Auger Boring

Auger boring is generally used to install steel casing pipe in all ground conditions. The auger boring process retains and removes the soils within the casing, which reduces the likelihood of ground settlement from excavation, making auger boring a popular option for installing utilities under railroads, highways, and levees where settlement is a concern.
The auger boring process uses an auger boring machine to rotate an auger or flight positioned within a casing pipe and fitted to a cutter head at the front of the casing. The rotating cutter head, which is slightly larger in diameter than the casing pipe, excavates the soil in front of the casing. The soil is transported back to the machine via the helical auger where the soil is removed by hand or machine.

The auger boring machine advances along a track, which is aligned to drive the casing pipe on the designed installation line. Once the machine reaches the end of the track arrangement, the auger is disconnected from the machine and the machine is moved back to the original starting point on the track where a new casing segment is welded to the existing casing pipe, and a new auger chain connected to the machine and to the existing chain/cutter head.
The excavation and thrust process is repeated until the project is completed. The auger chain is then withdrawn from the casing pipe and the pipe is cleaned of all remaining soil and ready to use.

These days contractors are adapting pilot tube machines to steer and guide a pilot tube to achieve the required grades and alignments of today’s designs, this is a fantastic way to turn your conventional auger boring machine into a steerable laser guided auger borer giving the contractor a lot more capability.