Help Support SkidSteer Forum:
If you go new, and get two different bits, $3000 or so to buy. Good power head, $2K, smallish bits $500 or so each. If you need to go more than 5' or so deep, then a $150-200 extension. (A BIG bit is about $1000). Then, if you own, you have to buy new points and teeth--normal wear is included with the rental stuff. Around here, rental for all of the above is about $180/day-less if you only need one bit. I have owned Bobcat 15C and Bradco/McMillan X1975--both good, Bradco/McMillan is a tougher unit--holds up better. (I dig lots of 6'deep by 36 inch diameter holes--it takes a good auger and a big skid to do them). I own because I dig many holes each week for my clients and I also sub out to others. Before I purchased my own set-up (I have $4500 in mine), I had scheduling troubles( a customer would call and the stuff at the rental place was already rented out) or if a job took a second day, I sometimes couldn't finish because I had to get the stuff back as it was rented to someone else the next day. Then I got to the point that I was paying more in rent each season than the set-up would cost, so it was a no-brainer to buy. A used set up is not a bargain if it isn't compatible with the type of bits your local rental places have, unless you get all the bits you'll ever need with it. My experience with the old/light chain driven units was BAD. Also, I wouldn't buy one that didn't allow for the powerhead to go down into the hole, AND the hoses come out the top. With a Bobcat or a McMillan, you can put the head down in the hole and get 5.5 feet deep with a 4'bit w/o an extension.
That's real good info Iowa Dave on the augers. I have been thinking of buying a good used unit in the near future and this info answers some questions I had. I have a small business and I have been digging post holes by hand. I don't mind it too much but it takes a lot of time. I may buy a Bobcat or Bradco if I can find one at a good price. When you say Bradco/Mcmilan, are they the same? Thanks! Oh, and what about the Lowe brand auger, if it's a planetary drive. Are they reliable?
Bradco is the parent co of McMillan, unsure if Bradco makes augers or not, but the Bradco and Mcmillan stuff is made under the same roof. When I went to the factory to pick my auger up, they were making MANY attachments for Bobcat. Unsure about a Lowe. What I'd look for is: planetary drive, small powerhead (about a foot in diameter approx) with hoses coming out the top so the drive unit can follow the bit down in the hole--then often you don't need an extension. The big rectangular "boxes" are chain drive, and I'd stay away from them. I also prefer hex drive, as the hex shoulders actually drive the bit, rather than round drive where the pin attaching the bit takes all the abuse of driving the bit (with round drive you will break the attaching pin at least occasionally--lots if digging in rocks/obstructions). I dig LOTS of BIG (30 and 36 inch diameter) holes--you may get by with lighter stuff if you don't dig many holes or large holes. If you dig much, you will need replacement teeth, so make sure what you get has parts available. Many Bobcat dealers sell their rental stuff and replace it occasionally, so that might be a way to find a used unit with good parts availability. If Bobcat, get a model 15. I went new, Bradco a little heavier, made in Iowa so I saved the freight, and McMillan would "deal" better than my local Bobcat dealer. Saved $1100 over Bobcat (powerhead and 5 bits) and got a heavier unit to boot. Mine is a "X1975" or "1975X", I can't remember which.
Roy, the Bobcat 30C is the heavy duty unit, just in case you decide to buy.
Perry: Will a 743 "use" the extra "oomph" of a #30?? I think in most situations--bits under 24" or so--the 30 would be a hindrance, especially on a machine with the hyd capabilities of a 743, as it turns MUCH slower than a model 15. Would you concur? Also. the "C" stands for combination--both round and/or hex drive on the same unit. There would be a 15H and a 30H as well, meaning hex drive. At one time Bradco/McMillan made the Bobcat augers--not sure if they still do--neither company will tell you anything. When I was at the Bradco factory, I didn't see the auger assembly line. I saw the telehandler attachments being made, and they were painting the stuff Bobcat Charcoal and putting Bobcat serial tags on them as I watched. I also sow lots of stuff waiting to be shipped with New Holland paint, decals, and serial tags, as well as short-line paint and decals as well. They must make LOTS of "brands" of attachments there in Delhi, Iowa.
Your right Dave, the 743 has 11 GPM and needs 18 to run the C30.
jtischauser
New member
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- Aug 21, 2009
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- 2
I am going to buy an Auger in the next few days. Your commetns helpd me get pointed in the right direction. Thanks a bunch. I think I am going with the McMillen X1475H2 with a 12" bit for our CAT 216B skid steer.
Haven't bought an auger yet. I'm still just renting and keeping an eye open for a good used one. Looking at a Bobcat 30c auger. Will it work on my 2001 Bobcat 773G Turbo? Or would I be better off with a 15c or a Mcmillen. I know the 30c takes more hydraulic flow to run. I intend to use it for fence postholes and occasionally for landscaping.
TriHonu
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- Apr 15, 2007
- Messages
- 486
I looked at both the Bobcat 15 and 30 series auger drives. The 30's motor is twice the displacement and turns at half the speed of a 15 with a lot more torque.
My dealer told me for the soil types in my area they recommended the 15. Yes the 30 has a lot more torque but will take twice as long to dig the hole unless you need the extra torque. For our soils, he stated a 15 will work just fine even with a 36" bit.
Ask dealers in your area what model they recommend for the soils in your area.
I live in west TN. Some areas are pretty rocky and then some are not. I got on the Bobcat website and from what I seen on the specs, the 15c is the middle of the road on torque and speed. I also think that may be my best bet. Also, my machine might be on the low side on hydraulic flow for the 30c. Thanks for your info.
Help, info needed when looking at augers. On the 15c and the 30c that accept either round or hex augers. Does the auger drive shaft have an adapter or how does that work? I have only used the round augers. If the auger model says it is a 15 or a 30, without an h or a c with it, is it a round shaft drive? Also, from what I have read the combination series came out in 2003. Thanks, any help appreciated.
Ok, I guess I'm answering my own questions here, sort of. After doing some digging, I finally found a pic of the 15c and 30c auger drive shaft. I see where the round shaft drive is at the top and the hex drive is at the lower end part, which is smaller in diameter. I'm wondering if Bobcat makes an adapter for the older auger drives that have the round shaft drive only, to fit the hex drive augers. If anyone wants to chime in I would appreciate it. So if I bought one I could still use round or hex auger bits. Thanks!
skidsteer.ca
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- Jan 20, 2006
- Messages
- 3,853
Yes
We have adapters from hex to round. You can switch back and forth. The hex drive I'm told is more of a pain because the dirt gets between the bit and auger and you can't just pull the pin and rotate the drive to get it out. If you are looking for a new planetary auger drive ours have a 5 year warranty.
Ken
