Vermeer’s new horizontal directional drill

Vermeer has added the D550 horizontal directional drill (HDD) to their latest generation of maxi rig drills. The HDD is 100,000 foot-pounds (135,581 Nm) of torque and is said to feature advanced telematics and smart onboard technology, as well as diagnostic information.

New Vermeer drills will feature simplified model numbering that represents each unit’s respective drill class (Photo: Vermeer)

The D550 crawler-mounted drill can be efficient in installing large-diameter products, says Vermeer, including oil and gas pipelines, water lines and high-voltage electrical transmission lines at long distances.

Clint Recker, trenchless product manager at Vermeer, said, “This latest generation maxi rig drill delivers more compared to older Vermeer models. In addition to the D550 drill’s class-leading torque, it can deliver a steady, ultra-slow speed control for working in challenging hard rock, as well as rotation speed for boring in challenging clay conditions.

“Its smart onboard technology gives the operator and service technicians greater access to information.”

The drill’s onboard telematics, via HDD technology, gives drill operators and service technicians easy access to diagnostics information. The D550 controls have three different auto drilling modes — rotation, thrust and speed. The D550 ultra-slow speed technology delivers precise thrust control, says Vermeer, to allow drill operators to regulate weight-on-bit pressure for optimal cutting action and maximum tooling life.

The D550 also features a full travel vise, engineered hydraulic transmission and quiet engine. The company says that the maxi rig’s full travel vise can be positioned up and down the rack as needed for making/breaking tooling and optimising efficiency during casing installation.