How to Install American Earth Anchors

NOTE: When you Shop By Product, you'll find that every anchor description offers a PDF with technical specs and installation tips. If you're not sure which anchor to use, the installation overview below may be helpful.

PRE-DRILLING is recommended when installing Penetrator anchors into asphalt, gravel, hard clay, rocky soil, or when obstacles like roots, rocks, pipes, or boulders may be present in the soil. Read more about Pre-Drilling here.

How to Install Penetrator Anchors

There are three installation methods for Penetrators, depending on the anchor style. 1) By hand, 2) Socket drive, 3) Square drive. The most common power tool used is an impact wrench, and we sell the Makita TW1000 Impact Wrench for installing the PE36, PE46-Flat, PE46-Guy, PE46-Hex and PE46-Hex8 anchors. The illustrations below and videos provide more detail. You’ll find an installation PDF included on every Penetrator product page, as installation methods will vary depending on the anchor size.

For larger PE36 and PE46 anchors, this featured video from Sailrite PE36 Installation - Watch on YouTube shows how a combination of impact wrench and steel pipe (by hand) installation methods may work best for your application.

PRE-DRILLING: Pre-drilling pilot holes for anchors prior to installation using an auger bit can alert you to large rocks in the earth if you are unsure how rocky it is underneath the topsoil. Depending on the soil type, anchors can actually "push aside" rocks (up to softball/grapefruit sized) during the installation process. If you encounter rocks, check out this article: Anchoring in Rocky Conditions and this article Pre-Drilling Holes for Earth Anchors

For bracing and structure support applications, check out this Penetrator installation video on YouTube showing the PE46-Hex and the PE46-44V bracket holding 4x4 lumber; from our customer, Jack Henderson.

How much space should you allow between Penetrators for a large installation? Check out this blog article: Distance Between Anchors .

Watch Penetrator Installation Videos on YouTube

Download Installation Instructions and Specs for All Penetrator Anchors (PDF)

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How to install the anchors by hand or with a socket — Installation methods: By hand, socket or square drive.

Add a steel pipe to ratchet for leverage while installing ground screw — Using a steel pipe creates leverage for easy installation

two inch socket on top of earth anchors — Standard 2-inch socket is used for installing PE36, PE46-Guy and PE46-Hex Penetrators

shows four types of installation methods — Installation methods

Anchor tapped for 1/2" thread or bolt — Threaded fittings

Tie-off cable used two ways — Tie-off cables for securing to your structure

Bases and sleeves that can be used with earth anchors — Custom sleeves and baseplates

3 cable clamps used to make your own loop — Use all three clamps for maximum loop strength

Flange tops keeps tie-off cable from slipping off — Flange top keeps tie-off cables in place

1/2" slot in earth anchor for cable, rope, or cable — Guying Top

Custom sleeves used with earth anchors — Custom sleeves specific to your application

Different metal brackets for use with earth anchors — Brackets for use with Penetrator anchors

Installing a PE18 anchor with impact and tie-off cable — 18" Penetrator with tie-off cable

Guy installing PE9 into geo matting with battery operated impact wrench — Penetrators can be installed with a battery operated impact wrench

18 inch anchor insalled into asphalt with impact wrench and tie-off cable — Penetrators can be installed through asphalt

Ratchet used to install a PE18SQ anchor with tie-off cable — Ratchet installing a PE18SQ

Bright yellow anchor being installed into frame with gas powered auger — Gas powered auger installing PE26

Saftey orange bracket and 18 inch anchor used to secure soccer net — PE18 anchor and PE-2P-OR bracket securing a soccer goal to prevent theft and tipping

26 inch anchor with tie-off cable used in guying application — Use tie-off cables when you need a way to guy to your strucuture

2 man post auger being used to install PE46-Hex anchors — 2 Man Hydraulic post auger can be used for installation

Woman installing PE46-Hex anchor with Makita impact wrench and body weight — Installation of PE46-Hex Penetrator with impact

PE46-Hex8 anchors are shown replacing concrete footings for 2" schedule 40 racking — PE46-Hex8 Penetrator replaces concrete footings for ground mount solar installation

Makita TW1000 on top of partially installed PE46-Hex Penetrator anchor — Makita TW1000 being used to install PE46 Penetrator

Makita TW1000 Impact Wrench for installing PE36, PE46-Flat, PE46-Guy, PE46-Hex and PE46-Hex8 anchors, available in our store

A metal bracket and PE46-Hex anchor securing metal greehouse frame to ground — PE46-Hex Penetrator anchoring greenhouse frame

Top of PE46-Hex getting leveled to replace concrete footings — PE46-Hex Penetrator replaces concrete footing for coverd walkway

PTO from tractor is used to install PE46-Guy-TC — Use PTO on a tractor to install large Penetrators

Pre-drill before installing anchors in asphalt — Pre-drill with a masonry bit when installing anchors in asphalt

Install PE46-Hex Penetrators using pneumatic impact — Pneumatic impact wrench used to install PE46-Hex Penetrators

Pre-drilling into rock soil on mountain side before insalling bullet anchors — Pre-drill when installing bullet anchors into mountain side

How to Install Arrowhead & Bullet Anchors

Depending on the soil type, you'll install bullets and arrowheads one of three ways: 1) Manually, with a hammer and drive rod, 2) Power assisted, using a demolition hammer or 3) Power assisted, using a jack hammer, jack, "come along" and anchor locker/proof tester.

We invite you to read this explanation of the attachment methods for cabled arrowhead and bullet anchors along with the most common uses to help select the right option when ordering.

Watch Bullet & Arrowhead Installation Videos on YouTube