Question 1

What engine does the Cat A19 have?

Accepted Answer

None. The A19 is a hydraulic work tool, not a self-propelled machine. It has no onboard engine; a hydraulic motor on the tool draws power from the host carrier's auxiliary hydraulic circuit and drives a single-reduction planetary gearbox.

Question 2

What is the operating weight of the Cat A19?

Accepted Answer

168 kg (370 lb) total, not including the auger bit, which is sold separately and sized to the job.

Question 3

What replaced the Cat A19?

Accepted Answer

The A19 designation is discontinued. Cat's current skid steer and compact track loader auger lineup covers this planetary-drive auger class under the A23, A41, and A68 model designations, which serve as the modern equivalents.

Question 4

How does the A19's planetary drive perform compared to a lighter direct-drive auger head?

Accepted Answer

Operators moving up from a lighter, direct-drive gerotor auger consistently note the trade: the planetary reduction gives noticeably more torque for the same hydraulic input, at the cost of bit speed. At full rated flow the A19 turns roughly 79 rpm at the drive shaft while making close to 3983 N.m (2935 lb-ft) of torque at max pressure — that combination is what lets it turn larger-diameter bits in stiff or rocky ground without lugging down, versus a same-class direct-drive tool that spins faster but stalls sooner under load. Published torque and speed figures are theoretical at full pressure and flow, so expect somewhat less at the bit once soil resistance and hose losses are factored in.

Question 5

Why does the gearcase or hydraulic motor start leaking oil after a season of use?

Accepted Answer

A slow weep at the output shaft seal after real hours in abrasive soil is treated as ordinary wear, not a defect, and is usually a seal-only fix rather than a full gearcase job. A sudden, heavy leak right after a hose swap or re-coupling is a different pattern — that points to the motor being deadheaded (couplers connected backward or one line blocked), which spikes case pressure and blows the seal outward. Keep gear oil topped to the bottom of the fill-plug threads with the plug hole held horizontal; running the case low accelerates seal and bearing wear. A common service rhythm is an initial check around 50 hours and a drain-and-refill around every 1000 hours, though this varies by unit condition and duty, so confirm the interval against your specific plate or manual. Have your dealer verify the source of any leak before assuming a reseal will fix it.

Question 6

How much wear should I expect on the auger teeth and pilot point, and when do they need replacing?

Accepted Answer

Teeth are a wear item, period — nobody expects the standard forged, hardened-steel double-angle teeth to outlast the bit itself, and hard-faced or carbide-inserted teeth are offered specifically for owners drilling abrasive or rocky ground who want longer service life between changes. The pilot point wears the same way and should be swapped once it's worn smooth enough that the bit no longer pulls itself into the ground on its own. The practical tell that teeth are due is the bit taking visibly longer to penetrate for the same down pressure and flow, or teeth worn back close to the retaining bolts. Uneven wear on one side of the bit usually means it isn't rotating freely or is being forced off-plumb, not a tooth problem by itself.

Question 7

Do I need to match my carrier's hydraulic flow and pressure to the A19?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's the single biggest factor operators bring up. The A19 is built for a standard-flow auxiliary circuit — roughly 42-87 L/min (11-23 gpm) at an optimal pressure of about 145-227 bar (2100-3300 psi) — not the high-flow circuit used by heavier augers in the same lineup. Running it on a circuit that pushes well above that range over time is the classic way to cook the gerotor motor and blow seals; running it on an undersized or mismatched circuit just leaves it underpowered and stalling in tough ground. Before connecting on an unfamiliar carrier, confirm the machine is set to standard flow (not high flow) and that both quick couplers are fully seated — a half-engaged coupler starves the motor the same way a flow mismatch does.

Question 8

What mounting bracket and pivot pin wear should owners watch for?

Accepted Answer

The auger hangs off an articulated mounting bracket with a full-width torque tube and pivot joint that keeps the bit plumb regardless of machine position, and that joint carries the full swing range (roughly 94 degrees) plus all the digging side load. Watch the pivot pin and pin holes for elongation from repeated attach/detach cycles and from working the auger while it isn't kept vertical during a bore — side-loading it that way accelerates wear at the pin and stresses the hose-guide mounts too. Loose mounting hardware between the motor and gearcase shows up as vibration or knocking under load. Because this bracket carries full torque and side load through the pin, have your dealer or a qualified fabricator verify any elongated pin holes, cracked welds, or non-factory bracket work before the unit goes back into service.

Question 9

Does the A19 have any onboard electronics or sensors that can fail?

