Which motor drill to choose for digging deep holes in the ground

Photo: ShutterStock/Fotodom.ru
The practice of dacha farming shows that when carrying out construction or landscaping work, it is very often necessary to drill small (up to 1.5–2 m deep) wells. Install fence posts, set up a playground or a swing - in all these cases, wells may be needed. In the recent past, a hand-held garden drill was most often used to make them. This device is still used today; it can be purchased at garden markets for about 1000–1500 rubles. True, working with such a drill is labor-intensive and slow, especially when the soil is “complex” and consists, for example, of compacted heavy clay interspersed with pebbles. Therefore, if the amount of work is large enough (for example, you need to install several dozen fence posts), it is better to use a small-scale mechanization tool - a motor drill.

Photo: STIHL. The compact and lightweight (4.8 kg) STIHL BT 45 gas drill is equipped with a two-stage gearbox with reverse gear for removing a jammed drill

Motorized drills, or gas drills, are a special tool for drilling small (usually up to 1.5 m deep and up to 20 cm in diameter) wells. They are equipped with a gasoline engine with a gearbox, to the shaft of which an auger cutting the soil is rigidly attached (purchased separately). The motor drill body is usually equipped with two horseshoe-shaped handles that hold it suspended during operation and at idle. Before use, the tool is installed so that the axis of the auger is vertical to the ground surface. The engine is started using a recoil starter - and you can get to work!

What is it needed for?

A motor drill (gasoline drill) greatly simplifies and speeds up the drilling of small wells: up to 1500 mm in depth and up to 200 mm in diameter.

The purpose of these wells can be very different:

• Recessing fence posts.
• Installation of a columnar foundation, lightning rod, flagpole or lighting pole.
• Strengthening the foundation.

• Preventing the collapse of pits or erosion of coastlines.
• Geological exploration work.

Design Features

The motor has an extremely simple design, which includes 4 elements:

1. Gasoline engine (two- or four-stroke with power from 2 to 8 hp, started using a recoil starter).
2. Gearbox (using a worm or cylindrical gear, transmits force from the motor shaft to the auger, increases torque, and also takes on the risk of breakage if the drill gets stuck).
3. Auger (drill in the form of a screw rod).
4. Handles (two horseshoe-shaped, symmetrically located).

The operating principle of a gas drill is similar to that of a conventional mechanical drill. After starting the motor, the operator, holding the auger in a vertical position, gradually immerses it into the soil. As it goes deeper, the auger selects the ground using the principle of a screw conveyor. In this case, the operator requires serious physical effort to press the device into the contact surface and hold it in a given position.

Kinds

Motor drills are classified by size:

• Lightweight (weighing up to 30 kg). Designed for making shallow wells in loose soil (sand, sandy loam, peat). Typically, they are equipped with an economical two-stroke motor and an auger of up to 150 mm. Thanks to their compact size and comfortable handles, such devices can be easily operated by one person. Speed ​​adjustment is not provided on most light drills as it is unnecessary.
• Heavy (up to 80 kg). As a rule, these are two-seat motor drills (with symmetrical handles for 2 operators) with a powerful four-stroke engine, an extended auger and a multi-stage gearbox. These devices are suitable for working with alumina, chernozem and other heavy soils.

Expert opinion

Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich

Separately, it is necessary to say about heavy drills equipped with a reaction rod to dampen vibration. Despite its impressive dimensions, such a tool can be easily operated by one person. However, due to the high cost, such instruments are extremely rare on sale.

Advantages and disadvantages

Compared to mechanical or electric tools, a motor drill has several advantages:

• Maximum drilling speed due to high motor power.
• Less physical effort is required than when working with a hand drill.
• Unlike a power tool, a gas drill does not depend on the availability of an electrical power supply.

• Does not require additional equipment.
• Removable screws allow you to vary the diameter and depth of the hole.

The disadvantages of the tool include the relatively high cost, noise during operation and the constant costs of purchasing fuel and lubricants.

