Many of us rely on automobiles to get from point A to point B. Our cars require regular oil changes, new air filters and tire rotations to keep them running efficiently and reliably. When our cars hit 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles, we take them to our local automotive service center and rely on a trained technician to perform the manufacturer-recommended maintenance.
While servicing our cars can be inconvenient at times, we do it because we know that routine maintenance is the key to extending its usable life.
Your horizontal directional drill (HDD) deserves the same treatment.
Generally speaking, a small- to medium-size HDD can run several 1,000 hours, if it is properly maintained.
Bob Evans, customer support manager at Vermeer, recommends that operators follow the instructions and procedures provided in the drill’s maintenance manual, such as performing basic maintenance on their drills every day. Typically, this includes an equipment walk around, checking oil levels, greasing the machine and tightening tracks.
“The older a machine gets — whether it’s measured in operating hours or years — the more important it becomes to regularly check wear parts,” said Evans. “For the first few hundred hours, you’re checking oil and maintaining tracks. When you hit that first 500-hour mark, it’s time to check the engine belts and air filters. The more hours a machine acquires, the more the maintenance needs change. You essentially need to maintain more major components of the machine.”
Horizontal directional drills have some common wear parts that you should pay attention to and replace at the first sign of wear to help prevent equipment and tooling damage.
- Tooling subsavers: Tooling subsavers touch the drill rod at least twice — when you’re drilling out and when you’re pulling the rod back. If you have a worn subsaver, you can damage the box end. If the box end gets damaged, it can also harm the pin nose of the new rod.
- Vise dies: Vise dies need to be cleaned daily. First they should be washed out. Then you should take a quick wire brush over them to maintain a good tooth profile, which prevents slipping during rod makeups and breakdowns. If you don’t properly make up the drill rod, and have a good clamp on the vises, then you could be under-torqued. Then, when the rod goes into the ground, you get a situation called over-torqueing. When you pull the rod back out of the ground, you can no longer break it apart properly.
- Gear box rollers: If your machine has gear box rollers, it is important to keep them greased. If the gear box roller isn’t properly cared for, it can break off and fall down into the rack and pinion. Then, the gear box can run it over the roller and damage the rack and pinion. “It’s really a domino affect,” said Evans. “Replacing those wear items is key to the longevity of the machine.”
Professional service required
Drills should be taken into the service department at your local Vermeer dealer for engine maintenance, including when it is within the engine warranty period. When it’s time for the hydraulic oil in your machine to be changed, take the machine to your dealer. Make sure oil samples are taken to determine if the components are wearing and if the filters are doing their job.
The manufacturer’s recommended service guidelines can be found in your maintenance manual. You can also request a copy of the operator’s and maintenance manuals by going to MyVermeer.com.
If you have additional maintenance questions, contact the service center at your local Vermeer dealer for assistance.
“Properly maintained air filters, engine filters and hydraulic filters are important to the longevity of the drill,” said Evans. “Drills have a lot of longevity if they’re maintained well. And if they’re maintained well, they can run and perform well.”