Caterpillarwork toolauger

Caterpillar A13

Maintenance schedule, common problems & OEM parts breakdown

The A13 is a compact, chain-drive auger work tool in Caterpillar's skid steer and mini excavator attachment line, built for post-hole and pile-hole digging rather than continuous production boring. It runs on a bi-directional gerotor style hydraulic motor sized around 280 cm3 (17.1 in3) displacement, driving the auger shaft through a heavy-duty roller chain and sprocket reduction instead of a planetary gearbox. Delivered torque is about 1764 N.m (1300 lb-ft) at 145 bar (2100 psi), with a working pressure window of 145-227 bar (2100-3300 psi) and a flow demand of 42-87 L/min drawn entirely from the carrier's auxiliary hydraulic circuit. Total installed weight without a bit is 159 kg (350 lb): the gerotor drive unit accounts for 80 kg (176 lb) and the mounting bracket for 79 kg (174 lb). It carries no engine, no transmission, and no independent fluid systems of its own beyond grease points and motor seals; every watt of power and every drop of hydraulic oil comes from the host machine. Caterpillar lists it for the 216 through 248 skid steer loader frame sizes and the 302.5/303.5 mini excavator platforms, with a hydraulic tilt/swing range around 70 degrees for angled hole work.

Within Cat's auger lineup, the A13 sits at the entry end of the chain-drive segment, positioned below the planetary-drive A19, which is built for higher sustained torque and heavier boring duty, and well below the high-flow A26, sized for larger carriers and continuous pile work. Its chain-and-gerotor design trades some torque density and duty-cycle stamina for a lighter, simpler, less expensive package suited to occasional post-hole and fence-line work on compact carriers. Caterpillar later folded this light-duty chain-drive niche into the A14B, which superseded the A13 in the current catalog and extended coverage to newer skid steer, compact track loader, and mini excavator coupler generations. Because the A13 is no longer the active factory offering, it now lives mainly in the used-equipment and parts-support market: on machines already working in dealer and rental fleets, on job sites that standardized on it years ago, and in the secondary market for gerotor motors, chain-and-sprocket sets, and bushings that keep existing units running instead of forcing a new attachment purchase.

Below: full specifications, fluids & capacities, the factory service schedule, common service parts, verified fault codes, what owners discuss, attachment guidance, the complete assembly directory, and a serial-number reference. Complete parts lists with full OEM part numbers, exploded diagrams, quantities, and fitment data are available free in Heavy Parts AI.

Caterpillar A13 specifications

Engine

Power source	No onboard engine. The A13 is a hydraulically driven skid steer loader work tool, powered entirely by the carrier machine's standard-flow auxiliary hydraulic circuit.
Drive motor	Variable speed, bi-directional, gerotor style hydraulic motor coupled to a sprocket/chain reduction system (chain drive).
Emissions tier	Not applicable — no engine on the work tool itself.

Weights

Drive unit weight (w/o bit)	80 kg (176 lb)
Mounting bracket weight	79 kg (174 lb)
Total weight (w/o bit)	159 kg (350 lb)
Auger bit weight range (with teeth, by bit diameter)	23 kg (50 lb) for the 152 mm (6 in) bit up to 172 kg (380 lb) for the 914 mm (36 in) standard bit; tree bits run 74-141 kg (163-310 lb)
Ground pressure	Not applicable — attachment mounts to carrier machine, no independent ground contact

Dimensions

Overall width with bracket	1238 mm (49 in)
Overall length with bracket	640 mm (25 in)
Overall height with bracket	1016 mm (40 in)
Housing width	247 mm (10 in)
Housing length	378 mm (15 in)
Housing design	Box housing (chain drive case)
Swing range	70 degrees
HEX output shaft size	51 mm (2 in)
Auger bit overall length	1245 mm (49 in) for 152-229 mm bits; 1295 mm (51 in) for 305 mm and larger bits, including tree bits
Optional bit extension length	305 mm (12 in)

