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Small Spaces, Big Insights

Small Spaces, Big Insights

Dec 17, 2024

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

Nov 27, 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

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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Embracing the Benefits of Equipment Rental

Embracing the Benefits of Equipment Rental

May 21, 2024

Mechanical Earth Drills

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 potential while minimizing expenses. For specialty projects and testing the waters on new services, equipment rental can be a cost-efficient option if you’re looking to provide more without over-investing.  

There are endless opportunities that rental centers can help a fencing crew tackle. For example, rental centers offer a range of machines and attachments for safe one-person operation. Availability will vary from center to center, but you can often find our Mechanical and Hydraulic earth drills as well as the Kwik-Trench in a variety of sizes — perfectly scalable for construction and landscape projects.

Drilling Through Soft Soil

Looking for a post-hole auger that is lightweight, high-speed and digs quickly and cleanly? See what your local rental center has for mechanical earth augers. Little Beaver Mechanical Earth Drills power through sand, silt and loam, creating clean 6- to 8-inch diameter holes for applications such as fencing, deck building, landscaping and more. Digging a post hole takes less than a minute, meaning a crew can accomplish a lot with just a two-day rental. Need to bore under something? With Little Beaver’s optional horizontal boring attachments, you can easily rent the equipment to bore under sidewalks and driveways to install landscape lighting, water systems and much more.

Mechanical Earth drill horizontal boring

Tackling Tough Soil

For tougher soils — like clay, rock or frozen ground — a Little Beaver Hydraulic Earth Drill may be the best choice. These machines offer more power than mechanical drills, and our models still allow one-person drilling. With their extra torque, hydraulic earth drills can handle augers up to 16 inches in diameter and can drill depths of up to 30 feet with the right auger. Little Beaver Hydraulic Earth Drills also include a reversible feature that makes them ideal for quick removal from the ground.

Earth Drill used for landscaping

With even more power and potential, UN-Towable and Towable Earth Drills have a balanced torque-free design to enhance operator safety when drilling through uneven terrain. These earth augers are ideal for fencing, landscaping, decks, sign installation and recreational applications.

Effortless Trenching

Mini trencher machines at your local rental center are a great solution for digging trenches. Little Beaver’s Kwik-Trench can dig a 12-inch-deep trench at speeds of up to 30 feet per minute. They make installing lawn sprinklers, electric dog fencing, low voltage wiring, plumbing and drainage lines and wire cable the work of an afternoon. Silt fencing, landscape edging, root pruning and bed preparation also become faster and less backbreaking.

Can Renting Work for Me?

When it comes to one-time projects — those special requests that pop up in conjunction with a current project but aren’t something you’re looking to offer regularly — renting lets crews get the job done without a costly, long-term commitment. Depending on the length of the rental, the team can even knock out several small projects with the same machine, optimizing efficiency. Planning will help ensure you get the most out of the rental.

Repeatedly renting the same equipment can also be cost-efficient, to a point. It’s a great way for small businesses looking to expand their services to test out different machines and attachments before committing. For equipment you don’t plan on using every day, renting rather than buying saves money since the rental center takes on the initial cost of the machine and any maintenance needs. However, it’s important to keep in mind there’s a limit to the cost benefits of renting if your crew is frequently using a specific machine.

When used wisely, renting can be a valuable tool for contractors looking to provide more while spending less. The fastest way to assess rental potential is by taking a trip to your local rental center or talking to the manufacturers who supply their equipment. We’re happy to answer your questions. Contact our team today.

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How to Install a Mailbox Post

How to Install a Mailbox Post

Aug 20, 2022

Using an Earth Drill to Install a Mailbox Post

If you’re wondering how to install a mailbox post, you’re not alone. Mailbox installation is a very common do-it-yourself (DIY) project many homeowners take on. For the least labor-intensive option, we suggest renting an earth drill to get the job done. Using an earth drill, like Little Beaver’s mechanical or hydraulic earth drill, will not only be more efficient than alternative methods, it will also reduce the strain on your back and other potential injuries.

