Last updated Mar 27, 2026
Keeping Safety in Mind Before Starting the Job
Whether you’re using a hand shovel or an excavator, an earth drill or a trencher, a hole is a hole and there are several safety precautions that come along with a digging project. Sharp tools present the opportunity for dangerous situations, let alone combined with the power of a mechanical or hydraulic rig. Choosing a safe machine, calling before you dig and operating the machine according to manufacturer recommendations are all things to consider before starting. Keeping safety in mind before starting any job is crucial to avoiding injuries, some of which can be serious.
Select a Safe Drill
Choosing a drill with safety-enhancing features can make or break a project. No matter what kind of drill you’re looking for – mechanical or hydraulic, a larger rig or smaller piece of equipment – there are certain features to look for to ensure the safest operation.
First, make sure the drill has a torque bar. This addition protects operators from the harmful effects of a drill’s torque by transferring kickback from the auger to the power source. By distributing force to the engine carriage as opposed to the handles, one person can safely and comfortably operate these drills. In addition to protecting the operator from harm, torque tubes reduce operator effort and fatigue.
Torque tubes are the only way to ensure safe operation of a one-man drill. The torque tube eliminates the kickback common with competitive earth augers, making one-man drilling safe, fast and productive. Many two-man drills exist, but if they’re not operated correctly, they present a handful of potential issues. If one operator slips or lets go, the other operator risks being thrown and injured. A one-man earth drill is designed to be a safe and efficient piece of equipment.
Additionally, mechanical drills are often equipped with a centrifugal clutch. If the auger encounters an object beneath the surface or if it’s overloaded, the clutch automatically slips to protect the operator from serious injury.
Call Before You Start
Calling before you dig can be the difference between smooth sailing and a potential disaster. There are millions of miles of buried utilities below the surface, including gas lines, underground sprinklers, sewer pipes and more. Buried gas or power lines are the most dangerous, with the potential for electrocution, fire, severe burns or even fatalities. Always call the national diggers hotline at 811 at least 48 hours prior to digging to have underground utilities marked. When the inspector arrives, pay attention to the details since state laws differ when it comes to how long your permits are valid and what the paint or flags indicate. There may be multiple utility lines to be aware of.
Besides underground utilities, you should have a general idea of what lies below. Fill material, wood, rocks and more can be hiding underground. Take a good survey of your site beforehand. Not only does this provide another level of safety, but it helps you make a decision on which kind of drill bit to select.
Operate Safely
After you’ve equipped yourself with the safest drill and underground utilities have been marked, it’s time to start your project. If you’ve chosen a one-man drill, it’s important to operate the drill alone, as the handles are designed for a solo operation. Bystanders should be at least 10 feet away, and everyone should be wearing hard hats and safety goggles.
Avoid loose-fitting clothing, including gloves. If work gloves are too loose, they can hinder your ability to appropriately operate the drill. Wear work boots or quality athletic shoes, avoiding hanging shoelaces that could get caught in the auger.
Once the auger is running, position it perpendicular to the ground for the best possible control and optimal results. Touch the auger to the ground before you start rotating. For the best control, adjust the downward pressure based on the soil conditions. If the soil is soft, ease up slightly. If the ground is harder, apply a little more pressure, but not so much that rotation slows or stops.
Once you’ve reached the desired depth, there’s a proper procedure for safely removing the auger from the ground. Release the throttle control and allow the auger to come to a complete stop. Once the auger has stopped turning, it can safely be removed from the hole. Hydraulic rigs feature a forward/reverse lever to make it easier to lift the dirt out. This allows the operator to ease the drill out of the ground as opposed to tugging heavily on the equipment, greatly minimizing the physical effort required to get the job done.
By following a few easy steps, you can ensure your drilling operation is safe, efficient and injury-free.
Last updated Mar 27, 2026
Increase ROI with Your Hydraulic Drill
These days, everyone has a side gig — a profitable endeavor outside their normal operation that utilizes the skills and equipment they already have to increase productivity and income. In competitive industries like fencing and landscaping, this kind of versatility is the key to a successful business. Being able to do more with equipment you trust means more opportunities, increased productivity and faster ROI.
Across the country, contractors know Little Beaver products offer optimum power and portability in a single-operator package that won’t break the bank. Whether it’s post hole digging, soil sampling, landscape or industrial fencing applications, they trust our Hydraulic Earth Drills to get the job done.
To help tackle even more projects and allow contractors to get the most out of their machines, we developed a number of attachment kits for our hydraulic earth drills. These accessories make it easy to switch gears from digging holes for fencing and landscape projects to anchoring for light utility and mobile home applications, as well as horizontal boring — increasing the operator’s versatility and potential.
