What do you look for in a drill rig? Do you choose a rig because of its capabilities to drill the majority of your business, or do you choose a rig that is capable of working outside your core scope of business? Do you look for new technology or stick with what has worked for the last 30 years? It is important to consider safety, ease of use and reliability. All three factors complement each other. Reliable equipment that is easy to use increases safety, when used within manufacturer recommended limits and operated correctly. Choosing the right rig for your business is no different from choosing the right tool for any job. You can easily install a drywall nail with a six-pound sledgehammer, but at what amount of risk? The same scenario goes for trying to break cement with a nine-ounce drywall hammer. The job can be completed, but how much time will it take?
Goto JCDRILL to know more.
Three questions need to be answered when investing in new equipment:
The first question to be answered is, what is 85 percent of my business? The rig required to do 85 percent of your business will be more productive than purchasing a rig that is designed for specialty projects. Sure, a big rig can drill any size hole. But at what cost? The next question is, what kind of geology will be encountered more than 85 percent of the time? Mud rotary is productive in high water table areas with consolidated and unconsolidated formations. Dense formations with low water table or fractured zones are more suited for air rotary. The downside to a smaller rig is the air compressor capabilities. A downhole hammer is invaluable in hard formation, especially when several hundred feet of hard formation will be drilled. The last question is, in what type of location does 85 percent of my business take place? Do you drill in the middle of fields, housing developments or urban areas? An ideal rig can be on and off location in less than an hour. The bigger the job, the more move in and out time is needed. However, the bigger the job, the more likely there will be a road built for access. Once all three of these questions are answered, it is time to choose the right rig for your business.
To help shed light on that decision process, I interviewed a colleague and good friend, Mike Epley. He has sold rigs in the Texas and the western United States for the past nine years. Texas is one of the most diverse states when it comes to geology, drilling conditions and types of drilling jobs.
A. It depends on what the customer needs for their business. Are they replacing a rig or expanding their business? What is the scope of work that the rig is required to do?
A. Again, it depends on the required scope of work. In Texas, east of Interstate 35 and south is predominantly mud. Southwest and central Texas are 'Big Air.' The rest of the state requires the use of mud and air as required.
A. Many companies drill residential water wells. I am seeing a lot of diversifying to capture more work than just residential.
A. No. Sure, I have customers that use their residential rigs to drill some municipal wells. But the companies that are focused on drilling large-diameter municipal wells day in and day out have 50,000-pound capacity or bigger rigs set up just for that work.
A. Geothermal and cathodic drilling are very popular. I have always had customers drilling these types of boreholes. A good residential drill rig can easily be set up to drill other types of boreholes.
A. Cathodic has been around a long time. The past five years the work has increased quite a bit.
A. No. Installing cathodic protection on new and old pipelines is mandatory. I believe there are 5,000 new holes to be drilled in Texas this year.
A. The borehole size is larger but not outside what the rig is capable of. Geothermal drills 4.25- to 6.5'inch diameter holes to a depth of 400 to 500 feet. Cathodic drills an 8- to 10-inch hole to 500 feet. Once the borehole is drilled, both geothermal and cathodic require special equipment for product installation and pumping grout material down the hole.
A. I have a several customers set up to do the entire job from start to finish. It is very similar to large ground source geothermal projects. In the beginning, drillers would just set the loop and grout. Now many companies want to do the whole project from start to finish.
A. In the last couple years, a majority of drill rigs have been financed.
A. In the past, many of my customer's used local banks to do the financing. Lately, large equipment financiers have been competitive ' such as DLL and Wells Fargo.
A. Work with your salesman. Make sure your expectations of the rig align with the manufacturer's product specifications and capacity. It is important to purchase a rig that can be productive in your operating area. Take a good look at your scope of work and break down the operating costs. A good rig can't be all things to all jobs. Choose the rig that fits best for your company.
Readers with more questions can contact Mike Epley, GEFCO Southwest territory sales manager, at .