Installing Mailbox Post

What You’ll Need:

  • Little Beaver earth drill with an auger 3 times
    wider than the post
  • Mailbox post (we suggest a 4×4-inch wooden post or
    two-inch diameter steel or aluminum pipe)
  • 50-pound bag of concrete
  • Mailbox
  • Bricks or stone for landscaping (optional)

After gathering the necessary items, we suggest starting by calling 811 to mark buried utilities and checking the manufacturer instructions that came with your mailbox model. Once you have your Little Beaver earth drill rental, make sure to read the owner’s manual or work with your rental center to learn how to operate the drill. Once you’re ready to go, watch our easy set-up video to see the step-by-step process for setting up the drill and disassembling it for transportation. You can also contact the Little Beaver team with any questions!

Per USPS guidelines, a mailbox should be placed six to eight inches back from the curb and 42 inches off the ground. Once you’ve found the right spot, you can start a pilot hole using the earth auger. This is a small hole drilled into the ground to help guide the larger drill for a more precise drilling location. Once the pilot hole has been created, it’s time to put the earth auger to work! After you’ve drilled to your desired depth, typically 20-24 inches, simply lift the auger from the hole and you’re ready for the next step!

Although it’s possible to install a mailbox without concrete, we suggest taking this extra step for improved security and durability. After preparing a bag of fast-setting concrete, place the post in the hole and pour the concrete into the hole around the post. Make sure to allow a few inches of space at the top of the hole and use a level to double-check that the pole is straight. If it has shifted, adjust quickly before the concrete dries.

After the concrete has set, it’s time to attach the mailbox to your post! Most manufacturers have their own instructions for how to get this done, so we recommend following those closely. Once the mailbox has been attached, don’t forget to add your address. If your mailbox is on a different street than your home, USPS requires that you put the full street address on the mailbox.

Even though your mailbox is technically complete after adding your address, you can always go a step further by landscaping around the mailbox before returning your earth drill to the rental center. Earth drills have many uses, including DIY landscaping such as planting small shrubs around your mailbox post.

Snap Up a Snap-On Auger

Snap Up a Snap-On Auger

Aug 8, 2022

Snap-On Connections Offer Quick and Easy Auger Changes

One of the ways to maximize efficiency and get the most out of your earth drill is to use augers that you can change quickly as project requirements change. Traditionally, augers were screwed into the drill with a specific thread size that varies between brands. This connection was chosen for its secure attachment; however, it’s a time-consuming process that doesn’t allow for quick auger changes.

At Little Beaver, we offer snap-on auger connections for our earth drills to ensure you’re getting the strongest and easiest-to-use connection, so you can cut back on downtime and increase productivity in the field. A snap-on auger connection offers a quick and easy method to change augers on your earth drill while providing the strength required to hold up against rough terrain drilling.

Snap-On AugersHeavy-duty snap earth drill augers

Snap-on augers eliminate the need for long auger changeout times by featuring a convenient spring-loaded snap button that secures the auger to the drill head. Little Beaver offers 36-inch and 42-inch auger length options with 13 different diameters, so you can quickly change to the right auger for your project.

A standard snap-on auger excels in soft soils and can also bore through clay, frozen ground and hardpan soil when paired with the right points and blades. Standard snap-on augers are used for most projects. However, for rocky soils, we recommend our heavy-duty snap-on augers to avoid damage.

When a deeper hole is required, extensions make it easier to dig to your desired depth. Our auger extensions also feature the snap-on connection and are available in full flighted and tube versions, at both 18-inch and 36-inch lengths. Full-flighted extensions are available in diameters between three inches and 14 inches.

Hex Augers with Snap-On Adaptor

Smaller augers – between one to three inches in diameter – are too small to be made with the snap-on connector itself. So, our hex augers come standard with a snap-on hex adaptor. This adaptor connects the auger to the drill with a snap button connection, making the attachment quick and easy to use. These smaller augers are commonly used for soil sampling.

D-Series Augers

While a snap-on connection is ideal for many situations, some drilling applications, like soil sampling or foundation repair, require a stronger connection to match the drill’s higher torque. Little Beaver D-series augers connect to the Big Beaver drill and the Lone Star Drills line of soil sampling drills with a strong drive pin connection. This rugged alternative to snap-on augers provides an option to ensure the optimal match between auger and drill.

No matter what project you have in mind, we are here to help you get the best drill and auger combination for your application. Contact Little Beaver today!