about 2" per side at the cutting point! So half a day with the MIG and plasma cutter i had it built back up.

 

[SkidRoe]

I think the motor should be easy to get from surplus center, but its still all time.
Mine needed a lot more work than i planned, i needed to machine new sprockets for it. I bought the sprockets then had to bore them out to fit the shafts then cut key ways, i even needed to add a spacer to one as it was too thin where it mounted to the shaft. Still, its only my time that was used, and now its good to go.
The auger needed work too, it was badly worn, about 2" per side at the cutting point! So half a day with the MIG and plasma cutter i had it built back up.

I have checked Surplus Centre. I figure I need a motor with about 50-60 cc/rev to direct drive the auger and achieve about 30 rpm. This would put the drive torque on equal footing with the 15C. The biggest suitable motor that the surplus center has is about 35 cc/rev.
Do you have any pictures of your auger drive? You have me curious.
Thanks!!

 

[Tazza]

I have checked Surplus Centre. I figure I need a motor with about 50-60 cc/rev to direct drive the auger and achieve about 30 rpm. This would put the drive torque on equal footing with the 15C. The biggest suitable motor that the surplus center has is about 35 cc/rev.
Do you have any pictures of your auger drive? You have me curious.
Thanks!!

Can you look up my profile and send me an email?
I can send you some pictures.
Mine used reduction gearing so the motor didn't need as much torque. The step down was around 4:1, i may have the numbers for the teeth somewhere, just not sure where to work out exactly what the reduction was.

 

[SkidRoe]

Can you look up my profile and send me an email?
I can send you some pictures.
Mine used reduction gearing so the motor didn't need as much torque. The step down was around 4:1, i may have the numbers for the teeth somewhere, just not sure where to work out exactly what the reduction was.

Sent you an e-mail.
SR

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Sent you an e-mail.
SR

Sr
Motors with that kind of volume are bulky, whick is why the common route is to run a smaller cc motor with a planetary to reduce rpm and increase torque.
New chain drives canbe had for under 2k complete but they have more maintenance then the planetary system. Any idea how big of a bit your going to turn? We have several sizes of drives available to us. The common model 15 drive will run a 30" bit, but if you only want to run a 12" there are a couple other options that cost less. Also you can buy just the drive and a bit if you want.
Contact me if you might be interested in something new.
kenkreger at yahoo.com

 

[SkidRoe]

Sr
Motors with that kind of volume are bulky, whick is why the common route is to run a smaller cc motor with a planetary to reduce rpm and increase torque.
New chain drives canbe had for under 2k complete but they have more maintenance then the planetary system. Any idea how big of a bit your going to turn? We have several sizes of drives available to us. The common model 15 drive will run a 30" bit, but if you only want to run a 12" there are a couple other options that cost less. Also you can buy just the drive and a bit if you want.
Contact me if you might be interested in something new.
kenkreger at yahoo.com

Thanks, Ken.
I am currently looking at buying a new one like this:

The distributor is about 10 minutes from my house, and it looks like I may be able to stay within budget.
If this falls flat, I will drop you a line.
The bits that I am planning to use are in the 6-12" range. Nothing huge at this point, however the manufacturer of the one I am looking at rates this drive at a maximum of 24". I am also keeping my options open if we want to run this unit on the 773.
Cheers,
SR

 

[renopker]

Thanks, Ken.
I am currently looking at buying a new one like this:

The distributor is about 10 minutes from my house, and it looks like I may be able to stay within budget.
If this falls flat, I will drop you a line.
The bits that I am planning to use are in the 6-12" range. Nothing huge at this point, however the manufacturer of the one I am looking at rates this drive at a maximum of 24". I am also keeping my options open if we want to run this unit on the 773.
Cheers,
SR

If you build one the chain drive use a 4-1 reduction the hyd motor used in this is 18cu you would not have to go that big, the big motors need lots of oil so your oil gpm will dictate your rpm. I have been collecting parts to build one and it will most likely be a planetary.

 

[SkidRoe]

If you build one the chain drive use a 4-1 reduction the hyd motor used in this is 18cu you would not have to go that big, the big motors need lots of oil so your oil gpm will dictate your rpm. I have been collecting parts to build one and it will most likely be a planetary.

I started running calculations on the chain drive and selected a motor, based on the the hydraulic capacities of both the 440B and the 773. FYI - Surplus Centre has a 15.2cc motor for $95. From what I did come up with, one thing that I would definitely recommend for a chain drive system is go with at least a #80 chain.
I am not concerned with speed on my unit. With in reason, the slower, the better. I was targeting 30 rpm, based on the 440B's output (6.8 gpm). That is the rough speed that I was achieving with the 15C, and it worked great.
I am looking forward to seeing your planetery design. Where are you getting your planetary or are you building it yourself? I have been monitoring the progress on your dual cylinder bobtach project and I would not put anything past you!!
Still waiting for the dealer to get back to me with a price....
Cheers,
SR

 

[SkidRoe]

I started running calculations on the chain drive and selected a motor, based on the the hydraulic capacities of both the 440B and the 773. FYI - Surplus Centre has a 15.2cc motor for $95. From what I did come up with, one thing that I would definitely recommend for a chain drive system is go with at least a #80 chain.
I am not concerned with speed on my unit. With in reason, the slower, the better. I was targeting 30 rpm, based on the 440B's output (6.8 gpm). That is the rough speed that I was achieving with the 15C, and it worked great.
I am looking forward to seeing your planetery design. Where are you getting your planetary or are you building it yourself? I have been monitoring the progress on your dual cylinder bobtach project and I would not put anything past you!!
Still waiting for the dealer to get back to me with a price....
Cheers,
SR

$1800 tax in with a 9" HD auger bit. He is dropping it off this afternoon.
Cheers,
SR

 

[Tazza]

$1800 tax in with a 9" HD auger bit. He is dropping it off this afternoon.
Cheers,
SR

Sounds like a good price with an auger and new warranty.

 

[renopker]

I started running calculations on the chain drive and selected a motor, based on the the hydraulic capacities of both the 440B and the 773. FYI - Surplus Centre has a 15.2cc motor for $95. From what I did come up with, one thing that I would definitely recommend for a chain drive system is go with at least a #80 chain.
I am not concerned with speed on my unit. With in reason, the slower, the better. I was targeting 30 rpm, based on the 440B's output (6.8 gpm). That is the rough speed that I was achieving with the 15C, and it worked great.
I am looking forward to seeing your planetery design. Where are you getting your planetary or are you building it yourself? I have been monitoring the progress on your dual cylinder bobtach project and I would not put anything past you!!
Still waiting for the dealer to get back to me with a price....
Cheers,
SR

I was going to build the planetary gear set but have found one to buy for 100. Ill post pics as soon as I get back to it. I have the motor,the lower bearing Assembly,fluting for the auger If I get the gear set I'm good to go on it. Could also use a couple more arms and more time .

 

[Tazza]

I was going to build the planetary gear set but have found one to buy for 100. Ill post pics as soon as I get back to it. I have the motor,the lower bearing Assembly,fluting for the auger If I get the gear set I'm good to go on it. Could also use a couple more arms and more time .

Can't we all?
I too am looking forward to seeing it.

 

[SkidRoe]

Can't we all?
I too am looking forward to seeing it.

I vote for 2 day work weeks and 5 day weekends!!! Who's with me?!?
Pretty bad when lack of time is trumping lack of money...
SR

 

[skidsteer.ca]

I vote for 2 day work weeks and 5 day weekends!!! Who's with me?!?
Pretty bad when lack of time is trumping lack of money...
SR

That seems like a great price, happy drilling!
Ken