20 JUNE 2021 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Atlas Manufacturing Ltd. offers the Atlas RC (Reverse Circulation) Cyclone for better waste elimination of sample collection during drilling. The lid is easily unbolted for cleaning between holes, so there’s no contamination of samples. Changing of wear plates at critical points is also simple and requires no welding or special installation. All features are designed to help you spend more time drilling and less time working on equipment. The cyclone is a great addition to anyone’s toolbox. Atlas Manufacturing Ltd. is a Valued WWDRAdvertiser. by Tim Rasmussen The old Mayhew rotary rig was churning on down into the earth in Flor de Selva. This village is about 40 miles from our shop in somewhat hilly country. Edgar was the drill operator, and one of the crew was acting as helper. Things had been going well and they were about 300 feet down, which is just about the maximum we can drill with the limited drill steel we have. Suddenly there was a loud bang followed by a knocking noise, and the table stopped turning. A quick investigation showed the motor was working, but the table was not moving. Something was very wrong inside the drill table, and it wasn’t going to be a simple fix to get the rig going again. Edgar pulled the steel out of the hole, secured the rig, and headed for the shop. The next day, he began to take the table apart. Jon had previously shown him how to disassemble it. It wasn’t long before he found the trouble. All the teeth were sheared off the pinion gear; many teeth were missing and big chunks were broken out of the ring gear. It looked to be destroyed and nothing could be done to fix those parts. Edgar called Jon and Gary and sent some photos of the damage. They agreed it was beyond repair. The rotary rig was out of commission for the foreseeable future. Jon and Gary began hunting for replacement parts here in the U.S. They got a quote from a company in Minnesota which was $8000-$10,000 for the parts needed for the usual rebuild. A new table was about $18,000. The gentleman did have a slightly larger table with new parts in it he would sell for $9800. This is the reality when you are drilling in a foreign country with old equipment. When it breaks, you are thousands of miles away from parts necessary to make repairs. There is nothing that can be done but make a decision, pay the money, and wait. That is what they will do. Meanwhile back in the states, Jon and Gary have started the search for parts we can afford. Perhaps you can help us. If so, please contact Gary Bartholomew at 208-907-0010 or 509-939-1941 Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WTR
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