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46 • JUNE 2011 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Below the surface OVERSEAS DISTRIBUTORS, INC. WE CARRY A FULL LINE OF CHAIN LINK FENCE FITTINGS INCLUDING: BLACK POWDER COATED TENSION BARS, BLACK POWDER COATED FITTINGS AND DIE CAST ALUMINUM AND POLY ROLLERS WITH METAL COVERS Choosing the proper auger, point and blade for any fencing project BY MIKE HALE, SALES MANAGER, LITTLE BEAVER INC. A fence installation is not a one- size-fits-all project. From homes and educational facilities, to commercial properties and agricultural sites, fence installations can be as different as night and day. To ensure each unique job is com- pleted as efficiently as possible, the first step is selecting the proper earth drill. POLY ROLLERS with STEEL COVER INTERCHANGEABLE COVER THAT WORKS ON TOP OR BOTTOM! SEALED BEARINGS! LOCKING NUT W/ COTTER PIN! www.odifence.com HOUSTON 11532 East Hardy Rd Houston, TX 77093 800-303-3348 FAX 281-219-0919 houston@odifence.com BALTIMORE 7636 Canton Center Dr Baltimore, MD 21224 800-531-3348 FAX 410-288-1112 baltimore@odifence.com TAMPA 3719 Corporex Park Dr Tampa, FL 33619 888-921-3348 FAX 813-635-9344 tampa@odifence.com CHICAGO 8855 South Roberts Rd Hickory Hills, IL 60457 888-577-6563 FAX 312-238-9052 chicago@odifence.com But the drill isn’t the only choice operators must make – there are also several accessories available to com- plement engine-powered drills. Last month’s column touched on the major differences between two common styles of engine-powered, one-man earth drills – hydraulic and mechanical – and the features and ben- efits of each that make them better- suited for certain projects over others. This month, we’ll take a closer look at the options available for these drills, including augers, points and blades, and the different soil condi- tions that affect selection. After all, in fencing, it’s what’s below the surface that really counts! Accessorize FOR PARK AND BALL FIELD FENCE SAFETY Safety Top Cap™ PDS® from Pexco Fence Products provides safety as well as greater visibility to chain link fence on athletic fields, in parks and recreational facilities. Available in safety yellow and a variety of colors, Safety Top Cap fastens securely to the top of any chain link fence. It displays nicely as a decorative trim piece to complement galvanized or colored chain link fence systems. As a measure of its durability, it comes with a 25-year warranty. PDS ® Pexco Tacoma Tacoma, WA 1.800.822.SLAT (7528) Visit www.pexco.com is a registered trademark of Pexco. Pexco Athol Athol, MA 1.800.755.SLAT (7528) YOU CAN’T TOP THIS! As touched on previously – and speaking in the most general terms – mechanical drills are best suited for loam-type soils, such as those found in standard lawns, and smaller-diameter augers, while hydraulics are the better choice for tougher, even rocky soils and larger-diameter augers. When the appropriate model has been selected, the soil will be the best indicator for what accessories one should choose to complement the drill and achieve best results. The auger’s point and blade (also commonly referred to as its tip) does the actual cutting as the unit rotates, and helps to protect the auger’s flighting from excessive wear. The auger’s point and blade (also commonly referred to as its tip) does the actual cutting as the unit rotates, and helps to protect the auger’s flight- ing from excessive wear. As important as the tip is to drilling success, it’s im- perative to know the available options and in what soil each will perform best. A standard, general-purpose point with a side-mount cutting blade will work well in most conditions, but is particularly suited for sandy, loam- type soils and softer clays. These gen- eral-purpose tips will be compatible with most standard augers, in varying lengths and diameters. When drilling in more solid, dense material such as limestone or sand- stone, or hard clay and frozen ground, a carbide blade will offer the best per- formance. Rather than digging into the material, a carbide blade will cut the clay or ground into small pieces, al- lowing the operator to drill much faster. This blade mounts to the bottom of most standard augers and will re- place both a general-purpose point and cutting blade. continued on page 48 B U Y DIRECT FR OM MANUF A C TURER, IMPOR TER AND WHOLESALER!! A carbide b l po at gr r ye l aug ound, quic werful h as sho, , k Belo y neral-purpose tip. y f be handled b will handle e w y and g draulic unit and standar ven fr w en gr ound in most home la y monl e easil and when combined with a ade is designed to cut a a y w , typical loam-type soils, com- n in the photo abo oz ounde d v . a standarver photos) d wns, aug (Little Bea willr e A hea o r c prised of a special dir hea vy-duty point. ky soils with the help of the tip, vy-duty aug er will attac k tough, t-tooth b l ade and com-