National Driller articles from April 2006

National Driller archives from April 2006

2006 Water Protector Awards.(From Over the Transom)
April 1, 2006... U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) and U.S. Representative Tom Latham (R-Iowa) have received 2006 Ground Water Protector Awards from the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). Hopefully, this is a means to better things to come,...

Drilling company goes to auction.(From Over the Transom)
April 1, 2006... On May 10, 2006, A & W Drilling Co. and its related companies will be sold at public auction by Salvadore Auctions & Appraisals Inc. A & W Drilling, with locations in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Rhode Island, has a long history...

Trenchless Demo Day.(From Over the Transom)
April 1, 2006... The Northeast Trenchless Association (NTA) is hosting an admission-free Demo Day Wednesday, May 10, in Topsfield, Mass. Its focus is to show contractors, engineers and road agents live directional drilling demonstrations. Demo Day will include...

Report: construction industry leads way in employment gains.(From Over the Transom)
April 1, 2006... "Construction again led the most recent employment report (February) with a gain of 41,000 jobs, one-fifth of all private-sector jobs added during the month," says Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of America...

The basics of geotechnical construction drilling--Part 1.
April 1, 2006... The successful execution of a large number of specialty geotechnical construction techniques necessitates the efficient and safe drilling of holes through any and all ground conditions. Inappropriate means and methods may, in fact, worsen the...

Check valves for submersible installations: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
April 1, 2006... Check valves permit water flow only in one direction, and are required on all submersible pump installations. Their purpose is to prevent the water in the column above the pump and in the pressure tank from draining back into the well when the...

Large-diameter dug wells.(From the Green Jackets)
April 1, 2006... It is a pleasure to share experiences with the readers of National Driller. This morning's news reports that Baby Jessica was married last Saturday. Baby Jessica McClure of Midland, Texas, fell into an 8-inch diameter well on October 14,...

Trust, but verify--Part 1: thieves see value in tools and equipment, but more costly crimes come from people you trust the most.(Smart Business)
April 1, 2006... Rarely do you find anyone in the construction business who hasn't been victimized by "shrinkage" of tools, equipment and inventory. Most estimates peg construction theft to be a $1 billion "industry." Pilferage is estimated to add a percentage...

Coming events.(Calendar)
April 1, 2006... MARCH 28-Apr. 1 WQA Aquatech USA Chicago 630-505-0160 www.wqa.org APRIL 4-6 SEDC Conference Springfield, Mo. 402-472-7550 www.sedc.unl.edu 7 South Carolina Ground Water Association Trade Show ...

Happy 150th to A.Y. McDonald.(BULLETIN BOARD)(Company overview)
April 1, 2006... "I've started it, and you can take it as far as you want to go." Little did Andrew Young McDonald know when he made this statement more than 125 years ago, that his small family-owned company would remain family-owned and grow to become a...

Essential Innovations to buy Geotech Drilling.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... Essential Innovations Technology Corp. (ESIV), a provider of geoexchange solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications as both a geoexchange energy service company and as a manufacturer of proprietary geothermal heat pump...

EPA presents new perchlorate guidance.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new protective guidance for cleaning up perchlorate contamination situations, recommending a preliminary clean-up goal for perchlorate of 24.5 parts per billion in water. EPA's guidance...

The boys of summer are back!(PORTFOLIO)
April 1, 2006... Baseball season is upon us. The action begins April 2 in Chicago, home of the (I can write this for the first time in my life) defending World Series champion White Sox. Anyone familiar with the game will tell you that pitching and defense are...

We're all trying to find our way.(Fiction)
April 1, 2006... On the surface, it's a straightforward situation. I owe it to my business and my family and my other employees to let the guy go. I've fired guys before who were more competent than Gary. I have every right to feel the disappointment, anger and...

A strong expo for IAGP: the trade show season continues.
April 1, 2006... The Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals' (IAGP) annual meeting and expo took place Feb. 8-9, 2006, in northern Illinois. For the first time, Crystal Lake, Ill., played host to the annual event, and the new venue was very well...

