HLA 18-Inch Auger Bit for Skid Steers
🟡 High Flow
View on hlaattachments.com →
Overview
HLA Attachments' 18-inch auger bit is a large-diameter bit for major post foundations, structural piers, and large ornamental tree plantings. The 18-inch bore accommodates large sonotube forms. Ontario-manufactured with carbide-tipped flighting that handles mixed soil and gravel conditions. Compatible with HLA's high-torque auger drive. Available through HLA's Canadian dealer network.
Canada Availability
Available in Canada through HLA Attachments dealers. Ontario-manufactured by Horst Welding.
Key Facts
- Bit diameter: 18 inches
- Type: large-diameter auger bit
- Cutting teeth: carbide-tipped
- Application: structural piers, major post foundations, large tree planting
- Compatible with: HLA high-torque auger drive
- Typical bit weight: 50–80 lbs
- Hydraulic flow: determined by auger drive unit (typically 15–30 GPM standard flow, 30–45 GPM high-flow for large drives)
Is This Right For You?
✅ Buy if…
- You already have an auger drive unit and need the right bit for your soil type or hole diameter
- You drill specific hole sizes for fence posts, footings, or tree planting and need diameter variety
⛔ Skip if…
- You don't have an auger drive unit — a bit alone does nothing without a compatible drive motor
- Your soil is solid rock or hardpan — standard earth bits fail fast, you need a dedicated frost/rock bit
🔍 Also consider…
- Rock or frost auger bit if your ground is caliche, Shield rock, or frozen Prairie soil
- Auger drive unit if you don't yet have one compatible with your machine's hydraulic flow
🔧 Machine Compatibility
Compatible with all skid steer brands and compact track loaders via universal SSQA quick attach. Mid-frame machines (S450–S650 class) are the most common fit.
About HLA in Canada
HLA Attachments is an Ontario-based manufacturer that designs and builds attachments in Waterloo, ON, with a dealer network spanning all provinces. Backed by a Canadian warranty and local parts availability, HLA is one of the most trusted names on Canadian job sites.
Care & Maintenance
- Grease the drive unit gearbox per the manufacturer's schedule — typically every 8 hours of operation; a starved gearbox is the most common cause of drive unit failure
- Inspect bit carbide teeth after every use in rocky or abrasive soil — worn or chipped teeth increase drive unit load and reduce penetration
- Replace a worn pilot bit before the main teeth wear — the pilot centers the bit and prevents wobble that stresses the drive unit gearbox
- Check hydraulic hose connections at the drive unit before each use — hose chafing in tight soil is a common failure point
- Store bits vertically or with exposed carbide protected — storing lying flat with unprotected carbide causes chipping from incidental contact
✅ Last checked: March 2026
Source: skidsteerattachments.ca/catalog/augers/hla-auger-18in/
