In geotechnical engineering investigations, the SPT Drill Rig serves as core equipment to obtain mechanical parameters of soil layers. The abbreviation SPT stands for Standard Penetration Test. In this test, a 63.5kg drop weight falls freely from a 76cm drop height to drive a standard split-spoon sampler into soil. The blow count N needed to drive the sampler 30cm deep is used to accurately identify soil layer variations and engineering properties. Integrating SPT functions into full-hydraulic core drill rigs has become the mainstream method to boost construction efficiency and data reliability for modern geotechnical exploration. Centred on the SPT drill rig, this paper elaborates on its technical specifications and practical field applications. Feel free to reach out via the contact information listed at the end for equipment selection advice or the latest quotations.【WhatsApp/WeChat/Phone】+86 13837122632
Parameters of YG Hydraulic Core Drilling Rig
| Model | YGX-400 | YGX-600 | YGX-800 | YGX-1000 |
| Drilling Depth(M) | 180-400-500 | 200-600-650 | 400-800-1000 | 500-1000-1100 |
| Rated pressure(MPA) | 21 | 21 | 25 | 28 |
| Rated Flow(L/min) | 168 | 192 | 260 | 300 |
| Heat Dissipation Mode | Air cooling+water cooling | |||
| Engine Brand | Yuchai | Yuchai | Yuchai | Cummins |
| Rated power/speed | 78kW/ 2400r/min | 92kW/ 2400r/min | 92kW/ 2400r/min | 154kW/2400r/min |
| Drilling Angle(°) | 0-90 | 45-90 | 45-90 | 45-90 |
| Lifting Force(T) | 12 | 16 | 24 | 30 |
| Feed Force(T) | 6 | 8 | 12 | 15 |
| Hydraulic Mud pump flow | 30-90（L/min） | 30-90（L/min） | 90-180（L/min） | 90-180（L/min） |
| Hydraulic Mud pump power | 4-7(MPA) | 4-7(MPA) | 4-7(MPA) | 4-7(MPA) |
| Dimension | 4000*1900*1800mm | 4000*2000*1800mm | 5500*2100*2000mm | 6000*2200*2400mm |
| Weight | 4.3T | 4.5/5.5T | 6.5T | 7.5T |
Note: All listed data refers to standard configuration; actual performance after SPT installation shall follow the formal technical agreement. Click the button below to get the YG series selection manual free of charge.
Two installation types for SPT Rig: Fully Automatic and Semi-Automatic
YG provides two mainstream configurations for users to pick based on project budget and working frequency. The fully automatic SPT unit adopts an integrated hydraulic lifting bag mounted onto the drill mast and fully connected to the rig’s hydraulic control system. It comes with a built-in 63.5kg drop weight, lifting hook and guiding housing, powered by the rig’s split hydraulic oil circuit. Once activated, the built-in cam or hydraulic hook automatically lifts the weight to an exact height of 760mm. The hydraulic valve then instantly releases pressure for free fall onto the anvil, completing 30 to 40 blow cycles per minute. With an energy transfer rate between 80% and 90%, this setup fully complies with international standards, including ASTM D1586 and requires minimal manpower: operators only shift the control lever for automatic hammering and automatic blow counting.
The semi-automatic SPT setup relies on the rig’s original auxiliary mechanical winch paired with a mechanically triggered drop hammer with auto-release function. Key components include a standalone 63.5kg centre-hole weight, guide rod and mechanical trip device. Operators control the auxiliary winch cable to hoist the hammer to 760mm; the trip mechanism hits the limit block to release the weight for free fall. This option features low cost, all-mechanical construction and easy maintenance without occupying the rig’s hydraulic system, eliminating common faults like oil circuit overheating or mismatched valve groups. It is a cost-effective starter choice for teams conducting occasional SPT tests. Contact our technical engineers for site condition evaluation to confirm your ideal configuration.
All-in-One Working Procedure of SPT Drilling Machine
For practical geotechnical exploration projects, a qualified SPT drilling machine flexibly switches between SPT penetration testing and core drilling modes. For geological surveys of high-rise buildings or large bridges, top ground usually consists of soft overburden while deeper sections are solid bedrock. Standard working steps are as follows:
- Full-hydraulic fast drilling: Fit carbide or three-wing drill bits with high-pressure mud to rapidly drill through topsoil until reaching preset test depths (test points set every 1.5m or 2m normally).
- Hole cleaning and SPT testing: Stop drilling, run standard penetration test with automatic drop hammer, record N-values and retrieve undisturbed soil samples with split samplers for laboratory geotechnical analysis.