The company is the world’s best Water Drilling Rig for Sale supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
It all comes down to using the right tool for the right application. A rig capable of drilling 1,000 feet and setting large casing could be set up to drill a 100-foot hole, but at what operating cost? Big rigs require more horsepower and consume more gallons of fuel per hour. The same could be said for a rig designed to drill 300-foot holes. Yes, it could be set up to drill to 1,000 feet, but how much time and extra equipment will be required? Choose the rig that is best for your company's operating area. Next, choose a rig that can adapt and evolve to the work in your ever-changing drilling environment. Henry Ford said, 'If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.' His mindset pushed the automotive industry. In the drilling industry, I ask you, 'Do you need a racehorse or a workhorse?' Diversifying is essential to a long successful business, but what type of work is most relevant to your area?
Choosing a water well drilling rig requires careful consideration before signing on the dotted line. It's not an impulse decision. While price is the most common consideration for many people, there are quite a few other aspects to consider ' some of which may outweigh the influence of price. Think about the service and support, training and quality; and don't forget about the ever-important mud pump.
Whether shopping new or used, a little research and education will help identify the right drill to meet your needs.
Look for a company that supports its customers, even after the sale. Oftentimes, if a product comes with a cheap price tag, it also comes with a subpar support model. The manufacturers of these discounted rigs might not be around long or won't be there to help you with questions or issues after the sale.
Instead, choose a manufacturer who is known for their after-sale support and resources. If they offer training manuals, videos and technical support, they are likely a trustworthy manufacturer who will help further the success of your business. Look for a company who has actual people answering their support calls. If they can answer not only your product questions, but also your operation and application questions, the company is likely dedicated to the success of its customers, not just making a sale.
A reliable company should be there when you need them with global parts shipping and expert support available by and . By partnering with a knowledgeable and experienced manufacturer, you'll be able to tap into their familiarity with the products and logistics to get the most out of your water drilling equipment.
Another good indication of a reliable manufacturer is their warranty. One of the best ways to determine a company's confidence in its products is by reviewing the warranty policies that accompany a purchase.
Operating a new piece of equipment presents a list of potential challenges. If an operator has not worked on a water well drill, or even if they have but are inexperienced with the brand or model, training is essential.
Many manufacturers offer onsite training, which is a great way for drillers to gain hands-on experience before beginning a project. Proper training helps operators become familiar with equipment, as well as the different roles on a drill site. By learning the roles and responsibilities on a jobsite, operators can minimize the risk of injury. Find a manufacturer who understands these roles and works with you to share safe operating procedures.
'You get what you pay for' is an over-used phrase, but it's true. A higher-quality product might cost a bit more, but when it performs better, causes fewer problems and lasts longer, those few extra dollars are worth it. Plus, low-quality drills typically have little to no resale value compared to higher-quality models.
Look for a manufacturer that discloses the quality of the materials they use, along with the assembly processes. Find a heavy-duty welded steel frame and thick drill pipes to ensure the drill can withstand challenging conditions. Some manufacturers cut corners by using thinner steel. This can cause the frame to bend or twist while driving or prematurely wear due to corrosion in hot, humid climates.
Having a robust water well drill pipe and other strong components can also make a huge difference. Some manufacturers cut costs by offering inferior water pipe instead of heavy-duty ASTM A500 spec drill pipe. And while drill pipe can cost 10 times more than water pipe, if your drill is 100 feet into the ground in a remote location and you hit hard soil or rocks, a broken pipe could mean a major setback. This situation could take hours to resolve or mean moving to a new site and abandoning your pipe to rectify. Look for manufacturers that use at least 1 ¾-inch-diameter drill pipe and connections made of heat-treated alloy steel. Lower-quality drills often use ¾- or 1-inch water pipes intended for less intense applications.
With quality components, drill operators also limit trips to a repair shop for replacement parts for their water well drilling rig.
The mud pump is an essential component of the water well drilling process. A powerful centrifugal pump is required to flush out the cuttings from the hole, allowing for the proper depth of drilling and a high-quality well hole. Once your pump can no longer flush out the cuttings, you have reached maximum depth capacity. The power and efficiency of a mud pump increases this depth, allowing you to drill deeper compared to other methods.
Some people may choose to cut corners and buy a cheaper mud pump from another manufacturer, which can result in poor performance by purchasing a pump with specs not tailored to their specific drill. Choosing a mud pump from an OEM means that it will provide the most optimal performance when paired with the drill.
A knowledgeable drill manufacturer will work with you to identify the ideal drill for your needs. Soil type, geographical location and intended use will help determine which drill is best. Work with a company who supports your drilling mission during every step of the process. A true partnership will present the best results.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Water Drilling Rig. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.