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Hit a Home Run in Fence Construction

Hit a Home Run in Fence Construction

Last updated Apr 28, 2025

4 Tips for Building the Perfect Fence

Mechanical earth auger for fencepost installationYou’ve become an expert in landscaping throughout the region. From planting trees and flowers to installing decks and curb edging, you’ve completed many projects for satisfied customers. Now it’s time to step up your game and add fence installation to your services.

Let these fence-building tips lead you to success.

1. Get Answers.
Start like you would with any project, by working with the homeowner or business owner to establish the size, scope and specifics of the project. To do this, always have a set of questions ready that will get to the heart of the project. What kind of fence does the customer want? What will the layout be? Where do they want gates? How high should you build it?

Check with city building codes and, if applicable, neighborhood association rules, so that the fence specs meet all of the codes. If the city assessor has not surveyed the property recently, you’ll want to coordinate that to ensure the fence is built in the proper location and, depending on the area, you may need a permit. Call 811 a few days prior to digging to have utility companies mark underground utility lines, gas pipes and sprinkler systems.

2. Get Your Tools.
Selecting the right hole digging equipment will help you finish on time and on budget. If it’s a small project, you might use a hand-held posthole digger. If you’re doing more than a dozen holes, though, it will be slow work to muscle each hole clean. To tackle bigger or multiple projects, you’ll want the speed and ease-of-use that comes with an earth drill. A Little Beaver mechanical one-man or hydraulic drill can bore each hole in less than a minute with little effort. It’s equally important is to make sure you select the correct auger, points and blades for the soil type you’re working in. This will help you dig holes faster with less pain.

3. Get it Straight.
You can’t get a straight fence without evenly spaced holes and firmly set posts. Set the spacing by marking and digging all corner and gate post holes first. Run a string from corner to corner and then measure the post spacing along the line.

For chain link fences, space postholes no more than 10 feet apart. For wooden fences, posts usually stand 6 to 8 feet apart. If installing posts in soft soils or windy areas, use a hand posthole digger to flare out the hole, creating a bell shape for more stability. The hole diameter needed is based on the size of the post used. For instance, a 4-by-4 post requires an 8-inch diameter hole. This can be easily achieved with Little Beaver’s snap-on augers that range in diameter from 1.5 to 16 inches. Holes are typically 24 inches deep, but you’ll need to ensure the depth is 3 inches below the frost line to prevent posts from cracking in the frozen ground. In some parts of the northern U.S. and into Canada, that means going as deep as 4 feet. If you’re in windy areas or sandy soil, you may want to dig your posts even deeper.

4. Get the Concrete.
Position the posts so that they are the correct height and plumb; even the slightest lean can create a slanted and potentially unstable fence. Next, shovel concrete into each hole. Avoid touching the post, which could cause it to move. Choosing concrete rather than a dirt and gravel mix will give the fence better stability. Allow 24 hours for the concrete to set, and then attach the chain link fabric or wood framing and face boards. With both types of fences, complete the gates last.

Once you’re done, it’s an ideal time to touch base with your customer on fence maintenance and landscaping recommendations. A job well done here can translate to more work, whether from this customer or referrals, as you continue to expand your landscaping services.

Feel free to contact us for further fence-building tips; or general questions on our full line of augers, one-man earth drills and two-man earth drills. We’re always happy to provide the tools and assistance you need.

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Mobile Home Anchoring Made Easy

Mobile Home Anchoring Made Easy

Last updated Jun 20, 2023

Anchoring a mobile home

Hydraulic Earth Drills Offer Speed and Precision

When strong winds blow, a mobile home needs additional protection. No matter the geography, anchoring a mobile home typically involves installing tie-downs and anchors to secure it to solid ground. It’s essential to complete the anchoring process soon after positioning the mobile home on the lot.

Traditional methods to anchor a mobile home involve a pipe thread machine powered by a generator. This system is expensive, as well as slow and cumbersome, resulting in several hours of work to anchor a single home. Hydraulic earth drills simplify the process and eliminate back-breaking labor. Little Beaver hydraulic earth drills offer the mobile home anchoring process two substantial benefits, speed and precision. By pairing the drill’s earth auger with Little Beaver’s anchor adapters, you’ll install each anchor in less than a couple of minutes and complete an entire home in as little as 90 minutes. And Little Beaver’s hydraulic drills feature a reverse position that makes removing anchors as easy as installing them.

