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Hydraulic Earth Drill Troubleshooting

Hydraulic Earth Drill Troubleshooting

Last updated Jun 9, 2023

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.

Mechanical Earth Drill Troubleshooting

Mechanical Earth Drill Troubleshooting

Last updated Jun 9, 2023

How to solve problems preventing your mechanical drill from working properly

Mechanical Earth Drill Troubleshooting

For more than 50 years, Little Beaver earth drills have been the #1 choice of rental store owners, fencing contractors and other professionals who want a one-man auger that’s safe and simple to operate.

There’s nothing more frustrating than your mechanical earth drill not performing the way you want it to. For more than 50 years, Little Beaver earth drills have been the #1 choice of rental store owners, fencing contractors and other professionals who want a one-man auger that’s safe and simple to operate. We’re dedicated to your success and have an extensive list of FAQs to address operation and maintenance questions. Check out solutions to some of the most common questions we receive about operating our mechanical earth drills.

The Drill Doesn’t Start

If you’re having trouble starting your mechanical earth drill and you’ve checked the fuel levels, there are a couple things you can try to get it working properly.

We incorporate an engine kill switch on the operating handles to allow quick fingertip control of the shut off for both safety and convenience.  Often overlooked, this switch can be the culprit and an easy fix to a drill that will not start. There is also a switch incorporated in the torque tube bracket that will prevent the unit from running unless the torque tube is installed. This switch provides added safety and operator protection.

If the switch isn’t the culprit, take a moment to inspect your spark plugs. Clear indications that the spark plugs need to be changed include an engine that misfires, surges or consumes significant fuel. While you’re at it, we also recommend checking the engine oil. Although the engine has an alert that prevents operation when levels are too low, proactively checking the levels can save time and avoid hassle in the future.

Getting an Auger “Unstuck”

Occasionally, when drilling, you may encounter soils or circumstances that prove challenging for even the most powerful drills. If your auger is stuck in the ground, disconnect the handle/gearbox. Then use a pipe wrench on top of the auger to turn it in a counter clockwise direction. Be very careful not to damage the auger top.

If the pipe wrench is not successful, we do offer a specially designed tool for this situation. Part #9022-T is a Tee Handle. This handle is used in place of the pipe wrench for added leverage. You can order a Tee Handle by calling 936-327-3121.

To prevent this situation in the future, make sure not to push down on the auger when digging in soft clay or sandy soil. Let the drill do the work to efficiently cut its way through the soil.

Getting the Auger to Turn When the Engine is On

If your engine runs but the auger doesn’t turn, a problem with the drive train is the most likely situation. Frequently, the issue can be traced back to the flexible shaft core. The best way to determine if the flex shaft is the issue is to inspect the core end fittings for cracks or breakage. If the flex shaft core appears to be undamaged, check the key on the clutch drum, the gears or shaft keys within the gearbox and the adapter key on the gearbox output shaft for signs of damage.

If you find damage to the flex shaft or an issue with the gearbox, get in touch with our team to get the necessary repair parts and tips on how to prevent future damage. If both look fine but the auger still doesn’t turn, contact us or check your maintenance manual for further information on this issue.

Keeping the Auger Still When Not Engaged

If your auger turns all the time – even when not engaged – try adjusting the engine idle. If you’re unable to adjust to a low enough level to prevent turning when not engaged, replace the springs on your centrifugal clutch. To get the replacement springs and any tips on how to install them, contact us at 936-327-3121.

When an auger is working properly, the springs in the centrifugal clutch adjust when the auger is engaged so the clutch shoes push back and forth against the clutch housing to propel the auger. When not engaged, the clutch shoes stay still, so the auger stops turning. As the springs wear down, they loosen so the clutch shoes always pulse against the clutch housing.

To help reduce wear on the springs, make sure not to “bog down” the engine when using the drill. It’s important to let the auger turn fast enough that the clutch doesn’t slip because excessive slippage will cause overheating and loss of temper of the springs. 

If you’re still not finding what you’re looking for, take a deeper look into our service FAQs for mechanical earth drills or check out our 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.

The Do-It-All Earth Drill

The Do-It-All Earth Drill

Last updated Jan 15, 2024

How Little Beaver Earth Drills bring versatility and efficiency to municipalities

Municipalities have their work cut out for them. Whether it’s city maintenance workers or general contractors hired to sustain parks in a city, town or borough, a day’s work can involve several industries’ skills rolled into one crew. They can be installing fence posts in the morning, replacing sprinkler lines mid-day and find themselves planting trees in the afternoon.

With this much variety, working smarter, not harder, is paramount to overall productivity. And having versatile tools that allow crews to better utilize labor, safely, while also outperforming other methods, can have a major impact on efficiency. Little Beaver Earth Drills can do just that. Our full line of earth drills enables safe one-man operation with nearly two times the productivity of other units. It’s just a matter of finding the Little Beaver earth drill that best meets your municipality’s needs.