Performance

Drive method	Chain drive (sprocket/chain reduction)
Required hydraulic flow range	42-87 L/min (11-23 gpm), standard-flow circuit
Optimal hydraulic pressure range	145-227 bar (2100-3300 psi)
Drive shaft torque at max pressure	2772 N·m (2043 lb-ft) at 227 bar (3300 psi), theoretical value at 100% efficiency
Bit speed (drive shaft) at max flow	114 rpm
Auger bit diameter range for optimal performance	152-610 mm (6-24 in); larger 914 mm (36 in) standard and tree bits are offered in the bit lineup but the A19/A26 augers are recommended for bits above 610 mm (24 in)
Bit teeth count by diameter	2 teeth on the 152 mm (6 in) bit, ranging up to 12 teeth on the 914 mm (36 in) standard bit; tree bits use 9-13 teeth
Carrier compatibility, optimum performance	Cat 216, 226, 228, 236, 246 and 248 skid steer loaders

Service capacities (summary)

Fuel tank / engine oil / cooling system	Not applicable — the A13 has no engine and no independent fluid reservoirs; it draws hydraulic power from the carrier skid steer loader
Hydraulic system	No dedicated hydraulic reservoir on the tool; operates on the carrier machine's auxiliary hydraulic system within the 42-87 L/min (11-23 gpm) flow and 145-227 bar (2100-3300 psi) pressure range

Values vary by configuration, region, and serial range — confirm against your machine before planning transport or lifts.

A13 fluids & capacities

System	Capacity	Recommended fluid
Auger gear case / drive unit	Not published for this exact model in available OEM literature.	Chain-drive auger heads of this class typically run a grease-packed or sealed chain case rather than a serviceable oil-fill point; confirm the A13's actual service method against its work tool operation and maintenance manual.
Hydraulic system	No dedicated tank or reservoir. The A13 is a hydraulically driven attachment that runs off the carrier machine's own hydraulic circuit through the auxiliary line; it holds no oil of its own beyond what is in its motor and hoses.	Follow the carrier machine's hydraulic oil recommendation, since the auger shares that circuit. No separate work-tool-specific hydraulic fluid spec applies.
Engine / cooling / fuel	Not applicable. The A13 has no engine, cooling system, or fuel tank of its own — it is a passive hydraulic attachment powered entirely by the carrier machine.	Not applicable.
Transmission / final drives / axles	Not applicable. The A13 has no transmission, final drive, or axle/differential compartments; drive to the auger flighting comes from a single hydraulic motor through the chain-and-sprocket reduction.	Not applicable.
Grease points	Capacity not documented; grease interval and fitting count not published for the A13 specifically.	Cat work tools of this class typically call for Cat Multipurpose Grease (Cat MPGM) or an equivalent NLGI-2 lithium-complex EP grease at pivot/mount pins and the coupler; verify against the A13 work tool OMM.

Capacities are refill values from factory literature — always fill to the dipstick/sight gauge, not the number.

Caterpillar A13 maintenance schedule

Service interval	Tasks
Every 50 h	Inspect auger bit teeth and GET for chips, rounding, or looseness; tighten or replace as needed before the next shift. Visually check the chain guard and coupler wear plates for cracks, dents, or loose fasteners. Grease the mounting bracket pivot pin and the coupler locking pins. Check hydraulic hoses and quick-coupler connections for leaks, chafing, or loose fittings. Confirm the roller chain shows correct visual sag and has not jumped or is riding a sprocket tooth.
Every 250 h	Check and adjust roller chain tension to the specified sag; inspect for stretch, kinked links, or damaged rollers. Inspect drive and driven sprockets for tooth wear, hooking, or looseness on their shafts. Torque-check the gerotor motor mounting bolts and the coupler frame fasteners. Inspect the gerotor motor shaft seal area for weeping or case-drain leakage. Inspect auger flighting and the pilot point for bends, cracks, or weld fatigue.
Every 500 h	Check chain case lubricant level, where oil-lubricated, and top off with the specified gear lubricant. Remove and inspect the roller chain for elongation beyond allowable limits; replace if stretched. Inspect coupler pins and bushings for play; shim or replace worn bushings. Check gerotor motor for internal leakage or output torque loss under load; flag for overhaul if degraded. Inspect the mounting bracket structure and pivot bores for elongation or cracking.
Every 1,000 h	Replace the roller chain and both sprockets as a matched set once wear approaches limits. Compare gerotor motor case-drain flow and running temperature to baseline; schedule seal and wear-plate service if degraded. Disassemble and inspect coupler pins, bushings, and the locking mechanism; renew as a set. Inspect the auger shaft bearing or bushing housing for wear and end play. Retorque all structural fasteners on the bracket, motor mount, and chain guard.
Every 2,000 h	Overhaul or replace the gerotor motor, including seals, wear plates, and the gerotor set, once output torque and volumetric efficiency drop off. Replace the chain, both sprockets, and chain guard hardware as a complete drivetrain set. Replace auger shaft bushings or bearings and inspect flighting welds along the full length. Inspect the mounting bracket for fatigue cracking and have any suspect welds checked before returning the unit to service.

