Auger Boring Procedure

Survey of Site
When job is at the planning stage, provide enough room for safe loading and unloading of
equipment, and for spoils removal. An entrance pit is required at the approach side of bore. The
dimension of pit floor required to install 6M section of casing are 12x4 M. This can be reduced,
but at the expense of efficiency and production. There should not high-tension cable, which could
interrupt crane or machine operation above and below the ground. We should have all the
information about the use of utility, soil condition, depth of water table and under ground utilities.

Preparation of the Entrance Pit

Before start excavating, dig the test pits and ensures there is not any under ground utility on the
way. The floor of the pit must be aligned with the proposed casing grade (Surveyor should check
it with the help of Auto Level). It must also be solid enough to support the equipment being used
without settling. A base of crushed stone of at least 5” thickness should be used to prevent
settling. The use of planking under the tracks is recommended and should be allowed for bringing
the floor up to grade. The boring operation requires that a square and secure backstop be provided
for the track pushplate. The thrust for the entire bore is transferred through the track to the
backstop. The backstop should be designed to withstand 1.5 to 2 times the maximum thrust of
boring machine being used. It is recommended that a steel plate be used between the track push
plate and backstop. If soil doesn’t self stand then there is a need of sheet piling to avoid collapsing
the side wall of pit. The possibility of flooding always exists during the boring operation. The
location of pit sump for pumping should be considered during the design of the pit.

Setting and aligning the Track and installing the Machine

The most critical part of the bore is the setting of the machine track on the line and the grade. If
the alignment is not right when you start, it is not likely to improve. Lift and place the master
track in the pit with the push plate against the backstop. Use a Theodolite to align the master track
with in the proposed line of bore. Track section has number at each end. Extension tracks are
installed so that adjoining end has the same number. Install the extension tracks, aligning the tops
of the joints and bolting together using bolt in all holes. Before setting of machine, make a final
check of line and grade (with the help of Angle Protector).

Set the machine on master track and engage the push bar dogs in the rear most holes in the track.
Install the slide rails or clamp hook rollers, then lower and secure the master-casing pusher. Install
casing adapters, master saddle, and saddle adapters as required to fit the bore casing. Before the
first joint of casing and auger is installed, the fluid levels should be checked and the machine
started and tested operationally.

Preparation of casing
Improperly prepared or poor quality casing can make the job more difficult and introduce hazards
that are unnecessary. Machines cut beveled ends will assure casing alignment, exact lengths will
keep the head at the correct location relative to the casing, and smooth wall will reduce the push
required and the tendency of the casing to rotate during the bore. Load auger into the casing. The
lead section of the casing is cut to determine the head position. This section is loaded with the
head flush or inside the casing so that the male hex shank is exposed for the ease of coupling to
the machine chuck. The follow up casing is loaded male end first so that female hex socket is
exposed for ease of coupling the auger joint.

Use of Wing cutters depends upon the soil condition. The function of wing cutter on a head is to
over cut the tunnel, allowing the casing to enter more easily. Wing cutters are used in only in
stable ground condition. Wing cutters are present to cut one inch larger than the nominal casing
diameter. The use of new and built up auger in lead section of casing is essential to maintain the
proper centering of the head. Worn auger in the head will allow the head too much freedom and
the wing cutter pattern will be erratic. Wing cutter can be removed for operation of a head inside
or outside of the casing.

All bores should be done with the complete string of full size auger sections. However, under
ideal soil conditions where the auger loading will be light and the spoil moves easily in the
casing, lead sections of full size auger can be followed by the smaller sections. Smaller diameter
auger is never used in the lead section of the casing. The smaller auger used is not to be less then
¾ of the casing diameter.

The primary factor in the use of smaller auger in this section is torque. The smaller auger will
have more wind up from the same torque loading then the full size auger. Torque wind pulls the
cutting head back towards the casing and could cause the wing cutters to contact the casing,
further increasing torque and causing even more damage.

Banding the Casing

The use of a partial band at or near the head end of the casing is recommended when boring in
most of the soil conditions. The band compacts the soil and relieves pressure on the casing.
Placement of the band is a matter of personal experience.

