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How to Install a Mailbox Post

How to Install a Mailbox Post

Last updated Jun 21, 2023

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

Last updated Sep 23, 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!

Landscaping with Little Beaver

Landscaping with Little Beaver

Last updated Oct 10, 2025

How Earth Drills and Mini-Trenchers Can Streamline Yard Projects

Landscaping keeps your lawn protected, healthy and looking great. Whether you’re doing a full landscaping project or just adding a sprinkler system, Little Beaver haMechanical Earth Drill horizontal borings tools that can help speed up your work. Keep reading to learn how our Mechanical earth drills and Kwik-Trench mini-trenchers can help your next project go quickly and smoothly.

Mechanical Earth Drills

Mechanical earth drills cut down on the time you spend digging holes. If you’ll be planting trees or shrubs, or installing mailboxes or fence posts, you’ll find that using an earth drill significantly speeds up the process while creating consistent holes that meet the size requirements of your project.

Little Beaver Mechanical earth drills combine a compact, lightweight design with additional safety features to allow safe and efficient one-man operation. Our torque tube reroutes kickback from the drill away from the operator, making it one of the safest drills for single person operation. One-man drilling projects can be dangerous, but Little Beaver earth drills help ensure your project is done efficiently and safely.

Kwik-Trench Mini-Trencher

Traditionally, landscapers have used shovels and other gardening tools to break up soil to dig trenches for edging or underground wiring or sprinkler lines. This process is time-consuming and physically grueling. That’s why Little Beaver offers a mini-trencher.

The Kwik-Trench features a simple, push-forward design for easy operation and enhanced operator safety compared to competitive pull-back models. This mini-trencher cuts trenches up to 12 inches deep and 4 inches wide, neatly depositing the soil on one side of the trench to make backfill quick and easy.

Kwik-Trench mini-trencher

Horizontal Boring Kit

When installing underground wiring or sprinklers, you might need to run a portion of the line underneath a driveway or sidewalk. To do so, you’ll need a reliable, safe equipment option to easily bore underneath the concrete or asphalt. Little Beaver’s horizontal boring kits attach to our Mechanical earth drill providing both dry and wet boring opportunities.

The sidewalk boring kit includes a 5-foot auger with a 3-inch diameter bit, a horizontal drill key and a 5-foot extension with a universal wiggle joint. Once connected to a drill, the horizontal boring kit can bore underneath a standard sidewalk. If you need to bore a longer distance, we also offer the driveway boring kit. The driveway boring kit includes a 2-, 3-, or 4-inch water drill bit with a swivel adapter that connects through swivel assembly and a horizontal drill key. This kit can bore up to 50 feet under driveways or parking lots.

No matter what landscaping project you have planned Little Beaver can help. Let us help you choose the best Little Beaver product for your landscaping project. Contact us today!

Earth Drills for Beginners

Earth Drills for Beginners

Last updated Mar 11, 2026

Using an Earth Drill to Safely Speed up Your Do-it-Yourself Projects

If you’re working on do-it-yourself (DIY) projects that require digging holes, earth drills exist to make your life easier. Instead of manually digging a hole, earth drills use a rotating spiral auger or pipe with blades attached at the lower end to cut through the soil easily and efficiently.

Whether you’ve rented before or you’re looking into tackling your first project with an earth drill, there are a few factors to consider that can help make the job easier and improve safety during your project.

Why Use an Earth Drill?

Earth drills can be a great solution for DIY projects because of their ability to dig a hole in a matter of minutes without wearing down your body. If you’ve got deep digging projects for backyard fences, decks or even installing a mailbox post, an earth drill will be a valuable asset. Since all drills from Little Beaver are designed for safe one-man operation, you can truly do it all yourself — no reluctant family members needed!

Mechanical Earth Drill 101

A mechanical earth drill is one of the most common models offered from rental centers because of its tried-and-true performance and user-friendly design. Mechanical earth drills from Little Beaver can take on everything from soft soils to dense, rockier applications and drill small to medium diameter holes. The high auger speeds on mechanical drills make for fast project completion while the lightweight design maximizes mobility. If you’re working on a deck, fence or landscaping project such as planting trees, the mechanical earth drill is a perfect choice!

Hydraulic Earth Drill 101

Hydraulic earth drills are a good choice for clay, rock or frozen ground. The durable body and high torque of these drills make them perfect for powerful drilling of larger diameter holes. An added benefit of renting a hydraulic drill from Little Beaver is the reversible drive for easily removing the drill from holes. Although a hydraulic drill can be used for fence building and landscaping just like a mechanical drill, it is also strong enough to handle work with post holes for pole barns, anchoring projects for mobile homes or industrial fencing.

Towable and UN-Towable Earth Drills

Some rental centers might offer more variety in their hydraulic drill selection with the addition of our Towable and UN-Towable models. These units are perfect for those who need the power of a hydraulic earth drill without the operating weight and transportation challenges that can be associated with traditional hydraulic drills.

The Towable earth drill can be transported behind any vehicle with a standard hitch using a removable “no-tools” towing hitch, which also saves valuable truck or trailer space. The UN-Towable drill has a removable power pack that reduces the overall weight of the drill by 50 percent. This drill can still be transported on the back of a vehicle, but the wheels hover above the ground during transportation for faster travel speeds and reduced wear and tear on the drill.

Both the Towable and the UN-Towable drill are designed so their frame bears the brunt of the operating weight, not the operator. The “teeter-totter” design allows the weight of the auger to be offset by the engine, lessening the impact on the worker during operation.

Customize Your Drill

With a variety of earth drills available, you can also easily customize the drill you rent based on soil type, hole size and auger speed requirements to make sure you have the best tool to tackle the job ahead. Little Beaver offers several different auger widths to fit a variety of drilling applications and to make your job easier than ever. This can be a good tip to keep in mind as you’re working with your local rental center to determine what you need for your project.

Is it Worth the Risk?

Over the years, earth drills have gained a reputation for being both powerful and dangerous. Stories of operators being thrown from the drill are enough to make some DIYers question if it’s worth the risk. Little Beaver has been focused on safety from the start and took extra steps to design a system with features to protect the operator, like torque tubes to absorb shock on both mechanical and hydraulic earth drills. These torque tubes work by distributing heavy vibrations and force to the engine carriage instead of the handles so one person can safely and comfortably operate the drill. An additional bonus is that the torque tube reduces effort and fatigue while drilling so you can easily complete a project while hardly breaking a sweat.

Be sure to ask your rental center about proper operation. Earth drills are meant to make your DIY project as easy as possible so you can stay safe and be confident as you drill.

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.