Specially designed machinery like auger drives have been invented to make life easier, including getting jobs done more quickly, with less effort and without sacrificing quality. But if your auger drive isn’t working as expected, we have some troubleshooting tips to help you out.
Is It Time for Some Troubleshooting?
While we all have off days, it’s important to be able to recognise when there’s a potential problem with your auger drive attachment. As a result, there’s a few things you should always be keeping an eye out for.
- Reduced power: This may present as the auger not as effectively digging as usual or even at all! Your auger may also stall.
- Slow or no movement: Similarly, if your auger is struggling to move, this might be a problem with the hydraulic motor or hydraulic lines.
- Unusual noises: These could be grinding, whining, or clanking noises, indicating that the gears or bearings are damaged.
- Overheating: If the auger drive is getting too hot or heating up very quickly, it could be a sign there is a problem with the hydraulic fluid or motor.
- Leaking hydraulic fluid: If there is hydraulic fluid leaking from the auger drive, it could be a sign of a damaged seal or hose.
- Worn teeth or blades: If the auger teeth or blades look worn down, they may not be able to dig through hard soil or rocks effectively.
If you notice any of these problems, or anything else worrying, it’s time to get down to troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting the Top 10 Auger Drive Issues
Handily, we have your ultimate guide for solving auger drive issues right here! In our experience, we’ve found these are the 10 most common fixes people generally need to run through to get their auger drive attachment back in action.
1. Check the Hydraulic Fluid & Lines
Without enough hydraulic fluid, your auger just isn’t going to be able to work like it should. Take the time to check that not only are there no leaks, but that there’s plenty of hydraulic fluid there.
2. Inspect the Teeth or Blades
Since it’s the teeth and blades that do the cutting, you want to be sure they’re up to the task. Of course, they will wear down over time. That’s why you need to check them before every job and know how to go about changing auger teeth.
3. Check for Obstructions
While your auger should be able to easily dig your hole, if there’s rocks, roots and other debris in there, it can cause it to get stuck or operate poorly.
4. Check the Hydraulic Pressure
Along with checking there’s enough fluid and no leaks, you want your hydraulic pressure set correctly for the type of soil you’re digging. If the pressure is too low, the auger may not be able to dig effectively, and if it’s too high, it can cause damage to the machine.
5. Check the Flow Control Valve
If your auger is turning too fast or too slow, the problem may be with the flow control valve. Make sure it’s set correctly for the type of soil you’re digging in.
6. Check the Couplings
Check the couplings that connect the auger drive to the hydraulic system. If they’re damaged or loose, they can cause problems.
7. Inspect the Bearings
Just like the couplings, if your auger’s bearings are worn or damaged, your auger won’t work as effectively.
8. Check the Drive Chain or Belt
If your auger drive is chain or belt-driven, check it for signs of wear or damage. A worn or damaged chain or belt could be the cause of any issues.
9. Inspect the Auger Drive Housing
Look for signs of wear or damage in the auger drive housing. If this gets damaged, not only will your auger not work properly, it can even be dangerous to use.
10. Confirm You’re Using the Right Auger Drive for the Job
It might seem like a silly thing to overlook, but whether you’re using something as simple as a screwdriver or as big as an auger drive attachment, you need to know you have the right tool for the job. Some auger drives just don’t have the power to go through rock, for instance, while others will make short work of it. So, you might need to double check you don’t need something a bit tougher before declaring your auger broken.
Keep Your Auger On Track With These 5 Handy Tips
Troubleshooting issues is all well and good, but being able to confidently prevent the majority of these problems is even better. That’s why it’s important to know how to use your auger drive to get the most out of it, as well as prevent any unnecessary damage to it.
1. Know When Your Auger Isn’t Powerful Enough
We touched on it, in regards to troubleshooting, but it bears repeating again. You want to know your auger has the power to complete the job. While you should be able to work this out before you start working, there are some things you can keep in mind if you’re concerned. If you’re dealing with any of the below — and our troubleshooting tips don’t do the trick — try something a bit more powerful:
- Digging takes longer than expected or the auger is not turning as fast as it should.
- Your auger is stalling.
- Your auger is overheating.
- Your auger is making strange noises, like whining, grinding, or squealing.
2. Match Your Auger to the Job
Along with power, there’s a few other things to consider when picking your auger for your next project.
- Diameter of the hole
- Depth of the hole
- Type of soil
- What your auger drive will be attaching to
- Additional features needed, like reverse rotation or variable speed
3. Use Your Auger Drive Safely & Effectively
Getting a job done properly means knowing how to use your tools. This also includes how to do so safely. Whenever you’re using your auger drive, remember to think about and act on the following:
- Safety: This means wearing your PPE like gloves, safety glasses and steel-toe boots, as well as following manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines.
- Soil conditions: Check the soil before you dig to ensure your auger will handle it, and troubleshoot any issues before you dig. This may be as simple as pre-drilling or switching to a more powerful auger.
- Surrounding environment: Once you’ve checked the soil, check around you too. Watch out for power lines, for instance, or other obstructions. You don’t want to cause damage to yourself, others or your auger because you haven’t taken into account features or structures of the landscape.
- Equipment compatibility: Depending on your auger drive, it may only be suited to a certain type of machinery. Ensure that what you intend to use, like a mini excavator or tractor, can have the auger safely attached to it.
4. Store Your Auger Drive Properly
Just like you wouldn’t get into bed with your work boots on, you need to ensure that your auger drive is properly put away when not in use. So, remember to:
- Clean off any dust and dirt.
- Lubricate moving parts to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Disconnect power sources to avoid accidental starts.
- Store it somewhere dry and covered, ideally off the ground where it won’t fall or be damaged.
5. Do Before & After Use Checks
A bit like troubleshooting, regularly checking key spots and parts before using your auger drive — and after a hard day’s work is done — will help ensure that you catch any damage or issues before they become too serious. Be thorough and look over any lines, bearings and the auger teeth.
Did You Find Your Auger Drive Fix?
If you’re after some new parts for your auger drive or it’s time to replace the attachment entirely, there’s always Bunyip Equipment. With a huge range of auger drives and parts, including lots of teeth, you’ll be able to get back to work in no time!
