Compact HDD Rigs: Small in Size, Big in Power and Options

Featured in: Trenchless Technology

Compact Rig Market Continues to Shine for HDD

The compact drill rig market in 2018 remains an incredibly busy and steadying segment of the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry, with a bright outlook in both the short and long term, say industry insiders.

The sustained tidal wave of fiber and telecom deployments remain key to the small rig market’s strength, as the demand for more bandwidth, more speed and more power continue to drive this vibrant market. Other compact rig market drivers include natural gas rehab work, as well as utility projects—an area where small, yet powerful, drill rigs are needed but with a lighter footprint.

Contractors look to bolster their rig fleets with the latest and greatest rigs available and manufacturers have shown they are up to the task, as seen with new compact models unveiled at the recent ICUEE show in October. Contractors want—to quote Tim Allen’s character Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor on “Home Improvement”—more power. But they also want flexibility and a light footprint to get in and get out of a jobsite and on to the next.

“Just with the amount of fiber being installed over the past two to three years, we have seen an increase in the demand for these smaller drills to help supplement contractor fleets,” says TT Technologies Vice President of Operations Kevin Nagle.

“The state of the compact HDD market is very strong today,” says Ditch Witch HDD Category Manager Seth Matthesen. “For the past few years, telecommunications projects drove growth in this market. And as increased bandwidth continues to be in high demand, we anticipate growth in the compact HDD market for at least three to five years.”

According to the Fiber Broadband Association, the United States has experienced record growth in fiber deployment: annual U.S. Deployment hit a new record in 2017 passing 35 million homes, a whopping 4.4 million increase in homes marketed—the most-ever in a single year—and a 15 percent growth over the 2016. This recent boom in fiber to the home deployment began in 2011, which coincides with an uptick in the HDD market.

The HDD market has seen this before but not at this sustainability and long-term need. In the late 1990s, when the Internet was really starting to take off, HDD experienced a huge influx of work as the new networks were being constructed. The end of that work coincided with the HDD market bottoming out, taking years to recover. Today, HDD drillers are relishing the upswing in this communications work and know the need is long term. Drill rig manufacturers such as Vermeer, TT Technologies and Ditch Witch are eager to supply the rigs to meet this increasing demand.

“HDD contractors continue to ask for highly productive drills with more capacity that ever before,” says Vermeer Product Manager of Trenchless Products Tod Michael. “They are also want machines that are quiet, comfortable and have a compact footprint to fit into congested locations and minimize disturbance.”

To that end, several new compact rig models were unveiled at ICUEE in October 2017, one of the largest international outdoor equipment shows in North America for utility professionals and construction contractors. From Toro to TT Technologies, manufacturers presented contractors with more powerful and efficient drills to use on projects needing a compact drill. Not all contractor rig demands are the same, and rig manufacturers continue to meet their needs.

“Some contractors are pushing the envelope on distance, tough ground conditions and trying to get higher footage per day,” Michael says. “These contractors want highly productive drills with additional torque mud and thrust capabilities. Other contractors want a very compact machine.”

And that compact, light footprint combined with additional power is critical. In the past, compact drills had provided the smaller footprint but lacked the capability to drill through tough ground conditions, forcing them to turn to larger rigs. These larger rigs were not ideal for the congested, urban worksites. Today, that is not the case, as these smaller systems are now built for the power contractors crave.

“Maintaining a small footprint and gaining the most horsepower possible are the needs of most contractors using compact HDD rigs. Fiber projects are like any other in one respect: Time is money,” says Ditch Witch Product Manager, HDD, Jeff Davis, who notes that Ditch Witch’s AT40 All-Terrain drill has 160 gross hp and RockMaster® housing with an industry-exclusive, double-layer seal that increases downhole life. Ditch Witch also recently released its JT20XP compact rig, powered by a 74-hp engine, which maximizes the available horsepower for thrust and rotation.

TT Technologies only makes compact size rigs and likes to keep their functionality relatively simple. “A contractor wants a simple, reliable rig that can get them from Point A to Point B efficiently and on target,” Nagle says. “Some of the compact rigs on the market today have a lot of bells and whistles but in the end, it comes down to putting pipe in the ground. [Our] focus is making the contractor successful by providing a small, simple machine with lots of power that can be counted on to get the job done.”

At ICUEE, TT Technologies unveiled its latest compact drill, the Grundopit 6V, which replaces its Grundopit 40/60. This version is a little more automated with longer drill rods and with a little more power. The drill is pit-launched and is made for areas that surface-launched drill can’t navigate, Nagle says, noting it has a lot of power and is made for ultra-tight jobsites.

