28 APRIL 2021 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Tooth Puller Speeds Auger Bit Replacement Adapted from Information by Auger Technologies Scherzinger Drilling is a drilling contractor in Cincinnati, Ohio, with an assortment of drill rigs from the U.S., Germany, and Italy, as well as augers from 18-40 inches in diameter. From drilling large foundations and retention walls, to utility work and more, this company works on a wide range of projects. Regardless of the job at hand, they need augers fitted with new bits for maximum productivity. A new auger bit replacement tool from Auger Technologies is speeding the replacement of worn auger bits to keep Scherzinger’s augers churning - and both the boss and customers are happy. Stephen Scherzinger, vice president of the company, knows no matter what kind of job his crews are on, efficiency is the name of the game. Time is money has never been truer than in the contract drilling business. Broken, chipped, or worn auger bits slow down the process. Replacing auger bits with new ones used to be, well, like pulling teeth. His maintenance team would either pry them out with a fork wrench, hammer them out from behind, or a combination of both if the bits were really stuck. Sometimes they’d even heat them up. This was a loud, slow, and potentially dangerous process, and when going through 4000 auger bits a year, it’s not terribly efficient. About two years ago, the company was approached by Auger Technologies, which was developing a prototype of their tooth puller, an innovative device to quickly and safely remove conical auger bits. After a year of refining the product, Auger Technologies introduced their Bullet Tooth Puller. Scherzinger bought one for his shop and has been pulling teeth in a fraction of the time with far less noise than their previous approach. Here is how it works: a split-ring collet slides over the worn bit; then the Bullet Tooth Puller driver arm is pulled over the collet, locking it in place. An extractor screw, powered with an impact wrench, then pulls the tooth from its blind hole. Once out, maintenance crews reverse the extractor screw motion to remove the tooth from the collet. With a more stubborn or rusted bit, technicians combine the Bullet Tooth Puller with some oldfashioned muscle - hammering from behind to loosen the tooth, while simultaneously pulling it from the front. Scherzinger uses the Bullet Tooth Puller exclusively on their .990-inch auger bits, and estimates he “has cut his bit replacement time in half.” When you replace 4000 every year, the “found time” really adds up. Maintenance technicians really seem to appreciate the simplicity of the new approach, as it saves them from the routine knuckle-busting that occurs when using a fork wrench. Scherzinger uses the Bullet Tooth Puller in the shop, however, its compact size would make it ideal for field use. This remarkable tool allows crews to replace conical auger teeth in a fraction of the time, with less effort. Without the constant hammering, the shop is less noisy and more productive. C&G Helanbak is able to form a perfect shelby tube by using some of the latest cutting technology. The tubes are great for soil sampling needs, and are available in three-inch-diameter, 30-inch lengths. Going the extra mile, Helanbak also processes custom orders to fit exact needs and specifications. Helanbak is a Valued WWDRAdvertiser.
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