Putting Utility Back in Utility Anchoring
One industry Little Beaver helps contractors explore is utility anchoring. With minimal investment — just a High-Torque Anchor Handle and Utility Anchor Adapter — your Hydraulic Earth Drill becomes a safe, efficient tool for utility applications.
The anchor is attached to the adapter and, using less than 60 rpm, quickly penetrates most soil types for a firm, lasting anchor. Little Beaver’s steel torque tube eliminates kickback, allowing a single operator to complete the job safely and efficiently. And thanks to the Hydraulic Earth Drill’s three-wheel chassis, the drill rig can go wherever it’s needed.
As a supplemental job, utility anchoring offers contractors an efficient use of equipment and manpower. But even for utility companies, Little Beaver’s Utility Anchoring Adapter offers a safer, more efficient alternative to anchor crankers and hand setting. In less than two minutes, an operator can install a utility anchor with a hydraulic earth drill. In less than an hour, they can have an entire pole done and be on the way to the next. Compare that to the hand method which can take over half an hour to set a single anchor. So, whether you’re looking to expand services or just provide more efficient services, Little Beaver helps you adapt.
Bringing It Home
Looking for even more added value applications for your hydraulic earth drill? We also offer a Mobile Home Anchor for securing mobile homes to a foundation.
Like the Utility Anchor, the adapter works with our Hydraulic Earth Drill and High-Torque Handle to quickly and efficiently drive anchors through most soils. In as little as 30 minutes, a single operator can tie down an entire mobile home.
Then when it’s time to pull up stakes and move on, just hit reverse on Little Beaver’s Hydraulic Earth Drill and anchors are removed as easily as they went in. The reverse feature also proves useful with initial anchoring when encountering obstructions or the anchor needs to be removed for any reason.
Anchoring ensures the safety and stability of mobile homes in high winds and other inclement weather. Regardless of how often you perform this application, it’s important to properly secure every anchor every time. With Little Beaver’s Hydraulic Earth Drill and Mobile Home Anchoring Kit you have a reliable partner.
Maximum Versatility for Maximum ROI
Whether it’s a side gig or your bread and butter, Little Beaver Hydraulic Earth Drills and accessory kits let you do more. From anchoring to digging holes and all the groundwork in between, Little Beaver will help take your business where you want to go.
Last updated Mar 27, 2026
Little Beaver Earth Drills are designed to be safely operated by just one person. What does that mean for your business? More efficient labor utilization. Faster job completion. Fewer injuries. More profit on every job.
Check out the infographic below to learn how Little Beaver Earth Drills can double your productivity and maximize jobsite safety.
Last updated Mar 27, 2026
One-of-a-Kind Feature Improves Operator Safety
In the mid-1970s, Van Cox set out to solve one of earth drilling’s most punishing problems — auger torque. Cox, an engineer for Little Beaver, soon completed a design and secured a patent for what is now known as the torque tube. The one-of-a-kind invention protects operators from the harmful effects of a drill’s torque by transferring kickback from the auger to the power source.
More than 40 years later, deck builders, fence contractors, landscapers and rental customers continue to enjoy torque-free drilling as well as the labor-saving benefits made possible by safe, one-person drilling.
The invention remains a defining feature on Little Beaver’s of mechanical and hydraulic earth drills, and it continues to make life easier for business owners and drill operators thanks to the many benefits of torque-free drilling.
Less Manpower: By transferring dangerous kickback to the engine carriage as opposed to the handles, one person can safely operate a Little Beaver drill. Most drills without torque protection require two operators for safe use. One-person drilling frees up the second individual to work on other tasks so jobs are completed in less time.
Fewer Strains: Kickback on traditional drills can jar an operator’s body, causing strains and injuries, which lead to time off and worker’s compensation costs. Even minor injuries, ones that don’t result in time away from work, can slow individuals down, decreasing overall production.
Easier Use: Since the torque tube absorbs kickback, operators don’t need to work as hard to control the machine. This significantly reduces fatigue while allowing operators of any age or experience level to easily handle the drill.
If you’re still not convinced of the benefits of Van Cox’s invention, see Little Beaver’s solutions for yourself.
Last updated Mar 27, 2026
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.
Last updated Mar 27, 2026
5 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.
- Comfortable 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.
Calling before you dig can be the difference between smooth sailing and a potential disaster. There are millions of miles of buried utilities below the surface, including gas lines, underground sprinklers, sewer pipes and more. Buried gas or power lines are the most dangerous, with the potential for electrocution, fire, severe burns or even fatalities. Always call the national diggers hotline at 811 at least 48 hours prior to digging to have underground utilities marked. When the inspector arrives, pay attention to the details since state laws differ when it comes to how long your permits are valid and what the paint or flags indicate. There may be multiple utility lines to be aware of.