Servicing the A13 beyond the schedule

Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis

The A13 has no engine or transmission oil to sample, so predictive care centers on the carrier's hydraulic circuit and the auger's own wear points. Track gerotor motor case-drain leakage and running temperature over time as early signs of internal seal wear or bearing wash-out before output torque visibly drops. Log chain elongation against sprocket pitch at each inspection rather than waiting for visible slack, and record bit and GET wear rates by soil type. A falling bore-per-hour rate on familiar ground usually points to chain stretch or gerotor volumetric loss ahead of any hard failure.

Corrective & Common Repairs

Most A13 repairs trace back to three points: chain, coupler, and GET. Stretched or jumped roller chain and worn sprocket teeth cause binding or stalling and are corrected by re-tensioning or replacing the chain and sprockets together, never mixing new chain onto worn sprockets. Chipped or rounded auger teeth and pilot bits cut penetration and push the gerotor motor harder, so replace GET before it forces extra torque through worn coupler pins and bushings, the second common failure point on units cycled through frequent bracket swaps.

Overhaul & Rebuild Points

A full A13 overhaul centers on the gerotor motor and the chain drivetrain, the two assemblies with a real service-life limit. Motor overhaul means new shaft seals, wear plates, and the gerotor set itself once case-drain flow or output torque falls off; running it worn accelerates bearing damage. Drivetrain overhaul replaces the roller chain, both sprockets, and chain guard hardware as a set. Inspect the auger shaft, flighting welds, and mounting bracket pivot bores for elongation, and renew coupler pins and bushings so the rebuilt unit does not inherit backlash from old wear parts.

Seasonal & Environment Servicing

Cold starts stress the gerotor motor seals more than the auger itself, so warm the carrier's hydraulic oil to spec before working frozen ground, and expect faster chain and sprocket wear from ice-hardened, gravelly soil. In wet or muddy conditions, flush and regrease the mounting bracket pivot and coupler pins more often, since packed mud displaces grease and accelerates pin wear. Store the A13 with the chain guard closed and hydraulic couplers capped to keep grit out of the motor ports, and back the bit off hard-frozen storage ground so flighting is not bent by frost heave.

A13 attachments & work tools

Auger Drive Unit

The A13 is Cat's original standard-flow chain-drive auger head for skid steer loaders: a variable-speed, bidirectional gerotor hydraulic motor coupled to a sprocket/chain reduction, with a box-style housing. It targets light- to moderate-duty hole drilling and sat below the planetary-drive A19 and high-flow A26 in the same auger lineup.

Standard Auger Bits

Standard bits run 152-610 mm (6-24 in) diameter for optimal A13 performance (larger 762/914 mm bits belong to the higher-torque A19/A26 drives). Overall bit length is about 1245-1295 mm (49-51 in); weight with teeth ranges from roughly 23 kg (50 lb) at 152 mm up to 92 kg (200 lb) at 610 mm.

Tree/Transplant Bits

A tapered tree bit option in a 610/305 mm (24/12 in) dual-diameter profile is offered for root-ball digging, carrying 9 teeth versus 8-12 on comparable standard bits.

Coupler & Mounting Bracket

The auger mounts through Cat's standard skid steer loader mechanical quick coupler (opposing-wedge design) for tool-less swaps. The dedicated auger mounting bracket adds a full-width torque tube, articulated joint, D-ring hose guide, cradle, and stand feet, allowing near-vertical storage and easier transport between jobs.

