Missouri-built auger drives and bits that have become the standard for fencing and post hole work across North America. Now part of the Paladin family — honest breakdown of McMillen's product line, Canadian availability, and who they're built for.
McMillen is based in Quinter, Kansas (originally founded in Missouri) and has been manufacturing auger drives and auger bits for skid steers and compact equipment for decades. McMillen augers are arguably the most recognized brand in the North American skid steer auger market — when contractors and farmers talk about "getting an auger," McMillen is often the reference point. The brand was acquired by Paladin Attachments, one of North America's largest attachment manufacturers, but continues to operate under the McMillen name with the same product focus.
This guide covers McMillen's auger drive and bit product range, their fit in the Canadian market, and an honest assessment of when McMillen is the right choice.
McMillen's core customer is anyone who needs to drill holes with a skid steer: fence contractors, agricultural operators installing posts, tree planters, deck and foundation builders, and utility crews. Their product range spans light-duty agricultural augers through heavy-duty commercial auger systems suited to larger machines and harder material.
In Canada, McMillen augers are popular across all provinces where fencing, agricultural work, and construction require post hole drilling. The Canadian climate creates specific demands — frozen ground in spring, rocky soil in shield country, dense clay in the prairies — and McMillen's product range addresses these conditions through their bit selection.
McMillen makes auger drive units for different hydraulic flow categories. The drive unit is the motor and gearbox assembly that connects to your quick attach and drives the auger bit. Choosing the right drive is critical — you need to match it to your machine's hydraulic flow and the torque requirements of your drilling work.
| Drive Series | Typical Application | Flow Range |
|---|---|---|
| X-Series (standard flow) | Fencing, agricultural post holes, landscaping | 12–22 GPM |
| HD Series (high torque) | Rock, hard pan, commercial construction | 22–35 GPM |
| Planetary gear drives | Maximum torque — hardest material | High-flow |
McMillen's bit range is extensive — this is where their product knowledge shows. Available in diameters from 4" up to 48" for skid steer applications, with different tooth and flighting configurations for different soil conditions:
McMillen offers bolt-on auger extensions that increase drilling depth without requiring a longer auger bit. These are useful for deeper post holes, tree plantings, or footings where standard bit depth isn't sufficient.
Unlike forestry mulchers which almost universally require high-flow, McMillen auger drives are available for standard-flow machines — making them accessible to a much wider range of Canadian skid steer operators. Most fencing and post hole work doesn't require high-flow hydraulics, which is why McMillen augers are popular even on older or smaller machines.
That said, high-torque applications (rock, hardpan, large diameter bits) benefit significantly from higher flow and a planetary drive. If you're consistently drilling in difficult material, spec accordingly.
As part of the Paladin group, McMillen products are available through Paladin's Canadian dealer network. This includes construction equipment dealers, agricultural equipment dealers, and rental houses that stock Paladin products. The Paladin website includes a dealer locator for Canadian operators.
McMillen augers also appear regularly on the Canadian used equipment market — they hold up well and remain useful for many years, making used purchases reasonable if you verify the drive condition and bit wear before buying.
Buy McMillen when: You need a reliable, well-supported auger system for fencing, post holes, tree planting, or construction drilling. McMillen's combination of product range breadth, Paladin dealer support, and established reputation makes them a low-risk choice for most Canadian drilling applications.
Consider alternatives when: You have specific industrial drilling requirements that specialty manufacturers address better, or you're comparing against rental — for occasional drilling, renting an auger may be more cost-effective than owning one.