Comac negotiates a tight squeeze: "the all-wheel drive of our drill rig made this job possible.".(On the Job)
April 1, 2006... When Scott Costa saw the site on which he had to operate, he knew he had a challenge on his hands; he also knew his firm could get the job done. Costa, president of Comac Pump & Well LLC, Kingston, N.H., explains: "A new home was being...

Water level indicators.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... Waterline Envirotech Ltd. manufactures water level indicators of varying lengths from 35 feet to 2,000 feet in engineering, standard and metric scales. The product features a reel with a large, crank handle, heavy-duty brake and battery drawer....

Instrument designed for tough drilling applications.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... The Keck Tuff Tape Water Level Meter from Geotech Environmental Equipment Inc. is a water-level measuring instrument designed for tough drilling applications in the water well industry. Mounted on a storage reel engineered for easy...

Acoustic well probe.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... Models 10A and 30A of the acoustic well probe from SA Electronics Inc. are engineered to provide surface-to-water level measurement and are designed to be automatic, non-intrusive and user-friendly. The operator simply enters well casing size...

Water level for well drillers.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... Weighing just 9 pounds, the Heron Instruments Inc.'s Water Tape features a 300-foot Kevlar-reinforced polyethylene measuring tape mounted on a aluminum reel. The stainless steel and Teflon probe is bonded to the tape for leak-proof usage. The...

Data logger.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... Onset Computer Corp.'s HOBO water level data logger is engineered for high accuracy. It is suitable for recording water levels and temperatures in wells, streams, lakes and wetlands. The logger is completely self-contained, meaning there are no...

Water level meters.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... RST Instruments' water level meters are intended to measure the elevation of ground water in boreholes, standpipes and wells. These water level meters employ a NIST-traceable, non-stretch flat tape that is permanently marked in 1/100-foot...

Water measurement device.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... For measuring the depth of water in wells, boreholes and standpipes, Solinst offers the Model 101 water level meter. Powered by a standard 9-volt battery, the meter uses a choice of probe designs, attached to a permanently marked polyethylene...

Water level meter.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... Scientific Software Group manufactures the Mini REEL E-Z water level meter. Its polyethylene tapes meet or exceed federal specification US GGG-T-106E or EEC CLASS II for a guaranteed accuracy of 0.008 percent. A flat spring steel core is...

Self-contained, battery-operated meter.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2006... Global Water Instrumentation Inc.'s WL600 Sonic Water Level Meter is a self-contained, battery-operated meter that uses sound waves to measure well water levels. Measurements are possible without the use of down-hole instrumentation. The water...

Service Unit.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SUPPORT VEHICLES)
April 1, 2006... The P10HD3L, the Ultimate Service Unit from Pulstar, offers a 15,000-pound capacity. It features an onboard welder/generator with heliarc capabilities, four-point outrigger system, hydraulic raising/lowering pipe racks, sandline, hydraulic wire...

Well Service Unit.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SUPPORT VEHICLES)
April 1, 2006... The S25,000 Well Service Unit from Semco Inc. is used for installation of large submersible pumps, line shaft turbines and well completion. Offering a 48-foot extension, the A-frame design telescopic derrick has double 5-inch cylinders for...

Support vehicle.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SUPPORT VEHICLES)
April 1, 2006... The RBT-Rig Buddy from Flatwater Fleet Inc. provides 400-gallon to 800-gallon capacities. It features a 10-foot open deck length with cargo straps, auxiliary fuel tank with transfer pump, vertical cabinets, night lighting, toolboxes, underbody...

Pump Hoist offered.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SUPPORT VEHICLES)
April 1, 2006... The Evolution Pump Hoist from Kyle Equipment Co. is comprised of a new pump-pulling crane with either a 5,000-pound or an 8,000-pound capacity, and a choice of a Warner crane body or an aluminum flatbed with toolboxes. The crane itself features...

