click for full-size photos
High-torque foundation drills with telescoping kelly bars for deep infrastructure work, including bridges, windmills, and large-diameter caissons.
Foundation Drills (FD Series)
The FD Series is Highway’s answer to the biggest, toughest holes in the business — 30′ to 60′ deep with the torque to spin monster augers for bridges, wind farms, high-rises, and large-diameter caissons. Built with our heavy-duty telescoping dry kelly bar system and a host of operator-friendly features, the FD Series isn’t just powerful — it’s engineered for efficiency, longevity, and low-maintenance performance.
From oversized sheaves that protect your wire rope, to joystick controls that keep your hands where they need to be, to smart diagnostics that cut troubleshooting time, every inch of these drills is built with the operator in mind. Whether you spec it on a truck chassis or a tracked undercarriage, this is big iron done right.
What to know:
- Dig depth: 30′ to 60′.
- Mast height: starting at 24’2’’
- Auger capacity: large-diameter caissons and deep foundations.
- Kelly bar: telescoping dry kelly design.
- Rotary torque: high-output for heavy-duty drilling.
- Mounting: truck chassis or tracked undercarriage.
- Controls: dual joysticks, fully proportional operation.
- Diagnostics: digital display with CAN Bus system monitoring.
FD Series Foundation Drill Options
One Platform. Endless Configurations.
From mast height and kelly bar style to carrier type, winch setup, and tooling, every FD Series drill is built to your exact jobsite requirements.
Standard
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Digging Depth Range | 30′–60′ (9.14–18.29 m) |
| Rotary Torque | 66,300 ft/lbs (model-dependent torque class) |
| Crowd Force | 25,000 lbs max |
| Winch | 18,000 lb controlled free-fall, two-speed |
| Baseline Kelly Bar | Telescoping dry kelly; square 2-bar design with 4.25″ solid inner bar (LP variant: square 3-bar low-profile) |
| Kelly Bar Drive | Roller drive applies torque to outer kelly; free vertical travel |
| Rotary Clearance | 100″ (typical FD configuration) |
| Carrier Options | Truck chassis or tracked undercarriage |
| Controls | Dual proportional joysticks (all digging functions) |
| Sheaves & Bearings | Oversized sheaves; sealed cone-and-race bearings (long life, serviceable races) |
| Adjustable Tie-Down Blocks | Eccentric, field-adjustable to extend slide pad life |
| Adjustable Slewing Gear | Backlash set via simple planetary adjustment (clockwise/counterclockwise) |
| Boom-Mounted Winches | Winches on boom to simplify mast positioning (no extra payout/take-up) |
| Drop Case Gear Reduction | Heavy-duty step drop case: deeper ratio, higher torque, shock-load protection; eccentric lower input for quick adjustment |
| Protection & Finishes | Protected grease zerks; zinc-plated sheaves/pins/accessories for corrosion resistance |
| Mast Height | Starting at 24’2’’ |
Optional
| Optional Feature | Specification / Option |
|---|---|
| Extended Digging Depth Options | 30′, 40′, 50′, or 60′ depending on model |
| Low Profile Mast | Available on FD-30LP for overhead clearance restrictions |
| Alternate Kelly Bar | Custom sizes available in place of standard 4.25″ solid inner kelly |
| Service Winch | Fixed or 6′ (1.83 m) telescoping, 12,000 lb capacity |
| Water Tank | Poly or steel, multiple capacities available |
| Mounting Options | Truck chassis or tracked undercarriage |
| Auger & Tool Storage | Side mounts, tunnel storage, or custom racks |
| Lighting & Safety Packages | Work lighting, beacon lighting, and safety strobes |
| Custom Outrigger Configurations | A-frame or straight-down |
| Additional Tooling | Adapters, extensions, custom augers for specific soil types |
| Cab Guard & Operator Protection Packages | Available for harsh environments |
Optional equipment includes auger adapters/extensions, tool boxes, tunnel storage, work & safety lighting, outrigger pads, wheel chocks, front winches, capstan hoists, air compressors, generator & inverters, cab guards, and more.