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Small Spaces, Big Insights

Small Spaces, Big Insights

Last updated Jan 28, 2025

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 — such as a basement, backyard or on a sensitive historical site — finding equipment that can dig deep enough while fitting into these tight areas can be a challenge.

A Big Beaver Earth Drill makes soil sampling easier in restricted access locations by offering a compact, maneuverable design that is precise to control and safe to run with only one operator.

Maneuverability in Tight Spaces

Big Beaver foundation repair drill

The Big Beaver excels at foundation repair, efficiently drilling pier holes up to 16″ in diameter. A simple crank mechanism lets you align the mast in any position up to 15 degrees from vertical.

The right equipment can make or break a soil sampling project with space limitations. Handheld samplers might seem like a good solution for tight spaces, but they don’t always reach deep enough to procure the samples you need. Alternatives, such as automated options, can be costly while truck- or trailer-mounted rigs can’t fit into small work areas.

Another challenge is that these projects often take place in urban developments, near or beside houses and fences. Contractors need portable, gentle equipment that doesn’t damage turf, sod or landscaping with its tires or heavy weight.

The Big Beaver is only 26 inches wide and 80 inches tall, making it compact enough to fit into an elevator and through a doorway or gate and short enough to stand upright under the eaves of a house or other areas with low overhead clearance. The auger tilt angles up to 15 degrees to get as close to a structure as possible. At 675 pounds, the drill is light enough to minimize damage to lawns and landscaping.

Depth Precision

Each soil sampling project requires the soil to be collected at a different depth. Some projects, like soil sampling for a home garden, only require sampling to about 4 inches deep. This can be completed with a simple hand sampler, but many projects require deeper digging. Construction and foundation repair projects can vary between 3 feet deep up to 100 feet deep.

  • Utility: 3-10 feet deep
  • Foundation Repair: 3-30 feet deep
  • Construction: 10-100 feet deep

These depths vary based on soil type, what project is being carried out and local regulations. Some local agencies require certain soil sampling depths to be tested before construction takes place. The Big Beaver can dig to 30 feet with a 16-inch auger and up to 100 feet with a 6-inch auger, depending on the soil conditions.

Safe Drilling

The Big Beaver is a standalone auger drill rig that allows for safe one-man operation. It features a torque tube that redirects dangerous kickback away from the operator to the power source. The torque tube connects to the drill at three different points on the frame, which allows for nine different torque tube positions. This lets operators position the drill in the most convenient way possible.

In basements or other enclosed spaces, operators should place the engine carriage outside with an extension hose running to the drill. Removing the engine from the room protects against dangerous fumes while working in close quarters. When doing so, operators should anchor the drill to the floor with screw or concrete anchors. This protects the operator from counterrotation by preventing the drill from jerking or tipping when encountering an underground obstacle.

Soil Sampling with the Big Beaver

Restricted spaces shouldn’t hold up your soil sampling project. When automated, trailer- and truck-mounted options just don’t work, a Big Beaver earth drill makes projects easier, safer and more precise. Check out our Big Beaver Earth Drill and soil sampling options to learn more.

Learn How to Set Up the Big Beaver

Anchoring Made Easy: 90-Minute Mobile Home Stabilization

Anchoring Made Easy: 90-Minute Mobile Home Stabilization

Last updated Nov 29, 2024

Hydraulic earth drill mobile home anchoring adaptor

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 secure peace of mind. But depending on the method used, it can be a time-consuming and cumbersome project. There are two main options to complete the work — an earth drill or a pipe thread machine powered by a generator.

While a pipe thread machine is precise, it’s also expensive, slow and exhausting, resulting in several hours of work to anchor a single home. A Little Beaver Hydraulic Earth Drill, on the other hand, has the torque to punch through tough ground with ease and the maneuverability to do it efficiently and quickly.

Safe and Efficient Anchoring

A Little Beaver anchoring attachment offers three substantial benefits: power, precision and safety. Operating at low speeds with high torque, our hydraulic earth auger consistently delivers quick, accurate results. If you hit a rock or other obstacle during the drilling process, you can easily circumvent it by using the drill’s convenient reverse setting. This work is also made safer thanks to Little Beaver’s steel torque tube, which absorbs kickback and eliminates the need for a second operator.

