Equipment Management
A service technician performs a predelivery performance check before
this service crawler rig is returned
to its owner. Adherence to the
manufacturer's specified scheduled
maintenance routine is the best way
to decrease profit-robbing downtime
and prevent premature failures of
rig and string components.
oscillation is not limited to the hammer. It transfers down the drill
string and directly leads to excessive rate of wear on the drill string
components. Adjusting the wear pieces on the cradles promotes
higher production rates by efficiently drilling straighter holes, which
consequently reduces energy to drill the holes and also minimizes
component replacement frequency and cost.
8. Maintain centralizers.
Wentworth says maintaining the centralizers goes hand in hand with
keeping the cradle wear slides adjusted. Adjust the centralizers to
hold drill steel tight while drilling. If not, holes will be allowed to
deviate, steels wear out faster, and, Wentworth says, "things break."
Again, drilling straighter holes raises production rates through
efficient drilling, getting the hole drilled in the quickest time. It minimizes energy spent while drilling and protects against profit margin
shrinkage due to accelerated frequency of component replacement.
Those drillers who can afford poor performance and shrinking
profit margins are welcome to ignore all of the above, as manufacturers will step up to replace any parts and equipment that a drilling
company treated as consumables. However, manufacturers would
actually be much, much happier to hear you boast about how long
you've used their equipment without a hitch. It's best not to cut
corners on preventive maintenance. AM
Joe Bradfield is senior writer for Ellenbecker Communications, an
international communications firm specializing in the drilling, mining,
and construction industries.
Text INFO to 205-289-3782 or visit www.aggman.com/info
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