A band, usually 3/8” x 6” (1x15 cm), is rolled to fit the casing. Place the band so that it leads the
casing by about ½” (1.2 cm) Weld securely front inside and rear outside. The inside chamfer of
the front weld will provide a lifting action for the casing if the thrust is rapid
Cased Boring Procedure
“Collaring” is the first operation in beginning a bore. The objective is to start the cutting head into
the ground without lifting the casing out of the saddle. Rotating at low RPM and using a slow
thrust advance does this. When about three feet of casing has entered the ground, shut down the
engine, remove the saddle, and check the line and grade of the casing. If the casing is not running
true, remove it and start again. The success of the bore depends upon the line and grade of section
of casing.

If the machine is set up properly and the first section of casing is installed on line and grade, there
is a little tendency to drift unless the casing is pushed too fast or an obstruction is encountered. If
grade is critical, a steering mechanism should be used and the grade monitored with a DUTCH
LEVEL. In this a sensing head is installed at the head end of casing. Half-inch std. Steel pipe is
used along the entire length of installed casing to connect to the Dutch Level Indicator in the
entrance pit. Grade correction can be made continually as required.

After the first section of casing has been installed in the ground, stop advancing and clean the
casing by rotating the auger until all the soil is removed. (Exception: in sandy conditions or other
runny materials, do not clean the casing as this may create a void.) Remove the auger pin and
move the machine back.

For very soft formation of soil (or sandy soil) we have to use the method called Pushing Plug. In
this method we have to keep the auger inside the casing so that the soil plugs into the casing
which resist the soft soil around the head to come inside the pipe which prevents the settlements.

Lower the next section of casing and auger into position. Hold and align the casing until the
augers at the face are “timed,” flight to flight, couple the hex joint and install the auger pin. Align
the new casing with installed casing by resting the spirit level on the top of the installed casing
and weld it The new section of casing is never installed in the machine until the welding is
complete.

After welding align the drive coupling with auger hex and couple the drive. Secure the casing at
the machine by welding torque plates to the casing and bolting to the master casing pusher. It is
important that each new section of casing be secured at the master-casing pusher. This not only
prevents the casing from turning, (which maintains the accuracy of Dutch Level). Continue the
process until the bore has been completed.

Preparing the Exit Pit

In the most instances, an exit pit of size 3x3M will be required at the end of the bore. Never allow
a workman in the Exit Pit while the boring machine engine is running. The unexpected entry of
boring head into the pit can catch the workman and cause serious injury and, in addition, there is a
real danger of pit collapse as the casing approaches the exit pit.
Removing of Augers at the completion of the Bore

At the time of removing the Augers the area in front of the machine should clear from personals.
Firstly we have to remove the cutter then after rotate the auger in normal direction to clean the
casing. After cleaning take machine back then remove the pin and auger. Again couple the
machine with the next auger and repeat the same process.

Safety Regulations for Earth Boring Equipment

1. Employees should be protected from falling into the entrance or exit pit by the placement of a
guardrail or fence at ground level around the pits.

2. No crew shall consist of less then two persons.

3. No work shell be done on any part of auger while the power source is running.

4. Disengage rotation of the auger during spoil removal from entrance pit.

5. All engine exhaust must be vented to the open atmosphere.

6. Always shut down the machine before leaving the operators station for any reason.

7. The exit pit shall not be excavated while boring is in progress.

8. For machine with removable tracks, always detach machine from tracks before lifting, then
lift machine and tracks separately. Before transporting, always secure machine to tracks with
dogs engaged.
 Start up Check List
Precaution about the Casing
a. Only steal casing can be installed by auger method.
b. There should always-smooth surface both from ID & OD.
c. Both end should be perfectly Beveled.
d. Bending of casing is must.

Job set up
a. Pit wall adequately sloped or sheeted for safety.
b. Machine and casing on line as per requirement of client with the help of Theodolite.
c. Machine and casing on grade as per requirement of client & strictly checked by angle
protector while setting as well as entering of the first joint.
d. While setting up another casing, grade should be checked.
e. Pit sumps pump installed and operating properly.
f. Pit area cleaned up.

Cutting head and casing

a. Measure and record outside cutting diameter over wing cutters.
b. Measure and record collapsed head clearance inside casing.
c. Cutting head teeth in condition for job.
d. Augers diameter should not be less than 3/4 of the casing size.

Boring Machine
a. Fluid level in machine
1. Engine crankcase oil
2. Transmission gear lube oil
3. Gearbox gear lube
4. Hydraulic oil
5. Fuel
b. Winch locked out and cable wound.
c. Hook rollers/slide rails down and locked.
d. Spoil door closed.