Modern waterbed.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SUPPORT VEHICLES)
April 1, 2006... Amthor International manufactures the Nautiless waterbed. The Nautiless body features a more modern curvature rather than the typical square design. The body is available from 700 gallons to 3,500 gallons and is constructed from aluminum,...

Heavy-duty carrier.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SUPPORT VEHICLES)
April 1, 2006... For contractors looking for heavy-duty transporters, Rig Source Inc. offers Morooka carriers. The company can mount your old drill atop a Morooka carrier, and these versatile units also are suitable for projects requiring rugged site support....

Support vehicles.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SUPPORT VEHICLES)
April 1, 2006... Rose-Wall Mfg. offers support vehicles for the water well industry. Models are available in capacities from 500 gallons to 3,500 gallons. From a standard design, the company customizes the equipment to customers' needs with options like...

Montana prize winners.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... At the Montana Water Well Drilling Association's recent trade show, Atlas Hydraulic Casing Drivers held a drawing for attendees. Winner of a gold and diamond necklace is Valerie Hall of Boyce Drilling in Sydney, Mont., shown above with Shawn...

RECo buys L.B. Foster assets.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... The Reinforced Earth Company (RECo) has acquired certain assets from the L.B. Foster Co., a 104-year-old American corporation involved in the manufacture, fabrication and distribution of products for the transportation, construction, utility...

LLamada and TEREX hook up.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... TEREX Reedrill, recently signed a joint venture agreement with Construcciones Mecanicas LLamada (LLamada) of Barcelona, Spain, to develop, manufacture, market and sell foundation auger drills in North America. These drills will be marketed...

Ozone washing machine.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... SANYO Electric Co. has introduced a washing machine that features ozone technology and recycles water. The washing machine stores water from the final rinsing process in a storage tank and then infuses micro-bubbles of ozone that disinfect the...

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis is a relatively recent, but very effective, application of an established scientific process.
April 1, 2006... Anyone who has sat through a high school science class may remember the term "osmosis." This process was first described by a French scientist in 1748, who noted that water spontaneously diffused through a pig bladder membrane into alcohol. ...

Our global water future: a critical strategic resource challenge.
April 1, 2006... Globally, the statistics are daunting: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * One in five of our planet's human family--some 1.1 billion people--lack adequate water for their daily needs. "Adequate" is defined in this context as a mere 5 gallons per...

Perchlorate legislation introduced.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
April 1, 2006... Senator Diane Feinstein and California House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo have asked Congress to approve $50 million to clean up perchlorate contamination in California. The chemical has been found at 395 sites in 35 states and is...

EPA budget is released.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
April 1, 2006... President Bush recently released his fiscal year 2007 budget that contained cuts in clean water programs administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but also provided increases for environmental protection. The overall cut...

Large water withdrawal regulations.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
April 1, 2006... The Michigan state legislature has approved bipartisan bills that will soon regulate large water withdrawals. Key provisions of the legislation are designed to control large-scale diversions or sales of Great Lakes water outside the state...

Western states submit Colorado River agreement.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
April 1, 2006... Seven western states--Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming--have reached an agreement on how to manage the Colorado River in times of drought. Components of the plan include cloud seeding to encourage snow;...

Irrigation bill is introduced.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
April 1, 2006... Kansas lawmakers have introduced a bill to create a pilot conservation project that will seek to purchase water rights from landowners. The bill was initially proposed by the Kansas Water Congress as a way to limit ground water depletion....

Drilling challenges of a different sort.(The World According To Wayne)
April 1, 2006... I just got back from the Colorado Water Well Contractors Association Annual Conference in Colorado Springs a couple weeks ago. Great show, beautiful location and some of the sharpest drillers I've ever met. I guess when you have to drill so...

Rock enclosure for well and tank.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... Dekorra Products' model 104 rock enclosure is designed to cover both a pressure tank and well assembly. It is installed by placing the rock over the well components and then securing it with provided ground stakes. Available in two...

