Caterpillarwork toolauger

Caterpillar A26

Maintenance schedule, common problems & OEM parts breakdown

The Cat A26 is a hydraulically driven auger drive unit, not a self-powered machine. It has no engine, no undercarriage, and no fuel or cooling system; it runs entirely off the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of a host carrier, drawing 95-130 L/min (25-34 gpm) at 207-290 bar (3002-4206 psi) through a gerotor motor with double planetary reduction to deliver output torque up to about 6830 N·m (5034 lb-ft), depending on carrier pressure and mount. It sits in Caterpillar's compact-carrier auger line alongside the smaller A7/A7B and A14/A14B and the similarly sized A19B, and mounts to skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, backhoe loaders, wheel loaders, and mini excavators through carrier-specific brackets and couplers. Bit sizes run 152-914mm (6-36in), covering general-purpose, rock, and tree-planting work. The unit carries its own serial number prefix, separate from its A26B successor.

Caterpillar's later A26B uses the same gerotor motor and double planetary reduction drivetrain and shares the A26's hydraulic flow, pressure, and torque envelope; no independently published spec sheet separates the two beyond the model name, so treat the A26 and A26B as close design siblings rather than confirmed twins. Cat's current catalog no longer lists an A26 or A26B by name: this drive unit continues in production as the A68 skid steer coupler auger, and dealer listings once tagged for the A26B now point straight to the A68 page. In the used and parts market the A26 matters because it is mechanically simple and dominated by wear items rather than electronics or engine condition. Bits, teeth, pivot pins, hex shafts, and gearbox oil condition tell you nearly everything about remaining service life, without the engine or emissions-system risk that complicates buying a self-powered machine of similar age.

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 A26 specifications

Engine

Model identity	Cat A26 is a hydraulically driven auger work tool, part of the Cat auger line (A7/A7B, A14/A14B, A19/A19B, A26/A26B). The plain A26 is the earlier drive-unit generation; the current production unit for this size class is cataloged as the A26B. No independently published spec sheet exists for the un-lettered A26 generation, so figures below reflect the A26B, the only generation with verifiable factory data. Treat as the same auger family unless a dealer parts record for a specific serial confirms otherwise.
Power source	No onboard engine. The auger is driven off the carrier machine's auxiliary hydraulic circuit through a variable-speed, bi-directional hydraulic motor mounted to a double-reduction planetary gearbox.
Drive motor type	Gerotor-style (skid steer/track loader/wheel loader and backhoe-loader mounts) or gear-style hydraulic motor (mini excavator mount), double planetary reduction.
Drive gear reduction	About 33.8:1 to 34:1 planetary reduction, consistent across published carrier-machine configurations.
Motor displacement	43.8 cc/rev (2.67 in3/rev) per the backhoe-loader spec sheet. A separate skid-steer/track-loader/wheel-loader family sheet lists 440 cm3 for the same A26B motor and effective displacement, a 10x difference from the backhoe figure — likely a units inconsistency between the two factory sheets rather than a true spec difference. Use with caution and confirm against the specific spec sheet for your carrier machine.

Weights

Total weight without bit — backhoe loader, Pin-On mount	183 kg (403.5 lb)
Total weight without bit — backhoe loader, Pin-Lock mount	201 kg (443.2 lb)
Total weight without bit — mini excavator mount (305C CR)	107.5 kg (237 lb); drive unit alone with hydraulic lines is 102 kg (225 lb)
Total weight without bit — skid steer/track loader/wheel loader mount	182 kg (401 lb); drive unit with hydraulic lines 91 kg (201 lb) plus mounting frame with clevis 91 kg (201 lb)
Weight, general note	Total weight varies by carrier-machine mounting configuration (backhoe loader vs. mini excavator vs. skid steer family), not by a single fixed spec.
Auger bit weight range	About 23 kg (50 lb) for the smallest 152 mm (6 in) standard bit up to about 172 kg (380 lb) for the largest 914 mm (36 in) standard bit; tree bits run roughly 74-141 kg (163-310 lb) depending on diameter.
Ground pressure	Not applicable / not published — the auger is a carried work tool, not a ground-bearing machine.

