Drilling reliability is a critical factor in project schedules and costs, especially in complex geological exploration and engineering boreholes. USExploration Equipment Company’s industrial auger system is built around durability and compatibility, using forged construction and wear-resistant materials to support consistent drilling performance. The line includes HexTube augers, formation-specific drill bits and auxiliary safety tools.
Core auger design
The system’s design emphasis is long service life and cross-equipment compatibility. The HexTube auger uses a hexagonal inner diameter and a cylindrical outer diameter shaft, allowing a hex shank to be secured without additional washers or welding. This approach addresses a common weak point at traditional auger connection points, where welded or add-on components can fail under load.
Auger flighting across the line is hardfaced to protect structural integrity from the top of the borehole to the bottom. That treatment is intended to reduce wear in abrasive ground conditions and help maintain consistent drilling performance.
Bit selection by formation
Bit choice is a key variable in drilling efficiency, and the company’s lineup is organized around specific ground conditions. The available options cover sand, gravel, clay, soft soil, concrete, cobble and shale, with compatible shank sizes varying by bit type.
| Bit type | Application | Compatible shank sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Finger bit | Sand, gravel, soft shale | 1-1/8", 1-5/8", 2" |
| Clay bit | Soft soil, clay, abrasive formations | 1-1/8", 1-5/8" |
| DP concrete bit | Concrete, gravel, cobble, hard soil | 1-1/8", 1-5/8", 2" |
| Two-piece fishtail bit | Clay, marl, medium shale | Not specified |
The finger bit is listed for sand, gravel and soft shale, while the clay bit targets soft soil, clay and abrasive formations. The DP concrete bit is intended for concrete, gravel, cobble and hard soil, and the two-piece fishtail bit is designated for clay, marl and medium shale.
Auxiliary tools and safety
Supporting equipment is designed to address handling, extraction and recovery during drilling operations. The company’s auxiliary line includes tools for holding augers in place, lifting components and retrieving damaged equipment from a borehole.
- Auger holders: Prevent auger components from sliding back into the hole after drilling is completed.
- Hoisting plugs: Use a heavy-duty lifting ring to support safe extraction of auger tools.
- Retrievers: Designed for damaged tools in a borehole, using a screw-pitch structure for vertical extraction.
- Hex adapters: Allow conversion between different hex connection sizes to maintain equipment compatibility.
The auger holder is used at the start of extraction, sliding between the flighting and against the shaft so its larger diameter keeps components from slipping back into the borehole once they clear the bottom. Hoisting plugs and retrievers address lifting and recovery, while hex adapters support compatibility across different connection sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