Hydraulic Circuit

Runs on the standard-flow auxiliary circuit: 42-87 L/min (11-23 gpm) at an optimal 145-227 bar (2100-3300 psi), with drive-shaft torque reaching about 2772 N·m (2043 lb-ft) at 227 bar (3300 psi) maximum pressure. Output is a 51 mm (2 in) hex shaft, spinning around 114 rpm at max flow.

Carrier Machine Fit

Factory compatibility charts listed the A13 as optimum on Cat's standard-flow skid steer range spanning roughly 216 through 248 class machines. High-flow augers (A26) were restricted to high-flow-equipped models and marked not approved on smaller standard-flow loaders, so flow class-not just frame size-governs which auger a given carrier can run.

Bit Teeth & Ground Engaging Tools

Standard teeth are forged, hardened steel in a double-angle pattern, carriage-bolt retained; hard-faced and carbide-inserted teeth are offered for abrasive or rocky soil. Each bit carries a single cast-hardened or carbide pilot point to center the hole before the flighting engages.

Extensions & Shaft Adapters

A 305 mm (12 in) bit extension is available to reach deeper holes without upsizing the bit. A hex-to-round shaft adapter lets the A13's hex drive run older round-shank auger bits carried over from earlier equipment.

Hose & Quick-Disconnect Kit

Auxiliary lines use Cat XT and medium-pressure hose with O-ring face-seal couplings, wrapped in woven protective sleeving, terminating in quick-disconnect fittings at the mounting bracket for fast tool changes without tools.

Series Position / Successor

The A13 sits in Cat's earlier-generation auger catalog (paired with A19 and A26); later Cat literature replaced it with the direct-drive A14B as the standard-flow entry unit on an expanded skid steer, compact track loader, multi-terrain loader, and compact wheel loader carrier list, so parts and torque figures should not be cross-applied between A13 and A14B.

All A13 assemblies by section

Every catalogued assembly group for the Caterpillar A13. Open an assembly to preview the parts inside — full OEM part numbers are available in Heavy Parts AI.

Hydraulic System

161-5843 Lines Gp-Connecting

14***15	Connector As	3
15***94	Coupler As-Quick Disconnect; (Female)(Quick Disconnect)	1
15***95	Fitting As; (Quick Disconnect, Male)	1
16***43	Lines Group-Connecting	1

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177-0288 Lines Gp-Connecting

15***94	Coupler As-Quick Disconnect; (Female)(Quick Disconnect)	1
15***95	Fitting As; (Quick Disconnect, Male)	1
17***88	Lines Group-Connecting	1
17***89	Hose As	1

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161-5847 Lines Gp-Connecting

15***94	Coupler As-Quick Disconnect; (Female)(Quick Disconnect)	1
15***95	Fitting As; (Quick Disconnect, Male)	1
16***47	Lines Group-Connecting	1
17***30	Hose As	1

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161-5834 Motor Gp-Gerotor

16***34	Motor Group-Gerotor	1
17***70	Bolt; (5/8-18x1-In)	1
3V***44	Washer 5 mm(.197 In.) Thick	2
5B***79	Bolt (5 1/2" Long)	7

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Service Equipment And Supplies

161-5842 Plate & Film Gp

15***15	Plate-Identification	1
15***16	Film-Warning; (Flying Debris, Read Omm)(Auger Debris)	1
15***17	Film-Warning; (Entanglement Hazard, Stay Back)(Auger)	2
15***62	Film-Information; (Tie-Down Location)	1

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Work Tool Arrangement

161-5825 Auger Ar

16***25	Auger Ar	1
16***26	Frame Group-Auger	1
16***30	Drive Group-Auger	1
16***42	Plate & Film Group	1

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161-5845 Auger Ar

16***30	Drive Group-Auger	1
16***45	Auger Ar	1
16***46	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***47	Lines Group-Connecting	1

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177-0284 Auger Ar

16***30	Drive Group-Auger	1
16***42	Plate & Film Group	1
17***84	Auger Ar	1
17***85	Bracket Group-Mounting	1

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Work Tools

217-3191 Adapter-Shaft

21***91

Adapter-Shaft

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217-3192 Adapter-Shaft

21***92

Adapter-Shaft

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156-6328 Adapter-Shaft

15***28

Adapter-Shaft

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156-6329 Adapter-Shaft

15***29

Adapter-Shaft

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153-4083 Bit Gp-Auger

15***83	Bit Group-Auger	1
15***87	Tooth Group-Auger	2
15***88	Tooth Group-Pilot	1
15***30	Bit As	1