Save Time and Money

Anchoring a mobile home shouldn’t take longer than watching a standard movie. By pairing the Hydraulic Earth Drill with Little Beaver’s anchor adapters, you can install each anchor in less than two minutes and complete an entire mobile home in as little as 90 minutes.

Check out our website to learn the five easy steps of anchoring a mobile home. Contact us with any questions regarding the process or equipment needed. For additional information on anchoring requirements, consult an experienced installer or your local building inspector.

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Augers, Points & Blades Wear Issues

Augers, Points & Blades Wear Issues

Last updated Nov 22, 2024

Maximize Drill Performance

Earth auger blade replacement

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. However, forgoing routine maintenance on these critical parts can lead to a decline in drilling performance or even a complete breakdown on the jobsite.

Proper maintenance and replacement of common wear parts keeps your earth auger operating at peak performance. Like the drills they are mounted on, augers, points and blades require routine maintenance.

  • Check the placement of the points and blades every day. Misalignment might cause the auger to vibrate excessively or “walk” during use.
  • Ensure you’re using the right points and blades for the soil. Standard options work for loamy soils or areas with few rocks while hard clay or frozen ground requires carbide blades. Having the right points and blades will protect the auger from damage and make your drilling project easier.
  • Replace worn attachable points and blades before they reach the auger flighting. Operators can replace these parts quickly with basic hand tools, such as a wrench or ratchet set. To learn more, check out our video below.
  • If the blades wear down far enough to damage the flighting, operators will need to repair the auger flighting by welding the material or replace the entire auger.
  • A good rule of thumb is to never operate a drill with damaged or missing parts, which includes the auger.
Heavy-Duty Auger Point

Heavy-Duty Auger Point

Our earth augers feature abrasive-resistant steel and hard surfacing on the edges of the points and blades. Another benefit of working with Little Beaver is that our points and blades are reversible, which means you get twice as much work out of one point or blade.

The time put into maintaining smaller wear parts protects against larger repair costs if the drill is damaged or breaks. Keep an eye on maintenance schedules to prolong the life of your Little Beaver earth drills.

 

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Choosing the Right Earth Drilling Equipment for Your Project

Choosing the Right Earth Drilling Equipment for Your Project

Last updated Apr 15, 2025

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 job. Let’s explore which choices are the best for your project.

Mechanical or Hydraulic?

Horizontal Boring Tips and Best PracticesDepending on the project, you might find that a mechanical earth drill performs better than a hydraulic earth drill. However, the best option comes down to a few different factors including borehole diameter, soil type and maneuverability needs.

Our Mechanical Earth Drills are ideal for drilling relatively small holes, ranging from 1.5 to 12-inch diameters, in sandy or loamy soil profiles. You might use this drill for landscaping, erecting signs or installing fence posts. DIY’ers often find the Mechanical Earth Drill to be the superior option for home improvement projects. With additional kits, these drills extend past simple post hole drilling. Little Beaver Mechanical Earth Drills offer the option to pair with a horizontal boring kit to bore up to 50 feet under driveways, sidewalks and parking lots.

Fencing with Hydraulic Earth DrillOur Hydraulic Earth Drills have twice the torque of our mechanical models, which makes them better for tasks demanding larger holes up to 16 inches. This could include projects like building a pole barn or monitoring groundwater. These high-powered machines are optimal for use in frozen soil, clay and rocky sediments.

Both earth drill options feature compact, lightweight designs that give them a small footprint and allow them to reach areas where larger models and skid steers can’t go.

Hydraulic Earth Drills can take mobility one step further. Our Towable Earth Drill conveniently attaches to a trailer hitch for hauling to and from the jobsite while the UN-Towable can fit in the back of most SUVs and pickup trucks. They’re also able to drill right next to buildings and other structures. For the toughest jobs, we offer the Big Beaver. Rental centers often choose to stock both mechanical and hydraulic earth drills to appeal to a wider audience of users, including DIY’ers and contractors.

Selecting an Auger

Little Beaver PointsAuger selection can be just as important as drill selection. Roughly 80% of projects will use a standard auger with standard points and blades, which work best in loamy, sandy soil profiles. Typically, these augers range in size between 1.5 to 16 inches, reaching depths of up to 36 inches. Some manufacturers offer additional points and blades that help to expand the use of the standard auger. For example, a carbide blade is best for the toughest types of ground, such as asphalt, dense clay and frozen dirt.

