If you are looking for an efficient, precise drilling rig that can withstand harsh working conditions for mineral exploration projects, an RC drilling machine is well worth your consideration. Reverse circulation drilling technology works best for projects requiring massive continuous sampling, such as resource volume verification, ore boundary delineation, and grade control. The cuttings samples collected are highly representative and can be sent directly to labs for analysis, eliminating tedious core logging and cutting procedures. Meanwhile, the RC rig boasts outstanding adaptability to complex formations. Whether it’s gravel layers, fractured zones, or hard granite, you can easily handle all ground conditions by swapping different down-the-hole hammers and drill bits.
RC Rig Parameters
| Parameter Item | Specification | Parameter Item | Specification |
| Max Drilling Depth | 400m | Drilling Diameter | 115-305mm |
| Working Air Pressure | 1.05-3Mpa | Air Consumption | 16-42m³/min |
| Drill Pipe Length | 3m | Drill Pipe Diameter | 89/108/127mm |
| Thrust Force | 5T | Lifting Force | 12T |
| Fast Hoisting Speed | 14.5m/min | Fast Feeding Speed | 21m/min |
| Max Rotation Torque | 4000-5700Nm | Max Rotation Speed | 0-120/0-150r/min |
| Winch Lifting Capacity | 20T | Penetration Rate | 10-25m/h |
| Travel Speed | 2.5km/h | Climbing Capacity | 21° |
| Machine Weight | 7T | Overall Dimension | 6.8×2.1×2.8m |
| Applicable Ground | Loose Overburden & Bedrock | Drilling Mode | Top-drive hydraulic rotation & feed, DTH hammer drilling or mud drilling |
Core Component Breakdown of RC Drilling Machine
Smooth operation of an RC boring machine relies on close coordination of three key core parts:
- Dual-wall Drill Pipe: It acts as the “vessel channel” of the whole system. Consisting of an outer pipe and an inner tube, it delivers compressed air down the annular gap between the double pipes to the borehole bottom to drive the DTH hammer and break rock. Rock cuttings flow back to the ground through the central passage of the inner tube. This separated flow design prevents samples from contamination by upper formation materials.
- Sample Collector (Cyclone Separator / Cyclone): It serves as the sample sorting hub. After cuttings reach the surface, they flow through hoses into the cyclone separator for sample splitting, then fall into sample bags marked with drilling depth and location from the bottom outlet. Sealed samples can be delivered straight to labs for testing.
- Air Compressor: It is the “heart” of the whole system. It generates high-pressure airflow that supplies power to the DTH hammer for rock breaking and transports cuttings back to the ground surface. The three components function as an integrated unit, and none can be omitted.
Notably, the reverse drilling machine requires no water and completely uses compressed air for cuttings discharge and sampling. This unrivaled merit makes it ideal for exploration work in arid water-short regions including Africa and Xinjiang, outperforming traditional drilling rigs significantly.
How to Match DTH Hammer for RC Drilling Machine Based on Formation Hardness
The DTH hammer is the rock-cutting “tooth” of the RC rig. Proper model selection directly decides drilling efficiency and operation costs. Choose hammers according to formation hardness:
- Hard rock formations (granite, quartzite, etc.) Select high-air-pressure DTH hammers (working air pressure: 1.5-3Mpa) paired with wear-resistant tungsten carbide bits. High air pressure delivers stronger impact energy to crush dense hard rock effectively. The average service life of one DTH hammer reaches about 450 drilling meters, while the continuous service life of the impactor and hammer assembly averages 12 months.
- Loose overburden (sand, clay, gravel layers, etc.) Opt for medium-air-pressure DTH hammers (working air pressure: 1.05-1.5Mpa) matched with bits of suitable tooth shapes to avoid drill jamming and excessive component abrasion.
Core rule: Proper grading of drilling tools is essential. Mismatched combinations of dual-wall drill pipes, DTH hammers, and drill bits easily trigger downhole accidents, leading to massive time loss and extra costs. YG YGRC series supports medium and high-pressure impactors, allowing flexible configuration based on actual ground conditions.
Improve Mineral Sampling Quality with rc drilling machine
High-quality samples are the foundation of exploration work, and rc drilling machine comes with natural advantages in this aspect:
- Zero cross-contamination: Traditional direct circulation rigs blow cuttings out from the outer side of drill pipes with compressed air or mud, causing mixing of samples from different strata. For RC drilling machines, all cuttings return through the inner tube without contact with external formations.
- Near 100% sample recovery rate: Reverse circulation air sampling achieves nearly 100% sample recovery. Fully mixed cuttings reflect ore grade more accurately.
- Highly representative samples: Compared with conventional core drilling methods, reverse circulation sampling generates more accurate data on ore seam thickness and grade. Each sample bag is labeled with collection position and depth for direct lab submission, forming a complete traceable data chain.
- Strong adaptability to complex strata: Reverse circulation drilling effectively preserves the integrity of rock and ore samples in loose fractured formations. During exploration projects for molybdenum mines in Henan and other complicated ground sites, through-type DTH hammer reverse circulation continuous sampling technology successfully solves three major pain points: hard drilling, poor hole forming, and difficult sampling.
Dual-Wall Drill Pipe Wear & Anti-Blockage Guide for Reverse Circulation Drill Rig
The dual-wall drill pipe is the most vital and easily worn component of a reverse circulation drill rig. Any pipe blockage leads to a production halt every minute, delaying construction schedules and raising costs. Follow these key maintenance tips strictly:
Quick blockage troubleshooting
If cuttings return much slower than normal or air pressure surges abnormally, the inner tube is likely clogged. First check for tight sealing at drill pipe joints; then inspect worn DTH hammers and drill bits and replace severely damaged parts immediately.
Daily cleaning routine
After every drilling shift, purge the inner tube of dual-wall drill pipes with high-pressure air to clear residual rock cuttings. Regularly inspect thread conditions and store drill pipes properly to extend service life. Also check seals and filters frequently to avoid pressure loss and system breakdowns.
Preventative maintenance
Full machine inspection and wear monitoring of transmission parts must be included in daily patrol checks. YG rc drilling machine is equipped with compensation sliding blocks to automatically protect drill pipe threads, greatly extending pipe lifespan and lowering abrasion risks at the design stage.
Why Choose YG Reverse Drilling Machine?
Among all reverse circulation drill rig brands, YG stands out with these core competitive edges:
- Full hydraulic control cuts labor intensity: All movements, including mast lifting, mast compensation, pipe makeup & breakout, rotation & feed, outrigger support, winch operation, and rig travel, are driven by hydraulic systems, greatly boosting construction efficiency and project quality.
- Balanced stability & drilling precision: During operation, the mast stretches via compensation cylinders to make full contact with the ground, enhancing mast rigidity and stable running. A unique drill centralizer paired with spirit levels guarantees accurate hole starting.
- Optimized structural details prolong equipment service life: Compensation sliding blocks automatically protect drill pipe threads; patented air pre-filters remove over 90% dust from intake air with automatic dust discharge to reduce engine wear; special oil mist devices in the air compression system effectively extend DTH hammer service life.
Whether you conduct mineral exploration or hydrogeological surveys, the YG team can provide professional reverse drilling machine selection advice and comprehensive after-sales service tailored to your unique demands. Feel free to contact YG anytime for more product details and customized technical solutions.
