6 Tips to Keep Your Skid Steer Auger Bits and Attachments Digging Smoothly

Spartan Equipment sells a wide range of skid steer auger bits and attachments among our skid steer and mini skid steer attachments. In addition to the variety of drive attachments we sell, we also sell a wide range of specially designed bits that excel at digging through sand and soft soil, medium-density soil, and even fractured rock, solid rock, and frozen earth.

Our motto is “Never Surrender,” and we bake that maxim into every batch of skid steer attachments we manufacture. All the same, if you want to get the most mileage out of your auger drive and bits, follow these best practices to keep them digging faster and more efficiently.

Inspect Regularly

One of the most straightforward and basic practices you can undertake to ensure that your auger bits will dig as intended is to regularly inspect them.

Our auger bits are made with hardened gage and wisdom teeth that are designed to deliver during extended periods of digging, but over time, incidental contact with rocks and other abrasive materials in the earth will wear them down.

Sharp, fresh teeth cut more easily and much more efficiently than old, worn, teeth, and require less power from the auger drive unit.

The teeth are also replaceable. Inspect your auger bits before and after use and note teeth that should be replaced; replace them as soon as possible before using them again.

Clean the Skid Steer Auger Bits and Attachments After Each Use

After you use your skid steer auger bits and attachment, sand, dirt, and mud will likely be clinging to the teeth and the flights.

Leaving this residue on the flights and teeth is a recipe for corrosion, as mud and dirt contain water and salts, and potentially other corrosive elements and compounds that can damage the steel, causing rust, pitting, and other issues.

After you use your skid steer auger, even if you’re not shacking it up for the season, rinse off the auger bits if you are able. This will help lower the likelihood of corrosion.

Monitor Oil Levels

The oil levels of your skid steer auger drive unit are vital to the efficient, normal operation of the system. Before use, check the hydraulic oil level, and add any if necessary.

Check the gearbox oil level periodically - at least once every season - remove the plug, drain the old oil, and replace it with new oil.

Failure to inspect the oil levels in the gearbox and replace the oil periodically can result in gearbox seizure which will incapacitate the drive unit.

For more information, please consult the owner’s manual, which you can find and download from the product page.

Replace Auger Bits/Parts As Necessary

Before every use, you should inspect the auger drive unit and bit for any worn, missing, or cracked parts, or broken welds or seams. Check all fasteners to ensure that they are present and properly affixed and tightened.

This is also a good time to inspect the hydraulic hoses for signs of wear; however never inspect suspected hydraulic leaks with bare skin, as pressurized hydraulic fluid can easily break the skin and cause grave injuries. Probe suspected leaks with a piece of paper or wood.

Where you encounter worn, missing, cracked, or damaged bits - such as teeth - replace them as necessary. This will ensure that your auger units dig efficiently.

You should also inspect the auger unit to ensure that all safety decals are easily visible and not worn or obscured. Replace any that are missing before using them again.

Use Skid Steer Auger Bits and Attachments Appropriately

There are all different sorts of skid steer auger attachments and auger bits. For instance, we here at Spartan Equipment sell both extra-wide tree-planting augers and heavy-duty augers like rock augers.

They are specifically designed for an express purpose and should not be used irresponsibly. For instance, a thinner rock auger will not cut wide holes as efficiently as a tree auger, nor will a wide tree planting auger cut through rock efficiently at all.

In fact, you shouldn’t even try. One of the keys to extending the usable lifespans of your skid steer auger bits and attachments is to use them for their intended use, only.

If you routinely need to tackle more than one type of digging application, get the appropriate bit. It will improve your workflow and lessen the stress on your equipment.

Be Safe

Operator safety is of critical importance when using a skid steer auger drive. Be familiar with the area in which you will be digging and use an appropriate auger bit for the application.

Always wear the proper personal protective equipment when operating one of our skid steer augers, and never raise or lower the unit when there are bystanders in the area. Never allow riders on the attachment and only operate at a safe, slow speed - remember, speed kills.

Store Somewhere Covered, Safe, and Dry

Our last bit of advice to ensure you get the utmost service and longevity from our skid steer auger systems is to make sure you store them properly.

At the end of a season - or a period of use - store them somewhere, preferably covered and out of the elements. A shed or hangar is perfect for this, as it will keep the unit dry, protect it, at least partially, from extreme temperatures, and shield it from the sun.

If you must store the unit outdoors, take care to cover it with a tarp before doing so.

Never store the attachment in an area frequented by children.

Questions About Our Skid Steer Auger Bits and Attachments?

This is only a basic primer on skid steer auger and auger bit maintenance and best practices. If you still have questions, feel free to get in contact with our customer service team at 1-888-888-1085.

Our auger units and bits are also made here in America using American steel only - we never use cheap Chinese imports - and most are covered with generous warranties.

If you have any questions about technical specifications, operation, maintenance, or storage, just ask.