WTB 24" - 36" Auger bit

I need a 24" - 36" bit to plant 20+ trees this fall. I've got the 3 point attachment for the tractor, I just need a bigger bit.

I'm sure there's a few of y'all that have one laying around on the farm collecting rust.

My gosh, those are HUGE!! Better have a BIG tractor. You planting 20 year old oaks??

Nope 4-5' Sourwoods. The large auger creates a mound around the tree that will funnel water to the young roots and will make it easier to grass out with mulch. And it breaks up a lot of ground making it easy for the roots to expand.

Bump

There is 24 and a 30 on Pensacola craigs list

Thanks for the heads up! Unfortunately that's a little outside of my range.

What are sourwoods good for?

honey!

Can you put a auger that big on a tractor auger? I have that attachment and a 10" bit but never seen one that big on tractors.

I've never seen one that big but doesnt mean they aren't made. He has a good idea and plan if he can get one and a tractor to turn it. Better be a big tractor and fairly soft dirt. That's gonna be a big hole meaning lots of dirt to move. I would have a concern twisting the PTO shaft. Let us know how it turns out.

Check with a nursery might can rent one

Yes Sir!



That's a good question! I probably have the same set up as you. There's only one way to find out.



I've used 36" augers on full size skid steers and 24" augers on small skid steers. The 24" auger was during last years drought, it was tough in some places but it did the job.

That being said I've never used the tractor. I'd think it would work, but you have a good point about the pto shaft. It is a full sized tractor though.

I could go rent a skid steer and auger, but that gets expensive.

The only 24-36" augers I've seen take a larger input shaft than a 3 point tractor has on it, so keep that in mind when your buying.

The augers on Pensacola Craigslist won't fit a tractor hole digger. Tractor has a square shaft and that one is more star shaped. I don't think a skid steer will fit a tractor either. If you were closer I'd except the challenge of helping you make it work somehow.

Those have a 2.5" hex hub. There are adapters from round to hex and vice versa so I assume someone makes a square to hex adapter. Assume...dangerous word.

I really appreciate all the information and thoughts in this thread gentlemen!

Bump

If you're able to adapt it, be careful not to bore too deep. The soil under the root ball will eventually resettle and your tree will sink. Other than that, good idea for breaking up the ground around the tree. I planted 4 last year using a 12" bit to bore multiple holes in a 3x3 square...that worked fairly well but wasn't really much quicker than just digging it out to begin with. When I plant trees in my orchard, I usually dig a 3x3 foot hole about 2' deep, remove half the soil and replace it with a composted soil conditioner. Mix thoroughly with the remaining soil, refill the hole, then plant. About the only thing the auger did was break up the soil and make it a little easier to shovel out of the hole.

I've used a12" auger to set corner fence posts. In dry, hard soil that 12" bit puts massive torque on the digger shaft.
My tractor wouldn't have any problem with 24", but the PTO shaft would likely break.

Last fall I planted a couple dozen fruit trees. I rented a small skid steer with an auger, 24" & 12" bits. I started with turning a ~2' deep 24" hole and then went back into the center of the hole with the 12" bit as deep as I could go without disturbing the mound the 24" created. I added some worm composite when I planted the trees.

The trees have absolutely taken off this year, far beyond what I was expecting.

That's a good point on the ground settling I didn't think about. I haven't seen that happen yet, but it doesn't mean it won't.