Five easy steps to anchoring a mobile home:

    1. Rent or buy a Little Beaver earth drill from a local rental center or dealer and gather the essential equipment, including Little Beaver’s mobile home anchoring kit, anchors and steel straps.
    2. Determine where and how many anchors you’ll need to install around the home’s perimeter. Depending on state laws and regulations, you’ll need to install anchors at 2- to 5-foot intervals, so the number of required anchors can vary. Unlike other models on the market, no predrilling is required.
    3. Snap Little Beaver’s anchor adapter on to the drill’s high-torque handle and fasten the 3-foot anchor with an adjustable wrench or ratchet.
    4. Start drilling the anchor into the first location until only a few inches of it is above ground. Continue this process around the mobile home.
    5. Fasten steel straps around the mobile home’s frame and attach them to each anchor with adjustable bolts.

It’s best to check anchors and straps periodically after installation, as well as before a major storm, to ensure each is secure and free from rust or cracks. Keeping fertilizer away from the anchors and straps prevents rust.

For more information about tying down a mobile home and the equipment needed, contact us. For questions on anchoring, contact an experienced installer or building inspector.

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Keeping Healthy

Keeping Healthy

Last updated Jun 20, 2023

Hydraulic earth drill maintenanceHydraulic Earth Drill Maintenance

It’s easy to neglect little things we should do each day, like eating breakfast, drinking enough water or flossing our teeth. We tell ourselves it’s not a big deal if we forget, but doing so affects our overall health in the long run.

The same goes for hydraulic earth drill maintenance. Since hydraulic drills withstand extra tough conditions and have few moving parts, we assume we don’t have to worry about checking them often. But misuse and irregular maintenance significantly impact the health of a drill.

Neglecting hydraulic drill maintenance can lead to declined performance or, worse yet, a complete breakdown during hole digging projects. Keep your drill healthy by paying attention to these hydraulic wear parts.

hydraulic power pack1. Hydraulic Fluid & Motor Oil

Before starting the engine, check that the power pack’s hydraulic oil reservoir is filled to the top of the sight gauge. Keep the hydraulic oil and return line filter clean at all times, and change both after the first 15 hours of operation. From then on, change the filter and oil every three months or after 100 hours of operation.

Along with the hydraulic fluid, check the engine crankcase oil levels and ensure that all nuts, fasteners and fittings stay tight. A loose engine or tank mounting bolts can cause premature wear.

2. Quick Disconnects & Hoses

Regularly clean the hoses’ quick disconnects before and after drilling. After a job is complete and you begin to take the drill apart, attach the disconnect from the drill’s hydraulic output hose onto its input coupler and vice versa on its power pack. This prevents dirt from getting inside the hydraulic system. If one of the quick disconnect fittings begins leaking, the quick disconnect coupling needs replacement.

Examine hydraulic drill hoses and pipes for leaks, cracks and abrasions and replace if necessary. Keep hose connections tight and fitted for optimum performance.

3. Other Wear Parts

  • ReplaHydraulic earth drill throttleceable Points and Blades on the Auger: Your earth auger’s points and blades need replacement if dull or worn. Always check before and after drilling each hole. If a worn blade isn’t replaced it might damage the auger flighting, which requires either a costly repair or a total auger replacement.
  • Torque Tube: Inspect the tube for cracks before each use. Check that the spring-button attachment is securely snapped into place and replace the attachment if it is bent or broken.
  • Control Valve: If operators encounter any hydraulic oil leakage, they should shut down the power source and relieve the hydraulic pressure by moving the control valve in both directions, which opens the hydraulic oil flow. Tighten the screw-on fittings on the end of each hose. Replace the related hose assembly if the leakage continues. If the control valve leaks around the spool shaft, replace the seal kit.

When putting drills away for the off-season, remember that proper storage contributes to overall maintenance. Drain the gas or put recommended additive in the fuel, whichever the manufacturer suggests. Always store the drills in a dry place because the steel components will eventually rust if left outside or in places with a lot of moisture, such as propped up outside against a building.

Regular maintenance prolongs the life of your digging equipment, boosting your productivity and efficiency. If you have a maintenance issue or question, make sure to reference Little Beaver’s online parts and operators’ manual, online service videos or contact us for in-house technical consultation.

Little Beaver’s PS-20HC Hydraulic Power Source

Little Beaver’s PS-20HC Hydraulic Power Source

Last updated Mar 11, 2022

Add Horsepower Behind Hydraulic Tools

Little Beaver’s PS-20HC Hydraulic Power SourceThe newly redesigned PS-20HC is the latest addition to Little Beaver’s line of hydraulic power sources. With a powerful Honda GX630 engine and a 10-gallon-per-minute hydraulic flow, it can easily power any hydraulic hand tool or equipment that requires hydraulic power for extended periods of time.

“The PS-20HC is the next generation of the PS-20HA hydraulic power source,” explained Little Beaver President Joe Haynes. “The most recent improvements to the unit were increasing the size of the hydraulic oil reservoir and fuel tank to a 5-gallon capacity for extended use.”

