By McLaren Industries 
The Different Types of Hydraulic Auger Bits
A hydraulic auger bit is a useful attachment that can be installed on a skid steer loader to drill deep, precise holes in a matter of seconds. Depending on your application, there are a wide variety of different styles, sizes, and designs to choose from. To learn about some of the many different types of hydraulic auger bits, consult this helpful guide.
Hex vs. Round Bits
The drive shaft of a hydraulic skid steer auger bit will either have a hex shape or a round shape. Currently, the hex drive is far more prevalent. When using a round drive, the torque of the hydraulic auger bit is limited to the strength of the round bowl. For this reason, the skid steer specialists at McLaren highly recommend opting for a hex drive auger bit.
Rock vs. Soil Bits
Another factor to consider is if your application environment has very hard soil or rock that your auger bit would need to break through. In such a case, you would likely require a rock bit for your hydraulic auger. In comparison to a regular soil or dirt bit, the rock bit is built with thicker steel flights made from a more wear-resistant material. In addition, they also have more teeth made of steel or tungsten carbide, which allows them to break through harder surfaces more easily.
Size Options
When choosing an auger bit, you should also be aware of the different size options that are available to you. Generally, the size of auger bits ranges from 4 inches to 36 inches for both dirt and rock bits. Ultimately, the size of the auger bit that you choose will depend on the diameter of the hole that you want to dig. For example, if you needed to dig a hole for a six-inch fence post, you would probably choose a nine-inch auger bit. You want extra room to be able to adjust the post, then backfill the dirt to secure it in place.
Consider Pitch Between Flights
Before purchasing an auger bit, you should also consider the pitch between flights. If the gaps between flights are too big, the drive motor will get torqued down too much. In addition, longer pitches make the angle of attack sharper, which means that the surface will be harder to cut and drill through. For this reason, we keep the pitch between our flights shorter so that there are more flights per linear foot of the tube.
Extension Options
Depending on the depth of the hole that you need to dig, you also have the option to add extensions to your hydraulic auger bit. For example, if you need to dig a six-foot deep hole and your auger is only four feet in length, you could add on an extension. Mclaren offers a wide variety of extensions for auger bits. Essentially, an extension is just a bar with a hex on each end— one that goes into the drive shaft of the auger and another at the bottom that fits into the auger itself. Such a tool will give you extra depth without having to put a whole new auger on top of the existing auger.
We hope that this guide on the different types of hydraulic auger bits has helped you determine how to choose the right bit for your application. At McLaren, we offer some of the best-quality auger bits on the market. To find the most optimal attachment for your needs, contact us by phone at (800) 836-0040 or request a quote today.