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- Feature: SPT/Split Barrel Sampling with DH100 Drop Hammer
Geoprobe® DH100 Drop Hammer
Feature: SPT/Split Barrel Sampling for the Direct Push Industry with the DH100 Automatic Drop Hammer
This feature story was published in The Probing Times, Summer 2005 issue
If you want to see Victor Rotonda’s eyes light up, ask him about a
Geoprobe® track machine with a drop hammer on it! He’s really sold on the combo. And he has the experience and facts to back up his opinion.
Victor is part of the Geoprobe® Customer Service Team with over 25 years’ experience in the drilling industry. “I truly believe that the 6620DT with a drop hammer is a great rig to put onsite for shallow borings work,” Victor said. Limited access sites have always been cumbersome and expensive for drill rigs. “Bringing in a tripod rig or skid rig is labor intensive and expensive,” Victor explained. “But with the small footprint of the 6620DT, a customer can move in and out very easily and be very productive with minimal cost.”
Although rock coring isn’t part of the 6620DT’s vocabulary, test borings in unconsolidated soils are. “I believe there’s a HUGE market for the drop hammer/track machine combo ... just waiting for someone to grab it,” Victor added.
Having the drop hammer as part of your track machine setup allows you to complete Standard Penetration Tests (SPT)/split barrel soil sampling. SPT blow count results are used by engineers for obtaining strength and density properties of soil, designing foundations, and defining earthquake sensitive soils.
But Victor believes the best part of the whole setup are the results at the end of the day. “I really like it that our customers can deliver consistent, accurate information if they use the equipment correctly,” Victor said. “They don’t have to be a life-long driller with years of experience under their belt to get consistent results with our drop hammer in conjunction with direct push technology.”
Chris DeAngelis, owner of Connecticut Test Borings LLC in Seymour, CT, has a Geoprobe® 6610DT in with his stable of drill rigs. “The 6610DT with the drop hammer has allowed us to complete work we typically would have used our skid rigs for,” Chris said. “On sites with limited access we’ve found the track machine lets us be more efficient and more effective,” Chris added. “We are very pleased with the machine ... it’s been a good investment for us.”
Even when the drop hammer is not in use, the track machine is still fully functional to complete sampling or monitoring well installations with the drop hammer still mounted on the machine. Or, leave the drop hammer at the shop before you head for the job site; it can be removed in about 5 minutes using the machine’s hydraulic winch and overhead mast.
Offer your customers both environmental and geotechnical services by equipping your Geoprobe® machine with the DH100 Automatic Drop Hammer. More services makes your company more in demand and more profitable. For more information, Geoprobe Systems® has a Drop Hammer Video, or you can download a copy of the Drop Hammer Product Information Sheet.