The power source’s 5-gallon hydraulic oil reservoir is twice the size of the previous model and uses a larger radiator and electric fan to reduce the heat generated from the 10-gallon-per-minute flow. This allows it to deliver robust power for Little Beaver’s Big Beaver auger drill rig or one of its Lone Star Drill rigs. Because of its versatility, it can also power a wide range of other hydraulic tools, such as jackhammers, chain saws, and post drivers.

A Honda GX630 engine with electric starter powers the PS20HC for dependable, easy starts. Little Beaver also offers the PS-20HC with a Kohler diesel engine for remote sites where diesel is more available than gasoline.

The PS-20HC is an environmentally sound hydraulic power source for markets with strict, clean air regulations. Non-permeable fuel tanks and fuel lines, a vapor recovery system and a special, ratcheting gas cap prevent harmful volatile organic compounds found in gasoline and diesel fuel from escaping the PS-20HC. Little Beaver also offers an optional charcoal recovery canister that captures additional particulates and meets California EPA emission standards.

The PS-20HC comes mounted to a three-wheeled steel carriage for easy maneuverability to, from and around the job site.

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Drilling Deeper

Drilling Deeper

Last updated Oct 16, 2025

Selecting the Best Earth Drill & Accessories for Your Project

Mechanical vs Hydraulic Earth Drill BenefitsAn earth drill is an excellent tool for a variety of projects, from installing fence to planting trees and creating irrigation systems. It can also be used for anchoring mobile homes, large tents and utility poles. Notice the diversity of work that can be accomplished using this singular tool. While these projects may appear similar because they all demand a hole, drill beneath the surface and you’ll find that soil composition makes a big difference in what power option and style of auger is best for the task at hand.

Taking a few minutes to understand the different drill types and components will win you enhanced productivity on the jobsite. You can choose between two types of engine-driven, one-man earth drills: hydraulic or mechanical. They might look alike, but each post hole auger was designed for a distinct purpose.

Hydraulic Power

Hydraulic earth drills are your best option for the toughest layers of sediment, including frozen ground and rocky soil. They have approximately double the torque of mechanical models. Little Beaver’s hydraulic machines have rugged bodies and powerful torque to punch through stony sediment. Precise, low-speed operation coupled with high torque allow the operator to drill clean and accurate holes, even in the most difficult applications.

Hydraulic drills are ideal for single-hole projects such as installing signs and planting trees because they’re compatible with large-diameter augers, some as wide as 16 inches. The torque makes them perfect for quickly anchoring mobile homes. Additionally, the drills typically have a reverse setting so you can safely remove the earth auger if it becomes lodged under a rock or tree root.

Mechanical Speed

Mechanical earth drills are more compact and lightweight, but still pack a powerful punch. When your project needs speed and precision, this drill is up to the task. This transmission-powered unit performs high-speed auger rotations at 360 rpm so you can quickly drill several, narrow holes for a wide range of applications, such as fence post fitting and deck footings, as well as planting flowers. Paired with an effective horizontal boring kit, it can also drill under driveways or sidewalks for a variety of landscaping needs.

Superior Safety

Most drills with 360 rpm speed require two operators to stabilize the unit. Both our mechanical and hydraulic drills have a torque tube that transfers torque from the auger to the power source, drastically reducing the risk of encountering dangerous kickback. This one-of-a-kind invention makes one-man drilling not just possible, but also safe and efficient. The torque tube reduces physical strength on the operator and enables safe operation regardless of drilling experience.

Auger Selection

Once you’ve chosen your drill type, it’s time to pick the auger that matches the required hole diameter. Augers can be as narrow as 1-1/2 inches for smaller jobs like soil sampling, and wide as 16 inches for large applications, such as foundation repair. Little Beaver’s snap-on augers can make changing out the auger or attaching extensions a quick and easy process. They feature a spring-loaded snap button, which secures the auger to the drill head. This reduces set-up and take-down times. This connection method simplifies the process of adding extensions, which enables the operator to dig a few feet deeper without needing to purchase a longer auger.

Little Beaver PointsContractors and landscapers should also look for augers that have swappable points and blades. Standard blades are ideal for loamy soils or areas with few rocks because of the cold-rolled steel and hard surfacing on the edges. Use Little Beaver’s carbide blades for drilling in denser soils. They equip the earth auger to chop hard clay and frozen ground into pieces. Swap out the blades using an adjustable wrench. These modifications enable an auger to drill more than 100 holes in prime soil conditions before needing service.

An Essential Tool

Whether you are a seasoned construction pro or a do-it-yourself weekend warrior, the one-man auger is a timesaving, indispensable companion in your arsenal of tools. Outfitted with Little Beaver’s reliable drill designs, you can tackle drilling projects in a fraction of the time you would with a shovel.

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