The GRUNDODRILL 18ACS is no exception, with impressive capabilities to drill through all tough geological conditions, including firm rock formations.
Headquartered in Germany with a presence the world over, TRACTO-TECHNIK produces machines and accessories for the underground installation and renewal of pipelines with a focus on innovation and efficiency.
Among its wide range of products is the GRUNDODRILL 18ACS – a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rock drilling rig suitable for any project, regardless of terrain.
The machine is capable of a stepless adjustment of torque and speed allowing for maximum power and productivity on the job and the best possible adaptation to all soil conditions.
Equipped with rods for every purpose, the GRUNDODRILL’s Elicon 95 twin-tube rods and the rock-breaker with roller bits or PDC are perfect for tough, specialised operations, while directional bores beneath roads, railway tracks and buildings are all standard applications for this machine.
The Elicon rods have an inner tube bedded inside the outer tube by means of wear elements, and the inner tubes are quickly and firmly connected using plug-and-twisted connectors.
This special design makes maximum fluid volumes possible even with long drilling bores.
When detection of the bore is especially demanding, the GRUNDODRILL applies cable-guided drilling, allowing the operator to achieve project success when drilling underneath water bodies or when interferences occur.
The machine uses two multi-function joysticks for all functions in drilling and driving mode, and different operating modes can be freely selected by the machine operator to suit any need.
In the field
JLM Underground Solutions is a civil contractor headquartered in Victoria specialising in rock drilling.
The company has been in the trade for more than a decade and has steadily progressed to working on major utility installation projects.
Earlier this year when searching for a new piece of equipment with the capability to satisfy the increasing demands of today’s infrastructure projects, JLM Director John Mundy was turned onto TRACTO-TECHNIK and the GRUNDODRILL 18ACS.
“I was looking for a very reliable drill with more power for the footprint and to open larger diameter holes, because that’s what these sites require now – clients are often looking for more conduits installed in a single hole ,” said Mr Mundy.
“I heard about the GRUNDODRILL through word of mouth from other drillers who use them. We needed something with a larger mud pump and power to suit and the GRUNDODRILL 18ACS fits that bill.”
A new purchase, Mr Mundy says his experience in the weeks since have been all positive.
“It’s been fantastic. The job that we’ve been using it on has contained some really hard mud stone and the GRUNDODRILL 18 ACS has been performing very well,” he said.
“It’s got a more powerful engine and the machines pullback power and rotational torque are very impressive.
“JLM is already very experienced in rock drilling, but this machine has allowed us to have the comfort of opening up a larger and longer hole than we previously had before.
“And TRACTO-TECHNIK Australia’s customer service has been excellent. The communication and the willingness to provide information and product advice has been second-to-none.”
With its first GRUNDODRILL now at work, Mr Mundy says this new equipment will continue to take JLM from strength to strength.
“I think the future for us is excellent and we hope to continue purchasing more, and larger, drills from TRACTO-TECHNIK as time goes on.”
For more information visit the TRACTO-TECHNIK website.
This article was featured in the June 2021 edition of Trenchless Australasia. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device, click here.