Dimensions

Overall width with bracket	1152 mm (45 in) — consistent across all published carrier-machine configurations
Overall length with bracket	598 mm (24 in), per the skid steer/track loader/wheel loader family spec sheet
Overall drive unit height with bracket	978 mm (39 in) — consistent across backhoe-loader, mini-excavator, and skid-steer-family spec sheets
Housing diameter	280 mm (11.0 in) per the backhoe-loader spec sheet vs. 252 mm (9.9 in) per the skid-steer/track-loader/wheel-loader family sheet — figures vary by source/configuration, use the sheet matching your carrier machine
Swing range, total	76 degrees for backhoe-loader and mini-excavator mounts vs. 102 degrees for the skid-steer/track-loader/wheel-loader family mount — varies by configuration
Swing range split, backhoe loader Pin-On	57 degrees backward / 58 degrees forward
Swing range split, backhoe loader Pin-Lock	70 degrees backward / 60 degrees forward
Swing envelope length, backhoe loader Pin-On	1632 mm (64.3 in) both backward and forward
Swing envelope length, backhoe loader Pin-Lock	1816 mm (71.5 in) backward, 1671 mm (65.8 in) forward
HEX output shaft size	51 mm (2 in), standard industry connection to the auger bit, consistent across all configurations

Performance

Maximum hydraulic flow — backhoe loader	95 L/min (25 gpm) continuous, up to 151 L/min (40 gpm) intermittent
Maximum hydraulic flow — mini excavator and skid-steer family	130 L/min (34.3 gpm) maximum
Maximum hydraulic pressure — backhoe loader	250 bar (3625 psi) continuous, up to 290 bar (4206 psi) intermittent
Maximum hydraulic pressure — mini excavator and skid-steer family	290 bar (4206 psi)
Drive shaft torque — backhoe loader	4728 N·m (3487 lb-ft) at 3000 psi continuous rating, rising to 5711 N·m (4212 lb-ft) at 3625 psi intermittent
Drive shaft torque — mini excavator and skid-steer family	About 6828-6830 N·m (5034-5040 lb-ft) at maximum pressure
Bit speed at maximum flow — backhoe loader	60 rpm at 25 gpm, 76 rpm at 32 gpm, 95 rpm at 40 gpm
Bit speed at maximum flow — mini excavator	87 rpm
Bit speed at maximum flow — skid-steer/track-loader/wheel-loader family	81 rpm
Auger bit diameter range	152-914 mm (6-36 in) standard bits; tree bits available in 305/610 mm (12/24 in) and 610/914 mm (24/36 in) two-diameter configurations
Duty class	Rated for moderate to heavy-duty boring applications — footings, fence posts, sign and light-tower posts, tree and shrub planting — the heaviest-duty auger in the Cat compact-carrier auger lineup below the excavator-class units.

Service capacities (summary)

Fuel tank	Not applicable — the auger has no engine or fuel system of its own.
Hydraulic system	No independent hydraulic reservoir; the auger runs entirely on the carrier machine's auxiliary hydraulic circuit. Required flow and pressure are listed under Performance; consult the carrier machine's own hydraulic tank capacity for system-level fluid volume.
Engine oil	Not applicable — no onboard engine.
Cooling system	Not applicable — no onboard engine or independent cooling circuit; cooling is handled by the carrier machine's hydraulic system.

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

A26 fluids & capacities

System	Capacity	Recommended fluid
Planetary drive gearbox (auger reduction unit)	No published liter/gallon figure. Fill by level: top off to the bottom edge of the filler-plug threads with the fill holes held horizontal, not by a measured volume.	API GL-5 gear oil, SAE 80W-90. Same fill procedure applies across ambient conditions; the manual does not give a separate cold-weather viscosity chart for this unit.
Grease points (bracket pivot pin, drive housing pivot pin)	Lubricate daily; apply until fresh grease purges at the pin, no set fill quantity given.	General-purpose NLGI 2 multipurpose grease, per standard Cat work-tool grease-point practice. The specific maintenance-interval excerpt located for this tool calls out lubrication only by interval, not by a named grease product, so treat the brand name as the standard Cat recommendation rather than a line quoted verbatim from the A26 chart.

