Drill Pipe Considerations

By: Cory Maker, Ditch Witch Product Manager, Drill Pipe and Fluid Management

Featured in: Dig Different

Profitability on a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project hinges on a productive crew. And a key component of productivity and continuous performance is having the right equipment for the job. For example: it is important to use a drill with enough torque for the ground conditions in which you’re operating, or to ensure the drill being used has enough space to setup and shoot out an entrance path.

Even when you have drills suited to the jobsite, however, roadblocks can keep you from getting the most out of your equipment. Proper HDD tooling can help. Before ground breaks, you can make tooling selections that speed product deployment and help keep your company profitable.

Design Considerations

HDD projects require equipment tailored to the job, such as features that help when shooting out long bores or systems tools that help when boring in challenging ground conditions. Matching the drill, as well as the drill pipe, to the jobsite is a recommended initial step for any underground project. Just as important, but often overlooked, is also fitting the drill and the drill pipe to make sure they effectively work well together.

Manufacturing specialization can impact efficiency. So, manufacturers focused exclusively on drill pipe have advanced the life of the pipe, designing a variety of options suited to almost anything that will be encountered underground.

When directional drill manufacturers are not responsible for drill pipe design for their own drills, however, they’re required to design a drill to fit specific pipe specifications. For example, the unit must be designed to meet a specified make up torque to properly assemble the drill string. And, unless both drill pipe and drill were designed together, it’s difficult to match a specific thread profile to the drill that will use it.

The result of this mismatch is that the drill will have too much or too little rotary torque for the drill pipe, since every drill pipe is designed to handle a specific make-up torque. When the drill has too much torque, operators need to de-rate the machine’s engine to achieve the proper makeup and thrust levels. For instance, a drill capable of 40,000 lbs of torque will run at 28,000 lbs because of the pipe’s limitations. Another consequence of the mismatch is sending too much power downhole, causing worn drill pipe to break more easily. When there is too little torque, however, the drill lacks the power needed to make up the pipe correctly. Pipe can begin breaking loose while drilling.

These issues can be greatly reduced by making sure drill pipe and the drill are designed to work together. Not only will this intentional design help ensure you have the right make-up torque for your tooling, but additional enhancements can then also be built into the HDD equipment.

One such enhancement is coordinated drill-pipe makeup. When designing pipe with an intended thread profile, the drill can automatically set the speed and feed for makeup. This simplified, automated process helps extend the life of the thread.

Heightened Standards in Forged Pipe

As we know, HDD equipment selection is key to productivity and matching drill pipe is a critical element. To further enhance gains on HDD projects, consider utilizing forged drill pipe, designed for the drill. Forged pipe lasts longer and helps minimize the risk of losing HDD tooling downhole.

Due to set industry standards, all forged drill pipe, regardless of manufacturer, is often considered to be of the same quality. Each pipe, for instance, will be made from a single piece of AISI 4130 steel that satisfies the S-135 tubing grade requirements. Double shoulder connections, which enhance the performance of connections, are also becoming common on HDD jobsites.

Those industry standards, however, don’t specify the thickness of drill pipe. Operators often want stiff forged drill pipe because it helps them steer more effectively. The stiffer the pipe, the less likely an operator will get flex out of the bore when pushing downhole.

The trade-off is stiffer pipe is often thicker, which can negatively impact the bend radius. Manufacturers such as the Ditch Witch® organization, however, design forged drill pipe to the industry standards and tubing grade requirements, but thicker than competitive pipe, while maintaining a desired bend radius.

Additionally, for Ditch Witch Forged Drill Pipes, wear indicator grooves designed into the forged drill pipe provides the operator visual indication of wear allowances that are beyond the typical industry standards. Often operators will have to visually inspect their threads and visually hunt for breaks or wear, which can involve estimating the pipe’s remaining life. Indicator grooves, however, indicate the wear on the tool joint, helping operators more accurately determine the degree of wear, and better predict when replacements are required.

Finally, by designing drill pipe for the machines, and forging the drill pipe with solid, U.S.-made steel, manufacturers like Ditch Witch have extended the life of drill pipe beyond industry averages. Next to comparable offerings, these tool joints have up to four times the life.

Matching HDD equipment and expecting higher standards from forged drill pipe offers you new approaches to enhancing jobsite productivity. Time is money on the job, and by getting the most out of equipment, crews will be able to reduce unexpected roadblocks like excessive time spent calibrating or inspecting equipment.

For more information on Ditch Witch drill pipe, visit Drill Pipe | Ditch Witch – Directional Drills, Trenchers, Vacs, & Skid Steers

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