Direct Push to Down the Hole Hammer

Ford Rose joined Enviroprobe Integrated Solutions when their fleet consisted of two old conventional drill rigs out back, overgrown with weeds. For the past 15 years, he's helped grow the company's geotechnical capabilities.

“We purchased a Geoprobe^® 7720DT and an 8040DT, doing 95 percent environmental work running those two rigs,” Rose, drilling department manager, said. “We began growing, so we bought a 7822DT and split the driller’s helper off the 8040DT and taught him how to core rock.”

When their 8040DT was totaled in a truck wreck, Geoprobe^® had just released the 3230DT.

“The 3230DT offered better coring capabilities and more direct push power than the 8040DT,” Rose said. “We can install 8-inch PVC casing with 10.25-inch augers. It opened us up to drilling any hole we want in West Virginia. We can do a 6-inch diameter hole even in bedrock.”

Tackling Geothermal Challenges with Down the Hole Hammer

When owner Rod Moore wanted geothermal energy for his new home in South Charleston, they chose the 3230DT to cut rock via air rotary and install geothermal loops.

“Initially we started with down the hole hammer, but the hammer failed,” Rose said. “We decided to roller bit and cut the hole 6- or 8-inch diameter to 120-feet deep for the geothermal loops.”

They hit bedrock in the first 5 feet, and the rest was solid rock. As they proceeded, the tooling became extremely tight.

“Because of the double breakout on the 3230DT, we weren’t killing the guy with the breakout wrench or a conventional table with only one set of jaws,” Rose said. “We could clamp the tooling with the bottom jaw to hold it, and then clamp it with the top jaw to rotate the tooling to break the joint. The rig does the work for you.”

Why the 3230DT Stands Out

Two features make it a favorite:

• All Hydraulic: “With direct drive, you have to hit the kill switch or clutch to stop rotation. With hydraulic, you let your finger off the lever to stop it. You’re also less likely to break stuff. It absorbs the shock of hitting a boulder without breaking a chain or a drive shaft.”
• Direct Push Capabilities: “We can install a monitoring well through the casing and be way more efficient.”

Versatility in Action

Today, Enviroprobe keeps seven rigs busy coring rock, spinning casing and casing advancement systems, and completing down the hole hammer air rotary. They often opt to run one of their Geoprobe^® rigs.

“The Geoprobe^® 3230DTs are versatile rigs. Auger, core, drive spoons, casing, air rotary, direct push, CPT — all with one rig. That’s why we like Geoprobe^® — for the versatility,” Rose said. “Our Geoprobe^® rigs stay busy.”