March 2011, Vol. 66 No. 3
Equipment Spotlight
Equipment Spotlight: Downhole Directional Drilling Tools
Downhole directional tools from Railhead, Sharewell, INROCK, Melfred Borzall, American Augers, Horizontal Technology, HammerHead, Vermeer, Ballantine and Ditch Witch.
Railhead Underground Products
The EXTReam boasts no moving parts – at the end of a backream, simply replace any worn teeth and the EXTReam is ready to go again. The EXTReam has proven itself in field tests in cobble, soft to medium rock, and hard rock. Although the EXTReam will work in other conditions, it performs best in tough, rocky conditions. The design of the EXTReam is a true horizontal rock reamer and comes with two types of teeth with the EXTReam: a pointed tooth for softer rock, and a rounded tooth for harder rock. The EXTReam is delivered from the factory with most of the side and rear water ports plugged which forces most of the flow out the front to properly mix the cuttings. A variety of different size nozzles and plugs that can be used to reconfigure the water ports based upon the volume of mud being pumped and the conditions encountered during the pilot bore. The EXTReam works best with low pullback pressure and low rotational torque. Decrease the rotation when encountering extremely hard rock conditions. 888.313.7455, www.railhead.com
Sharewell
Sharewell’s heavy-duty LTX series of Lo-Torque Hole Opener is ideal for pipeline projects. The field replaceable cutters are available in IADC TCI type 5, 7 or 8 and in mill tooth style. Each body can open four different hole sizes, and the larger cutters have big sealed bearings for longer downhole life. With only the cutters contacting the formation, less torque is required to operate the tool. 800.637.6461, www.sharewell.com
INROCK
INROCK Standard Rock Reamers are fabricated using only “new bit” Sealed Bearing Drill Bits Sections. INROCK Rock Reamers are assembled under rigid quality control fabrication standards. Proper tool design, welding techniques, heat treating and hard-facing, are critical during the fabrication process to ensure tool strength, cutter integrity and bearing life. Understanding down hole torsional stress and vibration effects on welded components is vital in providing reliable standard rock reamers. Available in a wide variety of cutting structures, sizes, and hardness ratings covering the entire range of HDD rock drilling applications. 713.690.5600, www.inrock.com
Melfred Borzall
The Steep Taper Ultra Bit 3 performs in hard, compact soil and gravel conditions. A 4-inch and a 5-inch model are available. For ground where it is hard to do directional “pushes”, the Steep Taper Ultra Bit 3’s conical carbide cutters set at an aggressive angle to get through cobbles. A center point tooth provides easier penetration. A chunky carbide hardfacing the entire length of blade gives maximum longevity to the bit. The Steep Taper offers a low-profile, tapered design to minimize torque stealing drag. 800.558.7500, www.melfredborzall.com
American Augers
The BULLDOG reamer is a three-fluted cone shaped semi-compactor that is excellent for compactable soil and it can survive in intermittent rock. This reamer has lots of replaceable jets for pressure tuning and easy repair of “washed out” jets plenty of carbide teeth to make small cuttings and to survive if a tooth is lost. Its heat-treated 4140 aircraft alloy one piece shaft for excellent thread life and abrasion resistance. To help resist cracking and extend the life of the cutters, the BULLDOG is made of tungsten carbide with cobalt added. For pulling into the vices for makeup and breakout, the BULLDOG has an eight-inch of shaft out front. 800.324.4930, www.americanaugers.com
Horizontal Technology
The RockReamer is a versatile, cost effective hole opener for HDD – cutting downtime as easily as it cuts rock. It pushes or pulls with the same body and cutters, and one body opens to six sizes. RockReamer advantages include: increased on-bottom rotating time minimizes cutter cost and trip time; cutters and arms are easily changed in the field without torches and welders; additional nozzles in pockets improve performance; carbide inserts reduce wear; unique arm design increase strength and downhole hours; and milltooth and TCI cutters are available. 713.774.5594, www.horizontaltech.com
HammerHead Trenchless Equipment
Whether you’re drilling in rock, overburdened cobble or compacted soil, there’s a TriHawk drill head to meet your needs. TriHawk drill heads are made of the highest quality, heat-treated alloy steel and feature strategically placed carbide to help punch through the toughest conditions while reducing wear and enhancing tool life between rebuilds. The boltless modular design square-drive spline is the toughest tooling connection in the industry. This modular design makes it simple to change out drill heads and can be easily adapted to use standard flat or blade bits. Teeth are positioned for high production and reduced machine vibration. Multiple cutting tooth styles can be configured for different types of rock. The boltless modular design of the square drive spline allows for interchangeable bits. 800.331.6653, www.hammerheadtrenchless.com
Vermeer
The new Armor Drilling System is a single HDD tooling system with multiple drilling options. The system features four distinct bits for use in specific ground conditions. The Gauntlet bit is designed for use in soft to medium rock, shale, hard pan and caliche ground conditions up to 10,000 psi with exceptional steering capabilities. Carbide buttons are strategically placed on the bit for optimum cutting, and carbide hard facing helps to enhance wear and performance characteristics. A replaceable three-tooth design delivers a consistent cutting structure for steering corrections and maximum drilling performance. 641.628.3141, www.vermeer.com
Ballantine
Ballantine offers a complete line of backreamers for nearly all ground conditions. Fluted reamers, wing style reamers, mixers and packers are available, as well as crossover adapters to fit most machines. Ballantine’s backreamers are manufactured from high quality raw materials using state-of-the-art equipment and processes. The company finishes with the most rigorous inspection and quality control in the industry. 763.427.3959, www.ballantineinc.com
Ditch Witch
Ditch Witch bits are optimized not only for the soils they work in but also for the drills that drive them. Ditch Witch bits are tested in real work conditions and engineered to outperform and outlast any competitor’s bit. And they’re manufactured with the optimal amount and placement of carbide to maximize performance and value. The Glacier Bit’s streamlined design, small nose and steep, large steering surface enable better pushing and steering in hard formations. Strategically placed carbides prolong the life of this bit and protect the leading edge of the housing. Will push smaller rocks aside or bore through larger rocks. 580.336.4402, www.ditchwitch.com
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