Backreamers for horizontal directional drilling in difficult conditions

June 8, 2016
Ditch Witch’s new backreamers enable horizontal directional drilling in sandy or rocky soils, or for small-diameter boring.

Ditch Witch recently released a new line of backreamers that enable horizontal directional drilling—commonly called boring in cabling installation projects—in challenging soil conditions and for specialized installation requirements.

“When it comes to productivity in complex soil conditions, backreamers are key to a successful horizontal directional drilling job,” said Jeff Davis, Ditch Witch product manager for horizontal directional drilling tooling and drill pipe. “We know the ability to preclean a path or quickly connect to a rig is often required. That’s why the latest models build on the Ditch Witch reputation for rugged, long-lasting design and are tailored to specialized soil conditions, improving an operator’s ability to efficiently install product.”

The three new backreamers are the Sandhog HD, Swab, and EZ.

Sandhog HD Backreamer—Designed for sandy and soft soils, this triple-action backreamer “combines aggressive cutting, mixing and packing for more-efficient pullback on the job. Bore paths in unstable soil conditions can often collapse or fill with material in the ground. This backreamer uses a barrel-shaped body to better sculpt a true-to-size bore path.”

The Sandhog HD’s carbide cutting teeth and spiral plates further improve pullback efficiency, and lower torque while maximizing the capacity for fluid flow, Ditch Witch said. The crushed carbide provides longer life to the reamer and replaceable, hardened steel nozzles increase fluid flow flexibility, it added.

The Sandhog HD backreamer is available in 2.75-inch shaft size with 2.0 IF threads and 3.25-inch shaft size with 2.375 IF threads, ranging in diameter from 8 to 18 inches. Compatible Ditch Witch rigs include the JT9, JT20, JT25 and JT30.

Swab Backreamer—The Swab is designed for rocky and hard soils, and enables direct pullback for Ditch Witch All Terrain HDD rigs, the company said. “Material left in a bore can damage product when deployed in restricted spaces,” it added. “This model effectively precleans the bore path by efficiently utilizing fluid flow and the carbide hard surface. Material removal also helps install product without enlarging the path beyond the pilot size. By eliminating the need for an expanded path, the backreamer saves on fluids and time.”

It is available in a 3.25-inch shaft with a 2.77 male thread size, and a diameter of 5.5 inches. It is compatible with the JT30 All Terrain HDD.

EZ Backreamer—For small-diameter installation jobs, the EZ backreamer combines ease-of-use with effectiveness, Ditch Witch noted. “It was designed for direct connection to the EZ connect assembly, allowing operators to quickly change out tooling in a fast, safe and efficient manner. The model is equipped for use in soft to medium-hard soil conditions.”

The EZ backreamer is available in a 3.25-inch shaft size with an EZ2 and EZ3 connection, ranging in diameter from 6 to 8 inches. It is compatible with Ditch Witch HDD rigs including the JT20, JT25, and JT30.

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