The Latest Auger Alignment System on the Market - HALO

Have you heard of HALO, the biggest innovation in pendulum drilling in the past two decades? HALO is Digga’s brand new Auger Alignment System. 

HALO has been designed to save operators time and money. It helps you drill straight holes and therefore provides a number of advantages to the earth drilling industry.

Its benefits include, amongst others, reducing the number of in-hole angle adjustments which can create an oversized hole, also reducing the amount of concrete required to fill the hole. Not drilling straight can additionally cause sideload on the auger bit and drive, potentially causing damage and expensive repairs. With HALO operators drill more efficiently, as you can return to drilling faster after returning the auger into the hole.

Another great advantage is you won’t need a spotter with a spirit level guiding you through the hole. So, if you’re trying to save on labour costs, HALO is the way to go - remember HALO does not take holidays or sick leave!

So, how does it work?

It’s simple: Chase the Green, Live the Dream!

A band of green LED lights indicate when the unit is in a plumb position, while a sequence of red and green lights guide you back to plumb when the unit goes out of alignment.

HALO has been programmed to show all green LED from 0°to 1.5°of incline. After 1.5°the LEDs will show a sequence of red and green lights.

These lights move around the hood to indicate which way to move the drive to return to plumb. The red and green lights are always opposite each other, thus if the operator can only see the red light, he or she will surmise the location of the green and be able to “chase” it.

What components is HALO made up of?

The brains behind HALO lie in the hood box, which is situated inside the hood. It includes 6 sensors to accurately measure inclination to +/-.25°. HALO utilizes a microprocessor and “Sensor Fusion” to bring together inputs from multiple sensors to form a single output which is more accurate and less prone to false readings than single sensor models.

A one-piece LED ring made from polycarbonate will allow you to see the HALO from a distance and also in bright daylight. The LED lights are a high-resolution single die LED strip featuring 3 LEDs per pixel. The LED strip is then covered by a polyurethane compound making the whole unit dust and waterproof. It’s then recessed into the hood ring to protect it from damage and the bottom ring is bevelled to allow better visibility of the lights when the drive is being used with long extensions.

A lead-in power cable, which extends around 200mm from the hood, allows you to power the HALO. This then gets connects to either a power cable & extension back to your cab’s cigarette lighter or to a HALO battery, which lasts up to 8 hours. The lead-in cable has a yellow sheath to make it more visible to the operator and can easily be tucked into the hood when transported or stored.

How does HALO compare to other alignment systems on the market?

There are several advantages of incorporating an alignment system into the hood. It costs significantly less than traditional systems by eliminating the need for a costly in-cab display screen. 

In-cab display screens also require you to constantly take the eyes of the job, which is unsafe and tiring over time. HALO sits right in the hood of your drive (above the auger and drilling hole), so it is highly visible while drilling. We consider HALO to be an upgrade from existing technology on the market. Why use outdated technology when there’s more affordable and effective options, right?

Research, Development & Testing

Since its inception in 2016, HALO has gone through a wide range of testing and design upgrades to ensure the product taken to market works as intended, is free from defects and is durable. Some of the tests have included, water, vibration, and heat testing as well as longevity testing.

Over 50 units have been out in the field with customers since November 2019. Very few issues were reported with all concerns rectified with our latest version HALO.

These are some comments we have received from our Testers in the last couple of weeks: “Would be lost without the HALO, I would dig over a couple of thousand holes a year and this has sped up time and production.” – Ritchey Fencing.

“The main benefit I get out of it, is that it takes away the need to use another operator guiding me through the holes. This really saves me a lot of labour costs.” – Bobs n 2 Sons Excavations.

Why is it important to drill straight? And what happens if you don’t?

Auger drives are pendulum drills designed to hang freely from the machine mount. You need to consider, that excessive side load may result in bent auger flights, pipe and hubs as well as potential damage to the auger drive shaft, seals and gearbox. When you are drilling especially into hard ground this may also cause socket and pilot breakage. HALO makes sure you are aligning your auger and drive correctly, to avoid damages and drill which much better performance.

BONUS WITH BATTERY: Zero-ing Function lets you drill at an angle!

For those of you, who are often required to drill on an angle for e.g. installing retaining walls or shade sails there is another bonus the HALO brings. With the purchase of a battery pack, the HALO can be set to a desired angle in inclination just by the click of a button.

So, let’s sum it all up. 

Why do YOU need HALO?

• Drill straight and avoid side loading your auger, causing damage 
• Never take your eyes off the job
• No more in-hole angle corrections - use less concrete
• Reduce costs & increase efficiency - no need for a spotter
• Realign the auger faster when re-entering the hole - save time
• Easy and no-fuss setup 
• Drill at an angle with the battery option

The HALO system is out now for new Digga Drives PD3 to PD7, which suit most machines like skid steer loaders, mini loaders, tractors, and excavators around the 3 to 8 tonne range. We are looking at releasing HALO to their entire range of drilling drives in late 2020 and will be re-assessing retrofit options in the future.

Want to see it in action? Check out our YouTube Playlist here.

Current Promotion: FREE HALO for the first 150 units sold! So get in quick to get your hands on yours. Give us a call at 1300 2 DIGGA or visit www.digga.com/halo for more information and features.