Choosing The Right Drilling Rig Does and Donts

Many jobs require drilling. There comes a time in every driller’s life when a new rig has to be bought. If you are in the market for one and are looking for information that can help with making the right purchasing decision then you have landed at the right place. Read on to determine some of the essentials when it comes to choosing the right rig for your objectives.

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A few types of drilling examples:

• Pile Drilling: To support a building on unstable ground
• Micropile Drilling: To reinforce existing structures
• Drilling Wells and Oil Rig: To access groundwater or oil
• Geothermal Drilling: To access and extract the Earth’s heat
• Blast Hole Drilling: For quarries
• Continuous Flight Augering: Maintains the walls of the borehole with the drill cuttings that are driven by the auger.

Let us start with the basics. So, what is a Drilling Rig? – It is a type of construction equipment used to make holes in the earth’s surface. There are many variations of drilling rigs that vary considerably in size: they can be massive structures or light enough ones which can be moved manually by a single person.
Drilling rigs can take samples from mineral deposits and are capable of testing the physical properties of rocks, soil and groundwater as well. Additionally, they can also be used for underground installations: tunnels, shafts or pipes. Having said that, choosing the right rig doesn’t really have to be a daunting task. You just have to make sure exactly what you intend to use it for and what kind of terrain it will be used on.

Types of Drilling Rigs

Before selecting a rig, understanding the different types is essential:

• Rotary Drilling Rigs: These use a rotating drill bit to create holes, suitable for various applications.
• Percussion Drilling Rigs: They employ a hammer-like action to break rock, commonly used in mining.
• Directional Drilling Rigs: These can create holes at angles, essential for accessing resources in challenging terrains.

Key Considerations for Choosing a Drilling Rig

1. Purpose and Terrain: Clearly define your drilling objectives and the terrain you'll be working on. This will help you select a rig with appropriate capabilities.

2. Rig Type: Consider the specific type of drilling rig needed for your project, such as rotary, percussion, or down-hole hammer.

3. Depth and Diameter: Determine the required depth and diameter of the borehole. This will influence the rig's capacity.

4. Geological Conditions: Understand the geological conditions of the drilling site, including soil type, rock formations, and groundwater presence.

5. Safety Features: Prioritize safety by selecting a rig with robust safety features, such as emergency stop mechanisms and operator protection.

6. Maintenance and Support: Consider the rig's maintenance requirements, availability of spare parts, and the provider's after-sales support.

7. Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including purchase price, operating expenses, and maintenance costs.

Emerging Trends and Technologies in Drilling Rigs

Automation is transforming the drilling industry by improving safety and efficiency. Many modern rigs incorporate AI-driven monitoring systems that predict equipment failures before they happen, reducing downtime. Additionally, environmentally friendly rigs use electric or hybrid power sources to reduce emissions and noise pollution. Understanding these trends can help buyers invest in rigs that stay relevant longer.

Maintenance and Safety Considerations

Proper maintenance extends the life of a drilling rig and ensures safe operations. Regular inspections of hydraulic systems, drill bits, and power sources prevent costly breakdowns. Safety features such as emergency shut-off valves, operator cabins with reinforced protection, and fall arrest systems are vital. Complying with local regulations regarding worker safety and environmental protection is also a must.

The Do’s:

• Always make sure to choose the rig according to the terrain you are going to be working on.
• Inspect the rig thoroughly before purchase. Check to ensure it meets with all the quality standards and has sufficient drilling fluid to avoid any accidents or mishaps
• Proper maintenance is the key to the long life of your rig. Do make sure to maintain it on a regular basis to avoid any breakdowns
  Safety, reliability and ease of use are also important elements to consider before purchase
• Make sure the drilling contractor you are dealing with promises the rig to be delivered on time without any delays and has great after-sales service. This is vital in case of any breakdowns
• Be wary of the speed & power of the drilling rig. This can help save a lot of time for your workers during the drilling process and increase efficiency
• Ascertain the drilling contractor you are about to place the drilling rig order with has a global presence and has happy client testimonials. This gives off a sense of credibility and trust in the market

The Don’ts:

• Improper Maintenance – Failing to maintain a drilling rig can cause serious damage to the equipment. It could also cause the drill rod to stop functioning which may cause injury or death to the rig operator. Other factors include, leaks in the hydraulic or fluid pump systems can cause shortages or cause the machinery to seize up while working and cause costly project delays
• Do not be hasty in your decision and succumb to high pressure. Always take the time out to research and see which contractor offers the best solution to your business needs
• Do not purchase a used drilling rig. No matter how tempting it may be due to factors such as low price, short delivery time, local contractors, etc, as it may not be future proof and there will be a high chance of a breakdown
• Drilling Industries are sanctioned to have their own auxiliaries such as drilling bit, drilling pipe, drill string, etc to help support the drilling process adding further enhancements. But the quality of these supporting equipments may not always be up to the mark.
• Therefore, it is imperative that a thorough inspection of these products be done before hand, if you are planning to buy it from your contractor itself
• No proper research – Factors such as size, capabilities and shipping considerations all need to be taken into account when thinking about how much your business or organization is able to commit to

Did you know?

