Hydraulic Earth Drill Troubleshooting

Solutions to common hydraulic drill troubleshooting questions

Using a hydraulic earth drill can make your projects easier than ever, which is why we want to do everything we can to make sure it’s operating in peak condition. Whether you feel like your hydraulic earth drill might be losing power or the starter rope is becoming difficult to pull, you’ll find the solutions to these questions and more right here. 

Making the Starter Rope Easier to Pull

Hydraulic earth drill fencing

Using a hydraulic earth drill can make your projects easier than ever, which is why we want to do everything we can to make sure it’s operating in peak condition.

If it’s difficult to pull the starter rope on your hydraulic earth drill, check to make sure the quick disconnect couplings are fully engaged. Quick disconnect couplings provide fast and easy connection of fluid lines to easily start the drill. When they are not fully engaged, pulling the starter rope can be difficult.

The hoses can be easily connected without using tools. Connect the handle to the power source, attaching the return side first. This is the long hose that comes from the return line filter. Then, connect the pressure side of the handle to the power source.

Fixing Auger Turning Issues

When the auger turns fine in one direction but does not turn or turns very slowly in the other direction and stops when hitting the ground, your valve control linkage is most likely bent.

The valve control linkage is a small rod that connects the control to the valve spool. To fix this, straighten the linkage, making sure the flat part of the lever (the part you push or pull with your fingers) does not touch the handlebar at any time.

 

Improving Drill Power

If your hydraulic earth drill appears to have lost power, double check the oil that was used at the last service interval. Some retail or automotive stores sell multipurpose oils designed for tractors that are labeled “hydraulic oils.” These oils are not suitable for the Little Beaver power source because they have different additive packages. This can cause the hydraulic components to degrade faster and power to decrease due to friction and internal leakage. If you find that inappropriate oil was used, we suggest having your hydraulic drill checked by a reputable service dealer or calling us at 936-327-3121 and replacing the oil to avoid long term damage. It’s very important to always use the recommended grade when replacing hydraulic oil and to be sure to follow a schedule for regular oil changes.

If the troubleshooting solution you’re looking for isn’t listed here, take a deeper look into our service FAQs for hydraulic earth drills or check out the owner’s manual. If the answer to your problem still isn’t coming up, don’t despair! Contact us to speak with a member of our team for a personalized solution.

Recent Posts

A Formula for Increased Fencing Profit

There’s a lot of math involved in running a fencing company. Calculating the time required to complete a job, the number of crew members that will be needed on site, how many jobs the operation can take on and the cost of...

Small Spaces, Big Insights

Soil sampling in confined spaces is a critical step in construction, urban agriculture and foundation repair projects. However, not every project has the space to accommodate a big soil sampling rig. For projects in confined spaces —...

Anchoring Made Easy: 90-Minute Mobile Home Stabilization

Strong winds and other extreme weather events are potentially frightening, no matter where you live. This is especially true for mobile home owners, who are often more susceptible to storm damage. Mobile home anchoring is one way to...

Augers, Points & Blades Wear Issues

Maximize Drill Performance Operators sometimes forget that points and blades need regular maintenance just like an earth drill does. Too often, these small pieces are forgotten in the day-to-day shuffle of drilling projects....

Choosing the Right Earth Drilling Equipment for Your Project

Whether you’re a DIY’er looking to complete one simple backyard project or a contractor tackling customer jobs, choosing the correct drill type and auger for a project significantly increases the ease and efficiency of your drilling...

Safe Storage

Store Your Earth Drill Properly this Winter Most contractors and rental centers that employ earth drills will experience an approximately 3-4 month winter period in which the equipment is not being used. Before storing your Little...

Groundbreaking Stability

Little Beaver’s Efficient Tool for Tent Anchoring As anyone in the event industry knows, there are several different ways to anchor a commercial tent. Weighted options include sandbags and water barrels, as well as concrete and iron...

So, You Want a Fence… Who’s Going to Install It?

Fences keep children and pets inside your yard while keeping intruders or unwanted critters out. They can also be useful for privacy and noise reduction. Once you’ve decided that you want to build a fence, the biggest question is: do...

Embracing the Benefits of Equipment Rental

Maximize potential while minimizing expenses Providing quality services while maintaining a healthy bottom line will forever be high on a contractor’s priority list. Renting drilling equipment is one way to maximize productivity and...

Fixing the Foundation

Why the Big Beaver Earth Drill is Ideal for Foundation Repair Projects The strength of a structure lies in its foundation. Without a strong base, the entire building is at risk. And even though a house may have initially been built...