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

Caterpillar A26 maintenance schedule

Service interval	Tasks
Every 10 h	Lubricate the bracket pivot pin and the drive housing pivot pin Inspect auger bit teeth and pilot tooth for wear; rotate or replace to keep an even wear pattern Inspect the frame mounting bracket for cracks, wear, and loose hardware Check planetary gearbox oil level at the filler plug; fill to the bottom of the plug threads with the hole horizontal Change the planetary gearbox oil at the initial 50-hour break-in point Inspect hydraulic hoses and fittings for leaks, chafing, and secure connection at the carrier's quick-couplers
Every 250 h	Check torque on mounting bracket bolts and pivot pin retainers Inspect the hex output shaft and bit adapter for rounding, cracking, or spline wear Inspect the gerotor drive motor shaft seal for leakage Check the auger-to-bracket coupling and pivot bushings for play Confirm hydraulic quick-couplers seat and lock fully on the host carrier
Every 500 h	Pull a planetary gearbox oil sample and check for metal fines or water contamination Inspect pivot pin bushings for wear; replace if clearance exceeds spec Re-torque all bracket and mounting hardware to full spec Inspect auger flighting and weld seams for cracking Check gerotor motor mounting fasteners for looseness
Every 1,000 h	Change the planetary gearbox oil Inspect planetary gear teeth and bearings for pitting or scoring through the drain/fill opening Replace worn pivot pins and bushings Inspect hex shaft splines and bit-retention hardware for wear Check drilling performance (bit speed and torque under full hydraulic load) as an indirect check on gerotor motor wear
Every 2,000 h	Remove the drive housing and inspect the planetary gearset and bearings; replace as needed Replace gearbox output seals and O-rings Inspect the gerotor motor for internal wear; rebuild or replace if drilling performance has dropped Inspect the drive housing and mounting frame for cracks or bent components Replace pivot pin bushings as a set
Every 4,000 h	Full teardown and rebuild of the planetary gearbox: bearings, seals, and gears Rebuild or exchange the gerotor hydraulic motor Replace all pivot pins, bushings, and mounting hardware as a set Inspect and repair the drive housing and bracket structure Re-certify the unit before returning it to service

Servicing the A26 beyond the schedule

Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis

Gearbox oil is the one fluid worth sampling on this attachment. Pull oil at the planetary gearbox drain/fill plug and watch for metal fines, which point to gear or bearing wear, and water intrusion, which points to a failed seal. Because the A26 carries no onboard diagnostics, drilling performance is the other early-warning signal: falling bit speed or torque under full carrier hydraulic flow points to gerotor motor wear before the gearbox oil shows it.

Corrective & Common Repairs

The most common service is bit and tooth replacement. Rotate teeth from one side to the other to spread wear before they blunt. Hex output shaft and bit-adapter splines round off from slippage under load and need periodic inspection. Hydraulic hose and fitting leaks show up at the carrier's quick-couplers from repeated connect/disconnect cycles. Pivot pins and bushings at the bracket and drive housing wear loose and cause auger misalignment if not replaced.

Overhaul & Rebuild Points

Gearbox rebuild is due when an oil sample turns up metal or the output seal starts weeping. Plan on replacing bearings, seals, and gears as a set rather than piecemeal. Pivot pin and bushing wear at the bracket pivot is the other major overhaul point; loose pivots let the auger rock off-axis under load. A gerotor motor that has lost torque or bit speed under full hydraulic pressure needs a rebuild or exchange. Inspect the drive housing for cracks after sustained rock or frozen-ground work.

Seasonal & Environment Servicing

API GL-5 80W-90 gear oil thickens in cold weather; let the carrier's hydraulics warm up before drilling at full load so the gearbox isn't shock-loaded. Check that pivot pin grease hasn't washed out or stiffened in freezing temperatures. Switch to a rock-pattern bit for frozen or stony ground, since standard teeth wear fast, and inspect them more often in those conditions. Before off-season storage, drain condensation from the gearbox breather, cap the hex shaft, and store the unit bracket-down to keep water off the pivot pins.

A26 attachments & work tools

Auger drive unit identity

A26 is the Cat auger drive line marketed in current catalogs and dealer literature as A26B, a double-reduction planetary drive built for moderate- to heavy-duty, high-torque drilling. It is a hydraulically driven attachment (no onboard engine); output depends entirely on the carrier machine's hydraulic system, not on the auger itself.

Bit compatibility

Offered with auger bits from about 152 mm (6 in) up to 914 mm (36 in) diameter, including 152, 229, 305, 457, 610, 762 and 914 mm (6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 in) sizes. Combination tree-transplant bits are also listed in 305/610 mm (12/24 in) and 457/914 mm (18/36 in) pairings. Exact bit range offered varies by dealer and region; confirm current availability with a Cat dealer.

Hydraulic requirement

Optimal continuous hydraulic flow is 95-130 L/min (25-34 gpm) at 207-290 bar (3002-4206 psi) working pressure. This falls in the high-flow auxiliary hydraulics range, so the host skid steer, track loader, or backhoe loader needs a high-flow hydraulic kit or equivalent auxiliary circuit to reach rated bit speed and torque.

Output torque and speed

Drive shaft torque at maximum pressure runs about 6830 N·m (5040 lb-ft), with bit speed near 81 rpm at maximum flow. Output shaft is a 51 mm (2 in) hex. Reported weight for the drive unit varies by source and bracket configuration, roughly 180-235 kg (400-445 lb); verify exact figure for the specific bracket ordered.