How to choose: main criteria

When choosing a tool, the buyer should focus on the following aspects:

1. Purpose . In addition to excavation work, a motor drill is often used as an ice drill for winter fishing. Therefore, when purchasing, it is important not to confuse these two tools: a motorized earth drill is more powerful and larger, the blades on its auger are located more often and are curled at a flatter angle.
2. Engine . 4-stroke engines are more economical, quieter and emit less smoke (due to the fact that gasoline and oil are not mixed in the same tank). In addition, they have more power, but are also more expensive. Therefore, in order to save money, a 2-stroke engine is suitable for solving simple problems; in other cases, a 4-stroke engine is preferable.
3. Motor power . The higher the power, the wider the hole the device can drill. The dependence of the screw diameter on the motor volume is presented in the table:

1. Auger . When choosing a screw, you need to take into account its mounting diameter (20 or 32 mm), which may vary depending on the manufacturer. If necessary, you can use a special adapter. The most popular screw diameters are 100, 150 and 200 mm. You should also pay attention to the possibility of replacing blades. If the turns are welded to the shaft, then if one of them is damaged, the entire screw will have to be replaced.
2. Extension rod . The length of most drills varies from 600 to 800 cm. For a deep well, you need to purchase extensions (500-600 mm).
3. Handles . It is desirable that they be soft and ergonomic.
4. Fuel tank . It must be spacious enough (up to 2 liters) and with a comfortable neck, otherwise the entire instrument will be flooded with gasoline.
5. Additional options: Fast braking system (saves the gearbox from damage when jammed).
6. Reverse motion (helps to remove the drill).
7. Damper spring (dampers vibration, reduces the consequences of jamming).

What to look for when choosing a motor drill

Just in case, learn more about how such equipment differs.

Power. This parameter depends on the characteristics of the engine and, first of all, on its volume. Low-power motor drills allow you to make holes with a diameter of no more than 30 cm with a depth of 200 cm. To obtain a deep hole with a larger diameter, you will need equipment that develops at least 7-8 hp; for solving everyday problems, a device with a power of up to 3 hp is suitable.

Well dimensions. The standard length of the auger is 600-800 cm, so to obtain deeper holes you will need additional equipment: an extension and a tripod. High-performance devices allow you to install an auger with a diameter of 300-600 cm.

Replacement equipment . The auger is a working tool, so the capabilities of the walk-behind tractor depend on its parameters. The kit includes replaceable nozzles with a diameter of 10, 15 and 20 cm.

Ergonomics . The weight of the device, configuration and material of the handles determine the ease of use of the equipment. If the weight is 30-45 kg, then it will be difficult for one person to work without an assistant. The most successful choice would be equipment with soft, conveniently located handles, equipped with rubber pads, and also providing a vibration damping system, reverse and brake.

• Exploitation

  What gear to choose for successful ice fishing

When choosing a motor drill for excavation work, you should pay attention to the power, weight, dimensions of the auger and fuel tank capacity. In addition, you should not forget about the characteristics of the soils in which you will have to work: for clayey soils you need a more powerful model.

If you're looking for the best power drill for ice fishing, you need to consider weight, performance, and maintenance. In this case, it is recommended to pay attention to universal equipment, which is suitable not only for making holes in the ice, but also for performing work in the summer.

Popular models

The range of earth drills is represented mainly by Chinese manufacturers. Due to the simplicity of the tool design, in most cases this fact is not a significant drawback, but it can significantly reduce the cost of the equipment.

Champion AG252

Lightweight, low-power drill for home use. With it you can easily make several holes for fence posts or for planting seedlings. It is also possible to use Champion AG252 for professional work in sandy soils. However, drilling through dense, viscous soil will be a real test of endurance.

Patriot Garden PT AE50

A simple Chinese motor drill for home use. The high-speed 2-horsepower motor makes high-quality holes up to 150 mm wide. For ease of operation, manual speed control is provided - thanks to this, the auger gets stuck in the ground extremely rarely.

VULKAN GD620

Chinese unit, ideal for semi-professional use. It copes best with drilling holes up to 1.5 meters deep and up to 150 mm wide, so it is popular with builders who install fences. Instead of handles, the instrument is equipped with a circular metal frame, which, if necessary, can be held by two or four people.

RedVerg RD-EA630B

Semi-professional gas drill for working with different soils. Can also serve as an ice drill. Equipped with a 3-horsepower engine that revs up to 7500 rpm at idle. The engine can withstand constant loads well. For operator convenience, vibration-reducing handles are provided.