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153-4092 Bit Gp-Auger

15***87	Tooth Group-Auger	9
15***88	Tooth Group-Pilot	1
15***92	Bit Group-Auger	1
15***36	Bit As-Auger	1

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153-4085 Bit Gp-Auger

15***85	Bit Group-Auger	1
15***87	Tooth Group-Auger	4
15***88	Tooth Group-Pilot	1
15***32	Bit As	1

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153-4089 Bit Gp-Auger

15***87	Tooth Group-Auger	8
15***88	Tooth Group-Pilot	1
15***89	Bit Group-Auger	1
15***34	Bit As-Auger	1

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153-4086 Bit Gp-Auger

15***86	Bit Group-Auger	1
15***87	Tooth Group-Auger	6
15***88	Tooth Group-Pilot	1
15***33	Bit As	1

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153-4084 Bit Gp-Auger

15***84	Bit Group-Auger	1
15***87	Tooth Group-Auger	4
15***88	Tooth Group-Pilot	1
15***31	Bit As	1

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177-0285 Bracket Gp-Mounting

02***87	Fitting-Grease; (Universal Joint)	1
03***53	Ring-Retaining	2
16***29	Pin	1
17***85	Bracket Group-Mounting	1

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161-5846 Bracket Gp-Mounting

02***87	Fitting-Grease; (Universal Joint)	1
03***53	Ring-Retaining	2
15***75	Bracket As	1
16***29	Pin	1

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161-5830 Drive Gp-Auger

02***87	Fitting-Grease; (Universal Joint)	1
03***53	Ring-Retaining	2
11***33	Washer; (11x50x6-mm Thk)	1
16***29	Pin	1

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161-5826 Frame Gp-Auger

02***87	Fitting-Grease; (Universal Joint)	1
03***53	Ring-Retaining	2
16***26	Frame Group-Auger	1
16***28	Bracket As-Auger Mounting	1

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161-5835 Hub Gp-Drive

00***12	Cup-Roller Bearing	2
15***67	Seal	1
16***35	Hub Group-Drive	1
16***36	Shaft	1

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199-6195 Hub Gp-Drive

00***12	Cup-Roller Bearing	2
15***67	Seal	1
16***41	Cover-Dust	1
18***22	Spacer	1

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153-4087 Tooth Gp-Auger

15***87	Tooth Group-Auger	1
15***94	Tooth; (Standard)	1
17***66	Tooth; (Hardfaced)	1
17***67	Tooth; (Carbide)	1

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153-4088 Tooth Gp-Pilot

15***88	Tooth Group-Pilot	1
15***93	Tooth	1
6V***87	Locknut; (M12x1.75-Thd)	1
7X***49	Bolt (M12x1.75x100mm); (M12x1.75x100-mm)	1

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Frequently asked questions

What carrier machines does the Cat A13 auger fit?

The A13 mounts to Cat 216-248 series skid steer loaders and 302.5/303.5 mini excavators through the standard skid steer coupler, running off the carrier's auxiliary hydraulic circuit at 42-87 L/min and 145-227 bar (2100-3300 psi).

What is the operating weight of the A13 auger?

Without a bit installed, the A13 weighs 159 kg (350 lb) total: the gerotor drive unit is 80 kg (176 lb) and the mounting bracket is 79 kg (174 lb). Bit weight adds to that figure depending on diameter.

What replaced the Cat A13 auger?

Caterpillar superseded the A13 with the A14B, a light-duty chain-drive auger built on the same gerotor-motor concept but updated for current skid steer, compact track loader, and mini excavator coupler standards.

What A13 owners discuss

What wear pattern do owners report on the chain-and-sprocket drive?

On chain-drive augers of this class the chain and sprockets are the highest-wear items on the drivetrain after the bit itself. Chain tension needs checking at every setup: too loose or too tight accelerates wear on the sprockets, idler bearings, and the chain together. Owners who run the tool on a carrier's auxiliary circuit above the auger's rated flow report needing to replace the chain far sooner than normal, since the reduction has to absorb speed and torque it wasn't sized for. Community consensus treats chain replacement as routine wear-item upkeep rather than a defect, and recommends re-tensioning and a visual check for stretch or missing links before every job.

