What is Hydraulic Auger, and How Does it Work?

In the construction industry, it’s important to keep up with the latest equipment and technology. Hydraulic construction equipment is a great example of that, as it lets contractors do work more effectively and efficiently than ever before.

As a result, more contracting companies are seeing the value of adding hydraulic excavation tools to their existing arsenal – but what exactly does this kind of tool entail? In this article, we’ll explain how a hydraulic auger works, and how it can be a useful asset.

What is a Hydraulic Auger?

A hydraulic auger is a powered drill that uses fluid pressure to operate. The hydraulic auger serves the same purpose as a drill machine but with much more power and speed.

Some models can rotate up to 19 revolutions per minute! Hydraulic augers are widely used for construction and digging applications such as excavations, shaft sinking, and road work.

How Does a Hydraulic Auger Work?

A hydraulic auger works by transferring hydraulic pressure into kinetic energy via the drill stem. On either end of the drill, the stem is pistons connected with an internal piston rod. They are connected to a hydraulic cylinder at the top and a winch at the bottom.

The cylinder is filled with fluid that has been pressurized by a pump utilizing a diesel or gasoline engine, LPG engine, electric motor, or any other power source. The hydraulic oil transfers its energy through an HPU (hydraulic power unit), which is attached to the winch.

Advantages Hydraulic Augers

Hydraulic augers have a number of advantages over standard drills including:

Increased power to weight ratio
Quicker penetration into various materials such as soft or hard soil, concrete and asphalt
Increased rate of drilling – augers can sometimes drill up to 2.44 meters per minute (depending on diameter)
Hydraulic pressure provides a steady torque and bentonite clay does not affect hydraulic performance as it can with air and electric rigs
Larger drill pipe – augers usually have larger diameter shafts than other drills – this means that the same tool can be used to drill deeper holes, making it great for work such as shaft sinking.

Disadvantages of Hydraulic Augers

Hydraulic augers do not come without their disadvantages:

Fluid displacement – some fluids can be displaced by surrounding soil and water
Lack of power in wet conditions (only suitable for above-ground work)
Large and heavy, making them difficult to transport
Cannot be used for certain tasks such as underwater drilling or digging on slopes

What Can You Use a Hydraulic Auger For?

A hydraulic auger has applications for all kinds of projects around a house, building, farm, ranch, or garden:

Fencing – Drilling through fences to create new gates is easy with the help of a hydraulic auger. Using this tool, you can bore into the ground quickly and efficiently to place fence posts or electric poles.
Foundation – When building a house, you will first need to lay the foundation. A hydraulic auger is a handy tool for this job as it helps create deep holes that are easy to fill with concrete or building materials.
Drainage – You can also use them to install drainage systems along driveways or sidewalks, gutters around homes and businesses, as well as custom septic tanks. Another popular use for a hydraulic auger is making wells.
Gardening – A hydraulic auger can also make planting holes for trees and other plants in the garden. Not only does it work quickly, but its power helps make gardening a breeze.
Installing poles – Hydraulic augers make it easy to drill deep foundations for poles or signs you need to install at heights, such as utility poles or street signs.

What to Consider When Buying a Hydraulic Auger?

When shopping for an auger, there are certain things you have to keep in mind:

Types of materials: Different materials, such as clay and granite, require different bits and blades. The soil also dictates the length of the drill pipe you will need.
Power source: Hydraulic augers can operate using either hydraulic or electric power sources. Diesel and gasoline-powered augers are more powerful but they create a lot of noise, making them unsuitable for enclosed spaces.
Weight: Hydraulic augers are heavy, weighing up to 150 kilograms (330 pounds), meaning they need to be placed in the back of a truck or at the top of a rack when transported.
Size: The size and length of your auger depend on what you want it for. Larger diameter shafts make it possible for deeper holes to be dug.
Depth stop: Depth stops are important for safety purposes, preventing the auger bit from accidentally drilling too deep into the ground.
Accessories: You can attach accessories such as blades or drills to your hydraulic auger so it functions in ways other than just boring straight down.

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