EARTH AUGERS

Augers are rotary drills with a helix or screw thread on drill rods, called augers or flights. Augers can be truck- or skid-mounted or hand-held. Figure 14-4 shows a 5-ton tactical auger truck commonly used in the

Figure 14-4.-Auger truck.

NCF. Notice in figure 14-4 that the drill boom lays down and that extra auger heads are stored in the unit. This truck can also set or pull poles.

OPERATIONS

Operating procedures may vary among makes and models of earth augers; therefore, be sure to consult the manufacturer's manual for the specific earth auger you are using.

Auger operational techniques under ordinary circumstances are described below. Figure 14-5 shows the auger controls and how the auger is positioned using these controls.

Leveling

The leveling valve lever allows for tilting of the auger shaft to the right or left (fig. 14-5, view A). Use the leveling spirit level to plumb the auger shaft. Use support jacks when operating the auger in hardpan or rocky soil to keep the auger from bouncing.

NOTE: Do not depend on the accuracy of the leveling bubble. Use a small builders level to level the auger shaft and machine.

Raising and Lowering

The elevating valve lever is used to raise or lower the auger shaft for transposing (fig. 14-5, view B).

Drilling and Retracting

To drill with the auger, engage the auger clutch lever, increase the engine speed by pulling back on the throttle lever, and push forward on the feed valve lever to lower the auger into the ground (fig. 14-5, view C).

NOTE: Do NOT overspeed the auger. Run the engine at a lower speed until you know the texture of the material with which you are working.

When the auger is deep enough into the ground and is covered with the cuttings, disengage the auger clutch lever and pull back on the feed valve lever to raise the auger from the hole. After the auger has cleared the hole, engage the auger clutch lever to rotate the auger

Figure 14-5.-Using auger controls for positioning of auger.

Figure 14-6.-Continuous-flight auger.

and to clear the bit of cuttings. Remember, as the auger is raised, push the hand throttle forward to lower the engine speed. Repeat these procedures until the hole being drilled reaches the desired depth.