When there’s harsh, rocky terrain underfoot, you need an equally rugged auger. Heavy-duty augers are designed with features like larger flighting and tougher cutting blades. Little Beaver also has heavy-duty points and blades to slice through harder ground, like gravel.

To choose the best auger for your project, it’s important to understand the terrain you will be drilling in. It’s also important to recognize if you’re going to be using the same drill for more than one project. While a post hole might be drilled in an area with loamy soil, a sign might be installed in harsher soil conditions, which will require different auger types and, possibly, different auger diameters.

Making the Best of Your Project

Little Beaver offers an expansive library of informational resources to help you make your project a success. In the FAQ section of our website, you can find detailed answers to questions that may arise as you drill deeper into a project. We’re also happy to have you contact us directly by email or phone.

Safe Storage

Safe Storage

Last updated Sep 13, 2024

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 Beaver earth drill for the season, take some time to thoroughly examine the drill and ensure that all components are in working order. The simple steps below will ensure your machine is ready to go in the spring.

Hydraulic Hibernation

Little Beaver Hydraulic Drill maintenanceTo prepare a hydraulic model for storage, remove the shroud between the tank and the engine to inspect the coupling component. Make sure the rubber spider is not worn or missing pieces. Check for hose leaks or loose connections and look for any cuts or cracks that might be causing them. Additionally, lock the drive head into the “storage” position by pivoting the handle.

Don’t leave your machine out in the cold all winter. Hydraulic oil thickens as it becomes cold, which could damage the hydraulic system and the hoses. The hydraulic oil needs to be changed every three months or 100 hours of use, so it’s more efficient to simply drain the oil for the storage period; just don’t forget to replenish it in the spring. You should use premium mineral oil with anti-wear and anti-foaming additives. If you are using the drill in frigid temperatures, we recommend ISO VG 32-grade oil (46 for normal temperature operation and 68 in warmer climates). 

Year-End Mechanical Maintenance

Little Beaver Mechanical Earth Drill TransmissionRoutine maintenance during active drilling periods of the year keeps your machine primed for the most rugged applications. This includes inspecting, cleaning and lubricating applicable parts for every 30-40 hours of use. But when your drill’s hard work is done and it’s time for its seasonal slumber, ticking off some end-of-the-year checkboxes will make sure it’s ready to go next spring.

Store the drill so that the flexible shaft is stretched straight and not curled up; check for cracks or wires on the outer housing. Look for rust on the push button connector and if you find any, wipe it down with WD-40. Check out the throttle cable as there’s a good chance you’ll need to take things apart to clean it. If frayed, it should be replaced.

Ready for Spring

Some storage preparation steps apply to both hydraulic and mechanical units. There are a couple of options for winterizing the gasoline-powered fuel system of your mechanical or hydraulic drill. The simplest is to completely drain the gas tank. You can also add fuel stabilizer solution, which forms a protective layer by bonding with gasoline to prevent evaporation. It also stops the buildup of sticky resins that can destroy a carburetor and remains effective for up to one year.

Fuel stabilizer is recommended any time a gas engine, especially an older one, will be out of use for three weeks or more. Fill up the rest of the tank upon taking it out of storage, as this will diffuse the stabilizer. Nonethanol gasoline is best for this type of equipment, especially when putting it away for storage or filling up in the spring. Ethanol’s corrosive effects increase the longer the machine sits idle, and the blend doesn’t always mix well with stabilizer. Once this is done, grab a couple wrenches and tighten up all bolts, as they can become loose through the course of routine drilling and transportation.

Always store earth drills in a warm, dry space. Left to the elements in a high-moisture area, the steel will eventually develop rust. Make sure to keep them in a space that doesn’t get heavy foot traffic so it won’t get knocked over or otherwise disturbed, especially if there is a chance of animals or small children being nearby.

Don’t leave the blades dull or rounded since drilling with them can damage the flighting of your auger. Install new blades if they are replaceable or sharpen your carbide blades. Sharpen with a carbide bench grinding wheel tilted to a 5-7 degree relief angle. Clean your blades with warm, soapy water. Do not use a pressure washer, which is too abrasive and can cause damage.

Your Little Beaver Needs a Little Love

Properly storing your earth drilling equipment will keep it running smoothly for many years to come. For any maintenance questions, reference your owner’s manual, check out our online service videos or contact us for direct consultation.