Hitachi DA300E

A high-quality Japanese device with a low-power engine. Two horsepower of the motor is enough for comfortable drilling of black soil to a depth of up to 3 meters with an auger diameter of up to 30 cm. However, it should be taken into account that when working with 2-3 extensions, pulling the drill out of the ground without a winch will be problematic: the weight of the auger and extensions is added to the weight of the device rods and excavated soil. The Hitachi DA300E is not intended for working with soil containing stones or roots, or with wet clay.

ADA instruments Ground Drill 14 Reverse

It is advisable to use this tool for drilling large holes under the foundation in one pass. Thanks to the reverse, it is easy to pull the device out of the hole, even despite the decent weight of the structure itself. The ADA 14 motor drill is equipped with comfortable symmetrical handles for two operators.

Iron Mole Compact

A professional drilling unit for working with any soil, including clay and forest turf. Compact is drilled into the ground under its own weight. The most difficult task for the operator is to remove it from the hole made. Thanks to the ability to make holes up to 7 meters deep and up to 350 mm in diameter, the tool is popular among drillers.

The best fishing motor drills

Fans of winter fishing appreciate the lightness and compactness of motorized drills. When using an auger with a diameter of 130-180 mm, high power is not required from the engine. Experts appreciated the performance of several models.

RedVerg RD-EA630B 3 l. With.

Rating: 4.9

The RedVerg RD-EA630B motorized ice drill will allow you to hunt for large fish in winter. A Russian-Chinese unit equipped with a powerful 3 liter gasoline engine. pp., capable of making large holes (300 mm). Through such a hole in the ice shell it will be possible to pull out a well-fed bream or large pike without any problems. For ease of use, the model is equipped with shock-absorbing handle pads. Experts highly appreciated not only the power and performance of the gas-powered tool, but also the emergency braking system. The tank volume (1.3 l) is enough to make a large number of holes in thick ice.

Users identified one weak point during operation. When starting in severe frost, the kickstarter rope breaks. Otherwise, fishermen have no complaints about the motorized ice auger.

Advantages

• high power and performance;
• large hole diameter;
• anti-vibration handles;
• emergency brake.

Flaws

• the kickstarter rope breaks.

ELITECH BM 52E 2.5 l. With.

Rating: 4.8

The excellent combination of affordable price and good power was noted by experts in the ELITECH BM 52E motorized drill. The advantages of the tool include a standard connector, which allows the use of screws of different diameters. The gasoline engine (2.5 hp) provides powerful torque. Although the Chinese motor drill is inferior in a number of parameters to the winner of the rating, due to its light weight (9.7 kg) it is easier to carry over a frozen body of water. As for the diameter of the holes, the basic configuration includes equipment with a diameter of 200 mm. In this case, the maximum drilling depth reaches 1.8 m.

Users are satisfied with the affordable price, light weight and powerful engine. In addition, the kit includes a canister, a set of tools, and a funnel. But there are complaints about the build quality.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• light weight;
• powerful engine;
• standard connector.

Flaws

• There are some complaints about the build quality.

CHAMPION AG352 1.9 HP

Rating: 4.7

The lightest (9.6 kg) and most convenient motor drill in our rating was the CHAMPION AG352 model. The gas-powered tool is equipped with a 1.9 liter engine. s., the torque is enough to drill holes with a diameter of 60...250 mm. Only the screw will have to be selected with a landing diameter of 20 mm. Experts note the device’s durable frame and comfortable handles with shock-absorbing pads. On one of them there are controls. Thanks to electronic ignition and a diaphragm carburetor, the manufacturer was able to not only achieve uninterrupted engine operation, but also reduce the emission of harmful compounds by a third.

Domestic fishermen liked the affordable price, light weight and ease of use. Users consider the weak engine to be a disadvantage.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• light weight;
• shock-absorbing pads on the handles;
• environmental friendliness.

Flaws

• low power.

Comparative characteristics

For convenience, the most important parameters of different models have been grouped in a table.

Gasoline motor drills for earthworks with power up to 8 l/s

Professionals try to choose powerful models that can drill holes in hard ground. Such tools are bulky, heavy, and consume more fuel during operation. Usually they are designed for 2 operators, since a person alone will not be able to hold the handles during a reverse strike. Based on the results of comparative tests, we were able to identify the 3 best out of 10 nominees.