Skid steer / track loader / wheel loader coupling

For skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, multi-terrain loaders and compact wheel loaders, the unit mounts through a skid steer quick-coupler bracket. Cat's current catalog carries this same double-reduction drive under the A68 designation for these carrier classes, with the bracket built around full-width upper and lower torque tubes, an articulated joint, cradle, foot stand and step for stable ground positioning.

Backhoe loader mounting

For backhoe loaders (period-correct fit noted for 416E, 420E, 430E class machines), the same drive unit is offered in Pin-On and Pin-Lock bracket configurations instead of the skid steer coupler, matching the backhoe stick's pin geometry.

Family / sibling drives

A26 sits above the smaller single-reduction A19B (now cataloged as A41) in the auger lineup and below no larger factory Cat auger drive; A19B/A41 is sized for moderate-duty drilling with smaller bit ranges, while A26/A26B (now A68) is the double-reduction, high-torque option for larger-diameter or harder-digging jobs on the same carrier classes.

Extensions and shaft adapters

Depth extensions are available to increase drilling depth beyond the standard bit length. Hex-to-round and round-to-hex adapters let the drive run either hex-shank or round-shank bit designs on the same output shaft.

Swing and guarding notes

On excavator-style mounting variants of this drive family, factory literature lists a swing range of about 60 degrees forward/aft and 76 degrees side to side with mechanical swing stops to protect against auger over-swing; carrier-specific guarding beyond the mounting bracket's cradle and foot stand is not separately documented for the SSL/CTL/backhoe A26 configuration and should be confirmed with a dealer for the exact application.

All A26 assemblies by section

Every catalogued assembly group for the Caterpillar A26. Open an assembly to preview the parts inside — full OEM part numbers are available in Heavy Parts AI.

Hydraulic System

179-2907 Lines Gp-Connecting

14***17	Adapter, -12 Orb / -16 Orfs	2
14***40	Adapter; (Straight) (-8 Orb X -8 Orfs)	1
14***57	Elbow As.	2
15***43	Connector As.	1

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Service Equipment And Supplies

177-0301 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

177-0300 Auger Ar

16***51	Frame Group-Auger	1
17***96	Drive Group-Auger	1
17***00	Auger Ar	1
17***01	Plate & Film Group	1

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Work Tools

217-3191 Adapter-Shaft

21***91

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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217-3192 Adapter-Shaft

21***92

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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153-4085 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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217-3194 Bit Gp-Auger

15***87	Tooth Group-Auger	10
15***88	Tooth Group-Pilot	1
21***93	Bit As	1
21***94	Bit Group-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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177-0296 Drive Gp-Auger

02***87	Fitting-Grease; (Universal Joint)	1
03***53	Ring-Retaining	2
16***29	Pin	1
17***96	Drive Group-Auger	1

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161-5851 Frame Gp-Auger

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

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177-0299 Planetary Gp-Auger

00***06	Plug	2
03***60	Cup-Roller Bearing	1
03***61	Cone-Roller Bearing	1
17***99	Planetary Group-Auger	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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A26 serial number reference

The PIN plate for the A26 auger is a riveted metal ID plate on the attachment frame or mounting bracket, not on a host machine chassis. It reads as a 3-letter serial prefix followed by a sequence number (for example AKF00123); the prefix identifies the work tool model and the build lot, the digits after it are the individual unit count within that range.

Prefix	Identifies	Notes
AKF	A26 Auger (base, hydraulic-driven work tool, pre-A26B)	AKF1-Up covers the base A26 auger work tool, distinct from the later A26B (which carries the LLS1-Up prefix). It is a hydraulically driven attachment with no engine of its own; drive comes from a gerotor-style hydraulic motor through a planetary reduction gearbox powered by the host carrier. A field kit for converting standard auger flight heads to rock-drill duty is documented against this same AKF1-Up range. No further split by region or configuration is documented for this prefix.

Frequently asked questions

What powers the Cat A26 auger?

Nothing onboard. The A26 has no engine; it is driven entirely by the host carrier's auxiliary hydraulic circuit. It needs 95-130 L/min (25-34 gpm) at 207-290 bar (3002-4206 psi) through a gerotor motor with double planetary reduction, producing output torque up to about 6830 N·m (5034 lb-ft) depending on carrier pressure and mount.

What is the A26's operating weight?

Caterpillar has not published one fixed weight figure for the A26; drive-unit weight varies with the mounting bracket and coupler used for the specific host carrier (skid steer, backhoe loader, wheel loader, or mini excavator mounts each add different hardware). Its A26B/A68 successor documentation likewise lists dimensions rather than a single weight, so treat any quoted number as configuration-specific.