There are two main types of drilling rigs: autonomous crawlers and truck or trailer-mounted.
Crawlers are used when you need to move at a low speed over unlevel areas or on very loose grounds. The truck or trailer-mounter drilling rigs are comparatively cheaper than crawler drilling rigs but they are not free in terms of movement or their energy source which may come from the transport truck or an independent generator.

Bonus Tips

Foundation drilling is, in essence, using big machines to put big holes in the ground.

Most residential homes have a reinforced, concrete slab foundation poured on top of the ground. Though some settling and shifting will occur, it is not enough to send the walls tumbling down. However, huge structures like bridges and office buildings, need foundations that can handle some movement and are strong enough to carry the weight of the building itself and what’s on or inside of it. To do this, large construction projects use foundation drilling rigs to create drilled shafts. Also known as drilled piers, caissons or bored piles, drilled shafts are constructed by pouring concrete into a drilled hole. The load is supported mainly through skin friction where the subsurface soil surrounding the shaft holds it in place. End-bearing shafts carry the weight load on the base of the shaft. This type of drilled shaft is used less often.

The type of rig used depends on several factors. How deep and what the diameter of the holes will be, obviously. But, the type of soil, where the project is located (in a city or out in the boonies), and how much room there is to maneuver are just some of the considerations. The project requirements will also dictate which foundation drilling method is used.

How to Select Foundation Drilling Rig

Selecting the right foundation drilling rig can be daunting. They’re expensive – so you want to get it right the first time. You want to drill down (pardon the pun) to what your requirements truly are. Once you understand your “must-have” (hard) requirements, you can find the foundation drilling rig to meet them. There is no one-size-fits-all drill that works for all types of drilling and all site conditions.

Want more information on Crawler Mounted Drilling Rigs? Feel free to contact us.

Job Description

You want to determine the specifics of the job you need to get done. The diameter and depths of the holes, the type of soil, and the features of the site must be known.

Location Challenges

Are you working on rough terrain? Is the job in the heart of a city where noise reduction is critical? Is it a small lot or other tight space that will require smaller, more nimble equipment? The rig you choose must be able to work within the limitations of the job site.

Mobility

An autonomous crawler drilling rig does not need additional equipment or a separate power source to move around the job site. Truck-mounted and trailer-mounted foundation drilling rigs need to be powered by a generator or by the truck that’s moving them about.

Stability

An important part of any foundation drilling rig is the stability of the platform. The amount of ground pressure the rig exerts matters. It impacts how large the platform must be. So, the size of the construction site can limit the weight of the rig you can buy. The manufacturer will tell you how much pressure their rig exerts. Lighter weight models, such as Commachio’s MC 3, can provide plenty of power and still squeeze through areas as narrow as 9mm.

The rig should be placed on level and firm ground. The area must graded to support the rig per the manufacturer’s specifications. Crane mats can be used to support the platform. They are typically made from 12″ thick timbers and are available in lengths from 8- to 40-feet. Widths of 4, 5, or 6 feet are available. The Crane Mat Company also offers custom mats and used mats that have been returned through their buyback program. You can also rent crane mats. Bridgewell makes all-steel Mammoth Mats for multi-million pound rigs.

On Special Occasions

Some jobs require custom features that you won’t be able to use for other projects. If possible, select a standard foundation drilling rig and add attachments that will meet the requirements of a particular job. You want the rig you select to have the broadest use possible.

Cutting Technology or Old School?

Fancy color screens, automatic placement, and torque technology are terrific. But you may not need them to complete a project. The training required to use the features of high-tech equipment also adds to the project timeline and budget. Sometimes a foundation drilling rig that is less high-tech with a longer track record is a lower-risk – and lower cost – solution.

Price

It is natural to think of price first. But, resist the urge. Figure out what your requirements are for the job. You should have two lists – hard requirements and “soft” requirements. (Soft requirements are nice-to-have features that are not necessary to get the work done.) Present this information to at least three vendors and let them advise which foundation drilling rigs are best based on these requirements. Considerations can also be made for ongoing maintenance costs, reliability as well as flexibility.

Wrap Up

The most important aspect of selecting a foundation drilling rig is understanding what you really need to get the job done. Take the time to meet with a sales engineer and other experts to clearly define the project requirements. Find a few models that will meet your needs then shop around.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of DTH drill pipes. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.