While fiber/telecom projects are getting all the headlines in HDD circles, another area of growth for the compact rig market is in gas distribution and service. This is a market segment rooted in the need for communities to address their aging infrastructure. “Like anything, markets fluctuate and right now the compact drill market is in a good place,” Nagle says. “The market, in my estimation, looks to be even a little steadier for the long term, largely because of the amount utility work being done with these drills. Fiber and telecom will taper off at some point but utility work is and has been a constant source of work for compact directional drills.”

Michael concurs, adding, “Gas line replacement and new build work continues to be strong due to an aging infrastructure and homeowners converting from electric heat to gas because of low natural gas prices.”

At ICUEE 2017, Vermeer unveiled its D8x12 Navigator drill. This new compact and highly productive drill is sized for working in tight spaces, features straightforward controls and delivers quiet operation. With two drill rod options for added versatility, the Vermeer D8x12 is well suited for small service installations, including gas distribution, power, water and telecommunication networks.

Matthesen says the mix of utility work and fiber will keep the compact rig market vibrant in the long term. “The popularity for compact HDD rigs resulted from lower oil prices and a boom in telecommunications projects. While the price of oil remains in its current range and telecom providers remain dedicated to faster speeds and better service to urban communities, that popularity will stay strong.”

HYDRAULIC BREAKER
Used for construction and demolition, our breakers can be used to break up asphalt, concrete or even clay. The hydraulic hammer is perfect for any small or medium job you might have. More up-time in the field is always the goal, and with only two moving parts and a few seals, there’s no reason for down-time.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

ROCK SAW

Best suited for irrigation and fiber installation, the Rock Saw attachment can effortlessly cut through rock, concrete, and other tough materials with unmatched precision. 

Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BACKHOE
Easily move materials for rebuilds, new construction, footings, utility repairs and more with this compact and versatile attachment.
Compatible Models

SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

STUMP GRINDERS
Featuring a heavy-duty boom design, powerful stump grinding attachments quickly shred stumps down to nothing. Easy maneuvering from stump to stump and increased visibility turns more ground stumps into more profit.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MULTITASK TOOL
Your multipurpose tool for the ultimate multi-tasker is here. Engineered to grab tight to heavy materials and move them with ease and precision, the multi-task tool is your go-to for heavy applications. Easy to operate with convenient, functional levers.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CORE DRILL
With the MC-450 coring attachment, utility maintenance is simple and less disruptive. Featuring intuitive controls and an integrated water tank, the MC-450 is the perfect choice for quick cuts and a more productive coring process. A fully adjustable 0 to 280 rpm speed allows for enhanced control and greater productivity.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

SOIL CULTIVATOR
Prepare food plots, gardens, and landscaping projects with a soil cultivator. It gets land ready by stirring organic material back in the soil for a healthier, more stable lawn. Buries the biggest of rocks for a looser topsoil.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BLADES
Whether you’re looking to increase dump height or digging depth, attaching a backfill blade is an easy way to save manpower on your jobsite while working with precision and timeliness. Available in various widths.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

AUGER DRIVER
Ideal for landscaping and tree care, an auger attachment will expedite hole creation and allow operators to quickly plant trees or install fence posts than if they were hand-digging or relying on a hand-held auger. Available in 6" to 30" diameters.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

TILLER
Tough and effective tillers prepare your garden by breaking up tough soil and removing unwanted weeds. Available in 4' width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

GRAPPLES
Tree grapples come with 48" or 57" openings to efficiently remove logs and debris from the jobsite. It has an excavator style boom design with a powder coat finish and a cylinder lock for increased safety. Brush grapples available with a gap opening of 29" and widths of 42" or 54".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CARRY ALL LEVELER
One of our most simple yet versatile attachments, the Carry-All Leveler is perfect for carrying bulky material, leveling soil and adding a flat, smooth finish to your project. Available in 49" width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BUCKETS

From landscaping and hardscapes to tree care and construction-grade tasks, your stand-on skid steer can take on more than you think. We've got you covered with a variety of buckets from 4-in-1 to heavy and light material buckets. Widths range from 34" to 66".

Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

PALLET FORKS
Take on your heaviest loads with precision and dependability with Ditch Witch pallet forks. They easily attach to any of our skid steers and can easily accessorize with hay spikes, brick guards, and much more to add even more ROI. Available in widths ranging from 36-48.75" and lengths from 36-48".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MICROTRENCHER
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOW
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

POWER RAKE
Clean, level and prep jobsites or smooth and loosen soil for sodding with a rake attachment. Most rake attachments require 10 to 14 gpm, but the higher horsepower creates even more drum torque to tear through the most demanding soil types. Width measures 4'.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

MICROTRENCHERS
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOWS
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

TRENCHER

Stay efficient on large jobsites with a trencher attachment for your skid steer. It’s a smart alternative to large, specialized equipment for utility installation and landscaping jobs. Available in standard 6”, 8” and 12” maximum widths with maximum depths of 36", 38", 48” and 55.5”.

Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000