Accepted Answer

No. The A19 is a purely hydraulic-mechanical work tool — a variable-speed, bi-directional gerotor motor driving a single-reduction planetary gearbox, with no onboard controller, sensor, or wiring harness of its own. All speed and direction control comes from the carrier's auxiliary hydraulic circuit and joystick settings. If the auger seems weak, won't reverse, or stalls, check the carrier's flow/pressure setting and coupler engagement first rather than looking for an electrical fault in the tool itself.

Question 10

What should I inspect before buying a used A19?

Accepted Answer

Check gear oil condition and level at the fill-plug threads first — milky or metal-flecked oil points to internal wear or water intrusion, and a case run low for any length of time is a red flag even if the outside looks clean. Turn the output shaft by hand if possible and feel for roughness or play that would point to worn planetary gears or bearings. Check the teeth and pilot point for remaining service life, and inspect the mounting bracket's pivot pin and pin holes for elongation, cracked welds, or old repairs — that joint takes the full digging load. Inspect hoses and quick-couplers for cracking or weeping, and confirm the coupler and rated flow actually match your carrier's standard-flow circuit before assuming it will bolt on and work. Ask about hours or years in service and what kind of ground it drilled; rock and frozen ground age a drive faster than routine landscaping work. Because the A19 name has been superseded in Cat's current auger lineup, also confirm with a dealer that what you're buying is genuinely the A19 and not a similarly named but differently rated variant. Have your dealer verify gearcase and bracket condition on anything you can't test-run under load yourself.

Power source	No onboard engine. The A19 is a hydraulically driven skid steer loader work tool (auger); it draws power entirely from the host machine's standard-flow auxiliary hydraulic circuit.
Drive motor	Variable-speed, bi-directional gerotor-style hydraulic motor mounted to a single-reduction planetary gearbox (planetary drive system).
Displacement / cylinders / emissions tier	Not applicable — attachment has no engine, displacement, cylinder count, or emissions certification of its own.

Drive unit weight	89 kg (196 lb)
Mounting bracket weight	79 kg (174 lb)
Total weight (without bit)	168 kg (370 lb)
Ground pressure	Not published — not applicable to this work tool class.

Overall width with bracket	1238 mm (49 in)
Overall length with bracket	594 mm (23 in)
Overall height with bracket	889 mm (35 in)
Housing diameter	279 mm (11 in)
Swing range	94 degrees
Max auger bit diameter supported	Up to 914 mm (36 in) for optimal performance

Drive shaft torque at max pressure	3983 N·m (2935 lb-ft)
Bit speed (drive shaft) at max flow	79 rpm
Required hydraulic flow range	42-87 L/min (11-23 gpm), standard-flow circuit
Optimal hydraulic pressure range	145-227 bar (2100-3300 psi)
HEX output shaft size	51 mm (2 in)
Drive method	Single-reduction planetary drive
Auger bit retention	Cross bolts/nuts
Housing design	Cylindrical
Host machine compatibility	Rated for Cat 236, 246 and 248 Skid Steer Loaders (optimum performance); acceptable on 216, 226 and 228 Skid Steer Loaders. Standard-flow hydraulics only — not the high-flow A26 auger class.

Fuel tank	Not applicable — no onboard fuel system.
Hydraulic system	No dedicated reservoir; runs off the host skid steer loader's hydraulic system within the 42-87 L/min (11-23 gpm) standard-flow range.
Engine oil	Not applicable.
Cooling system	Not applicable.

Caterpillar A19

Caterpillar A19 specifications

Engine

Weights

Dimensions

Performance

Service capacities (summary)

A19 fluids & capacities

Caterpillar A19 maintenance schedule

Servicing the A19 beyond the schedule

Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis

Corrective & Common Repairs

Overhaul & Rebuild Points

Seasonal & Environment Servicing

A19 attachments & work tools

Auger family and duty class

Drive system

Hydraulic requirements

Carrier compatibility

Mounting and coupler system

Auger bit range

Bit teeth and G.E.T. options

Hose routing and guarding

Related mini-excavator A19B (separate product)

Current catalog status

All A19 assemblies by section

A19 serial number reference

Frequently asked questions

What A19 owners discuss

Need a specific A19 part?

