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Equipment at Work
Big Beaver Auger Drill Rig Tackles Tough Projects in Remote Locations The most powerful offering in Little Beaver’s full line of earth drilling equipment, the Big Beaver Auger Drill Rig offers 2,500 pounds of lifting capacity and the ability to turn augers up to 18 inches in diameter. Constructed with a welded mechanical steel frame, the Big Beaver is rugged and durable, and ideal for a variety of applications including soil sampling, foundation repair and drilling environmental test wells. Additionally, the portable, easily maneuverable design enables it to work in remote locations and those inaccessible to truck-mounted units. Available in two models, the Big Beaver and Big Beaver XL, the hydraulically powered units may be specified to produce a range of maximum drilling torques from 690 to 170 foot-pounds and auger speeds from 114 to 547 RPM, respectively, when provided up to 12 GPM and 3000 PSI. Both models have been designed to work with Little Beaver’s D-series augers, which range in diameter from 4 to 18 inches. Auger extensions enable drilling depths up to 32 feet with a 16-inch auger and 100 feet with a 6-inch auger, depending on soil conditions.
Hydraulic Power is available with choice of a 20-, or 24-horsepower Honda gas engine or a 19 hp. Diesel engine. These compact, powerful Hydraulic Power Sources come with a 4-gallon fuel tank to ensure dependable allday operation, while the 10-inch fan on the oil cooler regulates temperature. The Hydraulic Power Source also serves as an attachment point for the stabilizer torque tube. For greater versatility, the power source can also be used to power a variety of other hydraulic tools on the jobsite. At just 26 inches wide and 48 inches long, the Big Beaver maneuvers into areas mounted drills simply can’t fit. The standard model measures 80 inches tall when upright while the Big Beaver XL stands at 92 inches tall. Flat Free tires smoothly guide the machine through gates and doorways, under eaves or into interior locations without disturbing the soil on the way. The Big Beaver can be paired with special tools and accessories to enable various drilling tasks. An optional Cathead Kit, which includes a tower kit, third hydraulic valve and spool,
makes soil sampling and performing standard penetration tests (SPTs) fast, convenient and economical. Additionally, the kit enables the Big Beaver to take undisturbed core samples, in 24inch increments, with the optional Split Spoon Sampler. The accessory can be safely and securely driven into the ground with Little Beaver’s optional 140-pound Safety Hammer.
Rugged and durable, this unit is ideal for a variety of applications, including soil sampling, foundation repair and drilling environmental test wells.
Also offered for soil sampling are Little Beaver’s ultra-light Hollow Stem Augers, which are designed to prevent contamination from loose surface soils. Built for speed and durability, the augers enable quick collection of clean samples for SPTs. The augers are available in 6- and 8-inch diameters, and can drill up to 32-feet deep.
In addition to soil sampling, the Big Beaver efficiently handles foundation repair, drilling pier holes up to 16 inches in diameter. Align the mast in any position up to 15 degrees from vertical with the simple crank mechanism. To create an under-reamed footing at the bottom of the foundation pier hole, add the optional belling tool, which provides solid support for slab and prevents pier uplift. For more info call 800-227-7515, or visit www.littlebeaver.com.
Making Green Decisions:
Saving With Your Air Compressor System Fleets have been buffeted by the economic storm for the past three years. Historically, counties and cities have shown recovery from recessions as long as 18-24 months following the national economic recovery. This is due to the lag in tax revenue collection associated with an economy in recession.
consumption continue to lead the response to these initiatives. Fleet managers continue struggling to avoid the trap of making the wrong decision for what appears to be the right ‘green’ choice, and choosing the right air compressor system can be part of this challenge.
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Three key concerns that public sector fleets have faced the past few years have included zero-growth budgets, fuel prices and green fleet initiatives.
Regardless of location, fleets are expected to operate in extreme conditions. Finding an air compressor that is designed for these conditions can go a long way toward addressing budgetary and environmental concerns.
Underhood • Rotary screw system • Fully contained under the hood • Tied to the vehicle’s cooling system • Decreased emissions • Reduced fuel and insurance costs • Reduced vehicle weight
Making the right choice of truck equipment and accessories – particularly with regards to a vehicle-mounted air compressor – can assist fleets in addressing these issues. Fuel costs and alternative fuels continue to be a crucial issue for all fleets. Fuel volatility makes forecasting a fuel budget extremely difficult. As a result, fleets are budgeting tightly and looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption in the hope fuel prices will have less of an impact on their bottom line. Despite budget constraints, ‘green initiatives’ continue to gain priority throughout the public works and utility fleet industry. Support for ‘green’ fleets is expected to continue despite increasing pressure to reduce costs. Reducing emissions and fuel November 2012
Not all air compressor systems have all the necessary features, or are reliable in those circumstances. The types of vehicle-mounted air compressors available that could manage these conditions include:
Gas/Diesel Drive • Can be skid mounted, chassis mounted or trailer mounted • Insulated enclosures • Electric battery warmers • Smaller engine reduces exhaust/fuel use PTO Direct Drive and PTO Shaft • Larger 100 CFM plus compressors
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Oversized cooler Powered by only one engine PTO Hydraulic Underdeck Components are all mounted under the vehicle Hydraulic tank heater Powered by only one engine
Hydraulic Above Deck • Mounted on truck deck in metal closure • Auto cold-sensing • Lower initial cost of bare compressor • Throttle-Enable functions When making the choice of a vehiclemounted air compressor system, fleet managers need to take into account tight
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budgets and environmental impact – as well as the ability of the equipment to handle extreme weather conditions that are routine for a fleet. Longevity and reduced maintenance needs to contribute toward improved budgets, while proper equipment functioning reduces the environmental impact. To learn more, visit www.vmacair.com.
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