Vertical Drills Dismantled Machines in Canada

About Vertical Drills

Vertical drills, often referred to as “top hammer drills,” “rotary drills,” or “rock drills,” are versatile machines used for a wide range of construction, mining, and oil and gas work. They differ from directional drills in that they put all of their power into drilling straight down into dirt, rock, concrete, and many other types of materials. Most of these machines are on tracks, making them well-suited for operating on difficult terrain. Some vertical drills have open-air seats and controls, while others have fully enclosed cabs with climate control and other features for operators’ comfort.

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Atlas Copco FlexiRoc D50 Vertical Drill

Construction operations typically use vertical drills for making holes for structural footings, whereas mines use them to drill blast holes. They are also commonly used for oil and natural gas exploration, although directional drilling is gaining in popularity in such cases because it requires fewer surface drill holes to reach deposits under sensitive environmental features such as fresh water aquifers.

Features & Drilling Methods

The most common type of vertical drill is one with a cab, a flat platform on tracks, and a mast containing the drill rig. They can drill holes with diameters ranging from 50 to 1,520 millimetres (2 to 60 inches), and sometimes wider, depending on the size of drill pipes and bits used. Some models can drill holes in excess of 18.3 metres (60 feet) deep in a single pass, but maximum depth ultimately depends on the size of the mast and the rig, as well as the length of the drill string. There are some rotary drills, for example, that can dig to almost 6,100 m (20,000 ft) below the surface in multiple passes.

Vertical drills can be used to perform several different drilling techniques, ranging from mud rotary to down-the-hole (DTH) drilling. Some models are outfitted with mud pumps that continuously cycle drill fluid into the drill pipe to keep the bit lubricated for better performance at less risk for overheating. DTH drills are unique because they hammer the bit at the end of the string. This pulverizes the rock, which is then either blown out of the hole using compressed air and exhaust or collected and pulled up through a pump.

Popular Makes & Models

Leading vertical drill manufacturers include Atlas Copco, Bauer, Casagrande, Caterpillar, Epiroc, Ingersoll-Rand, Sandvik, Soilmec, and many others. A popular example is the Sandvik D25KS down-the-hole blast hole drill. It features an engine that produces up to 629 horsepower (469 kilowatts) and uses a rotary head with a maximum torque of 5,540 newton-metres (4,086 pounds-foot). It supports hole diameters of between 127 and 272 mm (5 and 10.7 in.) and can produce a maximum hole depth of 27 m (88.6 ft).

Another example is the Atlas Copco FlexiRoc T20 R drill rig, which is now sold under the Epiroc brand. This model travels on wheels instead of tracks and can be used for both surface and underground drilling work. It employs the top hammer drilling method and can create holes between 38 and 63.5 mm (1.5 and 2.5 in.) in diameter and up to 6.4 m (21 ft) deep. It is also notable because it is highly compact and features remote control capability for added operator safety.