Rod Handling Drives Sonic Technology Upgrade

For Legion Drilling Pty Ltd — a leading provider of environmental drilling services, geotechnical drilling, and sonic drilling in Australia — sonic technology has proven essential for addressing the country's demanding drilling conditions.

"Direct push methods face limitations in Australian lithology, so the prospect of obtaining continuous samples in challenging formations and landfill sites using sonic technology was highly compelling," Matthew Hansen, owner, said.

Although the company had previously acquired a sonic rig from another manufacturer, their established relationship with Geoprobe^® — dating back to their first rig in the early 2000s — facilitated a seamless transition to Geoprobe^® sonic equipment.

"Given our long-standing relationship with Geoprobe^®, it was a logical choice to explore their sonic rigs. We acquired our first 8140LS sonic rig in 2013," Hansen said.

Scaling Operations and Meeting Sonic Technology Demand

Since acquiring the company in 2020, Hansen has significantly expanded the fleet and established four offices, spanning 4,000 km along Australia's east coast: Brisbane (QLD), Townsville (QLD), Sydney (NSW), and Albury-Wodonga (VIC). A core principle driving this growth is a commitment to continual expansion and technological improvement, which creates opportunities for senior drillers to advance into management, training, and safety management positions; thereby, establishing clear career pathways within the industry.

"We continue to expand at a rapid pace," Hansen said.

In 2023, the addition of two new Geoprobe^® 8150LS sonic rigs was prompted by increasing client sonic technology needs.

"In 2023, we undertook a major project involving the installation of deep groundwater monitoring wells for a mining operation in Queensland, Australia," Hansen said. "It's noteworthy that while sonic technology faced adoption challenges in 2013, by 2023 it had become the preferred method among clients for environmental and geotechnical drilling."

Sticking with Geoprobe^® Sonic: Rod Handling

The choice to invest in additional Geoprobe^® sonic rigs was significantly influenced by their advanced rod handling capabilities, which are critical for safe and efficient operations in challenging Australian drilling environments.

"Our clients prioritize efficient rod handling and minimizing manual contact with drill rods," Hansen said. “The SRC30DT sonic rod carrier resolves 90 percent of these risks."

This feature enhances equipment adaptability across diverse job sites, from urban contaminated land assessments to remote mining projects.

"Geoprobe^® provides the most effective rod loading solutions available on the market. Unlike other systems that are integrated with the rig, the Geoprobe^® rod carrier is straightforward and allows us to operate the rig independently if needed," Hansen said. "This flexibility to deploy it based on site-specific requirements is invaluable."

A Sought-After Solution: The SRC30DT Sonic Rod Carrier

For years, Legion Drilling considered developing a custom rod handling system — until a visit to Geoprobe^® headquarters in Salina, Kansas, revealed an ideal alternative for enhancing sonic drilling efficiency.

"During a prior visit to Salina, Joel Christy, sonic rig specialist, presented a concept Geoprobe^® was developing," Hansen said. "Upon seeing it, I immediately recognized it as the exact system we had been attempting to design in-house — Geoprobe^® had already perfected it."

Hansen highlights four primary advantages of the SRC30DT sonic rod carrier:

• Rod Capacity: "It accommodates sufficient rods for most projects, where we typically drill to depths of 300 feet, installing 4-, 6-, or 7-inch wells."
• Rod Loading Options: "For overcasing scenarios requiring larger diameters, the ability to load additional or varied casing sizes from the rear is a significant benefit."
• Self-propelled Carrier: "Its independent mobility ensures quick and efficient setup."
• Simplicity: "The design is mechanically straightforward, which is preferable to more complex systems from other manufacturers, especially for maintenance in remote areas."

In the Field: Positive Driller Feedback

Hansen notes that minimal feedback from drillers is a positive indicator of the equipment's reliability in real-world geotechnical and environmental drilling.

"The absence of complaints from our drillers indicates the system is performing effectively," Hansen said. "Feedback has been positive, with comments noting that manual rod handling previously caused significant physical strain. Now, operators simply manage controls, reducing contact with steel, alleviating fatigue, and minimizing crew discomfort."

Relationships Matter: In-Person Collaboration

To optimize operations with the newer sonic rigs, the Legion team returned to Geoprobe^® headquarters. Hansen emphasizes the value of direct engagement for advancing drilling technology and safety standards.

"No virtual meeting or phone call can substitute for face-to-face discussions," Hansen said. "These visits allow us to observe new equipment in operation, review design updates and innovations, and strengthen relationships with the team we depend on for optimal machine performance."

Trusted Support and Long-Term Sonic Technology Performance

Hansen relies on Geoprobe^® for consistent support, readily available parts, and equipment durability, which are essential for maintaining high standards in Australian drilling services.

"The Geoprobe^® team consistently collaborates with our mechanics and drill fitters," Hansen said. "Parts availability is reliable, with prompt shipping timelines."

Most critically, in high-demand environments, Geoprobe^® sonic technology delivers peace of mind.

"In an environment where our equipment is subjected to rigorous use, there is significant reassurance in Geoprobe^®'s thorough testing and robust design," Hansen said.