ADA instruments Ground Drill 14 Reverse

The design is equipped with a 5.88 kW motor. It is used to create holes in soil of different densities. The main purpose is to install supports with a wide base, connected by a monolithic grillage, fences, and lighting poles. The weight is 30 kg, which allows 2 operators to transport it easily. Designed for augers measuring 200 - 600 mm, but they are not included in the kit.

Advantages:

• Gasoline tank volume – 3.6 l;
• The reversible mechanism makes it easier to remove the auger;
• Performance;
• Wide and deep holes.

Flaws:

• High price.

Testing of the unit did not reveal any particular disadvantages. The arrangement of buttons and levers allows you to control the operation of the drill with one hand. The shaft design makes the fastening more reliable and eliminates the need to use additional adapters when changing screws.

Oleo-Mac MTL 85 R

In terms of characteristics, the Oleo-Mac MTL 85 R is inferior to the previous nominee. It is equipped with a 2-stroke engine of lower power and larger volume, which reduces the performance of the tool and increases fuel consumption. At the same time, the size of the gasoline tank is only 3.1 liters. The design is designed for the use of augers with a diameter of 80 - 500 mm, the length of which guarantees drilling holes to a depth of 176 cm. There is also a reversible mechanism that facilitates the operation of the device.

Advantages:

• Depth of drilled holes;
• Easy to remove the auger;
• Performance;
• Well diameter.

Flaws:

• High price;
• No soft pads on the handles.

In reviews of the gasoline motor drill, owners note ease of use and high efficiency. In a short period of time you can get a large number of deep holes. The downside is the lack of rubberized handles.

Iron Mole Compact

The tool with a closed hydraulic circuit is equipped with a 5.15 kW engine with a displacement of 212 cm3. Ease of control is due to the low weight of the handles in comparison with mechanical devices of similar performance. This feature allows you to easily remove the motor drill from the ground. The model operates with screw rods measuring 350 mm. Reverse is provided.

Advantages:

• Pneumatic wheels provide ease of movement;
• The removable handle makes it easier to transport the unit in a car;
• Reliability of components;
• 4-stroke engine;
• Speed ​​of operation.

Flaws:

• The highest price in the ranking;
• Weight – 45 kg.

Users do not find any disadvantages in operation; the hydraulics provide powerful torque, which allows them to drill a large number of holes in a day.

The advantages include the efficiency of drilling clay soil with rocky inclusions. The build quality is confirmed by the absence of frequent calls to service centers.

Advice from experienced drillers

In order for drilling to be comfortable and not turn into a “marathon for survival”, when operating the device you should follow the recommendations of experienced drillers:

• Before starting work, clear the area of ​​stones and debris.
• Correct working stance: legs are in a half-bent position as far as possible from the auger, both hands firmly hold the handle.
• During operation, the auger must be periodically removed from the hole (especially if there is no reverse rotation). It is advisable to do this every 30 cm of drilling.

• You must always be prepared for the fact that if the auger gets into a super-dense environment, a backlash may follow. Therefore, to avoid injuries, you need to drill carefully and without haste.
• Do not pull out the starter cord completely when starting the engine. Otherwise, you can simply tear it out.

Have you ever worked with a motor drill?

It happened! It didn’t happen

And a little more useful for the future owner of a motor drill

As you can see, choosing a motor drill is not at all difficult. It is enough to have basic knowledge and understanding of where the tool will be used. We propose to evaluate the complexity of handling a gas drill using the example of our Fubag FPB 71 motor drill
.

How to assemble a motor drill?

1.
Place the engine on a flat surface with the muffler down
2.
Remove the fasteners
3.
Install the auger into the power take-off shaft of the gearbox

4.
Align both mounting holes
5.
Secure the auger with fasteners and tighten it securely
6.
Refuel the engine

What to fill a motor drill with?

We have a reliable two-stroke engine that runs on a fuel mixture:
1.

We take 92 gasoline and oil for 2-stroke engines in a ratio of
25:1
.
2.
Pour 1/3 of the volume of gasoline into a clean fuel container and the required amount of oil.
3.
Mix.
4.
Add the remaining gasoline and shake well again.

