Whether you need to dig planting holes, erect fences, or build a garden shed, an auger can save you a lot of time and effort. It makes the hard work of digging easier and more efficient. In this blog post, we discuss the advantages of an auger, how to choose the right auger for your project, which accessories you can use, and provide tips on safe use.
What is a ground drill used for?
Digging with a shovel can be time-consuming and physically demanding, especially if you need to make multiple holes for things like placing tree stakes, installing a fence, or laying drainage. A gasoline-powered auger can significantly speed up and simplify this task. It drills holes quickly and accurately without requiring much effort. This makes it an ideal tool for all sorts of jobs in the garden or yard, such as:
- Digging planting holes : Perfect for planting trees, shrubs or hedges.
- Installing fences and gates : For laying solid foundations for posts and fences.
- Creating drainage holes : Improve the drainage of your garden by creating vertical drainage.
- Taking soil samples : A soil auger is also useful for collecting soil samples for garden or agricultural analysis.
Choose the best ground drill for you
There are several types of augers available, each designed for specific tasks and soil conditions. When choosing the right auger , consider the size of the job, the soil type, and the depth of the holes you want to drill.
1. One-person ground drills
For lighter jobs, such as digging planting holes or installing small posts, a one-person auger is a good option. This auger is lightweight, maneuverable, and easy to operate by one person. Besides planting holes, you can also use an auger as a wood auger, making it multifunctional.
2. Professional Ground Drills
Are you dealing with heavier soil types like clay or peat? Then you need a more powerful machine. The Stihl BT 131 , a professional auger with a powerful gasoline engine, is designed for heavy-duty work and features a QuickStop drill brake for added safety. This machine is suitable for drilling deep holes in difficult soil types and is ideal for garden projects that require drilling multiple large holes, such as for installing tree stakes or post foundations.
3. Two-person ground drills
For the toughest jobs, such as drilling very deep or wide holes in hard ground, choose a two-person auger. Designed for intensive use, it offers the ability to tackle large projects quickly and efficiently. Because the machine is operated by two people, more power can be applied, making drilling in hard ground considerably easier.
The right accessories
Besides choosing the right auger, it's also important to consider the available accessories you can use to customize your auger to the specific needs of your project. At Kraakman Garden Machinery, you'll find various accessories to help you get the most out of your auger.
- Planting Hole Drills : Specially designed for digging deep, narrow planting holes. These drills range in length from 360 to 870 mm and have a diameter up to 400 mm, depending on the size of the planting hole you need.
- Extensions : To drill deeper, you can extend the drill with one or two extensions, allowing you to reach depths of up to 1.7 meters.
- Crushers : Useful for breaking up the soil around the drill hole. This allows plant roots to develop better or stakes to be more firmly planted in the ground.
Vertical drainage with a ground auger
A soil auger isn't just useful for digging planting holes or laying foundations, it can also be used to improve drainage in your garden. Vertical drainage is an effective way to remove excess rainwater, especially in areas where water accumulates after a rainstorm.
The process is simple: drill deep holes in areas where water is collecting and then fill them with gravel or coarse sand. If the subsoil is impermeable, you can drill through this layer with a powerful auger to allow the water to drain more easily. This prevents puddles from forming and ensures your plants don't drown in too much water.
Planting with a soil drill: the perfect timeframe
Autumn is the ideal time to plant or transplant trees, shrubs, or hedges. The soil is still warm and moist enough for new plants to take root quickly. A soil auger helps you dig deep planting holes, which is especially useful when planting hedges or other large plants.
When using a soil auger for planting holes, it's important to determine the correct depth and width. Generally, holes should be approximately twice as wide and deep as the plant's root ball. This gives the roots ample room to develop and ensures the plant gets a good start in its new environment.
Working safely with a ground drill
Using an auger can be physically demanding, but it's important to always take safety precautions. Augers are powerful machines, and improper use can lead to accidents or damage.
- Wear proper safety clothing : Always wear sturdy work clothes, safety shoes with steel toes, and safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris.
- Wear hearing protection : Petrol and two-man augers can be quite noisy, so hearing protection is recommended.
- Maintain a stable working position : Stand firmly on the ground and always hold the drill with both hands. This ensures better control over the machine and reduces the risk of accidents.
