As demand for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) continues to grow in the U.S. and globally, HDD equipment manufacturers have continued to expand their product lines. In many cases, it’s about breaking through barriers to new levels of power and performance. At the same time, advancements in technology have become a given as manufacturers seek to help their customers improve productivity, uptime, and serviceability.
Goto SINOCOREDRILL to know more.
We spoke with a few leading HDD product manufacturers to hear about their latest advancements.
Ditch Witch’s offering of nine dirt-only models and four all-terrain models has been supplemented with a tenth and fifth. The AT120 and JT120 now represent the largest HDDs in the Ditch Witch lineup.
“Until we introduced the AT/JT120 models, our HDD lineup stopped at a 100,000-lb drill,” said Jeff Davis, Product Manager for HDD at Ditch Witch. “Plus, our largest drill at the time was a 20-year-old, aging platform that we needed to modernize. By updating that platform and also jumping into the 120,000-lb class, we can now hit the smaller end of the pipeline industry.”
Capable of handling longer bores and larger installations, the AT/JT120 each boasts 120,000 lb of thrust and pullback force. The AT version offers 15,500 ft-lb of rotational torque and 3,000 ft-lb of inner rotational torque. A 20-ft drill pipe helps limit makeup/breakout to maximize actual drilling time.
According to Davis, an all-terrain drill of this size and capability is unique. Ditch Witch refers to the AT120 as “the world’s largest all-terrain drill.” It’s also capable of drilling through solid rock formations.
“Just having that all-terrain capability can increase productivity twofold in this size class,” Davis said. “Also, contractors don’t need to run a mud motor with our AT120, unlike large drills that are not all-terrain. Those other large drills need to run larger volumes of fluid and have a larger jobsite footprint. That’s another advantage the AT120 gives contractors in this class.”
While Ditch Witch’s AT/JT120 models are a good fit for smaller pipeline projects, it’s important to note that they are also ideal in other applications like water and sewer, fiber, and underground utilities.
Vermeer’s newest drill, the Model D24, is replacing its Model D23x30 S3 in the 24,000-lb class. Vermeer was strategic in choosing this size class to take the first step into its next generation of directional drills. The company already offers a large drill, the D550 in the 550,000-lb. class, that’s geared toward the pipeline industry. But for a broader swath of the underground utility market, contractors have been asking for a higher-performing everyday machine.
“Our new D24 is a compact machine with big capabilities,” said Clint Recker, Product Manager for Utility Drills at Vermeer. Although the D24 generates similar thrust/pullback (24,000 lb) and rotational torque (3,000 ft-lb) as the model it’s replacing, several significant improvements have been made in key areas.
“One example of where we’ve up-spec’d the new D24 is the mud pump,” Recker said. “We’ve gone from 35 gpm max flow to 45. This drill is really about productivity in soil. When you can flow more mud, you can pull the tooling faster.”
Another advancement with the new D24 is rod capacity. The D24 offers a choice of 400 or 480 ft of 2-3/8” #600 rod. With the model it’s replacing, users had to use a 2.06” rod diameter if they wanted 480 ft. “The D24 is giving customers full performance with that higher rod capacity,” Recker pointed out.
Recker said Vermeer’s new D24 also offers several unique features that help solve an underground utility professional’s two broader issues of labor and reliability.
First is a redesigned operator station and control system. The D24 features improved joysticks and keypads, along with a redesigned display that’s more intuitive. “It can also be used as a touchscreen if the operator prefers,” Recker said.
Another feature that helps improve ease of operation is ARE - automated rod exchange. ARE allows the operator to execute a rod changeout by simply clamping the front vice, pushing a button on the right joystick, and then pushing the ARE button on the left joystick. A computer handles the rest.
“ARE is a very intelligent system in that it’s managing the position of its components to minimize load on the threads and maximize the life of consumable parts, like the drill threads, any rods you’re taking out, and the sub-saver,” Recker explained.
With its new AT/JT120 drills, Ditch Witch has also given customers several innovative features that help improve the operator experience.
“We’ve worked hard on new software technology for this drill and this platform,” Davis pointed out. “We wanted to get away from electrical plugin-type float sensors on our carriage system that can be a nuisance to contractors. So we’ve gone to a new, simpler design with fewer moving parts to boost uptime. But the operator would never know there were no float sensors when making up their drill pipe; it’s that easy.”