Important! It is advisable to prepare the mixture before each use. An old mixture that is more than 2 weeks old can lead to breakage of the motor drill.

How to start a gas drill engine?

1.
Move the damper lever to the
CLOSED
.
2.
Set the ignition switch to the
ON
.
3 .
We pump up the transparent primer membrane several times: through it you will see how the fuel fills the carburetor.
4.
Quickly pull the starter, holding the lever firmly in your hand and not allowing it to snap back.
5.
After the engine has started, move the throttle lever to the
OPEN
.
6.
That's all, the motor drill is ready for work!

The frame of this model allows two operators to work at once, putting in twice as much effort.

conclusions

• An earth drill is an indispensable tool for making holes for fence posts or for laying a foundation.
• The fundamental parameters when choosing a device are the power and volume of the motor.
• For periodic use for domestic purposes, cheap Chinese units with a capacity of 2 hp are suitable.

• The optimal choice for semi-professional work with small and medium-diameter augers is the Hitachi DA300E.
• Only expensive gas drills with an engine of 7 hp can cope with making deep holes with a width of 350 to 600 mm.
• To avoid kickback of the tool body when the auger jams, you need to drill slowly and carefully.

Replaceable auger attachments

Photo: STIHL

For drilling, replaceable auger attachments are used, most often with a working diameter of 10, 15 and 20 cm. They are sold separately, and the desired size should be selected in advance.

The length may vary among different manufacturers, on average it is 60–80 cm. To increase the depth, extension rods (50–60 cm) are used. The price of a Chinese-made auger attachment is 3–4 thousand rubles; augers from famous manufacturers are much more expensive. The motor drill itself can be purchased for 10–12 thousand rubles, and branded products from Hitachi, Husqvarna, STIHL - for several tens of thousands of rubles.

Photo: Hitachi, Leroy Merlin, Boris Bezel/Burda Media. Samples of augers differ from each other not only in the length and diameter of the screw, but also in the design of the cutting edges, the depth of the channel and the pitch of the auger screw. On the left is a version of the auger for ice, in the center and on the right - for soils of different densities

Long-term use will likely require sharpening of the cutting edges of the replacement blades used with the auger. Otherwise, performance decreases. Any tool for sharpening axes, shovels and other equipment is suitable for processing these knives.

Theoretically, even a low-power motor drill can work with an attachment of any of three diameters. In practice, however, much depends on the complexity of the soil. When using large-diameter augers on a low-power motor drill, you should be careful and attentive when working to avoid the auger getting stuck in the ground. Such jamming, especially at a depth of more than 1 m, can become a serious problem, and a lot of effort will be required to remove the auger.

For a similar reason, it is not recommended to use multiple extension attachments. The length of the motor drill along with the auger and extension rods should not exceed 1.5–2 m so that the user can pull it out himself.

Motorized drills are used to perform a number of jobs. For example, for making holes in ice. They can also be used to drill holes of large diameter and depth in logs - for this you will need an appropriate wood drill and an attachment with a jaw chuck (these are available in the STIHL range).

Photo: Boris Bezel/Burda Media

Fuel for motorized drills

Almost all motor drills are equipped with two-stroke engines running on a mixture of gasoline and oil in a ratio of usually 25: 1. This mixture can be purchased ready-made, but it is much easier to prepare it yourself.

It is very important for the engine to use high-quality motor oil, which is recommended by the manufacturers. It costs a little more than usual, but it makes sense to play it safe. Moreover, the oil consumption for the mixture in domestic conditions is unlikely to be more than one liter canister per season.

6 photos

Photo: Leroy Merlin. The MaxCut MC 55 petrol drill is equipped with a single-cylinder petrol engine. Its power (3 hp) is sufficient for intensive use of the device in difficult conditions

Photo: Boris Bezel/Burda Media. Petrol drill AG43H (power 1.7 hp) with horseshoe-shaped handles. An auger is installed on the engine (diameter 15 cm)

Photo: Leroy Merlin. Gas drill model: Elmos 2.1 l. With.

Photo: STIHL. CMI 1.9 l. With.

Photo: OBI. STIHL BT 131 1.9 l. With. with anti-vibration frame handle

Photo: Hitachi. Hitachi DA300E (2.09 HP), two-person handles