Variable geometry auger coupler

1. An auger attachment system comprising:

a coupler having a first end, a second end, and an opening having a shape and size to receive a drive shaft or an extension attachment, wherein the opening extends from the first end to the second end;

an auger having a collar for removably combining with the second end of the coupler such that either the coupler or the collar have a lug member and the other of the coupler or the collar have a recessed opening with an engagement area, wherein the collar has a first end, a second end, and an opening having a shape and size to allow the extension attachment to pass through the entire collar into the auger, wherein the opening extends from the first end to the second end;

wherein said engagement area is adapted to receive the lug member so that force is communicated from the coupler to the collar through the lug member's engagement with the engagement area;

wherein said engagement area has a top wall and an end wall, said top wall and end wall adapted to help secure the lug member within the engagement area;

wherein said end wall is spaced apart from the recessed opening allowing the lug member to rotate relative to the engagement area until the lug member engages the end wall.

2. An auger attachment system comprising:

a coupler having a first end, a second end, an opening having a shape and size to receive a drive shaft or an extension attachment, and a lug member, wherein the opening extends from the first end to the second end, wherein the lug member protrudes from the second end;

an auger having a collar for receiving the second end of the coupler, said collar having an inner surface, an engagement area, a first end, a second end, and an opening having a shape and size to allow the extension attachment to pass through the entire collar into the auger, wherein the opening extends from the first end to the second end;

wherein said engagement area is adapted to receive the lug member so that force is communicated from the coupler to the collar through the lug member's engagement with the engagement area;

wherein said engagement area has a top wall with a recessed opening and an end wall, said top wall and end wall adapted to help secure the lug member within the engagement area;

wherein said end wall is spaced apart from the recessed opening around the inner surface allowing the lug member to rotate relative to the engagement area until the lug member engages the end wall.

3. The auger of claim 2 wherein rotational torque in the forward direction is communicated from the lug member to the end wall of the engagement area.

4. The auger of claim 2 wherein upward movement is communicated from the lug member to the top wall of the engagement area.

5. The auger of claim 2 wherein the coupler has a shoulder and the collar has a top wall, and wherein downward movement is communicated from the shoulder of the coupler to the top wall of the collar.

6. The auger of claim 2 wherein rotational torque is communicated from the coupler to the auger by direct contact between components.

7. The auger of claim 2 wherein rotational torque is communicated from the coupler to the auger without using any removable fasteners to communicate the torque.

8. The auger of claim 2 further comprising a fastening member to secure the lug member in the engagement area.

9. The auger of claim 8 wherein the collar has an outer surface and the fastening member is flush with the outer surface of the collar.

10. The auger of claim 2 wherein the components are reversed such that the lug member extends outward from the collar and the recessed opening is in the coupler.

11. The auger of claim 2 wherein the collar is welded to the auger.

12. An auger attachment kit comprising:

a first coupler having a first end, a second end, and an opening having a shape and size to receive a drive shaft having a first geometry;

a second coupler having a first end, a second end, and an opening having a shape and size to receive a drive shaft having a second geometry;

a collar permanently secured to an auger, said collar having first end, a second end, and an opening adapted to receive the second end of the first coupler and the second coupler, wherein the opening has a shape and size to allow an extension attachment to pass through the entire collar into the auger, wherein the opening extends from the first end to the second end.

13. The kit of claim 12 wherein the second end of the first and second coupler further comprises a lug member extending outwardly therefrom.

14. The kit of claim 13 wherein the collar further comprises a recessed opening having an engagement area adapted to receive the lug member.

15. The kit of claim 14 wherein the engagement area has a top wall and an end wall.

16. The kit of claim 14 further comprising a fastening member to secure the lug member in the engagement area.

17. The kit of claim 16 wherein the collar has an outer surface and the fastening member is flush with the outer surface of the collar.

18. The kit of claim 15 wherein rotational torque in the forward direction is communicated from the lug member to the end wall of the engagement area.

19. The kit of claim 15 wherein upward movement is communicated from the lug member to the top wall of the engagement area.

20. The kit of claim 15 wherein the coupler has a shoulder and the collar has a top wall, and wherein downward movement is communicated from the shoulder of the coupler to the top wall of the collar.

21. The kit of claim 12 wherein rotational torque is communicated from either the first coupler or the second coupler to the auger by direct contact between either the first coupler or the second coupler and the collar.

22. The kit of claim 12 wherein the collar further comprises a lug member extending outwardly therefrom; and

wherein the second end of the first and second coupler further comprises a recessed opening having an engagement area adapted to receive the lug member.