System	Capacity	Recommended fluid
Planetary gearcase (auger drive head)	No published fill volume in liters/gallons. Level is set to the bottom of the fill/level plug threads with the plug hole held horizontal, not to a measured dipstick figure.	API GL-5 gear oil, SAE 80W-90 viscosity, used year-round as a single grade (no separate cold-weather viscosity grade called out for this size of gearcase). Check level at the initial 50-hour service and every 50 hours after; drain and refill at 1000-hour intervals or per the frame condition.
Grease points (mounting bracket pivot pin, drive-housing pivot pin, hitch pin)	Not a fill volume — apply grease at each fitting until fresh grease is visible purging from the joint.	General-purpose chassis grease (Cat Multipurpose Grease class, NLGI 2). No auger-specific brand name or climate viscosity note is published for this attachment; use daily or per shift under normal duty.
Hydraulic drive (auger motor)	No separate reservoir or tank on the work tool itself. The auger head is driven entirely by the carrier machine's hydraulic circuit through the coupler.	Runs on whatever hydraulic oil is specified in the host skid steer, compact track loader, or multi-terrain loader's own operation and maintenance manual. No A19-specific hydraulic fluid spec is published because the tool has no independent hydraulic system.

Service interval	Tasks
Every 10 h	Wipe down mounting bracket, drive housing, and output shaft; clear packed soil or debris before daily use. Inspect auger bit teeth and pilot tooth for wear, chipping, or looseness; tighten or replace cross bolts as needed. Check mounting bracket pivot pin, drive-housing pivot pin, and hitch pin for excess play or missing retainers. Grease mounting bracket pivot pin, drive-housing pivot pin, and hitch pin. Inspect hydraulic hoses, quick-couplers, and fittings for cuts, abrasion, or seepage before connecting to the carrier.
Every 50 h	Check gearcase gear oil level at the fill/level plug; top off with GL-5 80W-90 gear oil if low. Re-grease mounting bracket pivot pin, drive-housing pivot pin, and hitch pin. Inspect case-half joint and output shaft seal area for gear oil seepage. Check mounting bracket pin holes for elongation or wear from repeated attach/detach cycles. Confirm auger bit retention hardware is torqued and no teeth are missing.
Every 250 h	Inspect drive motor mount and coupling for leakage or unusual play. Check torque tube and bracket-to-drive-housing fasteners for looseness. Re-inspect gearcase oil level and look for metallic sheen or discoloration at the level plug. Inspect hydraulic hose routing for chafing against the bracket or carrier arms.
Every 500 h	Pull a gearcase oil sample for wear-metal analysis before the scheduled full change. Inspect planetary gearset access points and output shaft seal for early leakage signs. Check swing/mounting bracket bushings and pins for wear beyond service limits. Verify auxiliary hydraulic couplers seal cleanly with no cross-contamination residue.
Every 1,000 h	Drain and refill gearcase with fresh GL-5 80W-90 gear oil (full change). Inspect and replace output shaft seal or case-half joint seal if any seepage was noted at prior checks. Inspect drive motor internal wear via flow/pressure check if performance has dropped. Check pilot tooth and cutting teeth for wear limits; replace bit hardware as a set if uneven.
Every 2,000 h	Open gearcase and inspect planetary gear train and bearings for pitting or scoring. Inspect drive motor shaft spline and coupling for wear; rebuild or replace motor if flow response is sluggish. Replace all bracket and hitch pin bushings showing measurable wear. Full hydraulic hose and coupler replacement if age or wear warrants it.
Every 4,000 h	Full planetary drive rebuild: replace bearings, seals, and gear set as a kit. Replace drive motor or send for factory rebuild if wear-metal trend or flow test indicates internal wear. Recondition or replace mounting bracket and torque tube if pin-hole wear exceeds service limits. Repaint and reseal housing to protect against corrosion before the next service cycle.

14***15	Connector As	4
15***94	Coupler As-Quick Disconnect; (Female)(Quick Disconnect)	1
15***95	Fitting As; (Quick Disconnect, Male)	1
16***44	Hose As	2

16***54	Motor Group-Gerotor	1
17***46	Kit-Seal	1
6F***36	Bolt; (3/8-24x6-In)	4

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
16***57	Plate & Film Group	1

16***55	Drive Group-Auger	1
16***57	Plate & Film Group	1
17***91	Auger Ar	1
17***92	Bracket Group-Mounting	1

16***50	Auger Ar	1
16***51	Frame Group-Auger	1
16***55	Drive Group-Auger	1
16***57	Plate & Film Group	1

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

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

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

02***87	Fitting-Grease; (Universal Joint)	1
03***53	Ring-Retaining	2
16***29	Pin	1
17***86	Bracket As	1

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

02***87	Fitting-Grease; (Universal Joint)	1
03***53	Ring-Retaining	2
16***51	Frame Group-Auger	1
16***52	Bracket As-Auger Mounting	1

02***87	Fitting-Grease; (Universal Joint)	1
03***53	Ring-Retaining	2
16***29	Pin	1
17***93	Bracket As	1

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

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

16***56	Planetary Group-Auger	1
22***06	Shaft	1
22***07	Seal-Oil	1
22***11	Hub	1

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