Astec Underground’s Utility Project Manager Carl Seeliger said that the DD-4045 has been received well in the industry because of their ground-up design concept.
“Generally, engineers create the machines and then go and train customers how to use the machine.
“We took a new concept approach with the DD-4045 – we found out first what the industry wanted in a HDD rig, and then created it for them,” said Mr Seeliger.
From initial concept to release, the DD-4045 took 13 months to realise, inclusive of a ten month testing phase.
The rig
As the Trenchless Technology industry continues to become more accepted as everyday practice, the expectations of the engineers and planners place more pressure on contractors to achieve the near on impossible. Here the company outlines the benefits of the rig.
While offering no more returns for these difficult projects, contractors are expected to draw on their drilling knowledge (with equipment, mud and tooling) and skills.
As many project require capabilities of larger rigs put into a small compact footprint this has lead to the development of the new ASTEC DD-4045.
In design many of the functions and features of the DD-4045 came from operators and contractors worldwide with a large input from Australian and New Zealand companies who felt that some aspects are specific to Australasian conditions and environment.
With many and varied requests to be incorporated in the machine at all times the design team worked with the basic principle of simplicity.
* The DD-4045 offers 40,000 lbs (18 tonne) of thrust and pull back
* 4,500 lbs (6,100 NM) of rotary torque and a maximum rotary speed of 225 RPM
* Total weight with 158 metres drill pipe 20,000 lbs(9,070 kgs)
* The rig is 83 inches wide (2,110 mm) and 257inches (6,500 mm) long
* Running a super quiet Tier lll QSB 4.5 turbo Cummins Engine delivering 156hp
* The triplex Kerr mud pump can deliver up to 70 gallons per minute at 1,300 psi
* The floating carriage drive has two speeds which includes a 150 feet per minute fast mode
* Large fuel and hydraulic oil tanks.
The DD-4045 uses a 2 3/8 inch forged drill stem, ten foot drill stem with 11/4 inch fluid course.
The Patented Dual mode control joystick has two options from single stick thrust and torque combination with rod loading function as per ASTEC or Ditch Witch style or as an alternative can break up the drilling function between both joysticks allows the operator to drill with one joystick for rotation and one for thrust control like Vermeer machines. This greatly assists owners with simple operator placement regardless of original operator training.
With drilling comfort in mind, standard features are offered such as cruise control, totally flexible machine operation settings and multifunctional LCD display with clear visibility even in full sunlight conditions and a soft cab option for protection from the elements.
Safety is obviously a key issue in any industry. The DD-4045 carries the ASTEC patented ES!LOK exit-side lock out system is standard equipment along with Zap alert.
Incorporated in the system is a series of manual overrides should the digital components error, allowing the operator to continue operating and earning income.
The ASTEC hard rock system (100 mm to 450 mm) suits ground conditions from hard rock to normal soils in one system. The DD-4045 incorporates simple thrust/pull back pressure control and air control and is also compatible with any other competitor’s machines on the market and integrates seamlessly to make even difficult rock drilling jobs possible, said the company.
Extensive field trials, in excess of 1,000 hours, have been completed by an electrical utility contractor in the US and Canada.
A bulk of the works has required opening up 20 inch (500 mm) hole in hard rock conditions (30,000 psi rock hardness) on 120 metre shots. The machine has performed successfully and the machine was very comfortable in these conditions, said the company.
The confidence that ASTEC industries has in the new DD-4045 is demonstrated by the 357 warranty, something never seen before in the industry.
* Three years on machine workmanship
* Five years on the engine
* Seven years on the rack and pinion.
ASTEC, by building the size of machine and features that the contractor requires has positioned themselves well with the DD-4045. Also, with their 357 warranty they help show the contracting industry what confidence they have in their product and to give the end consumer the security and confidence in their purchase decision.
The ASTEC industry distributors in Australia and New Zealand are JB Sales International with service centres in Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland.