I'm new to excavator ownership. I've rented and used, but now I own a U17. It's a 2ton machine. I read the spec sheet and couldn't figure out how much it is suppose to be able to lift. Reason I am asking is that I am thinking to get an auger for it, and I am trying to figure out if it will be able to lift the auger motor + auger + extensions and dirt in the auger. Can someone explain or point me in the right direction for how to determine how much a given excavator should be able to lift? I realize the arm length etc matters here, but as a noob I am struggling to know how to get started on a path to knowing how to answer questions like this.
Load chart on page seven; https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/u17.pdf
So it looks like something around 600 to 700lbs, in a configuration I might expect to be in for an auger hanging off the end up in the air. Does that sound right?
From that brochure it looks like Kubota sells an auger sized for that machine. You should contact your Kubota dealer ...
The EA20 series auger from Kubota is what you want, I believe you'll need the low flow version. Also I'd limit your auger size to 9-12" max, I doubt it would handle much more.