World Fence News

14 • JULY 2019 • WORLD FENCE NEWS The Art of the Dig Right choice of hole digging equipment can determine success of a fence installation BY MIKE HALE SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER LITTLE BEAVER, INC. It's all about the first move. On a baseball field, after coaches devise their plans and players report to their position on the diamond, the pitcher makes the first move. That first pitch often determines the direction of the game and sets a tone for the success of the team. For contractors, the first move is equally important. In the fence build- ing industry, specifically, the first piece of equipment on the jobsite can determine the success of the project. A good contractor knows the im- portance of the initial move and un- derstands the significance of the first equipment onsite: augers. Whether it's a commercial or residential project, rocky soil or black dirt, contractors are familiar with the importance of a good auger. Just like that first pitcher, having a reliable auger onsite can set every- thing off in the right direction. The rest of the team – or the workers on a jobsite – are positively affected. While augers vary in width, du- rability, blade and bit options, they all adhere to a very basic design. The options for delivering power to the auger vary a bit more, from small, handle-mounted machines with two- stroke engines to powerful hydraulic systems on compact loaders. Each of- fers benefits and drawbacks, whether it's power, auger speed, cost or size. Efficiency and portability are of- ten top priorities for fence contractors, especially considering that time is money and the less time spent digging holes equates to a more completed project. Know your options Despite being a fundamentally basic task, not all equipment is equal- ly adept at digging holes. Plus, all projects, worksites and soil conditions present their own challenges. One fencing contractor in Cali- fornia, a long-time Little Beaver user and good customer of ours, is familiar with these challenges. To complete projects efficient- ly and keep on track, workers need equipment that can withstand the long, grueling fence-building season. After experimenting with several hydraulic and mechanical drills, the contractor now depends on a skid steer for large commercial projects and Little Bea- ver's mechanical earth drill for every- thing else. Both run heavy-duty Pengo-style augers to ensure dependability, re- gardless the soil, whether it's black dirt, heavy clay, sand or gravel. Fence builders in this region have found great success with our mechan- ical earth drill. They never worry about the drill having enough power to dig through the rocky soil. Contrac- tors have commented on the power of the Honda motors in the drills and how the power makes the work easier for workers. While there are hydraulic drills that may handle the clay and shale more gracefully than his mechanical drills, they don't come without com- promises, as hydraulic drills tend to be more expensive, heavier and oper- ate at slower speeds. The mechanical drills dig nearly twice as fast as a typical hydraulic rig. And speed is key when you're paid to build fences, not play in the dirt. Contractors often turn to skid steers for larger commercial projects, but equipment that size can be prob- lematic on residential jobs. When a homeowner pays you to build a fence, they expect a beautiful finished product, and that includes a tidy yard. Driving skid steers around can rip the turf and leave marks. The mechanical drills can be eas- ily maneuvered between buildings and in other tight spaces. They also feature pneumatic tires to eliminate any concerns about turf damage. Don't get backed into a corner During peak season, crews don't have time for repairs. Even the small- est breakdown can set off a chain of delays, back up crews and result in un- happy customers. continued on page 16 Little Beaver's mechanical drills can be easily maneuvered between build- ings and in other tight spaces. (Little Beaver photos) Little Beaver Potential Little Beaver Potential Little Beaver Potential Potential Big Potential Potential Big Big Big Big Big Potential Big Big Potential Potential Big Big Potential Big Big Fence installation professionals demand rugged earth drills they can rely on. Cut costs, reduce labor and drill clean holes – FAST – with Little Beaver. A patented torque tube eliminates kickback for simple one-man drilling. And for added safety, all models feature a centrifugal clutch that slips and stops the auger if you strike a buried object. 800-227-7515 littlebeaver.com See our full line of Mechanical and Hydraulic Earth Drills at littlebeaver.com/fencing.

• Cover