Here are our two most popular earth drills for municipalities and how they can streamline work for grounds crews.

Mechanical Drills + Boring

Earth drill horizontal boring kitsIf your town or city plants a lot of small greenery, installs several fences or other tasks that require crews to dig numerous footings quickly throughout the year, our Mechanical Earth Drills may be right for you. Perfect for horizontal boring or fast, narrow hole drilling, these drills, like all our drills, allow for safe, one-man operation and have the speed to help crews excel.

With our mechanical drills, users can choose from augers ranging from 1.5 to 16 inches in diameter with 36- or 42-inch lengths. And with multiple gear reduction ratio options, crews can choose a mechanical drill with 360 RPM for loose, soft soils or one with a lower speed that is better suited for dense, rockier formations. With a mechanical drill, crews can quickly install a long row of shrubs and then shift to setting a pole for a basketball hoop in denser soil — all without missing a beat.

To further increase municipal staffs’ versatility, we make Horizontal Boring Kits for our Little Beaver Mechanical Earth Drills. These are available in a sidewalk kit, for boring short distances up to five feet long, and a driveway kit, for boring up to 50 feet. The horizontal boring attachment allows grounds crews to install everything from sprinkler systems and lighting wire to drainage pipes and more, all with an easy-to-connect attachment.

Whether horizontal boring or planting a row of shrubs, these tasks, and everything in between, can be accomplished with one crew member thanks to our industry-leading design. A centrifugal clutch and torque tube eliminate dangerous operator kickback and prevent jarring stops when encountering an obstacle. Additionally, the innovative torque tube redirects torque to the engine carriage instead of the drill’s handles. These features make for a winning combination that spares drill components and protects the operator’s safety, allowing crews to better utilize their labor.

But, if heavy-duty applications and anchoring are abundant and soil types are consistently rocky and dense, hydraulic drills might be a better choice.

Hydraulic Drills + Anchoring

Hydraulic earth drill installing - anchors for mobile homesOur Hydraulic Earth Drills, with their powerful torque, are perfect for installing anchors or digging holes for large playground equipment, awning supports, sizable landscaping and other tasks that require deep, wide footings.

These earth drills accommodate augers up to 16 inches in diameter with drilling depths of up to 35 feet depending on the auger. The seemingly endless auger options combined with rugged drill construction and increased torque allow crews to take on lighter tasks like planting landscaping and then quickly shift to heavy-duty construction, like installing support beams for a sunshade. This gives crews the flexibility to divide and conquer whatever their municipality throws at them.

And with the hydraulic drill line, crews don’t have to look elsewhere for anchoring needs.  Thanks to our innovative torque tube and precise auger rotation at low speeds, our hydraulic drills are perfect for anchoring. Our Anchor Adapters are available for various applications from anchoring poles and beams to installing tent stakes, making them a perfect, versatile solution for municipalities. By quickly snapping an adapter onto our earth drill’s high torque anchor handle, crews have a one-man anchoring machine to secure footbridges, large playground equipment and more — a much safer and more efficient option than anchor crankers.

The extensive tasks that await city maintenance crews and contractors every morning don’t also have to mean an extensive set of tools. With a little knowledge about the applications, crews can choose one Little Beaver Earth Drill to carry them through the day — safely and efficiently.

Little Beaver Mourns Loss of Sales Manager Mike Hale

Little Beaver Mourns Loss of Sales Manager Mike Hale

Last updated Apr 27, 2022

Mike Hale, long-time sales and marketing manager at Little Beaver, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 4, 2021.

Hale’s influence on the fencing and drilling industries spanned decades. He began working in fencing as a summer job in high school. After learning the industry as a teenager, he continued installing fences across southern California, eventually owning his own fencing company for more than 20 years.

After experiencing first-hand the safety and efficiency of Little Beaver’s earth drills, Hale joined the company in 1996. For the past 25 years, he has been the voice behind sales and quote inquiries, using his expertise to help customers select the drilling products to bring that same safety and efficiency to their own companies.

“Mike’s impact on our company and industry has been tremendous,” said Little Beaver president Joe Haynes. “He understood the challenges our customers faced and was really able to help them find the solutions they needed. He will be greatly missed by all of us at Little Beaver, not only for the work he did but also for the person he was. We have lost a dear friend and industry advocate.”

A complete obituary and service information will be posted with Cochran Funeral Home at cochranfh.com.

Mike Hale

Mike Hale, Sales and Marketing Manager at Little Beaver

Mike Hale experienced the benefits of Little Beaver drills over his many years in the fencing industry.

4 Drills for Fence Installation

4 Drills for Fence Installation

Last updated Apr 28, 2025

Which Should You Choose?

