TEXOMA 900 Foundation Drill: Low-Mile Carrier, Proven Kelly Bar Conversion

TEXOMA 900 Foundation Drill: A Battle-Tested Rig with a Fresh-Carrier Advantage

Foundation drilling demands equipment that delivers torque, stability, and reliability through hundreds of boreholes. The TEXOMA 900, listed at $189,000 on Proxy Equipment, offers a compelling package: a proven auger/foundation drill head married to a low-mileage 1990 Custom Carriers quad-axle day cab with a Cummins diesel and 15-speed manual transmission. With only 1,998 hours on the drill and 12,933 miles on the truck, this rig presents a rare value proposition for contractors who need production-ready equipment without the depreciation hit of new iron.

This machine occupies a sweet spot in the used equipment market. The TEXOMA 900 has earned its reputation in utility, foundation, and geotechnical work across North America. The 3-bar Kelly bar conversion modernizes the drilling capability, while the enclosed cab with working A/C keeps crews productive in adverse weather. For buyers weighing the cost of a new drill rig against the risk of a high-hour used unit, this 1990 model offers a middle path: proven components, documented low use, and a price point that preserves capital for tooling and mobilization.

Key Specifications

Condition Assessment

The 5.9/10 condition score places this TEXOMA 900 in Tier 3, reflecting a machine that has seen moderate use but retains functional integrity across critical systems. This is not a pristine, low-hour museum piece—nor should buyers expect one at this price point. What the score indicates is a rig that runs, drills, and transports without immediate major investment.

Several factors support this assessment. The 1,998 drill hours represent relatively light use for a 34-year-old machine—roughly 58 hours annually, assuming continuous ownership. More significantly, the 12,933 miles on the Custom Carriers chassis is exceptionally low for a commercial truck of this vintage. The Cummins diesel and 15-speed manual transmission have substantial service life remaining if maintenance records confirm regular intervals.

The 3-bar Kelly bar conversion is a notable value-add. Kelly bar replacements or conversions represent a significant capital expense, and this upgrade suggests prior owners invested in capability rather than running the original configuration into obsolescence. Working A/C in the enclosed cab, confirmed by the seller, eliminates a common pain point in used equipment—non-functional climate control that drives operator fatigue and turnover.

Buyers should conduct thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on: Kelly bar wear and pin engagement, mast structure and guides, outrigger function and pad condition, hydraulic system integrity (hoses, cylinders, pumps), and carrier frame rust or fatigue cracking. The 5.9 score implies cosmetic wear, potential surface corrosion, and possible weeping seals—none necessarily deal-breakers, but items to quantify for negotiation or budgeting.

Pricing Analysis

At $189,000, this TEXOMA 900 sits in a competitive band for used foundation drill rigs. New truck-mounted auger drills with comparable depth and diameter capacity typically range from $400,000 to $700,000 depending on manufacturer, Kelly bar configuration, and carrier specifications. The used market for TEXOMA models specifically lacks deep liquidity, which creates both opportunity and valuation uncertainty.

The pricing method returns "insufficient_data," indicating limited comparable sales in recent market activity. This is common for specialized foundation equipment where transaction volume is low and configuration variability is high. Buyers should benchmark against recent sales of similar vintage TEXOMA 600, 700, and 900 series rigs, as well as competitive models from Bay Shore, Watson, and Soilmec.

The value proposition rests on three pillars: low carrier miles (12,933 miles dramatically reduces chassis-related risk), functional Kelly conversion (eliminates $30,000-$60,000 in potential upgrade costs), and modest drill hours (1,998 hours suggests significant mast, gearbox, and hydraulic component life remains). For a contractor with immediate project needs, this rig offers faster mobilization than ordering new, with roughly 50-60% capital preservation versus current OEM pricing.

Financing considerations matter at this price point. Lenders typically advance 70-80% of appraised value on used construction equipment, meaning buyers should prepare $38,000-$57,000 in equity plus transaction costs. The low hours and documented conversion may support stronger collateral valuation than a generic Tier 3 machine.

What Makes This Machine Stand Out

Low-Mileage Carrier Advantage: The 12,933-mile odometer reading distinguishes this listing. Most truck-mounted drills of this age accumulate 100,000+ miles through project-to-project relocation. This chassis likely served a single region or spent extended periods on long-term sites, preserving brake, clutch, driveline, and suspension components.

3-Bar Kelly Conversion: Foundation drilling technology evolved from 4-bar to 3-bar Kelly configurations for improved spoil removal and reduced jamming in certain soil conditions. This conversion signals adaptability and eliminates a common post-purchase modification.

Proven Powertrain Pairing: The Cummins diesel and manual 15-speed transmission represent a serviceable, well-understood combination. Parts availability remains strong through independent suppliers and Cummins distributors, and most fleet mechanics possess familiarity with this architecture.

Enclosed Cab with Working A/C: Operator retention is a critical challenge in foundation work. Climate-controlled cabs reduce fatigue, improve safety margins, and expand the hiring pool beyond operators willing to tolerate open-station exposure.

Manual Rod Handling: While less efficient than automated systems, manual rod handling reduces mechanical complexity and maintenance burden. For contractors working primarily smaller-diameter, shallower bores, this simplicity is a feature, not a limitation.

Who This Machine Is For

Regional Foundation Contractors: Companies specializing in building foundations, retaining wall tie-backs, or underpinning in stable geologies where auger drilling dominates. The 3-bar Kelly suits cohesive soils and rock-overburden sequences common in the Midwest and Southeast.

Utility and Pole Contractors: Electric cooperatives, telecommunications firms, and highway lighting contractors requiring drilled shaft foundations for transmission poles, cellular towers, or sign structures. The truck-mounted configuration enables rapid site-to-site movement.

Geotechnical Investigation Firms: Organizations conducting soil boring, standard penetration testing, or instrumentation installation. The low hours and simple rod handling align with intermittent, precision-oriented use patterns.

Rental Fleet Operators: Equipment rental companies serving the drilling market can extract strong utilization from this rig given its broad applicability and manageable maintenance profile.

Entry-Level Drill Contractors: Entrepreneurs transitioning from subcontractor to self-perform foundation work. The $189,000 price point, while substantial, avoids the debt burden of new equipment and allows capital allocation to tooling, insurance, and bonding capacity.

Final Assessment

The TEXOMA 900 (PE-47198) offers a pragmatic acquisition for buyers who prioritize functional capability over cosmetic perfection. The 5.9 condition score demands due diligence but does not obscure genuine strengths: exceptionally low carrier miles, a productivity-enhancing Kelly conversion, and a powertrain configuration that mechanics know and parts suppliers stock. At $189,000, this rig occupies a defensible position in the used foundation equipment market—neither distress-priced nor premium-inflated.

For contractors with qualified inspection capability or established relationships with TEXOMA service providers, this listing warrants serious consideration. The 46 available images, including the primary front-left view, provide initial visual documentation; in-person or third-party inspection remains essential given the Tier 3 condition classification.

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