Auger drills find their main application in soil and unconsolidated groundwater investigations, and in drilling for construction in soils and very soft rock. The uneven nature of these formations and the occasional shock loading when a boulder is encountered require robust machines capable of high torque at low rotation speed. The augers themselves must also be very durable. The table highlights the uses and advantages of each auger drilling technique:
|
Auger technique |
Used for |
advantages |
|
Continuous light augers |
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Short light and plate augers |
|
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Bucket augers |
Bucket auger applications are similar to those of short light augers. |
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A feature of an auger type drilling machine is the high torque rating of its rotary drive. High torque enables ‘plough’-type teeth on the auger to cut into and lift very tightly packed soils, and even some weathered rocks.
