Work procedure for drilling with PD55 pipes

1. Check the status of the drill rig using the original parts. All components should be aligned straight from the drill rig through the middle and outer pipe supports (adjust if necessary in case of any misalignment).

2. Remove the bushings (2 pcs) on the lift arms, then reinstall them after adjustment.

3. Remove the stars in the carousel and replace them with the stars intended for PD55 pipes. Adjust the plates to position 1 from the previous calibration. Calibration cannot be performed with PD55 stars. Test-run the carousel to ensure all positions are correct.

4. Replace the original neck with the PD55/T45 neck adapter.

5. Load the carousel with 4 PD55 pipes in positions 1, 3, 5, and 7. Place 1 or 2 PD55 pipes in the drill feed (drilling position) and attach the PD55 drill bit to the pipe in the drilling position.

6. Important! Make sure the pipe always rotates freely and stays centered in the started borehole. Check that the starting position remains consistent throughout the entire drilling process. Any movement of the boom can cause problems when joining the pipes.

7. When the full drilling depth has been reached, retract the drill bit 5–10 mm from the bottom of the hole to ensure proper flow of the injection grout. It may sometimes be necessary to use the coupling jaws to release the neck adapter from the outermost PD55 pipe.

Work sequence

To work efficiently with the PD55 system, it’s important to position the equipment in a way that allows each pipe loading to run as smoothly as possible. You can either use our hoist with one operator for loading or have two workers load the pipes manually.
Place the pipes as shown in the image below (pipes with external threads facing forward in the same direction as the drill rig).
If you’re using a hoist, make sure it is stable with evenly distributed weight.

Execution

When the drill rig is loaded, either for 15 m or 18 m, the operator follows the drilling plan and ensures that the drilling remains straight throughout the entire process.

A qualified and experienced operator will have no trouble drilling and installing a screen with the PD55 system. To avoid unnecessary beginner mistakes—such as pipe breakage or damage to machine parts—we recommend taking part in Pretec’s on-site training. With proper training, even first-time use of the PD55 system will run smoothly and efficiently from the start.

There are several types of magazines and drill arms across different rig manufacturers. Depending on which rig is used, certain components may need to be replaced, but overall, only minor adjustments are required.

Would you like to know more about the Drillpipe PD55?

Read our brochure to learn more!