Float sensors help protect drill pipe during makeup and breakout. As an alternative, Ditch Witch’s new software solution, VAM (Virtually Assisted Makeup and Breakout), helps ensure the drill pipe and tooling are at the correct levels observed by the torque gauge during tool joint makeup and breakout. That makes it easier for operators to automatically add or remove drill pipe during a bore to increase productivity.
VAM software is currently exclusive to Ditch Witch’s AT/JT120 models. Another innovation, a multimode joystick, can be found on several models of Ditch Witch directional drills, including the AT/JT120. Multimode joysticks allow operators to change a setting in the software to switch to the control pattern of another brand. This feature helps alleviate the anxiety an experienced operator may have when converting to Ditch Witch equipment.
Another technology that is having a bigger influence on both Ditch Witch and Vermeer equipment is telematics.
Ditch Witch refers to its telematics platform as Orange Intel. Orange Intel can help utility contractors track their directional drills remotely. Davis said doing so can help contractors improve equipment performance in several ways:
Asset Tracking – monitor the location of equipment, establish geofences, and trigger alerts to know where equipment is at all times
Productivity – monitor metrics such as runtime vs. idle time, feet of product put in the ground, etc.
Uptime – monitor operating hours, machine performance, diagnostic codes, etc. to better plan maintenance schedules to minimize disruptive downtime
Vermeer’s new D24 features enhanced onboard diagnostics, which enables operators to access fault codes and other information through the machine’s touchscreen in the cab. This allows operators to run through certain diagnostic checks on their own without having to call a technician out to the jobsite.
“This goes along with our enhanced diagnostic messages,” Recker added. “We are telling operators more about what the issue is. And when applicable, we’ll give them some troubleshooting advice on things to look for and do to try and resolve the issue on their own.”
When it comes to HDD tooling specifically, one leading manufacturer says the biggest advancements don’t involve jaw-dropping innovation and technology.
“It’s really about making the products more efficient and longer-lasting,” said Ben Hiler, Marketing Manager at Radius HDD, a manufacturer of rock tools, reamers, custom subs, and other types of HDD tooling.
In the case of Radius HDD, an increasingly popular approach is to use dropped carbide hardfacing. Hardfacing is when wear-resistant materials are welded onto the surface of components to extend service life. Doing this effectively without excessively driving up costs requires a deep understanding of how different tooling is being used in the field.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Directional Hdd Machines for sale.
“When we get tools back after multiple uses, we look for wear patterns that are continuous across multiple tools,” Hiler pointed out. Radius HDD might sell a certain tool, perhaps a rock bit or cobble bit, that ends up working in several types of ground conditions. “We study them to figure out how we could add more carbide buttons or hardfacing where it can really make a difference. You can’t cover an entire tool in hardfacing because it would cost too much.”
Hiler says the trenchless utilities market has matured a lot in recent years. Many of Radius HDD’s customers have gotten to the point where they have a good understanding of what they need in certain situations, right down to shaft length, diameter, and type of teeth. But contractors still look to the expertise of Radius HDD engineers for the latest techniques to help make their tooling more productive and reliable – because productivity and reliability are the name of the game in directional drilling.
Subscribe to The Utility Expo monthly newsletter to receive more industry insights like this.
Are Hydrovacs the Future of Excavation?
The Best Utility Locating Equipment
If you’re in the market to add a drill to your fleet, there are two options to consider: purchasing new or buying used. Financing options, planned machine usage and machine availability might make buying a used drill a better option for your business.
Those options may seem straightforward. But there’s a lot to consider when looking to buy a used drill.
There are many outlets to find used equipment like in-person auctions, online auctions, alternative resale websites and your local Vermeer dealership. While a low price tag may seem appealing, it could be indicative of a deal that is too good to be true. A machine from an unreliable or unknown supplier could lead to reliability issues or higher maintenance costs than expected, which could then result in a cost of ownership that exceeds any initial savings.
It’s crucial to consider the long-term benefits of working with a trusted and reliable resource if you are shopping for a used horizontal directional drill (HDD). A Vermeer dealer can provide updated machine information before the purchase, comprehensive after-sales support, and options to help protect your used machine for years to come.
