Skid Steer Rock Auger Bits - Star Industries

📘 Overview

The Star Industries Rock Auger Bit (Model 160A-R) is the company's most rugged auger for extreme drilling conditions — solid rock, concrete, fractured rock, frozen ground, and compacted soils. Larger 8"-36" diameter models feature a bolt-in 1-3/4" shaft pilot, reinforced 3/4" bottom flight boring head with Rockwell 65 hard facing, replaceable carbide bullet teeth, and double flighting on a 3-1/2" high-strength tube. The 6" model uses a welded pilot with replaceable carbide bullet teeth and double flighting. Available in 6" through 36" diameters. 5-year factory guarantee. USA made since 1981.

⚙️ Key Features

• 8"-36" models: bolt-in 1-3/4" shaft pilot — replaceable without replacing the full head
• 3/4" bottom flight boring head with Rockwell 65 hard facing — extremely hard wear surface for rock contact
• Replaceable carbide bullet teeth — replace worn teeth, not the whole auger
• Double flighting on 3-1/2" high-strength tube — superior rock chip evacuation
• 6" model: welded pilot + replaceable carbide teeth + double flight
• Available in 6" to 36" diameters
• Rated for: solid rock, concrete, fractured rock, frozen ground, compacted soils
• 5-year factory guarantee | USA made since 1981

🔑 Benefits

• Rockwell 65 hard facing is the appropriate hardness for rock contact — standard steel is not — Rockwell C 65 is among the hardest surface treatments available for steel, approaching the hardness of carbide inserts. Applied to the 3/4" bottom flight boring head, it provides the impact and abrasion resistance required for rock contact that would rapidly destroy standard steel heads.
• Replaceable carbide bullet teeth eliminate the largest failure cost in rock drilling — carbide teeth dull and chip in solid rock drilling. When teeth fail, the auger either needs a complete replacement (thousands of dollars) or teeth replacement. The R series' replaceable tooth design allows tooth swap-out in the field at a fraction of auger replacement cost.
• Double flighting on high-strength tube maximizes rock chip evacuation from deep holes — rock drilling generates chips and fines that must be evacuated upward through the hole to allow continued bit advancement. Double flights provide more aggressive upward transport of cuttings than single flight, preventing chip packing that stalls the bit in deep holes.
• Bolt-in pilot is replaceable when worn — unlike welded pilots that require new head — the pilot bit takes the initial cutting contact in rock and wears first. The bolt-in 1-3/4" pilot design on 8"+ models allows pilot replacement independently of the boring head, reducing maintenance cost in high-cycle rock applications.

📊 Specifications

🔗 Attachment Compatibility

Requires auger drive unit with 2" hex output shaft and sufficient torque output for rock drilling. Rock drilling demands higher torque than soil — the 160D-1020M (10-20 GPM, 2,041+ ft-lbs) is strongly recommended over the 615M for rock applications, particularly for larger diameter bits. High-pressure operation (2,500–3,000 PSI) significantly increases available torque for rock penetration.

🚜 Machine Compatibility

Compatible with skid steer loaders and compact track loaders with a Universal Quick Attach (SSQA) system:

Rock drilling requires higher torque drive unit — 160D-1020M strongly recommended. Confirm machine aux hydraulic pressure and flow before rock drilling.

❓ FAQs

📥 Downloads

Download Spec Sheet (PDF)