Small Drill Rig Updates Impress Next Generation of Drillers

Shepler Well Drilling spends 65% of their time taking soil samples and setting monitoring wells at gas stations. Second to that is oil field work when brine spills. While the work has remained essentially the same since their inception in 1992, they’ve been upgrading equipment. This includes adding a DM250 during 2021 to handle environmental and residential projects requiring significant travel. Last year, they added a new small drill rig, the 7822DT V4 — the workhorse of their next generation driller.

“I drilled my first solo job with a 7822DT eight years ago and haven’t slowed down since. I was basically born into it, having lived with Randy [Shepler, president] for half my life. I don’t mind the work and like getting out and being active,” Cole Shepler, driller, said. “Our 7822DT V1 is 15 years old and still works fine, but we wanted to see the changes in the V4. So far I’ve been really impressed.”

The change from rocker switches to levers on the control panel means Shepler no longer spends time shuffling through switches to find the right size. This isn’t the only change that saves time in the field.

“The cubbies on the side of the control panel to hold tools is a great benefit,” Shepler said. “All the tools I need are right there, and I don’t even need to move my feet.”

The 7822DT V4 provides increased stability while still allowing the small drill rig to sneak into tight spaces.

“With the wider tracks, the V4 gets around better and gives me peace of mind when on inclines and slopes,” Shepler said. “It seems clients always put us in the most inconvenient place possible when they see me with the 7822DT, asking me to 'go around this bend and put the monitoring well between these two trees'.”

Opting for two winch lines pairs nicely with a taller mast for added convenience on the job site.

“We got the double winch line which has been a plus. I can pick up augers while still holding up the AWJ rods when doing geotechnical jobs. It also works well for developing monitoring wells,” Shepler said. “It stands taller, so it’s more convenient when pulling rods with the winch line.”

Recently they completed a project on Mackinac Island with the 7822DT V4. They set 4.25-inch hollow stem augers off the end of the dock, did mud rotary out the end, pulled the rotary rods out, and then took a split spoon sample. They were in search of bedrock, sampling every 5 feet.

“It was lot of work for such a little rig. The job was a bear, but it wasn’t anything for the 7822DT,” Shepler said. “I don’t know if there’s a more powerful rig pound-for-pound on the planet. I think in general it’s the most versatile rig available. I have peace of mind that once I start work, she’s going to do what we need her to do.”