marlinspiker
Participating member
- Location
- Pennsyltucky
What is the best drill on the market for installing brace rods? We have a Milwaukee hole hawg which is good for smaller jobs but we need a drill for larger trees.
Need a new drill.
- Thread starter marlinspiker
- Start date
- Location
- West VA
Honestly the Hole Hawg is probably the best if you can get power to it. Gas drills bog down too much under load and as a result youll get jammed. Electrics keep gettin' it for the most part. No reason why a Hole Hawg couldn't do larger trees. Start with a small bit, work up to the big one, clean out often, and lubricate the bit as you drill.
The hole hawg is a clutchless thumb ripper. The superhawg has a clutch. You *do* need a very large, very short cord. I was up a magnolia the other day with a 64" long, 3/4" bit. The main problem is getting a generator with enough initial power for that moment when you start the tool. I have a Champion 3100 and almost got the bit stuck once, fully bored in at about 45". The ideal setup to max out power is a very large generator for initial power, a very short very large gauge cord, and the superhawg.
My understanding from gray sources (forum posts, etc.) is that the gas powerheads are less powerful than generator-powered electric, but I have not tried one. Of interest is the Aussie thingy that attaches to a chainsaw powerhead.
@cerviarborist is toting the new m18 fuel superhawg. It's a very convenient and powerful tool. I tried to nail down a milwaukee tech on a torque comparison between the superhawg and the m18 fuel superhawg, but they won't bite. They just tell me I'm way out of spec for the intended use. I think the M18 fuel superhawg may be less powerful than the corded superhawg, according to Richard.
Very hard to find head to head tests, so there may be alternative facts.
My understanding from gray sources (forum posts, etc.) is that the gas powerheads are less powerful than generator-powered electric, but I have not tried one. Of interest is the Aussie thingy that attaches to a chainsaw powerhead.
@cerviarborist is toting the new m18 fuel superhawg. It's a very convenient and powerful tool. I tried to nail down a milwaukee tech on a torque comparison between the superhawg and the m18 fuel superhawg, but they won't bite. They just tell me I'm way out of spec for the intended use. I think the M18 fuel superhawg may be less powerful than the corded superhawg, according to Richard.
Very hard to find head to head tests, so there may be alternative facts.
flyingsquirrel25
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- South East, PA
I have a Milwaukee super hawg and it does a fabulous job. Hooked a 4' long 13/16" bit up to it in white ash and it didn't phase it. It's tough to clean the hole because of its torque but we didn't have any problems just driving it through.
What power source are you using?
flyingsquirrel25
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- South East, PA
I have a generac portable generator that is rated to 9375 w surge and 7500 running. It's heavy and bulky but it goes right on the forks of the mini and into the truck or trailer if needed.
That ought to do, lol. I assume it stays on the ground?
flyingsquirrel25
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- South East, PA
Yea so far I have not had a need to get it up in the tree... I hope I don't find the need as well. But I'm sure if it came down to it I would find a way. Luckily for us most of our large bracing is fairly close (25-30') to earth.
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
Hang a block and hoist it with the mini? Just a thought.. Carry on...
cerviarborist
Very stable member
- Location
- Florida, USA
I noticed you rang. Everything I have to say on the topic is over on another thread, so I'd encourage anyone interested to search the threads for "super hawg" The only thing I have to add is that I almost always have utility current on site and use that. I'd only use a generator if I was out in the sticks and had no other access to current.The hole hawg is a clutchless thumb ripper. The superhawg has a clutch. You *do* need a very large, very short cord. I was up a magnolia the other day with a 64" long, 3/4" bit. The main problem is getting a generator with enough initial power for that moment when you start the tool. I have a Champion 3100 and almost got the bit stuck once, fully bored in at about 45". The ideal setup to max out power is a very large generator for initial power, a very short very large gauge cord, and the superhawg.
My understanding from gray sources (forum posts, etc.) is that the gas powerheads are less powerful than generator-powered electric, but I have not tried one. Of interest is the Aussie thingy that attaches to a chainsaw powerhead.
@cerviarborist is toting the new m18 fuel superhawg. It's a very convenient and powerful tool. I tried to nail down a milwaukee tech on a torque comparison between the superhawg and the m18 fuel superhawg, but they won't bite. They just tell me I'm way out of spec for the intended use. I think the M18 fuel superhawg may be less powerful than the corded superhawg, according to Richard.
Very hard to find head to head tests, so there may be alternative facts.
djm
Participating member
- Location
- Seacoast NH
Just use those ugly chompers of yours.
MA Arborist
Branched out member
- Location
- Cape Cod
I use a stihl gas drill for my brace rod installs. It’s a two speed. Haven’t had any problems drilling up to almost 5’ dbh
Really? Doesn't that hazard the drill bit? I'd hate to get half way in and have a bit break...
Reach
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Atglen, PA
It probably does, but I doubt Yvonne knows that. Wait three days, and I’m almost certain you’ll see that post edited to contain a spam backlink to a questionable website advertising drills or impact drivers.
cody willard
Participating member
- Location
- Tulsa
RyanCafferky
Been here a while
- Location
- Hood River, Oregon
I've got the Dewalt 60 Volt right angle drill. It was recommended to me by a good friend who is a professional treehouse builder and former zipline installer who drills large holes into and through trees. I second what Oceans said about his drill: combined with the GRCS it is mind blowing.
