HDD tooling

Is Your HDD Tooling Leaving Time and Money on the Table?

As published in Utility Contractor.

The right tooling for the job can help boost efficiency, reduce repairs and protect machine investments

As advancements in HDD machines continue to improve, so does their tooling. But it’s not always easy to keep up with the latest developments in tooling as you work to meet tight project deadlines and deal with challenges like worker shortages.

What’s more, even if you identify HDD tooling that’s a good fit for your machines, it can be difficult to justify the investment, especially if your existing tooling still works.

By understanding the advances that have been made in HDD tooling in recent years, and how they can improve both your jobsite performance and your bottom line, you can identify the best tooling for you and make a sound business case for buying it.

Innovations in Piping

Pipe that’s built specifically for HDD machines has been around for decades. But some key innovations in this area can help you get better performance from your drill and drill string.

Specially lined pipe, for example, decreases the inside diameter of the pipe. This allows you to reduce your drilling fluid usage by up to 60%, while also allowing the drill string to pressure up faster. Lined pipe can also provide cost savings over time, such as by reducing rust buildup in the pipe, reducing wear on fluid pumps, and creating less mess when adding or removing pipe to the drill string.

There are also “premium” pipe options that are designed for specific drills. These unlined pipe options can offer a greater bend radius and the strongest, more wear-resistant tool joints available in the HDD industry. They also have visible wear indicator grooves that make it easier for an operator to know when it’s time to replace drill strings.

Another option that has emerged in recent years is a forged drill pipe, named so because it’s forged from a single piece of 4130 steel. It can give you similar benefits to premium pipe, while meeting S-135 strength standards and delivering improve scratch resistance.

For rocky conditions, all-terrain pipe is necessary – but not all all-terrain pipe is the same. When you use a unique shaft-within-a-pipe design that’s created for specific All Terrain drills, you can get the most efficient and productive drilling system possible for challenging conditions.

Advancements in Housing

Today, a wide range of housing types are available for different job demands.

Durable dirt housings can help you stay productive and protect your electronics. The housings can use a single-pin lid design that is more efficient than using a threaded pin or a bolt that can wear and stretch over time. And they can use a check valve system to reduce fluid loss and reach full pressure faster. These housings can also be used with special devices that melt if the beacon or sonde gets overheated or plugged downhole, which can minimize damage to electronics.

A housing option that bridges the gap between dirt and rock can provide durability and versatility. With a high-flow design and the right power and volume, these housings can be used in varying soil conditions. And as conditions change, a square drive spline allows you to quickly change tooling. These housings can even be rebuildable, so you can replace only the parts that have become worn.

Housings for rocky jobs continue to evolve with a focus on ease of rebuilding and minimized downtime. Additionally, innovation has given way to increased runtime by up to 125% more depending on model of housing. Newer housings also have features like bearing hubs with laser-clad hard surfacing to minimize wear and a grease-compensated sealing system that helps ensure proper lubrication and increase uptime.

Revolutionizing the Bits

When evaluating bits, it’s important to look for options that are not only right for the ground conditions but also built for maximum productivity and longevity.

Some dirt bits designed to work in all soil types incorporate small design elements that can make big a difference on the job. A forward-facing cutting structure, for instance, can result in more productive drilling across soil types. And rounded carbide teeth can make the bit less susceptible to fracture.

For more challenging conditions, start by looking for a bit line that’s built for quality – like those that use heat-treated alloy steel and strategically placed carbide – and then find the bit that’s right for the job. A bit that’s designed for soft rock, for example, can use teeth that are angled into the cut to increase production. While a bit designed for cobble can use a J-shaped torque edge to give an operator better control.

Easing the process

Efficiency is the name of the game on the HDD jobsite. With advancements in HDD, contractors can say goodbye to the days of digging huge exit pits and spending hours swapping out tooling for pullback. Additionally, the number of HDD tooling options may be growing, but technology is making it easier to navigate those options. Using online platforms that were created just for HDD tooling can help you keep pace with tooling advancements – you only need to know what drill and pipe you’re running. From there, the platform will help you identify the right tooling, confirm if it’s available at your local dealer and even facilitate the purchase.

Managing the day-to-day demands of your job is challenging enough and finding the right tooling can help contractors boost efficiency and ROI.

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