How reliable is the gerotor drive motor, and what do mechanics watch for?

The gerotor motor is generally regarded as the reliable core of this class of auger and rarely fails outright under normal use within its rated pressure and flow window. The recurring complaint is seal weep at the motor shaft and at the motor-to-housing mounting joint, most often traced back to a carrier circuit running higher pressure or flow than the tool is rated for, which can push seals past their limit quickly. Mechanics recommend checking the motor's mounting bolts for looseness and looking for oil at the shaft seal at every use, since a fresh leak there points to a motor that needs prompt attention rather than something to run through the season.

How does this light-duty chain-drive design differ in feel from Cat's heavier planetary-drive augers?

Owners and dealers describe a clear split across the Cat auger line: lighter-duty units use a direct gerotor motor coupled straight to a sprocket-and-chain reduction, while the heavier-duty models step up to a planetary gear reduction (single reduction on mid-range units, double reduction on the largest). The chain-drive design is lighter, simpler to service, and adequate for light to moderate digging, but it bogs down sooner in hard clay, frozen ground, or rock compared to a planetary unit turning the same bit at similar torque. The practical takeaway from the field: match bit selection and digging expectations to the drive class, don't expect a chain-drive auger to keep pace with a planetary one in tough ground.

When do owners replace auger teeth, and how do they choose the right GET for the ground they're in?

Worn or rounded teeth are cited as the number one reason an auger stops cutting cleanly, and the field advice is consistent: replace teeth as soon as they round off rather than trying to finish one more hole on a bare shank, because a worn shank never seats a new tooth properly afterward. Standard dirt teeth wear quickly in rocky or heavily compacted ground; carbide-tipped rock teeth and reinforced flighting are the recommended upgrade once rock or repeated hardpan is part of the job mix. Keeping the bit turning smoothly and loaded evenly is also called out as important, since a bit that binds or drags on one side wears its carbide unevenly and shortens tooth life.

Do owners run into fit problems mounting this auger to different carrier brands or coupler styles?

Yes, fit issues at the quick-attach interface are a recurring theme across brands, not unique to any one auger. Reports describe play between the coupler pins and the attachment's mounting holes once either the pins or the holes wear, which lets the attachment rock or shift under load. The fix mechanics describe is checking that the pins fully engage and taper into their holes with no more than light play, shimming or building up worn holes as needed, and not tolerating looseness since it accelerates wear on both the coupler and the attachment mounting plate over time. This applies to auger attachments the same as buckets or forks on the same coupler.

How critical is matching hydraulic flow between the auger and its carrier machine?

Very critical, and it comes up constantly in field discussion. Running the auger on a circuit that delivers less flow than the tool is rated for leaves it underpowered and slow to dig. Running it on a circuit with more flow or pressure than rated does real damage: excess flow or pressure blows motor and gearbox seals quickly and overworks the chain reduction. The general guidance from experienced operators is to spec or select the auger toward the low end of the carrier's auxiliary flow range, since lower rpm at the bit trades speed for more usable torque in clay, frozen ground, or wide-bit digging, and to confirm the carrier's actual auxiliary flow rating rather than assuming it matches the tool by default.

What should a buyer check before purchasing a used A13-class auger?

Field consensus points to the drive unit as the expensive part and the bit as the cheap, expected-to-wear part, so inspection should focus accordingly. Check chain slop and sprocket tooth condition through the guard, look for oil weeping at the motor shaft seal and at the gearbox or motor mounting bolts, and inspect the mounting bracket and coupler pin holes for wallowing or excess play. Confirm the bit and teeth still have usable carbide and that the shank isn't already worn from teeth run too long. Run the auger under load if the seller allows it, listening for chain slap or motor noise that wasn't there at idle. Because a motor, chain, or bracket fault on a rotating digging tool can fail suddenly under torque, have your dealer verify drive motor condition, chain wear tolerance, and mounting bracket integrity before putting a used unit into regular service.

Compiled from owner and technician discussions across the industry — experiences vary by serial range and machine history.

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