Re-Engineered 8150LS Offers Features to Simplify Fieldwork

As safety regulations become more stringent and the need for increased productivity continues to rise, the ability to automate certain aspects of drilling operations will become a key competitive advantage. 
“Our hands-free rod handling systems and indexing racks are just the beginning,” Doug Koehler, Geoprobe^® sonic expert, said. “We’re constantly looking for new ways to reduce the physical demands on operators and improve overall efficiency.”

One way of reducing physical strain and enhancing efficiency includes the self-propelled SRC30DT rod carrier. When paired with 8150LS and rod handler, drillers can achieve a virtually hands-free sonic rig drilling operation.

Self-Propelled Rod Carrier

Responding to the need to minimize manual manipulation of casing, particularly on mining sites, Geoprobe^® introduced the SRC30DT self-propelled rod carrier during 2024. When paired with the 8150LS V3 and rod handler, the SRC30DT creates a nearly hands-free job site.

“The SRC30DT is a direct response to customer requests,” explains Koehler. “It further minimizes operator contact with tool strings, not only reducing physical fatigue, but also enhancing job site safety.”

Capable of carrying a combination of independent rod magazines placed onto the carrier using a forklift, additional rods can be fed from the rear of the carrier. Once positioned on site, the carrier hydraulically tethers to the 8150LS for power during the job. 

Rod Handler

The hands-free tooling, along with the customer service and support they’d always received from Geoprobe®, were the initial selling points for South Atlantic Environmental Drilling and Construction Company (SAEDACCO) in South Carolina, purchasing an 8140LS and later an 8150LS.

"We like to avoid guys getting their hands near the drill rods whenever possible. The Geoprobe^® rod handler was a game changer in that area,” Pete Byer, president, shared.

Companies who had tried drilling at a site in Guymon, Oklahoma, lost pipe strings in the rough formation. Being successful dry drilling with his Geoprobe^® 8150LS in Oklahoma and Texas, Robert Keyes, president of Associated Environmental Industries, had faith in his rig and his driller, Billy Graham, to get the job done. He convinced the state to let them give it a try, offering “free” services.

“I told them ‘if we fail, you don’t owe us anything’,” Keyes said. “We don’t like the word ‘can’t’. We either make the box bigger or tear its walls down. We keep getting better at what we do.”

Using the 8150LS, rod handler, and 4.5-inch HD sonic rods, Graham successfully completed the four 200-foot borings and accurately set the monitoring wells. He credits the tooling and machine along with Graham, known for accepting challenges and succeeding.

“When coring at that depth, you may get a 10-foot run, you may only get a two-foot run. That’s a tremendous amount of tripping out,” Keyes said. “With other brand sonic rigs we own, guys are worn out after a 200-foot core without the rod handler.” 

The rod handler with elbow and wrist features allows users to operate on uneven terrain and retrieve tooling for angle sonic drilling up to a 45-degree angle. Geoprobe^® also offers the weighted wireline sampling system, which when paired with the rod handler further reduces operator interaction with the tool string.

“Once the weight system is initially put into the tool string, it’s not handled by the operator again until after the last sample has been retrieved from the borehole,” Koehler said.

As the drilling industry evolves, so too do the demands of clients who require more from their equipment than ever before. 

“Our clients are facing increasingly complex drilling scenarios,” Doug Koehler, Geoprobe^® sonic expert, explains. “Whether it’s drilling in urban environments with space constraints or tackling challenging geological formations, they need equipment that can adapt to their specific needs.”

Control Panel

DJ Wardwell, drilling manager for Discovery Drilling, often is office-bound and considers himself a little rusty operating drills these days. The control panel design on the 8150LS made returning to the reigns natural.

“I have to say at first glance, it is the most intimidating set of controls I have ever seen on a drill rig, but after our training it became clear it was designed as a user-intuitive control panel with operator ease of use in mind,” Wardwell said. “I jumped on the controls and everything just felt right and simple. The design of the control panel is ideal for the operator, and with a little learned muscle memory, I found myself not even having to look at the control panel anymore when operating.”

The adjustable height control panel has been designed to optimize operator comfort and safety. On the new 8150LS V3, the panel not only swings in and out, but also can be adjusted up and down to suit the operator’s height. Operators can choose to situate the panel close to align rods or safely away from spinning tool strings, ensuring they can work efficiently and safely, even during long shifts. This focus on ergonomics is part of a broader commitment to safety by Geoprobe^®, which includes a range of other features designed to minimize the risk of accidents on site.

Additionally, simplified weight on bit controls and analog gauges to monitor common rig parameters make drilling faster and easier. With redesigning the 8150LS, sensitive components were relocated out of harm’s way while still allowing accessibility. 

“We’ve made a lot of small but significant changes to the V3 version,” Koehler notes. “It’s all about making the rig more resilient and easier to maintain, so operators can focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about equipment issues.”

Centerline Head Side Shift

A direct response to the needs of operators working in confined spaces, the centerline head side shift allows the drill head to move 32-inches laterally. This feature provides operators with easy access to the casing without needing to reposition the entire machine — a significant time-saver, particularly in confined spaces such as urban drilling sites. The centerline head side shift makes an open borehole easy to access when utilizing the drill mast-mounted winches to install well materials or remove sampling tools.

“This kind of innovation is exactly what our clients have been asking for,” notes Koehler. “It’s about making the job easier and safer without sacrificing performance.”

Double Wrench Breakout System

The double wrench breakout system on the Geoprobe^®  8150LS V3 sonic rig has impressed operators who regularly work in tough conditions. The recently re-engineered breakout system now offers increased clamp force — from 21,000 lbf to 31,000 lbf — and twist force — from 13,500 ft-lb to 37,000 ft-lb. These enhancements allow for increased productivity, improving the rig’s performance. The new design also makes common wear components replaceable versus requiring replacing the entire breakout, enhancing its serviceability.

Looking to the future, Geoprobe^® is committed to continuing this tradition of innovation. Including new technologies that could further enhance the capabilities of their sonic rigs, such as additional advances in hands-free operation.

“We’re always looking ahead,” Koehler says. “Our goal is to develop rigs that are not only capable of meeting today’s challenges but are also ready for whatever the future may bring.”

If you’re in Las Vegas for NGWA, stop by booth #351 to see the 8150LS rig.