Geoprobe Systems® Rolls Out Array of NEW Products at 2014 Open House

Geoprobe^® Open House 2014 event organizers didn’t hold anything back!  There were two full days of new Geoprobe^® products and technology on display, the introduction of two, brand new drill rigs, and a full schedule of tools-in-the-ground demonstrations, workshops, a facility tour, and new tooling announcements. Plus home-made ice cream – Geoprobe^® style!

During the Open House event, Geoprobe^® engineers demonstrated machines and tooling in actual field settings, and introduced new products still in the testing and prototype stages. Approximately 300 people, representing the U.S. and six international countries, attended the outdoor event in April at the company’s manufacturing facility in Salina, Kansas.

The new Geoprobe^® 8150LS Sonic, complete with rod handler and sonic head, made its initial appearance by driving out of a 40-ft. shipping container in the center of the arena. The 8150LS is a full-size sonic rig that delivers big sonic power to the customer. Designed and built as a direct response to requests from large, multi-national companies, the new sonic rig can continuously sample and set casing in excess of 300 feet (90 m) in a wide range of formations.

Also making its debut was the Geoprobe^® 3230DT, a mid-size tracked drill rig combining advanced direct push functionality with traditional geotechnical auger/rotary rig capabilities.  With a retraction force of 80,000 lb. at the cylinder and 84 in. of travel, the 3230DT can be equipped with multiple winches and a telescoping winch mast allowing the tripping out of 20-ft. sections of tooling.

Team Geoprobe^® also demonstrated SDT45 sonic core sampling in bedrock, other tooling refinements, and new options; SDT60 sonic soil sampling collecting 10-ft. soil cores and using a new, low-cost liner system; and the versatility of 2.25 in. direct push tooling systems.  A half-day geotechnical site investigation highlighted the new 3230DT and its ability to take SPT or blow counts with a split spoon, collect continuous soil samples with DT45 components, and use the high-speed rotary system NWL to collect consolidated cores.

Workshops included the introduction of new 3.75 in. tooling and new 2-in. Slim Prepacks and a more efficient method of installing small diameter 2 in. monitoring wells.  Also shown was the new DT60 percussion sampling system that yields a 4-in. soil sample, provides a 6 in. cased borehole, and allows for the installation of 2-in. monitoring wells – all through one driven tool string with no cuttings.

Multiple demonstrations were shown of new DI tooling, such as the new grout adapter which allows a 2.25-in. logging hole to be grouted from the bottom up.  Other workshop/demo topics included Direct Push Groundwater Samplers, Groundwater Sampling in Sonic Applications, CPT Logging, Using 6.25 in. and 8.25 in. HSA from Direct Push Platforms, and Conventional Sonic 4x6 and 6x8 among others.  Another highlight was all-day access to members of the Geoprobe^® Service Team who were there to answer machine maintenance questions, discuss service issues, or just to meet face-to-face.

Even with all of the new Geoprobe^® paint around and the multitude of tools on display, Open House attendees seemed to most enjoy the homemade ice cream from the heartland, made only the way Geoprobe^® engineers can do it with a vintage John Deere^® tractor!

Prior to the Open House, Team Geoprobe^® held an all-day Direct Image® Seminar that focused on subsurface logging technology and new DI products, and also a Geoprobe^® machine service workshop covering machine hydraulic systems and electrical systems care and troubleshooting.

This is the fourth Open House event hosted by Geoprobe Systems^® since 2009.  Geoprobe^® customers, drilling companies, consultants, regulators and private contractors active in the technical drilling industry, educators, and others interested in innovative subsurface technology attend the event.

Geoprobe Systems^® is a U.S.-based manufacturer of soil, water and rock sampling machines and tooling. Additional information about the Open House event and Geoprobe^® rigs and equipment is available by calling 1-800-GEOPROBE (1-800-436-7762).