Kerry and Dan upgraded to this stronger machine after many months of researching the Australian and overseas market for a suitable directional drill rig package to supplement their existing range of machines with particular emphasis on drilling larger diameters over longer distances. The machine is intended to install a wide variety of piping systems in and around Griffith utilising the conservative 29,000 lb of thrust and pullback, offering the flexibility and small footprint of a smaller rig with the long term strength of a much larger rig.

Some of the features that helped make Kerry and Dan’s decision easier was the fact that the ‘X’ family drill is intended for the world market and the German manufacturer Tracto Technik kept the machine simple, with minimal electric over hydraulic controls. Also, all electric functions can be overridden by manual controls to always complete the job.

The drill itself is powered by a Super Silenced Hatz diesel so the operator and general public are not exposed to the normal noise and heat of a traditional directional drill. The dynamic steering hammer with an additional 68,000 lb of thrust ensures that steering in very tight, hard grounds is achievable and pilot bores are completed on target. As with nearly every Grundodrill in Australia and New Zealand, M.I.A. also utilise the DCI Eclipse tracking systems for quick and accurate tracking.

The heart and most critical part of the Grundodrill is the bentonite mixing system which mixes and prepares 3,800 litres very quickly. The bentonite pump itself delivers up to 160 L/min of bentonite at up to 80 bar pressure, making it very suitable to also drive low flow - high torque mudmotors when required in solid rock.

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Service and support by TT Asia Pacific was another key feature that both Kerry and Dan recognised and understood from discussions with other Grundodrill owners based in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and New Zealand – all supported with same-day advice, overnight service and spare parts if required. As seen in the photos, the machine package is very flexible and in M.I.A.’s case they chose to put the drill on a rigid Mercedes eight wheeler for safe comfortable travelling in southwest New South Wales.

M.I.A. Pipe and Cable were after a quality machine package that would work in a wide variety of ground conditions, last many years, and have continuous dedicated support without the need to spend a small fortune on consumables and spare parts.