Horizontal directional drilling rig (HDD) giants Ditch Witch and Vermeer both report a strong directional drilling rig market and continue to invest in technology for their customer base, including dual rod technology, electronic and control versatility, and telematics.

Horizontal directional drilling rigs are a major investment, and like almost all equipment in contact with the ground, reasonable selection and proper maintenance should provide years of service. One of the first things managers should consider is the nature of future work.

"Before investing in a new drilling rig, customers should first determine the functions and requirements needed on the job site in the future," said Jeff Davis, hard drive product manager at Ditch Witch. "By understanding the relevant application and ground conditions, customers can clearly communicate their drilling rig expectations to the dealer sales representative."

Tod Michael, Vermeer's cutting-edge business unit manager, said that choosing the right size directional drill can be a challenge because contractors often have to manage multiple installations for multiple customers in multiple locations-all of which have different Ground conditions.

"The model that worked yesterday may not be suitable for the next project," Michael said.

He suggested that managers look at four factors to narrow their HDD search: drilling specifications, job site conditions, transportability, and fleet preferences.

"When comparing the work your staff spends a lot of time doing, what is the average of the borehole profile?" Michael said. "Where do your staff work and how is the ground condition?"

For transportability, Michael suggests asking the crew what else is being sent to work, and what size trucks and trailers are used to transport them all there.

Finally, based on fleet preferences, answer how many crew members will operate and whether you want to standardize the fleet or expand its capabilities.

After entering the fleet, the challenge for HDD owners and operators is to reduce operating costs. Original equipment manufacturers have integrated some functions to make it easier to do, especially in the maintenance area.

"Following best practices and performing routine maintenance are two important factors that help reduce operating costs in the long-term," Davis said.

"This not only keeps the machine running at a high level, but it also prevents costly downtime," Davis continued. "To make this process seamless, the manufacturer

Just like Ditch Witch designed the machine with the simplicity of the contractor in mind. For example, Ditch Witch drill bits are pre-installed with intuitively located service points, easy-to-use manuals and quick and correct tool guides, which makes the preventive maintenance and maintenance of HDD simple and clear. "

Vermeer's Michael said training operators and staff is important to the cost management portfolio.

"As with any device, ensuring that operators are properly trained and adhere to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance intervals is an effective way to help control operating costs," Michael said. "In addition, the use of tools and a sufficient amount of drilling fluid will help keep the rig working efficiently."

The two major HDD manufacturers continue to add technologies that help reduce costs, including dual-pole machines, integrated electronics, and of course telematics.

Vermeer has 18 models in its North American horizontal directional drilling rig product line. Its latest product is D23x30DR S3 Navigator.

Above: Vermeer has acquired electric directional drilling rigs and fluid system technology from Normag, and plans to introduce the technology in Europe by the end of 2021.

"It integrates dual-pole technology into a compact machine designed to effectively pass through rocks in crowded cities, busy communities, or cramped workplaces," said Michael. He pointed out that the device has a small footprint and weighs 16,500 pounds, making it ideal for installing optical fiber, electricity, natural gas, and water under hard rock and other difficult ground conditions.

"The device's Firestick drill pipe can provide operators with up to 7% downhole maneuverability," said Michael. "The threaded outer rod of the D23x30DR S3 drill bit has 3,000 lb-ft of rotational torque, and its hexagonal inner rod can provide up to 800 lb-ft of torque. It is powered by the Deutz TCD3.6L4 diesel engine."

The company also has another double-rod machine, D40x55DR S3. It is powered by a 140-horsepower John Deere engine that can provide 40,000 pounds of thrust/pull and 5,500 pound-feet. The rotation torque. It has an airborne pole carrying capacity of 500 feet.

Ditch Witch's Davis said that technology must also address labor shortages through increased versatility and simplicity designed to help operators.

"The HDD industry is currently facing a labor shortage, and it is also facing a market with strong demand for HDD jobs," Davis said. "However, advancements and innovations in hard disk technology are emerging, and manufacturers are addressing the demand for qualified workers through continuous development of technology.

"A recent example is the integration of electronic equipment on the machine to simplify operations and maintain the versatility of each rig to simplify training; the other is the use of telematics to improve the efficiency of the work site," Davis said.

Davis sees the future of HDDs, including higher precision and more compact drill bits.

"For future HDD projects, operator proficiency and advanced equipment will be more important than now," Davis said. "Especially as the underground environment becomes more and more crowded, precise work in small spaces will become an essential skill. Moreover, the demand for more compact directional drilling rigs will increase to help operators in these The narrow job site remains efficient and agile."

Electric equipment is a hot topic recently, and the development of electric products will also appear in the hard disk category.

"It will soon have a place in the HDD field," Michael predicted. "Vermeer acquired electric hard disk drives and fluid systems from Normag at the end of 2020, and is working hard to bring new electric hard disk drive products to the market as soon as possible. This type of technology will reduce fuel use, approach zero emissions, The limited noise and the overall smaller rig footprint help operators better control operating costs and impact on the work site."

Both Ditch Witch and Vermeer believe that the Covid-19 pandemic is the cause of the current HDD market conditions. Optical fiber and 5G are playing the most prominent role.

"Fiber installation is and will continue to be one of the main drivers of the HDD market," Davis said. "During the pandemic, many companies and individuals have to operate remotely. Reliable high-speed Internet and 5G have become more important than ever. To meet these needs, the demand for fiber optic installation and broadband construction has increased — and Continue to increase-to help promote work, school and recreation. This is especially true in rural areas where there was no strong fiber optic infrastructure in the past."

Michael agrees that fiber optic installation is still an important driving factor.

"Before the pandemic, contractors who installed fiber optics have been working non-stop, and now the demand is even higher," Michael said. “While most of the work is focused on expanding 5G services in densely populated areas, we have also seen that many states and local communities are funding rural areas to provide faster data connection speeds due to restrictions implemented during the pandemic. Many of them The project has just started and there is still a lot of work to be done."

Aging infrastructure is also a factor. Natural gas service and distribution may grow, and old lines need to be replaced.

"According to the current rate of replacement, this market area seems to require several years of work," Michael said. "In addition, in many places, people are pushing to move power transmission and services underground to make the network more reliable and prevent storms and wildfires."

According to Michael, oil and gas may be another matter. “During the pandemic, we did see a slowdown in the oil and gas market because everyone stayed at home and did not drive. This market will continue to pose challenges due to some early decisions made by the new government.”