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Kwik-Trench Do’s and Don’ts

Kwik-Trench Do’s and Don’ts

Dec 17, 2021

Tips for getting the most out of your Kwik-Trench

Whether you have owned a Kwik-Trench for years or you’re renting one for the first time, there are a few dos and don’ts that are important to know beyond the guidelines for basic operation. From safety precautions to backfilling advice, we put together a list of tips to keep in mind for your next project.

1. Do Select the Right Trencher for the Job

Kwik-Trench leaves a clean cut with dirt deposited on one side of the trenchIf you’re wondering how to choose the right trencher, you’re not alone. With so many options available, it’s helpful to narrow down your search using important criteria such as the size of the project, the soil type and how deep and wide you’ll be trenching.

Mini trenchers like the Kwik-Trench can cut up to 30 feet per minute and dig up to 12 inches deep, making them an excellent choice for the shallow trenching needs of rental stores, landscape contractors, golf courses and more. The Kwik-Trench not only has a compact size that can get to places larger trenchers can’t, its pneumatic tires also help to preserve your lawn. With the ability to easily saw through a variety of tough materials like compacted clay, road fill, asphalt and tree roots up to 10 inches thick, the Kwik-Trench is a great choice for almost any landscape project.

2. Don’t Forget to Call Before you Dig

Making sure to call 811 at least three business days before starting your project is a crucial step when it comes to safety and preventing damage to underground utilities. This free service, available in the United States and Canada, sends professionals to your property to mark the location of underground utility lines including water, power and gas so you can know where to dig and what to avoid.

3. Do Plan Your Path

Another helpful tip is to use marking paint to map the path for your trench after the utilities are marked. This is an easy way to save time and be sure you stay on track. Complete a visual assessment to understand the soil you will be digging through and to check for any obstacles, such as tree roots, that you might encounter along the way. When preparing to trench along a straight path, lock the rear swivel wheel of the Kwik-Trench into position to easily guide the trencher straight ahead. 

4. Do Use a Proper Method for Backfilling

Properly backfilling a trench will prevent sinking and settling later. A Kwik-Trench simplifies the backfill process by creating narrower trenches and depositing the soil neatly on one side of the trench. This allows you to backfill 50% faster than models that deposit soil on both sides. Backfill 4 to 6 inches at a time, making sure the soil is level and free of debris. This will prevent the occurrence of cupping as the dirt settles.

5. Do Stop and Troubleshoot if Your Machine isn’t Working

If you notice your Kwik-Trench isn’t working properly, make sure to stop and check out the Kwik-Trench FAQ page to troubleshoot. For example, if the cutter wheel quits turning when you push forward, that usually means the clutch mechanism or drive belts are slipping. In very hard clay soils, you can prevent this problem by pushing slowly and letting the machine cut at a slower rate. If your machine binds when you try to raise or lower it, cleaning the guide tubes and lubricating with a graphite or silicon spray should do the trick. For Kwik-Trench owners, staying on top of routine maintenance is a good bet to ensure optimal performance.

At Little Beaver, we’re committed to your success no matter the size of your project. If you have additional questions regarding your Kwik-Trench, don’t hesitate to contact us or check out our FAQs.

Little Beaver Mourns Loss of Sales Manager Mike Hale

Little Beaver Mourns Loss of Sales Manager Mike Hale

Sep 8, 2021

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.

Little Beaver Celebrates Four Generations With The Addition Of Joseph Haynes

Little Beaver Celebrates Four Generations With The Addition Of Joseph Haynes

May 13, 2019

Joseph Haynes, Product Engineer

Joseph Haynes, Product Engineer

Haynes Joins Company as Product Engineer

Little Beaver welcomes Joseph Haynes as a product engineer at the company’s manufacturing facility in Livingston, Texas. A fourth-generation Little Beaver team member, Haynes brings a familiarity of the family business, and innovative knowledge of product design processes. “When my grandfather, Newman Haynes, started in the auger industry years ago, he wanted a family-run business that left customers feeling like they were dealing with family,” said Joe Haynes, Little Beaver president. “Joseph grew up around this business and understands our vision for building safe and dependable products, while going the extra mile to serve our customers. He brings a unique experience with 3-D modeling and CAD software, which will enhance our product development process.”

Haynes most recently spent 11 years as a product engineer at a WFI International, a pipe fitting manufacturer. In his previous role, Haynes designed and developed a variety of fittings for different industries including oil and gas, nuclear and fossil fuel power plants as well as the food processing industry. Haynes brings a wealth of manufacturing experience as well as a strong understanding of mechanical engineering and product development to his new role. “I’m looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective and different technological expertise to Little Beaver,” said Joseph Haynes, Little Beaver engineer. “I’m excited to leverage my experience and insight to continue my family’s tradition of providing customer-driven design.” Haynes holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University. Little Beaver began in 1947 and quickly became a top choice for hole digging equipment. Contractors in construction, landscape, fencing and many other industries favor the high-quality, versatile product line.

The Invention That Tackled Torque

The Invention That Tackled Torque

May 15, 2018

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.

Mechanical earth drill torque tube

By transferring dangerous kickback to the engine carriage as opposed to the handles, one person can safely operate a Little Beaver drill.

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.

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Little Beaver Rises to Blimp-Anchoring Challenge

Little Beaver Rises to Blimp-Anchoring Challenge

Aug 7, 2017

Airship anchoringWatching a blimp soar overhead — whether operated by the military or a corporation — can be an awe-inspiring sight. After all, the airships contain enough helium to fill more than three-quarter million balloons. But, that doesn’t actually make them all that lightweight.

So, how does a crew secure a 10-ton airship filled with 200,000 cubic feet of helium once it lands? With a fast-moving crew, strong ropes and heavy-duty anchors. But how the crew secures the ropes and anchors can vary.

Slow and Cumbersome

For years, ground crew teams have relied on gas-powered crank units — often called anchor crankers — to drill the anchors into the ground that secure the airships. At takeoff, the crews wrench the anchors out by hand — a slow and cumbersome process that can cause arm and back strain.

Crews knew there must be a faster, less strenuous way to keep a 250-foot-long airship secured. One such crew turned to Little Beaver, a longtime earth drill manufacturer, to see what type of customized solution the Texas-based team could provide.

High–Torque Alternative

Little Beaver recommended switching to hydraulic earth drills since their high torque allows for easily drilling in nearly any soil — a key feature for airships, which regularly land at different locations across the United States.

Coupling the drill with Little Beaver’s anchoring attachments and anchors allowed the airship’s ground crew to easily secure each anchor in less than a couple of minutes. When it’s time to move to the next location, operators simply use the drill’s reverse gear to remove the anchors. This speeds up the takeoff process and eliminates back-straining work.

The airship’s ground handling crew can now install and remove anchors for each ship in the fleet in less than a half hour. It’s saved hundred of hours each year for the crew compared to their former anchoring methods.

A “Grounded” Solution

Additionally, since ground crews work outside, Little Beaver made custom handles to enhance operator safety during inclement weather. Working with customers to develop one-of-a-kind solutions to unique challenges is not uncommon for Little Beaver. In this case, they made handles using fiberglass instead of steel to reduce susceptibility to lightning strikes.

While airship anchoring is not a huge market, Little Beaver drills offer the versatility and customization necessary to anchor anything from airships and mobile homes to utility poles and party tents. And the next time they receive a custom request for a specialized anchoring system, Little Beaver engineers are confident they can create a solution.

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.