With all the earth drills on the market that are capable of installing a fence, how do you sort through the options to find the best drill for your specific needs? Little Beaver offers multiple options that appeal to fencers looking for the labor-saving benefits of safe, one-man drilling. While any drill may do the trick, different drills have different strengths depending on the job, and a drill that consistently gives you great performance can help you land more jobs and increase your profitability. Here’s a breakdown of our most popular options for fencing and the jobs they’re best suited for:

Mechanical Earth Drill

Mechanical Earth DrillIf the majority of your jobs require speedy, one-man drilling, look to our mechanical earth drill series.

Little Beaver mechanical earth drills combine a compact, lightweight design with unbeatable speed and precision. These transmission-equipped units feature high-speed auger rotations and excel in situations requiring numerous posts in very little time. And with optional 13:1 or 20:1 gear ratios, they can take on everything from soft soils to dense, rockier applications.

If you’re looking for more ways to expand your business, Little Beaver mechanical earth drills are compatible with horizontal boring kits, enabling expansion into landscape lighting installation and running sprinkler lines or cable under driveways and sidewalks.

A centrifugal clutch and torque tube truly enables safe, efficient one-man drilling, eliminating dangerous operator kickback and preventing jarring stops when an obstacle is encountered. Additionally, the innovative torque tube redirects torque kickback to the engine carriage instead of the drill’s handles. Other brands of drills reduce performance to accommodate one-man hole digging. But not Little Beaver. We feature all of the power without the inherent risks of other drills.

Hydraulic Earth Drill

Hydraulic Earth DrillDespite all the advantages of mechanical earth drills, a season full of drilling a large auger through hard packed clay and soft rock formations may leave mechanical drill owners envying their hydraulic-equipped competitors.

Hydraulic earth drills are your go-to drill for the most challenging soils because of their rugged bodies and powerful torque. Their high torque and precise operation at low speeds allows operators to drill clean, accurate holes, even in the most difficult applications. Hydraulic drills are ideal for drilling wide holes because they have the torque to drive large-diameter augers — some as wide as 16 inches — making them perfect for installing large fence posts, gate posts and any large-scale decorative fencing. Additionally, our hydraulic earth drills have a reverse position so you can safely back-out the auger if it becomes lodged under a rock or tree root.

While hydraulic drills don’t have a clutch to worry about, the operator could be at even greater risk of injury due to the large amounts of torque from these drills. This is where our torque tube is more important than ever as it allows a single operator to safely handle high levels of torque that would be an unthinkable risk with any other design. 

Towable

Towable Hydraulic Earth DrillDo the advantages of our hydraulic earth drills sound appealing for your fencing crew, but you need easier maneuverability and transportation while still maintaining high torque? If so, look no further than our Towable Hydraulic Earth Drill.

Our Towable drill consists of a T-shaped steel frame with highway-rated tires in the center, an 11-horsepower Honda engine located on one end and the auger and controls on the other. The frame balances the weight of the drill over the wheels, making it easy for one person to move, pivot into place and manage when drilling. The wide tires also prevent damage to delicate turf or landscapes.

The design reduces operating weight by roughly 50% compared to traditional hydraulic drills, and it requires less than 20 pounds of force to pivot into digging position. The frame also eliminates torque for safe one-person drilling. The rig can be conveniently towed using a removable “no tools” towing hitch, saving valuable truck or trailer space and making it an economical tool for fencing contractors of any size.

UN-Towable

UN-Towable Hydraulic Earth DrillIf the maneuverability of the Towable is just what your fencing operation needs but you require more transportation options and a lighter package, our UN-Towable Hydraulic Earth Drill is the workhorse you’re looking for.

Like the Towable, our UN-Towable operates with a balanced design that makes maneuvering and operation a breeze, but it comes in a smaller package with greater transportability and still achieves drilling specs similar to that of the Towable.

Unlike the Towable, which must be towed behind a truck or loaded onto a trailer, the UN-Towable can be easily moved to the jobsite in the back of a pickup truck or SUV. Alternatively, an optional slide-in receiver hitch offers an additional transportation method. The user-friendly E-Z load bracket is designed to fit in any two-inch receiver, commonly found on most pickup trucks and SUVs. Simply secure the unit in the hitch, crank up the machine until it stops, and insert the pin to lock it in place. This allows fencing crews to carry more and do more without worrying about transportation logistics or expanding their fleet.

Additionally, smaller fencing crews or those needing more flexible transportation will benefit from the UN-Towable’s removable power pack. By detaching the power pack, the overall weight of the drill is reduced by 50%, allowing the machine to be easily transported in two parts.

Fencing can be tough work; don’t make it harder with an ill-suited drill. Consider your crew’s size, typical jobs and future needs to pick a drill that will help you excel at jobs today and give you a greater return on your investment down the road.