Hand-Held vs Excavator-Mounted Torque Heads: Which One Should You Use?
- frankleighonline
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you’re installing screw piles, choosing the right torque head isn’t just about power - it’s about access, efficiency, safety, and cost.
At Autoguide Equipment, one of the most common questions we’re asked is:
Should I use a hand-held torque head, or an excavator-mounted torque head?
The honest answer? It depends on the job.
In this guide, we compare Autoguide’s hand-held torque heads with excavator-mounted torque heads, using real-world site conditions to help you decide which option is right for your project.
What Does a Torque Head Do?
A torque head is a hydraulic drive used to rotate screw piles into the ground. Instead of digging and pouring concrete, screw piles are installed quickly, cleanly, and with far less disruption - making them ideal for everything from small residential builds to large commercial and infrastructure projects.
Torque heads generally fall into two categories:
Hand-held torque heads
Excavator-mounted torque heads
Each has its place.
Hand-held torque heads are designed for restricted access sites where using an excavator simply isn’t practical.
Autoguide’s 400H and 700H units are hydraulic, through-drive torque heads powered by a portable hydraulic power pack, making them ideal for sites with limited space or sensitive surroundings.
When Hand-Held Torque Heads Make Sense
Hand-held torque heads are a great choice if:
You’re working in tight access areas (gardens, alleyways, inside buildings)
You want minimal ground disturbance
You’re installing small to medium screw piles
You don’t want the cost or logistics of bringing plant to site
Key Benefits
Excellent access – fits where excavators can’t
Quick to deploy – minimal setup time
Portable and lightweight – easy to move between sites
Low impact – ideal for finished landscapes and urban settings
Flexible adaptors – compatible with a range of pile systems
The telescopic reaction arm and vibration-dampening design help improve operator control and comfort, while forward and reverse functions allow for precise installation.
Things to Consider
Hand-held torque heads typically deliver lower torque than excavator-mounted units, so they’re not suitable for:
Very large pile diameters
Deep installations in hard ground
High-volume piling programmes
They shine on access-restricted jobs!
Excavator-mounted torque heads are all about power and productivity.
Autoguide’s range covers torque outputs from around 5,000 Nm up to 250,000 Nm, making them suitable for everything from light residential piling to major infrastructure projects.
These torque heads mount directly to excavators and are matched to the machine size, pile type, and ground conditions.
When Excavator-Mounted Torque Heads Are the Better Option
Excavator-mounted torque heads are ideal if:
You’re installing larger or deeper screw piles
The site has open access for plant
You’re working on commercial, utility, or infrastructure projects
You need fast, repeatable installations
Key Benefits
High torque capacity – handles demanding ground conditions
Faster installation rates – ideal for large piling schedules
Reduced operator fatigue – the machine does the work
Wide compatibility – multiple models to suit excavator sizes and pile diameters
For contractors installing dozens (or hundreds) of piles, excavator-mounted torque heads quickly become the most efficient and cost-effective solution.
Hand-Held vs Excavator-Mounted: Quick Comparison
Feature | Hand-Held Torque Heads | Excavator-Mounted Torque Heads |
Access | Excellent | Limited by machine size |
Torque Output | Low to medium | Medium to very high |
Setup Time | Very quick | Longer |
Installation Speed | Moderate | Fast |
Site Impact | Minimal | Higher |
Best For | Restricted access jobs | Large or repetitive installs |
So… Which Torque Head Is Right for You?
If access is tight and disruption needs to be kept to a minimum, a hand-held torque head is often the smartest choice.
If the site is open and you need power, speed, and consistency, an excavator-mounted torque head will deliver far better productivity.
In reality, many contractors use both - choosing the right tool for each job rather than forcing one solution to do everything.
Talk to the Experts
Ground conditions, pile size, access, and project scale all matter. The Autoguide team can help you choose the right torque head, mounting option, and adaptor setup for your specific application - whether that’s a hand-held unit for a tight garden install or a high-torque excavator-mounted head for a major project.
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