Main components of rotary head

Drill head, rotation motor, transmitter, final drive, chuck assembly

Operation of a rotary head (pg117)

Determine the rotation speed and torque according to the ground condition and
pipe size

Table showing rotary head speed for a given torque

transmission ECR12 ECR 18

Step Speed Torque Speed Torque
RPM Nm (lb·ft) RPM Nm (lb·ft)
1 134 - 189 4,155 - 2,947 128 - 178 5,541 - 3,990
(3,064 - 2,173) (4,086 - 2,942)
2 303 - 426 1,847 - 1,310 288 - 400 2,462 - 1,774
(1,362 - 966) (1,815 - 1,308)

3 538 - 758 1,039 - 737 511 - 711 1,385 - 998

(766 - 564) (1,021 - 736)

4 968 - 1,364 577 – 409 920 - 1,200 700 – 554

(425 - 313) (567 - 408)

Open the foot clamp and operate rotary head.

Adjust the bit rotation speed with rotation speed control knob, this can be adjusted
clockwise and anti clockwise.

Application

Sonic drilling. Drilling with reduced drill string friction due to liquefaction, inertia
effects and reduced soil porosity

Borehole drilling. Drilling and casing holes to access ground water.

Barges on offshore shallow water wells.

Drill rigs to enable drill bit rotation.

Rotary head maintenance schedule (pg125)

Systems Maintenance interval

Daily 50H 200H 250H 500H 1000H 1500H 2000H
Gear box #
Strainer @
filter
Gear oil *
Oil filter *
Jaw on $ @
chunk
Chuck ball $
bearing
Rotary head # $
cradle
Side shift $ *
Key

# check @ clean $ lubricate * replace

Possible faults, trouble shooting and solutions ( pg158)

Faults Trouble shooting Solutions

Abnormal sound from 1. Much gear oil in 1. Check and adjust oil
transmission transmission levels.
2. Limited oil in 2. Check oil circulation
transmission condition through silicon
3. Blockage of filters hose, change oil pump.
3. Check and change oil and
suction filters
Very slow rotary head 1. Failure of 1. Check if gear shift lever is
speed transmission shift set correctly.
lever 2. Adjust rotary head rotation
2. Low rotation speed speed control knob
settings 3. Adjust engine RPM
3. Low engine
revolutions per minute
(RPM)
Too much heat 1. Much gear oil in 1. Check and adjust oil levels
generated from transmission 2. Check oil circulation
transmission 2. No oil circulation condition through silicon
3. Blockage of filters hose ,change oil pump.
3. Check and change oil and
suction filters.
Chuck fails to hold 1. Wrong sized jaw 1. Ensure pipe and jaw size
pipe 2. Worn out jaw tip match
3. Chuck hold lever 2. Check jaw tip wear
faults condition and change jaws
3. Check if chuck hold
,opening condition and
operate lever
Safety precautions associated with rotary head maintenance(pg27)

Put warning tags when doing maintenance on machine to notify others.

Clean machine before inspection and maintenance

Use proper tools that suit the task

Use lighting of anti explosive specification when dealing with highly flammable
materials.

Prevent fire and explosion by keeping fuels and explosives in specified containers

Repair all faults and abnormalities found during inspection

Shut down engines to avoid burns

Decide team leader before removing and installation of heavy equipments

At least two people should work together if engine must run during service.

Waste materials must be properly handled and disposed off where need be.