What to inspect by system
| System | Watch |
|---|---|
| Hydraulics | Hoses, fittings, cylinders, pumps, motors, valves, filters, oil condition, cooling and leakage; contamination is the main threat to component life |
| Rotary head | Bearings, seals, gear wear, lubrication, temperature, vibration, backlash and torque behaviour |
| Compressor | Air pressure, discharge temperature, filters, compressor oil, separator condition, cooling performance, hose integrity and fuel use |
| Drill string | Rod straightness, threads, wall wear, cracks, couplings, adaptors, hammer condition and bit wear |
| Structure | Mast alignment, welds, pins, bushes, feed system, outriggers, chassis mounting, rod racks and guards |
Condition monitoring
Trend temperature, vibration, pressure, fuel use, penetration rate, torque, engine load, oil analysis and fault history. The aim is to see deterioration before it becomes downtime. Compressor-side checks are covered in borewell compressor performance diagnostics and diesel portable compressor troubleshooting.
What to record while drilling
- Depth by interval and penetration rate
- Drilling method and bit changes
- Water strikes and estimated inflow
- Air pressure and torque trends
- Changes in cuttings and formation
- Fuel use, downtime and maintenance events
Digital logging, GPS and telematics can capture these automatically, and remote diagnostics can raise alerts early. Over many holes, the records become a knowledge base that improves future planning, tool choice and cost per metre; see drilling productivity and cost per metre. Predictive analytics and digital twins are emerging aids, not substitutes for sound basic maintenance.
Why it pays
Higher availability, longer component life, lower cost per metre, better fuel efficiency, safer operation and more predictable project delivery.
See also borewell compressor service and repairs, spare parts and the rig as an integrated system.
Field guide
Drilling records that pay for themselves
A borewell rig and its compressor earn money only when they are drilling. Good records show where time and money go, warn of failures before they stop a job, and give the customer evidence of what was done. They take minutes a day to keep.
What to record for every hole
| Record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Date, site, hole number and GPS location | Traceability for the customer and for repeat work |
| Hole diameter and final depth | Basis for billing and for cost per metre |
| Formation log: soil, weathered rock, hard rock, fractures, water strikes with depth | Explains penetration rate and helps plan nearby holes |
| Hammer and bit used, bit condition before and after | Bit life per metre and per formation |
| Compressor pressure and engine speed while drilling | Shows whether the hammer had the air it needed |
| Drilling time, tripping time, stoppages and their cause | Where productive time is lost |
| Fuel used by rig and compressor | Fuel cost per metre, the largest running cost |
| Casing installed, yield test result | Completion evidence for the customer |
Compressor and rig maintenance log
- Engine hours and compressor hours at the start and end of each day.
- Oil, filter, separator and fuel filter changes with the hours at which they were done.
- Warnings and trips: what happened, the reading at the time and what was done.
- Hose and coupling inspections, especially high-pressure lines.
- Parts replaced, with part numbers, so the next order is right first time.
Turning records into decisions
Monthly, work out metres drilled, fuel per metre, bit cost per metre and hours lost to breakdowns. A rise in fuel per metre in the same formation often points to a compressor delivering less air, a worn hammer or a leaking string. Repeated stoppages of one kind show where a spare should be carried on the truck. Records also help when deciding whether to overhaul a compressor or replace it: the history of hours, faults and repairs is the evidence.
Simple tools
A printed daily sheet or a phone spreadsheet is enough if it is filled in every day. Photographs of the nameplates, the drilling log and the yield test, taken on the phone and stored by site, make records easy to find later.
What to send for a quotation
- Compressor and rig make, model and serial numbers.
- Engine and compressor hours.
- A sample of your drilling or maintenance records if you want help reviewing them.
Send it through find my part or the spare parts enquiry, or call +91 99590 60718 or +91 92468 88812.