Uses for Auger Attachments for Skid Steers (Plus Other Questions Answered)

While auger attachments for skid steer loaders are not quite as versatile as some other more generalized attachments like buckets and dozer blades, they are much more utilitarian than you might expect. Here are some of the top uses for skid steer auger attachments, along with some other questions answered.

1. Digging holes for sign and fence posts

Probably the most straightforward use of an auger attachment for a skid steer is to excavate deep holes with straight sides that are perfect for installing sign posts and fence posts.  These are the attachments to use for this application as the deeper the post hole and the more vertical the sides the more structurally stable the hole will be. This makes it possible to install posts that are resistant to leaning.

2. Preparing to drive poles or piles

The same conditions that make auger drives the right attachment for excavating holes for fence and sign posts also make them perfect for excavating holes for poles and pilings. With that said, you’ll need to use an auger bit that’s wider as the hole you dig should only be slightly wider in diameter than whatever you’re going to lay in it.

3. Digging holes for root balls

One of the more interesting uses for skid steer auger attachments is to dig holes to make it easier to plant root balls. For this application digging depth is not necessarily as important as width as tree root balls can be fairly wide. Nonetheless, we produce HTF style bits specifically optimized for tree planting in sizes as wide as 48”, making them perfect for excavating holes for root balls. This application is particularly useful for farmers, ranchers, and landscapers, and possibly for some forestry crews as it completely revolutionizes the process of planting trees, eliminating hours of wasted manual labor that would be spent digging.

4. Preparing to lay footings

Any crew that has a need for a skid steer attachment that can streamline the process of excavating holes for installing foundations or pouring concrete foundations should look into auger attachments for skid steers. Auger attachments with an appropriate bit can save significantly on time and optimize operational efficiency.

5. Niche use: Grinding stumps in situ

We also produce a very unique type of skid steer auger bit attachment called a stump planer bit. We make these in 10” and 14” configurations and they’re designed for basically one thing and one thing only: to grind up stumps in place, freeing you from the need to rip out the stump or to invest in another attachment, like a stump grinder.

They feature starter pilot tips to prevent the bits from walking, as well as three tool steel cutters that can easily be removed and replaced to extend the bit’s working lifetime. Also, they feature guides to help prevent the bit from walking back out of the hole. Moreover, for large stumps, the bit can easily be repositioned to overlap over previous holes, making it possible to grind up much larger stumps.

How Deep Can an Auger Attachment Dig?

Our skid steer auger attachments’ bits come in four foot lengths and are compatible with both fixed and variable auger extensions. The longest of our fixed extensions is 72” in length (adapters are also available).

How to Choose an Auger Bit

One of the most important things you will need to determine based on the digging application is which type of skid steer auger bit would be more appropriate.

We produce a variety of different auger bits, among the following:

• For most general digging applications in light to moderate soil conditions, our HDF style bits are most appropriate.
• For more aggressive soil conditions, our HDC style bits are probably best. These are ideal for tough, compacted soils and heavy clay.
• For the most aggressive ground conditions, our rock style bits are most appropriate. These are specifically engineered to drill through fracturable rock (like shale) as well as compacted clay, frozen earth, and hard clay.

• We also produce HTF style bits for tree planting as well as stump planer bits for stump grinding (links for both above).

Before selecting a bit for the application, consider the conditions where you will be digging as well as the reason why.

Why Spartan Equipment Auger Attachments for Skid Steers?

Spartan Equipment auger attachments for skid steer loaders are made in the United States with American steel only, never cheap Chinese imports, and are backed by top-tier, American customer service.

Engineered for compatibility with a wide range of popular skid steer makes and models, available in multiple configurations to take on the widest range of applications, Spartan Equipment auger drives, like all of our attachments, will Never Surrender.

Contact us at 888-888-1085 for more information or if you have any questions about our attachments before buying.