ing rig operator can detach from both joints, then raise the head up, so it's a faster transition to add the next piece of drill steel.” The HBR 120 can fit on any brand of excavator, but Technical Founda - tions kept it mounted on a Komatsu. Mounting the attachment was simple. The contractor built an adapter that allowed the rod handling attachment to be easily mounted to the arm with pins and bolts. A pig- gyback system facilitated the connection of hydraulic hoses and elec- tronics to the fuse block of the excavator. This allowed the operator to easily control the functions of the rod handling attachment, including rotating, tilting, clamping casing, and inner rods. The HBR 120 can rotate on a 360-degree axis, but Technical Founda - tions did not require that level of movement on this project. The bigger focus was getting the rod handling attachment and the drilling rig mast on the right plane to keep the casing properly aligned so the sections would thread properly. This process required careful communication between a spotter and the drilling rig and excavator operators. The KLEMM drilling rig was operated by remote control so he had the flexibility to move into a position with better visibility. The spotter used hand signaling to help both operators to properly line up the joints. Taking Safety to a New Level The KLEMM rod handling attachment also improved safety for the Technical Foundations ground crew. The 10-foot-long inner rod and casing sections were about 300 pounds, which have the potential to cause serious injuries. “By using the rod handler, you reduce the chance of a pipe section Careful hand signaling was required between a spotter and the equipment operators to get the rod handling attachment and drilling rig mast on the right plane to keep the casing sections properly aligned.
KLEMM Rod Handling Attachment Drives Productivity KLEMM Drilling Rigs can be equipped with a MAG 7.0 Revolver, which is ideal for deep foundation methods like tiebacks or soil nails where the casing is being reused. The KR 806-3G Technical Foun - dations rented on the Roanoke project did not have a revolver since micropile casings are a one-time use. The HBR 120 Rod Handling Attachment proved to be a better fit. The drilling crew would drill a hole with the casing and the inner rod. The KR 806-3G operator would leave the casing in place and pull the inner rods. The HBR 120 was then used to grab the inner rod and feed it back into the next piece of casing. “When the crew was ready to start drilling the next hole, they were all ready to go,” says Stoneman. “Having the casing and rods pre-loaded allowed them to drill at a faster production rate.” The smoothness of the micropile drilling operation nearly doubled productivity compared to the contractor’s traditional method. Techni- cal Foundations would traditionally use the winch to hoist the casing and inner rod and make the connection by hand. The contractor would typically achieve 6 to 8 micropiles daily with that method compared to the 14 it completed using the KLEMM rod handling attachment. “The rod handler holds the inner rod and casing still so that we can make the connection to the drill head,” explains Stoneman. “The drill- ECA’s Account Manager Greg Barta arranged the rental of the KLEMM drilling rig and rod handling attachment and KLEMM specialist Burt Kerns conducted on-site operator training for the team at the beginning of the project since this was the contractor’s first time using the HBR 120.
19
july 2021
csengineermag.com
Made with FlippingBook Annual report