An individual or construction crew might need a rock auger to drill through hard or rocky soil. The harder soil can damage the attachment from time to time. However, knowing the causes of excessive wear on rock augers can prevent most mistakes or mishaps from occurring on the worksite. Familiarize yourself with the causes below.

Auger Teeth Aren’t Rotating

Any teeth you attach to your auger tool need to rotate in the ground to perform efficiently and minimize wear and tear. For example, drilling through soil with clay can prevent the teeth from turning, which can cause wearing and flat spots on the components. Any lubricants or grease you apply to the teeth can potentially mix with dirt and create a slippery environment for the teeth to rotate on the attachment.

Never Replacing Worn Teeth

Failing to replace worn teeth on your foundation drilling auger will cause more wear than necessary, making your tool dangerous to operate because it cannot function at its full potential. Replace the teeth immediately when you notice they are worn and no longer suitable for drilling.

The outer teeth on your auger will deteriorate the quickest because they travel a greater distance around the borehole—keep a more watchful eye on those teeth because they will wear out first.

High Temperatures When Drilling

The temperature inside the borehole when drilling at high speeds can increase due to trapped air under the high-speed rotation of the auger, which creates an oven effect. When some rocky soils heat up, they harden and become more difficult to drill through, which could wear down rock augers. Stop drilling and remove the tool from the hole every five minutes to bring down the temperature, or consider adding water to your borehole to cool down the soil and make it easier to remove.

Never Cleaning or Maintaining the Auger

Your rock auger needs routine cleanings and maintenance in order to prevent the causes of excessive wear. Dirt left on the teeth and auger will solidify the longer it remains, making it more challenging to clean and operate. Inspect and clean your auger before and after each job to ensure the tool works correctly.

A rock auger is a powerful tool when you use it appropriately and take care of the components. If you notice excessive wear on your auger, avoid using the tool until you replace the parts. Wear and tear is unavoidable, but you can prevent mistakes and unnecessary damage by being aware of the causes.