- Switch to core drilling mode: When penetrating hard interlayers or bedrock bearing strata, SPT blow counts often exceed 50 hits, defined as refusal penetration. At this point, refit the spt drilling machine with diamond bits and double-wall core barrels (wireline coring technique available). High rotating speed and torque enable efficient rock cutting to recover intact core samples for RQD (Rock Quality Designation) assessment.
This alternating working flow seamlessly combines in-situ soil parameter testing and deep core sampling, enabling complete stratigraphic investigation with one single machine.
Technical Advantages of SPT Drill Rig
Compared with traditional manually operated drop hammers or simple makeshift SPT accessories, the modern SPT drill rig delivers major upgrades in test precision and site safety:
- Stable energy transmission: Full-hydraulic automatic hammer avoids energy loss caused by artificial rope friction. Every blow strictly follows the 63.5kg × 76cm free-fall standard, ensuring highly repeatable N values and authoritative investigation reports.
- Lower labour input & durable heavy-duty performance: Automated cyclic hammering frees workers from exhausting manual labour for long-hour continuous testing. Equipped with a crawler undercarriage and remote control movement, the rig realises quick relocation between boreholes.
- Multi-function design cuts procurement cost: No need to purchase standalone dedicated SPT equipment. Existing full-hydraulic core drill rigs can be retrofitted with SPT attachments to expand geotechnical service capacity, ideal for small and medium exploration enterprises.
Fundamental Support from Hydraulic Core Drilling Rig
As the carrier for SPT installation, the YG series hydraulic core drilling rig has multiple inherent superior features:
- Integrated rig & tower design: Telescopic mast removes the need for derrick erection, speeding up transportation and assembly. Remote-controlled crawler chassis ensures efficient hole positioning and shifting with a small footprint, requiring no foundation construction for eco-friendly deployment.
- Full hydraulic drive system: Compact layout for easy operation and routine maintenance. Stepless variable speed supports high rotation speed for stable drilling with low vibration; built-in pressure gauge monitors downhole working status alongside pressure limiting protection for improved operational safety.
- Thin-wall diamond wireline coring technology: Rigid, straight drill string minimises borehole deviation. Thin-wall bits create low cutting resistance for fast penetration, recovering large-diameter core at a high recovery rate; narrow annular clearance reduces core jamming and block falling risks. The outstanding coring performance of this hydraulic core drilling rig perfectly complements SPT penetration testing.
Model Selection & Configuration Advice
For regular working conditions: YGX-400 and YGX-600 fit shallow exploration at depths from 400m to 600m, weighing 4.3T to 5.5T for convenient, frequent site transfer. YGX-800 and YGX-1000 target deep bedrock exploration ranging from 800m to 1100m with 24T–30T lifting capacity, powered by high-output Cummins or Yuchai engines with a combined air-water cooling system to sustain prolonged heavy-load operation.
For SPT accessory matching, a fully automatic configuration is highly recommended. Despite a marginally higher upfront cost, improved test reliability and easy operation generate far greater long-term economic returns. Drill rods and penetration samplers shall be configured separately to meet official SPT standards. Get your customised equipment solution by contacting our team right now.
Maintenance & Safety Guidelines for Operation
Daily maintenance notes for SPT Drill Rig: Check contact surfaces between drop weight and anvil weekly to prevent fatigue cracking from repeated impact; keep hydraulic pipelines of automatic units clean and replace filter elements every 500 working hours; regularly lubricate trip mechanisms on semi-automatic setups to prevent jamming and inaccurate drop height. For safety rules: never stand underneath the mast during hammering; use remote control or protective barriers; inspect crawler tracks and mast locking components before every relocation for safe transit.
Get in Touch with YG
Integrating SPT modules onto full-hydraulic core drill rigs marks a key development trend of contemporary geotechnical exploration machinery. Either a fully automatic or semi-automatic setup, a reliable spt drill rig drastically boosts efficiency and data accuracy of in-situ soil penetration tests. Featuring optimised frame structure, full hydraulic drive and premium coring capacity, the YG series stands out as cost-effective dual-purpose rigs supporting both SPT testing and core drilling. If you are searching for multi-functional machinery covering soil penetration test and deep core recovery, choose the YG series paired with a fully automatic SPT unit to finish full-stratum exploration with a single piece of equipment.
Prompt Inquiry: Contact us anytime to acquire customised technical proposals, on-site trial operation arrangements or formal quotations!
