Can a skid steer w/ auger dig through this?

[rednekk frank]

I need to dig approximately 40 10" post holes, at least 30" deep. My land has ALOT of red shale, making the job nearly impossible by hand, 1-man, or 2-man augers. I'm contemplating renting a skid steer with an auger attachment - anyone have any input on whether or not such a setup could do the job?

Here's a profile shot taken during the digging of my houses's foundation which gives you a pretty good idea of what I'm dealing with:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rednekkph/house012.jpg

Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[SellingIron]

Bobcat makes a rock bit that has replaceable teeth on the end. The same teeth they use for planers....They use them alot in Miami for the coral rock..

[Gravel Rat]

You are going to need something that cuts the hole because a regular auger isn't going to drill that.

[rednekk frank]

You are going to need something that cuts the hole because a regular auger isn't going to drill that.


I was afraid of that. Problem for me is, nobody in my area rents anything other than the standard augers.

I dug a bunch of fence posts 2 years ago, using a jackhammer and scooping the loose stuff mostly by hand - I can't even begin to tell you what a PITA that was - and those holes only went down 24".

[SiteSolutions]

Don't listen to Gravel Rat; he always answers in the negative.

I had a rock bit on my auger and it would drill through asphalt or hard mortar. It also drill easily through Chert. Your ground/rock looks like it would be in between hard rocky dirt and solid mortar. You can get the right bit and auger and a skid steer will make quick work of this.

For future reference, only ask Gravel Rat a question if it's about F-450 dump truck tires, and then only if you want a negative answer.

[SiteSolutions]

If you have to, you could rent the skid steer and auger head for about 300 bucks and then buy the right bit for a couple hundred more. You could probably turn around and sell it on ebay or equipment trader and get most of your money back out of it.

[Gravel Rat]

Oh I can imagine that was a pain in the azz.

Something with carbide teeth is going to be needed to drill that especially a 10 inch hole. That stuff looks hard but its not as hard as the granite we have here you need a rock drill.

Not sure what to say you have a tough one there. I know what we would have to do here its called dynamite :laugh:

I can see a regular auger like that just skipping over the surface with that material you have. Its sort of loose but its not.

Do you have any utility companies in your area that do power poles most of those guys have digger derrick trucks maybe they might have a suggestion for you. If they do power poles in your area they probably run in to the same stuff.

[SiteSolutions]

Ok, I take back a little of what I said... The idea about a utility truck with it's pole auger is a good one; I've had second hand experience with that working out well for a customer.

GR isn't all bad but just so darn easy to rag on him. :)

[Gravel Rat]

Start phoning around the rental places see what they have or buy a electic jack hammer with a digging spoon and some advils

[stuvecorp]

I had a tree project in shale that was next to impossible to dig by hand but the auger had no problems. It 'shaved' the shale, the auger had straight teeth and it was cake.

[Digdeep]

You will be able to auger that with a standard skid steer auger. They do make special bits, but I don't think you'll need one.

[all ferris]

I would think most rental places would have the correct bits for the area they are in. Ask your rental place if the bit they have will work. Tell them if it doesn't work you want your money back.

[bobcat_ron]

I wore the teeth off a Cat rental auger going through 8" of shot rock, the teeth only lasted 2 hours.
Get the special bit just in case.

[ksss]

I wish our ground was that good. I use a Lowe post hole auger with a double reduction drive and carbide teeth. I go through pavement, light to med frost with out issue. A couple things that can help is if renting, get a big skid steer or hire it done with some that has a big machine. When going through really hard material I use the 465. Weighing nearly 10K you have litterally tons of down pressure. The bigger machines also have more hyd. flow which helps as well. I have also hooked up to high flow depending on the soil conditions. I don't see that material being an issue at all with the right equipment.

[Ausman]

You will need approx 4000NM planetary augurderive with tungsten teeth. look on www.augertorque.com

[rednekk frank]

Thanks for all the input! It seems like you all agree with the guy at the equipment rental company - maybe it will work, maybe it won't. :laugh:

Well, I pick up the skid Saturday morning. I'll be sure to let y'all know how it worked after the weekend. Heck, even if it cuts my work in half I'll be happy and consider it money well spent.

Wish me luck!

[SiteSolutions]

Take pictures

[rednekk frank]

Take pictures

Of course...

[xtreem3d]

i have had to dig in something similar..i decided it was best to start with a pilot hole (3" bit i think) then increase the bit size to desired diameter. it will cost a little more in renting extra bits . if your not doing something like a vinyl fence where you go one hole at atime you could pilot hole all 40 holes then go back and resize the 40 holes with the next size bit ...this would save some time switching bits ...good luck whatever you do,
steve