800-227-7515

Little Beaver Logo
Listen to Your Earth Drill

Listen to Your Earth Drill

Nov 27, 2017

Tips For Preventing and Diagnosing Mechanical Earth Drills Issues

Mechanical drills’ high operating speeds

Mechanical drills’ high operating speeds and compact sizes make them a popular choice for contractors and rental centers — and ideal for drilling holes quickly. Although these transmission-powered machines have significantly more moving parts than their more costly hydraulic counterparts, simple knowledge of how to prevent and diagnose common problems will keep your drill running efficiently. Below are answers to questions we get often and some tips to help you achieve better ROI.

What steps can I take to minimize the risk of damaging the drill?

Start by choosing a unit with the correct gear ratio and auger for your soil. For soil with minimal rocks and few roots, a 10:1 gear ratio with a standard auger will provide fast and efficient results. For drilling in clay or other difficult conditions, a 10:1 gear ratio will still work, but switch from a standard to carbide blade to effectively cut through the soil. If you’re working in an area with rocks exceeding 3 inches in diameter, choose a drill with a 20:1 gear ratio reduction and a heavy-duty auger. The gear reduction slows the auger from 360 to 180 rpm and will pop the rocks out of the soil and continue spinning.

Should I be concerned that the gearbox is hot or making an unusual sound?

The gearbox will always be hot to the touch when the drill is operating. However, if the transmission is extremely hot, smells like burned oil or starts making unusual sounds, check the oil level. Oil leaks can occur around the seal, lower output shaft or the top of the transmission, and will lead to drill damage if ignored. Low oil also increases the risk of premature bearing wear, which can result in excessive heat and unusual sounds. To prevent early wear, check the transmission oil level and condition monthly or every 40 hours of operation.

Mechanical earth drill flex shaft maintenance

It’s important to clean, examine and grease the flex shaft every 50 hours of operation to prevent damage.

The engine is running, so why won’t the auger turn?

A problem with the drivetrain, most likely along the flexible drive shaft, is to blame. To pinpoint the issue, start by inspecting the end fittings for cracks or breaks. If there are broken wires or sharp kinks, it’s time to replace the shaft housing. If things appear fine from the outside, remove the flex shaft for further inspection. To prevent flex shaft damage, clean, examine and grease the flex shaft every 50 hours of operation. Check your owner’s manual to determine the correct procedure for greasing the flex shaft.

Why does the clutch slip or cause the drill to jerk during operation?

Over time, a drill’s clutch padding wears, resulting in reduced performance when engaging the auger or accelerating the engine from idle to full speed. The clutch will continue to run, even if the padding is completely gone, leading to easily detectable problems. It’s best to inspect the clutch every 30 days or any time you lubricate the flexible drive shaft. Regular checks will help you track the wear so you can replace the clutch pads before the drill loses performance.

Centrifugal clutch spring replacement

Spring damage can cause the clutch to overheat and may result in the auger spinning when the engine is idling. If this occurs, replace the springs immediately.

Why is the drill less efficient than it used to be despite everything working properly?

Too often, operators allow the points and blades to wear beyond the point of being effective. The drill can run perfectly and spin all day, but if the blades and points are worn, the unit will become less and less effective.

Where can I find additional resources?

Information is always available at your fingertips, including comprehensive maintenance brochures and video tutorials. These helpful tools are excellent resources and often include visuals as well as step-by-step instructions.

Knowing your drill, keeping up with maintenance and accessing additional resources when questions arise will go a long way toward successful drilling.

null
Faster Fencing with Less Downtime

Faster Fencing with Less Downtime

Jun 28, 2017

Earth Drill Maintenance

Stay a Step Ahead of Your Drill’s Maintenance

Routine preventative maintenance is crucial. It boosts uptime and ROI for earth drills, which means faster project turnarounds and hassle-free hole digging — all while reducing your service costs.

To help you stay a step ahead of your drill’s maintenance, our Little Beaver team created a video series that aims to reduce downtime and increase service life for your equipment. In addition to step-by-step maintenance instructions, the videos provide information regarding best practices and tips for getting the most out of your drill.

Our videos address the most common issues encountered with Mechanical and Hydraulic Earth Drills and provide in-depth troubleshooting advice.

To The Next Yard And Beyond

To The Next Yard And Beyond

May 11, 2016

Hydraulic earth drill tree planting5 Ways Earth Drills Increase Your Productivity

Never let poor productivity of handheld equipment and the risk of disturbing the turf with skidsteer tracks slow down your landscaping business. Whether you’re installing fence posts, planting trees or soil sampling, using an earth drill helps you work faster with minimal impact to the customer’s lawn. Here’s how earth drills maximize your productivity.

  • Features that protect the operator and equipment also save your budget.
    Paying workers’ compensation, or shop repairs can have a huge impact on your bottom line. Avoid dangerous kickback to the operator with a steel torque tube on mechanical and hydraulic models. The torque tube transfers drilling torque from the drill head to the engine carriage, virtually eliminating the risk of kickbacks to the operator as well as damage to the transmission and drive cable. Traditionally, contractors used two-man hole diggers, but choosing a model with a torque tube cuts labor costs in half. Another safety feature found on hydraulic units is a pressure-relief valve to stop the machine if hydraulic pressure reaches unsafe levels. More safety and less downtime equals greater productivity.
  • Accuracy and speed are fundamental for completing more projects.
    Manually digging holes is a tedious and inefficient process. Drill several feet deep in seconds rather than minutes with Little Beaver’s mechanical and hydraulic drills. Mechanical drills achieve speeds as fast as 360 RPM and hydraulic drills reach 285 RPM.
  • Little Beaver hydraulic drill torque tubeComfortable and convenient features lead to more productivity.
    Avoid throwing the towel in early due to operator aches and pains. If you hit an obstacle, hydraulic earth drills feature a comfortable one-touch reverse control to help you back out without having to manually lift the dirt and auger on your own. And, padded handles, easy access to the throttle controls and on/off switches on mechanical and hydraulic earth drills ensure a comfortable operation.
  • Simple maintenance equals less downtime.
    Easy servicing ensures that equipment is always ready to go and helps protect your equipment against wear. An earth auger with easily replaceable and reversible points and blades keeps the project running smoothly by cutting through a variety of soils and extends the auger’s service life.
  • Easy maneuverability is key to getting around the worksite.
    Bulky equipment, such as skid steers, are difficult to maneuver through tight spaces and might require following up with handheld tools to get the job done, which can eat up valuable work hours. Compact mechanical or hydraulic earth drills with wheeled power sources, on the other hand, easily access narrow side yards. The pneumatic tires, coupled with the drills’ light weight, prevent lawn damage and make them easy to move. Save valuable truck or trailer space for hydraulic earth drills by using a 2-inch ball hitch for transporting. Or, for additional hauling options, cut the weight in half by unhooking the removable power pack for easy loading and unloading.

Here are some products that can help you be faster and safer as well as grow your job list. Have more questions? Contact us.

null
Hit a Home Run in Fence Construction

Hit a Home Run in Fence Construction

Jan 31, 2016

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.

null
Keeping Healthy

Keeping Healthy

Dec 7, 2015

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

Nov 13, 2015

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.

null