There are many risks and variables to consider if you are looking to find a drill at a machine auction. To start, accurate and updated machine information might be limited. “You may not have access to service records, how it’s been used or why it’s being sold,” explained Weston Peters, product specialist with Industrial Solutions at Vermeer. “A big risk of buying at an equipment auction is simply not knowing the machine’s work history — which may impact whether it will be a good fit for your fleet.”
At some auctions, you may not be able to run or even inspect the machine beforehand. Not knowing how well the drill functions may lead you to buying a machine that requires more servicing than expected.
Spending time traveling to auctions might not be time well spent if you don’t end up bringing a used HDD home. Depending on where you live and where the auction is, you could be using valuable time traveling rather than working on a job or managing your crews.
Machine records are not just pieces of paper; they’re a testament to the machine’s work history and can give insights into its future performance. If you’re a prospective buyer of a used HDD, this information is invaluable.
Before you buy a used drill, you will want to have key pieces of information:
Vermeer dealers excel in providing high-quality used equipment. They know that oftentimes the more information available on the machine, the more confident you can feel with your purchase. That’s why Vermeer dealers work diligently to obtain accurate records from previous owners.
No matter where you are buying equipment, you should inspect the machine. If you are unable to inspect the machine in person, send a trustworthy, qualified representative to inspect the machine for you.
Peters said, “It is also essential to carefully inspect the high-wear areas of the drill. This can include carriage slides, rods, subsavers, vise dies and rod magnets on rod arms.”
When you purchase used equipment from a Vermeer dealership, the drill has had qualified technicians perform a thorough machine inspection. If there are issues with the drill, they will either have been addressed by the dealer or will be communicated prior to the purchase.
Purchasing a used drill from a certified Vermeer dealership has the added benefit of providing after-sales support in a variety of ways. When purchasing from a dealership, you now have a reliable resource that is only a call away for parts, service and training needs.
“At Vermeer Midwest, we take pride in our used equipment both before and after the sale. Despite being used, our Vermeer Certified Technicians service the equipment, as well as perform an extensive check-list inspection prior to customer delivery,” explained Ryan Mountz, an internet sales rep for Vermeer Midwest in Central Illinois. “With the current demand in the underground market, our drills need to go out field-ready for a good customer experience — our parts and service teams ensure this happens.”
With the growing demand of horizontal directional drilling projects, it can be challenging to find skilled operators. That’s why more contractors are utilizing HDD experts to help train their crews through a combination of online, classroom and simulator tools. “Our HDD specialists at Vermeer Midwest can work with operators on a variety of hands-on exercises that they can implement on their next jobsite,” Mountz explained. Your local Vermeer dealer can help with your crew’s transition to an upgraded model by providing individualized training to cover new machine features if needed.
Having a trusted advisor at a Vermeer dealership is more than just a resource to call if problems arise on the jobsite. They can go beyond just helping with the machine — once they become more familiar with your business goals, they can help you along the journey to achieve those goals. You are gaining more than just a trusted advisor but forming a partnership for years to come.
It’s crucial to forecast service and operating costs for your used HDD. With any piece of equipment, costly repairs can be unpredictable. For used equipment, the pre-owned Vermeer Confidence Plus® asset protection program has you covered. Financing maintenance expenses through the Vermeer Confidence Plus program can help you plan for a fixed cost upfront — and find peace of mind with your used machine.
With the Vermeer Confidence Plus program, you can customize your coverage term, coverage limits and scope of coverage to meet the needs of your business. To be eligible for the pre-owned Vermeer Confidence Plus program, your machine must have a comprehensive inspection performed by a Vermeer dealer service technician.
Deciding where to purchase a used drill requires careful consideration. While used drills offer cost savings, it’s essential to ensure reliability and machine quality by purchasing from trusted partners — like Vermeer dealers. They provide comprehensive machine histories, inspections and the ability to help protect your investment with comprehensive support after the sale.
For more information on Vermeer horizontal directional drills, get in touch with your local Vermeer dealer.
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications.
Vermeer, the Vermeer logo and Vermeer Confidence Plus are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries.
© Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
For more information, please visit Water Well Rigs.