Underground Construction - September 2018 - 29

Improve
Performance.
Increase
Profits.
to drill and steer in rock - were
too large and required support
equipment to operate in urban
areas.
"The development made it
possible for contractors to purchase smaller machines to work
more efficiently on compact
and hard-rock job sites."
Vermeer Trenchless Product Manager Tod Michael said
dual-rod machines fit a broad
range of ground conditions,
from loamy soils to relatively
hard rock, including 25,000 psi
compressive strength or harder.
"Compared to other rock
drilling equipment," he said,
"dual-pipe machines have the
ease of operation similar to single pipe models."
The current Vermeer dual-pipe
model is the 40,000-poundpullback D40x55DR S3.

Differences
Underground Construction
asked representatives of both
companies what sets their dual-pipe rock drilling equipment
apart.
Vermeer's Michael said the
D40x55DR S3 carries 500 feet
of drill rod onboard, which allows for longer bores without
the need for manually adding
rod. It also has a range of tooling options: the dual-rod head,
dirt tooling and air hammers
for drilling harder rock. And its
basic components include a dual-rod head capable of running
several bit types developed for
various ground conditions.
"Vermeer has been drilling
rock with a number of methods
for many years," said Michael.
Our first dual-rod machine
was introduced to the market

in 2012. Our machine rod exchange and vise design were
developed to help reduce
rod exchange time and
complexity."
Michael said several questions need to be addressed before drilling in rock, including:
* What is the rock type and its
compressive strength?
* How abrasive is the rock to
be drilled?
* Is the rock solid, layered, cobble, gravel, etc.?
* How much loamy soil will be
drilled before or after rock
formations?
* What are the lengths of
bores?
* What is the required bore
geometry?
* Can bore geometry be
changed to match drilling
conditions, if necessary?
Ditch Witch's AT40 features
new innovations that separate
the system from others.
"The advanced drilling system provides 33 percent more
torque than competitive units,"
Maker said. "Its patented connection provides a more reliable
connection for optimized performance and steering.
"A patented, steering-offset
design eliminates the need for
a universal CV joint which reduces fatigue in the shaft and
allows a two-degree bend for
more effective and responsive
steering in hard-rock conditions.
"With a standard 70-gallon-per-minute, 1,100-psi mud
pump [an optional 110-gmp,
900-psi mud pump is available],
the AT40 provides increased
fluid flow from the mud pump

INROCK's CROSSVIEW® system is the first
electronic data recorder (EDR)
specifically designed for the HDD industry.
CrossView® consists of a system of sensors,
computers and networking equipment designed
to deliver critical rig information anywhere in the
world, in order to help you maximize the
efficiency of your drilling operation.

For more information,
call 1 (877) 2 INROCK or visit www.inrock.com
UConOnline.com | SEPTEMBER 2018

29
http://www.inrock.com http://www.UConOnline.com
Underground Construction - September 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Underground Construction - September 2018