Weld-on adapter.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... The 6-inch model 6123BEZ weld-on adapter from Monitor is intended for 5- and 6-inch I.D. and 7-inch O.D. domestic wells. Product features include a 304 stainless steel 1-inch male NPT nipple, 304 stainless steel locating support pins, C84400...

Thermally enhanced grout.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... Barotherm is a bentonite material designed for use in a two-part system with sand. This thermally enhanced grout from Baroid Industrial Drilling Products is engineered to provide efficient heat transfer, to create a low permeability seal and to...

Flexible in-the-well pressure tank.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... In-Well Technologies offers a flexible in-the-well pressure tank. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Light in weight, this product is constructed of reinforced polyurethane; it is made of chlorine-resistant material and said not to mold, mildew or...

Submersible pump protectors.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... Pentek submersible pump protectors protect 1/2 HP to 15 HP, single-phase, two- and three-wire motors against dry well, over/under voltage, rapid cycling and flow restriction. Intended for all applications, the Pentek submersible pump protectors...

Foundation auger drills.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... Terex Reedrill / LLamada manufactures the model CKR120 foundation auger drill. This drill's design provides the flexibility to accommodate three different types of drilling operations--drilled shaft, continuous flight auger (CFA) and diaph-ragm...

Variable-speed drive.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... Goulds Pumps produces the AquaBoost II variable-speed drive. The AquaBoost is intended for domestic and light commercial low-water pressure applications, such as homes with multiple baths, irrigation systems and fire suppression systems. ...

4-inch stainless steel submersible.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... The Wilo 4-inch NR Series features all-stainless steel submersible well pumps. This line offers flows from 5 gpm to 80 gpm, pressures to 950 feet (400 psi), and a horsepower range from 1/3 to 10. A 100-percent stainless submersible, the check...

Check valve.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... Danfoss Flomatic Corp. introduces the latest addition its line of 80DIX check valves. The new heavy-duty 12-inch model 80DIX check valve (NPT female connection) is designed for larger submersible pumps. This valve features a double-guided...

Household boosting system.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... A.Y. McDonald's E-Z Boost is a household boosting system that boosts existing water pressure by 35 psi. Suitable for systems up to 20 gpm, the E-Z Boost features a Flo-Control device that helps eliminate short cycling. Its applications include...

New control valve for water treatment.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... Chlorinators Inc. has added a new SmartValve to the REGAL series 7000 product line. The REGAL SmartValve Model 7009/7010 is designed for feedback (closed-loop) control schemes. The 7009/7010 can be configured for flow proportional control,...

Custom-designed rigs.(PRODUCT INFO)
April 1, 2006... Applications of the MULTIDRILL XL MAX, the latest rig from Fraste Spa, can include water well drilling, soil investigations and geothermal drilling, depending on its components. Designed on a modular basis to provide a machine tailor-made to...

Bentonite grouting for environmental wells.(Drilling Fluids)
April 1, 2006... In the United States and around the world, we have many natural resources. In recent decades, preserving these resources has been given a much higher priority than it was given earlier in our history. With an expanding population and increased...

Ground Water Summit in San Antonio.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... U.S. Geological Survey acting director P. Patrick Leahy, Ph.D., will be the Keynote Speaker at the second annual Ground Water Summit to be held April 22-27 in San Antonio, Texas. The Summit offers conference sessions and workshops as well...

Racine celebrates 35 years.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... Racine Federated Inc., manufacturer of flow measurement systems and construction equipment, was established in 1970 by the late John Erskine, Sr. and the late George Miller in Racine, Wis. They brought together a number of former Racine...

Collectibles Expo.(BULLETIN BOARD)
April 1, 2006... Construction Collector Expo 2006 will be held July 8 in Portland, Ore. An event dedicated exclusively to construction-related collectibles, exhibitors and manufacturers from around the globe will be showing and offering for sale rare and...

Philosophy and further travels.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
April 1, 2006... Recently, I've experience two miraculous occasions... In September 2005, Bess and I celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary and are looking forward to the 50th. Then, in February, I turned 70. All the Cutter males before me never lived to...

