WorldWide Drilling Resource

The Rise of the Mole Rat Adapted from Information by Atlas Manufacturing Ltd. Is it possible to build an environmental sampling drill which can operate under an 8-foot ceiling, fit through a 30-inch door, be powerful, and light enough to be carried by a helicopter? A customer approached Atlas Manufacturing Ltd. asking this very question, and the answer would lead to an innovative new drill. After looking at current units available, the company undertook a research and development project through their mechanical design group. After three years of development and testing at Atlas Manufacturing’s Canadian office near Vancouver, British Columbia, the unit is now available. The patent is currently pending for the drill unit nicknamed “Mole Rat”, which is a portable auger drill powerful enough for the most demanding jobs and small enough to get to them. This mighty monster has 2900 foot pounds (ft lbs) of torque, 5600 lbs pulldown, and 7350 lbs pullback, along with 3000 pounds per square inch (psi) of hydraulic pres- sure. It allows for soil sampling and drilling of monitoring wells in contaminated sites charac- terized by having limited access. The drill has a hydraulically powered rotary tophead drive, and can be operated attached to the main power unit or remotely with hose extensions. Its air swivel is equipped for use with Ring Bit and ODEX systems. The Atlas Mole Rat’s height of less than eight feet allows drilling to be performed indoors, while keeping the power unit outside and eliminating all indoor emissions. The unit can be car-ried up and down stairs or walked through tight alleys. It can be operated and attached to a miniexcavator, skidsteer, or hydraulic power unit. The company’s limited-access rigs enable drilling in areas where a full-size truck would not be able to reach. This unique drill adds diversity to Atlas Manufacturing’s line of products. The company currently manufactures products for the oil, gas, water, construction, environmental, and min- ing industries. Most of the company’s Mole Rat sales have been in the Canadian market, but they have two outlets in the United States in Spokane, Washington, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as one in Perth, Australia. ! " # ! 21 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2017