Gain Efficiency, Extend Drill Pipe Life With Proper Drilling Techniques

Featured in: Underground Construction

By Jeff Davis, Ditch Witch product manager, HDD tooling and drill pipe

Efficiency is king. When on a job, operators are highly focused on efficiency and productivity above all else. After all, the ROI of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project can hinge on the speed of deployment, especially when turnaround is tight. But sometimes moving quickly can distract operators from getting the most out of equipment.

One of the more expensive pieces on the job is HDD tooling, specifically the drill pipe. Replacement costs vary, but contractors can reduce overall costs by extending the life of their investment. For instance, high-quality steel and rigorous manufacturing standards help protect against fatigue, which can lead to a broken drill string downhole.

High-quality drill pipe is the first step to getting the most out of equipment. Even the best equipment, however, cannot withstand mistreatment. Proper use and maintenance helps operators confidently and efficiently complete a job on time and on budget. To increase drill pipe longevity and effectively complete job after job, operators should know the recommended bend radius, how to maintain correct torque and the proper use of drilling fluid.

Depth Matters

The underground conditions ultimately determine the proper depth of a bore. And getting to that depth starts at the entrance point above ground. From the entrance point, HDD operators need to steer drill pipe down before leveling off at the correct depth. The space between the entrance point and deployment depth is often thought of as lost time and space, as operators prepare to install product.

Due to this impression, some operators exceed the recommended bend radius of their drill pipe when steering downward in hopes of reducing the perceived lost time. Based on the metal’s ability to return to normal after being bent, the recommended bend radius should limit the angle an operator uses when drilling. When the bend radius is exceeded, the pipe is fatigued—thus reducing the useful life. Even if the drill pipe looks normal, the damage is done.

Costly replacement is not the only result of damaged drill pipe. When a drill string breaks downhole, operators need to plan a new route for product installation. And if the jobsite allows, they’ll have to spend additional time and money unearthing the broken tooling.

To avoid costly repairs and replacements, be more efficient on jobsites and extend the life of drill pipe, operators should become familiar with the recommended bend radius of their pipe. That begins with determining the proper entrance angle before digging begins. If an operator is unable to reach the recommended depth, they should set up again and try again. While a second round of orientating the drill and creating a new entrance path might seem like unnecessary downtime, it will keep drill pipe working for its full life.

Exert Appropriate Torque

Proper torque also plays an important role in extending the useful life of drill pipe. All the effort of paying attention to the recommended bend radius will be lost if operators ignore their torque when making up or breaking out drill strings.

To avoid unnecessary wear on the threads of the pin and box, users should always apply the manufacturer’s recommended torque. For all Ditch WitchHDD units, and most other HDD units, this recommended torque is the maximum rig torque in low speed. By applying this recommended torque at each make-up cycle, the stress the thread encounters from the bending and the drilling forces is evenly spread across all components of the thread. This helps prevent improper loading and excessive wear. If the joint is not properly torqued, the pin and box can result in not only galling and grinding of the threads downhole but also result in the pin and/or box carrying more load than the other member, which, in turn, results in mushrooming and failure.

Before a project even begins, operators can avoid overtorque by matching drill pipe to the drill on the jobsite. If the drill has 3,000 lb of torque, the drill pipe used needs to be able to handle that amount.

Once on the job, operators can further reduce wear by bringing the pin and box together slowly, working up to the specific torque recommendation versus quickly spinning a drill up to its maximum torque. Operators should guide the two threads of a drill string together instead of forcing them into place. This requires vigilance by the operator, who can track the drill’s gauges to make sure they are not driving the pin too hard. The heat created when forcing a pin and box together will begin to embrittle the thread, which can lead to breaks or weld the threads of the drill string together.

Easing into the recommended torque may require more time than forcing a drill string together, but it will help improve the life of the threads.

Use Drilling Fluid to Your Advantage

Drilling into the ground creates a lot of heat, which can cause unwelcome wear and tear on the outer surface of the drill pipe. To avoid excessive wear, water and other fluids are a necessity on the job. For example, drilling fluids, such as bentonite and polymers, can play an important role in keeping temperatures down and premature wear low, extending the life of drill pipe and tooling.

Without drilling fluid, operators increase the risk of the drill pipe breaking downhole. Drilling fluids are used to lubricate the components in the drill string as they slide along the bore walls and carry the cuttings produced by the drilling tool out of the path of the string. Without these two critical functions, any material removed by the drilling tool is simply packed into another location in the bore. This results in significant wasted downhole horsepower, and greatly increases the risk of experiencing a stuck or stalled tool.

The proper and correct amount of drilling fluid and correct amount an operator should use directly correlates to the equipment being used and the jobsite ground conditions. For guidance, operators should consult with their dealers, who are trained on proper drilling fluids for the jobsite. They can also quickly check the Ditch Witch fluid formulator for advice.

Follow a Maintenance Regimen

Consistent maintenance practices also play a large role in getting the most out of drill pipe, especially when using new pipe. By investing a little time before each day on a job, operators will improve jobsite ROI and reduce the worry of downtime correlated to a damaged pipe or broken drill string. Common maintenance practices include:

  • Threading drill pipe together a few times before its first use on the job to break in threads
  • Keeping threads clean if debris is present
  • Thoroughly lubricating drill pipe before each use with the manufacturer’s recommended drill pipe thread compound
  • Inspecting drill pipe for sharp edges or any damaged thread, which indicates a string was previously forced together.

The normal wear and tear that occurs on a HDD jobsite does not have to cut down the useful life of drill pipe. Operators are encouraged to keep track of how they use their equipment, follow specified equipment recommendations for use and properly maintain their equipment to increase drill pipe longevity. By following these practices, they’ll be able to reduce the risk of unplanned downtime, and ultimately improve jobsite ROI.

For more information on Ditch Witch drill pipe solutions, please 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
Turn one machine into a multi-functional workhorse with versatile Ditch Witch® SK attachments. 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 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