What replaced the Cat A26 auger?

The A26B, which uses the same gerotor-motor double-planetary-reduction drivetrain and the same hydraulic flow, pressure, and torque envelope as the A26. Caterpillar's current parts and sales catalog carries this drive unit as the A68 skid steer coupler auger, with A26B listings now redirecting to the A68 page.

What A26 owners discuss

Why does the A26 bog down or stop turning even though the carrier's engine sounds fine?

The A26 has no engine or pump of its own. All torque and rotation come from the carrier's auxiliary hydraulic circuit, so a bog-down usually traces back to the host machine, not the auger. Common causes owners report: low aux flow because the carrier is set to standard flow instead of high flow, hydraulic oil too cold or too hot, a partially clogged filter dragging pressure down, or the auger simply hitting harder ground than the flow available can push through. If the tool stalls at the same depth every time in the same soil, that points at flow/pressure delivered by the carrier, not a fault in the auger's own drive.

How long does the planetary gearbox oil last, and what wear pattern shows up when it's neglected?

Owners who track it check gear oil level on a set interval (commonly monthly or every 100 hours of use, whichever comes first) and do a full change at least once a season, more often in high-cycle rental or contractor use. Neglected gearboxes run hot, cook the oil, and the seals harden and start weeping at the output shaft and housing joints. A gearbox that shows up dry or with milky, burnt-smelling oil has usually been run low for a while — that's the pattern mechanics flag as pre-failure, not a one-time event. Any gearbox found dry after a known service interval should be checked for internal damage before it's put back to work — have your dealer verify.

What causes broken teeth and worn hex/round drive adapters on the auger bit end?

Carbide-tipped teeth wear gradually in abrasive or rocky ground and chip or snap off if the operator forces the auger instead of letting it cut at its own pace. Frequent symptom reported by users: teeth rounding off first in rock or caliche, with full breakage following if worn teeth aren't swapped promptly. On the drive-shaft connection, the hex or round adapter and its retaining pin wear oval over time from repeated torque reversals (forward/reverse to clear spoil); a sloppy adapter fit is usually the first sign, and it will eventually shear the retaining pin or hammer out the pin hole if ignored.

The mounting bracket and pivot pins feel loose after a season of use — is that normal wear?

Some looseness is expected as the bracket bushings and pins wear in, but bracket bolts backing out or a pin that's visibly worked its way oversize is a maintenance item, not something to run through a season. Users on excavator and backhoe swing mounts report the pivot pin and bushing wearing fastest because that joint absorbs the shock of every bite into hard ground; skid steer quick-attach plates wear more at the wedge/lever contact points. A bracket with visible play under load should be checked for cracked welds and pin-bore elongation before continued use — have your dealer verify.

The auger has no electronics of its own — what electrical or sensor issues actually show up in the field?

None on the tool itself; there's no onboard wiring, sensor, or controller to fail. What operators actually run into is misdiagnosis: a carrier's auxiliary-hydraulic detent, flow-rate selector switch, or case-drain sensor acting up gets blamed on "the auger" when the fault is entirely in the host machine's circuit. If an auger that worked fine on one machine suddenly underperforms on another, the first check is the carrier's aux hydraulic settings and case drain, not the attachment.

How do I know if the auxiliary hydraulic flow on my carrier matches what the A26 needs?

Match the carrier's rated auxiliary flow and pressure against the tool's rated operating range before ever hooking it up — running an auger drive above its rated flow gives it essentially no cushion, and users who've done it describe blown motor and gearbox seals soon after. Running well below the rated range just means weak torque and slow drilling, not damage. If you're buying an auger separately from the carrier it'll run on, confirm the flow/pressure match on paper first, then verify in person with a flow meter if you have any doubt — have your dealer verify.

What should I check when looking at a used A26 before buying it?

Walk the mounting bracket first: look for cracked welds, elongated pin bores, and excess play at the quick-attach or pivot connection. Check the output shaft and adapter spline or hex for rounding and slop, and confirm the retaining pin and hole aren't worn oversize. Pull the gearbox dip/level check and look for correct oil level and color — milky or burnt oil is a red flag for heat history. Inspect the hydraulic motor and gearbox housing for weeping seals or fresh oil residue that someone may have wiped down before the sale. Finally check bit condition: tooth wear, flighting for cracks or repair welds, and cutting-edge wear versus the bit's original profile. Any auger that's been run hard on rental duty will show these wear points first — have your dealer verify before you rely on it for production work.

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

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