A Pulstar for AAA Pump and Well.(TRADING POST)
April 1, 2006... Clarence Hurd, AAA Pump & Well Drilling, Yuba City, Calif., recently visited Pulstar Mfg. to pick up the new Pulstar P10000HD3L pump hoist he purchased through CPS Inc., Sacramento, Calif. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Please send Trading...

Built-Rite takes delivery.(TRADING POST)
April 1, 2006... Built-Rite Well Drilling of Greensboro, N.C., proudly accepts delivery of a new Driltech model T25K5W from Sandvik Mining and Construction (SMC). Pictured from left to right: SMC's Gary Marshalek, Troy Searcy and Brian Davis. [ILLUSTRATION...

Jersey Boring chooses Acker.(TRADING POST)
April 1, 2006... Frank Carrozza, Jersey Boring & Drilling Co., Newark, N.J., acquires the company's new Acker XLS drill from Tom Miller of Acker Drill Co. This unit features a two-speed radio remote controller, drillhead speeds to 1,000 rpm and can auger under...

DeepRock exports to Guatemala.(TRADING POST)
April 1, 2006... Ingenio Magdalena of Guatemala has purchased his company's third DeepRock drilling rig. Sold by Don Ford, export manager for DeepRock Mfg., the rig pictured is a DeepRock DR 130, equipped with a rupe piston mud pump. All three of the company's...

SIMCO sells to Bill's Heating.(TRADING POST)
April 1, 2006... Bill's Heating and Air Conditioning, Moline, Ill., has purchased a SIMCO 7000. Mounted on a tandem-axle Peterbilt truck, which is PTO-driven and features a 10-rod carousel that handles 20-foot rods, this rig will be used for geothermal drilling...

Champion acquires a SIMCO.(TRADING POST)
April 1, 2006... Champion Well and Pump Services, West Palm Beach, Fla., obtains a SIMCO 2800 HS (HT) that is mounted on a 4-by-4 International truck. The company's second SIMCO 2800 HS (HT), this rig is PTO-driven and set up for water well drilling. Taking...

Double J obtains a SEMCO.(TRADING POST)
April 1, 2006... Desi Lenamond of Double J Water Well Drilling Co., Groesbeck, Texas, picked up the company's new SEMCO S6,000 pump hoist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Central Interior Pumps gets a Pulstar.(TRADING POST)
April 1, 2006... Blaine Matuga, Central Interior Pumps, Heffley Creek, British Columbia, picks up his new Pulstar 8000E pump hoist at Pulstar Mfg. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Trade name listings.(SOURCEBOOK 2006)(Directory)
April 1, 2006... A 10T -- Smeal Mfg. Company 12T -- Smeal Mfg. Company 2-Key Heavy Duty Hollow Stem Augers -- USExploration Equipment Company 2-Key Standard Duty Hollow Stem Augers -- USExploration Equipment Company 21[R] -- Jet-Lube...

Association listings.(SOURCEBOOK 2006)(Directory)
April 1, 2006... A Alabama Ground Water Association 10092 Hwy. 280, Westover, AL 35147 (205) 678-2024 donh2o@bellsouth.net Don Harward, Pres. Alaska Water Well Assn. P.O. Box 113156, Anchorage, AK 99511-3156 (907) 522-8324...

Manufacturer/supplier listings.(SOURCEBOOK 2006)(Directory)
April 1, 2006... A. Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. P.O. Box 508, Dubuque, IA 52004-0508 (800) 292-2737 Fax: (800) 832-9296 sales@aymcdonald.com www.aymcdonald.com Steve Potts, Pump Prod. Mgr.; Rob McDonald, V.P.-Sales Water pumps, water service...

Product listings.(SOURCEBOOK 2006)(Directory)
April 1, 2006... ATV * CME/Central Mine Equipment Company Diedrich Drill Inc. DRILLBAY.COM Gibbs Supply Inc. Harriss Drilling Services, Inc. Inland Tracked Equipment, Acheson Bros. Ltd. M & R Soil Investigation Malone...