Screw driving machines for timber structures and modular homes — foundation without concrete

Wood-frame house manufacturers and modular home suppliers face a recurring problem: the customer has chosen the plot, the wooden building is ready for delivery — and the foundation delays the entire project by 3–6 weeks due to excavation, concreting, and waiting for curing.

Ground screws eliminate this problem:

• Establishment in 1–2 days instead of 3–6 weeks with concrete
• Instant load capacity — after screwing in, the foundation structure can be fully loaded, timber construction assembly starts immediately
• Working on a slope — both Glentor models (A70, B80) operate with a carriage tilt of ±18°
• Installation even in winter — ground screws can be installed even at freezing temperatures; concrete cannot be poured in freezing weather
• No excavations, no waste — the land will remain clean, free of construction rubble
• Reversibility — after the end of the building's lifespan, the screws can be removed and the land returned to its original state

Detailed comparison with numbers: Ground screws vs. concrete foundations

1. Design and screw selection The structural engineer or timber building designer determines the layout and load-bearing capacity of the screws. For typical timber buildings and modular homes (weight 10–30 tons), diameters of 76–110 mm are sufficient. A geotechnical survey—typically test drilling—verifies the soil properties.
2. Site preparation No excavation, no topsoil removal. The machine drives onto the property, targets the first ground screw. The surface is not modified in any way — not even on a slope.
3. Drilling The machine installs a ground screw according to the project documentation. The entire process at a single point takes 5–15 minutes. For a regular house with 8–12 foundation points, the installation usually takes half a day. For a modular house with a larger number of points, it takes 1–2 days.
4. Inspection and handover The machine's telematics unit records the torque profile at every point — serving as documentation for both the structural engineer and the building authority. After checking the verticality, the foundation structure is ready for assembly.
5. Assembly of a timber structure Screws can be fully loaded immediately. The delivery of a timber structure or modular house can take place the day after foundation work.

The A70 is the smallest machine in the Glentor series. Thanks to its weight of 1,700 kg and transport dimensions of 902 × 2,000 × 2,500 mm, it can access narrow sites, fencing areas, or cramped construction conditions.

For whom: Manufacturers of timber structures and tiny house suppliers, projects on narrow or difficult-to-access plots, pergolas, lightweight extensions, fences.

The B80 offers a torque of 8,000 Nm and a screw length of up to 2.5 m. It is the choice for larger timber structures, multi-module buildings, or attics with a stiffer profile where the A70 is not enough.

For whom: Suppliers of modular homes and larger timber structures, projects with a higher number of foundation points, stiffer soil (clay soils, gravel with stones).

Foundation on a slope is one of the most common challenges for timber buildings in the Czech Republic — many attractive plots are sloped. Concrete foundations on a slope require earthworks or complex stepped footings.

Glentor A70 and B80 work with carriage tilt ±18° lateral / 8° frontal. In practice, this means:

• Slope up to approximately 30 % — direct work without modifications
• The machine itself compensates for terrain tilt by adjusting the guide lead.
• Screws are installed vertically (or at the required angle according to the design) regardless of the slope of the land.

For steep slopes or extreme unevenness, consultation with Glentor is recommended before starting the project.

For timber buildings, winter foundation work is important — timber building manufacturers have year-round production capacity and customers generally do not want to wait for spring.

Ground screws can be installed even at sub-zero temperatures under the following conditions:

• The soil is not frozen deeper than 0.5–0.8 m (the machine will get through the frozen layer)
• In cases of deeper frost penetration, pre-drilling is used (DTH pre-drilling, an accessory for both models)
• Concrete cannot be poured in freezing weather at all — ground screws are the only real winter alternative.

Foundations of wooden buildings on ground screws are a standard and legislatively supported method in the Czech Republic. Key documents:

• EN 1997-1 (Eurocode 7) — geotechnical design, also applies to screw piles
• EN 14199 — Standard for the Construction of Micropiles and Screw Piles
• Building Act

Ground screws are considered a reversible foundation — in practice, they tend to be easier to get approved than traditional concrete footings.

A detailed guide to standards: Eurocode 7 and Ground Screws — What the Standard Says

Contact Glentor—we'll help you choose a machine, estimate the setup time for your project, and arrange a demo.

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