Commercial Directional Drilling: Three Crucial Tips for Protecting the Equipment

Directional drilling is beneficial for commercial improvements such as the installation of underground piping, cabling or conduits. This method is favourable over alternatives like traditional excavation because the process causes minimal ground disturbance. In simple terms, you will not need to be concerned about extensive property damage with directional drilling. Also, you will minimise the costs associated with ground restoration. However, it is important to remember that the quality of drilling will depend on the condition of the drilling equipment. Here are some simple tips to help you protect your directional drill during the project for optimal results.

Monitor Drill Bit Wear

You should have the drill operators monitor the general wear of your equipment. Proper assessment of the condition will ensure that the worn-out components are replaced as necessary. You should be particularly keen on the condition of the drill bit. It is important to make certain that the teeth on the unit are in ideal shape. If these elements sustain damage, the efficiency of the drill will be compromised, and the rate of productivity will decline. If the teeth wear out during your drilling project, you must ensure that they are replaced immediately to restore efficiency.

Clean the Tooling

You should ensure that the tooling used in your commercial directional drilling project is cleaned regularly. Cleaning the tooling will improve the rate of productivity during the following session, and it will prevent the malfunction and premature failure of the equipment. You should check the owner's manual or consult the drilling contractor for guidelines on cleaning specific tooling. You should pay particular attention to threaded sections of the drilling components. Dirty threads will compromise equipment performance. You should clean your machine threads and protect these elements using a thread cap or tape after a day's work.

Check the Ground

You should ensure that the condition of the soil on your property is understood before the drilling project. Moreover, you should monitor the status of the ground once the boring work begins. In general, the condition of the equipment and the efficiency of drilling will be dictated by the compatibility between the soil and your chosen drill. If you know the characteristics of your soil, you will choose the best tooling for each stage of the directional drilling project. Remember, if the equipment is unsuited for the task, you will experience unexpected delays due to drilling inefficiencies, and the machinery might sustain permanent damage.

Managing commercial directional drilling can be challenging. Therefore, you should consult a commercial drilling contractor for professional assistance.