National Driller articles from February 2002

National Driller archives from February 2002

Keep up with technology. (For Openers).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... First things first: It seems most people enjoyed the "Water Facts" sections in last month's issue. And a great many people especially enjoyed the one that was so wrong as to be absurd. The surface area of Lake Superior is 32,000 square MILES,...

Reverse circulation warrants attention.
February 1, 2002... Let's be realistic -- because equipment is so expensive, most drillers aren't keen to jump up and buy a new system every time a technology is introduced. Fair enough, but being informed of these trends and staying on top of the game can help...

Our deepest sympathies. (New Scope).(with death of Maurice Lewis)(Obituary)
February 1, 2002... The ground water and drilling industries suffered a great loss with the death of Maurice Lewis. Lewis was the executive director of the Canadian Ground Water Association and will be dearly missed. Our condolences go our to his family and many...

Superfund Site to Reservoir? (New Scope).(Berkeley Pit)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Berkeley Pit, located near Butte, Mont., is the world's second largest open mine and the nation's largest Superfund site. According to the Environmental News Network (ENN), for 17 years, hundreds of corporations and study groups have studied...

Hold on tight to good technicians.
February 1, 2002... All of us in this business keep telling each other, "I can't find good field personnel; where can I get good technicians?" It's not easy to get them. You have probably heard me say that you have to screen people and train technicians for them...

Pump selection, Part 2 -- performance curves: The fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... An understanding of pump performance curves is an important part of a pump installer's storehouse of knowledge. It is crucial to pump selection, and sometimes can mean the difference between an efficient water system and one that is marginally...

Gray cast-iron pipes study planned. (New Scope).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The Institute for Research in Construction (IRC) has undertaken a three-year collaborative research project with the American Water Works Association Research Foundation to build a new understanding of the effect of corrosion pitting on gray...

Drilling fluid. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Baroid Industrial Drilling Product's EZ-MUD PLUS is a PHPA liquid polymer emulsion (high molecular weight) used primarily as a viscosifier and borehole stabilizer to prevent reactive shales and clays from swelling and sloughing. This...

Refrigerated air dryer. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Gardner Denver announces a new dedicated high inlet temperature refrigerated air dryer -- the Gardner Denver RHT Series -- which features an integrated separator/filter with the refrigerated dryer. The new design provides filtration of solid...

Backreamers. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Backreamers from Melfred Borzall are designed to get through a wide range of soil conditions -- from clay, to sand, to rock. The Crusher Reamer has aggressive saw-tooth carbide cutting blades that rip through hard, dry soils and cobblestones....

MTBE removal. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Clean Environment Equipment has created the AutoPump to extract MTBE from water. The pump's high flow rates arrest the aggressive speed of MTBE contamination while the site-specific materials of construction help to ensure the pump's strength....

Tri-cone rock bits. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Techline Services Inc. distributes a range of equipment for the construction, mining, exploration, water well, oil and gas, and quarry drilling industries. For example, the company offers an extensive line of drill bits, including roller rock...

Shallow well pump. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... MJS-50 shallow well jet pump and tank system was created by Monarch Industries to supply pressurized fresh water to rural homes, farms and cabins where the water source is within a 25 foot depth from the pump. Some pump features include cast...

Pressure gauge. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Boshart Industries Inc. is now offering a 2-inch Dial Glycerine Filled Pressure Gauge. This gauge is available in a black steel case with a clear acrylic plastic window. Model #PG-100-G ranges in pressure from 0 psi to 100 psi and has a...

Expansion tanks. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Designed and manufactured by Elbi since 1975, the XT-XTV Series diaphragm expansion tanks are available in sizes from 2 gallons to 80 gallons, in either in-line or stand models. The two-shell welded construction allows the tank to withstand...

Multi-stage jet pumps. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. 1500 Series multi-stage jet pumps come in sizes from 1/2 Hp to 1 1/2 Hp. There are shallow or deep well capacities up to 2,500 gph and pressures of more than 80 psi. The pumps also are available in vertical models (1000...

Solving two problems at Once: Some of the best employees can be found among struggling competitors.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Ask any drilling contractor what his major problems are, and two answers will be heard almost universally. One is the shortage of skilled labor. The other is intense price competition. The two problems are related. All trades have suffered...

Centerline ships its first hydraulic pumps. (New Scope).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Centerline Manufacturing, Winns boro, Texas, proudly announces the delivery of its first six hydraulic mud pumps. The first two pumps, duplexes, were an international sale, delivered to the fifth generation drilling company McAllister Water...

Challenges facing the monitoring well industry.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Just look how far the monitoring well drilling industry has come in the last 20 years and you can see that this is an industry that is not standing still by any stretch of the imagination. The March 2000 issue of National Driller was dedicated...

Schramm holds service seminar. (New Scope).
February 1, 2002... Pictured at the three-day Service Seminar recently conducted by Schramm Inc. are the attendees, along with Schramm employees, in front of a Schramm Rotadrill. While at Schramm's corporate headquarters in West Chester, Pa., participants received...

Submersible motor workshop. (New Scope).
February 1, 2002... Due to an overwhelming response in its inaugural year, Franklin Electric's newest. training seminar, Franklin Tech, will be held again this year at the company's submersible motor training center facility in Siloam Springs, Ark. The...

WQA annual convention. (New Scope).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Water Quality Associa tion's (WQA) 28th annual Convention & Exhibition takes place Mar. 5-9 in New Orleans. This event affords several opportunities for anyone involved or interested in the water quality improvement industry -- trade show...

Runoff pollution regulated. (New Scope).(in Wisconsin)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... State water quality officials in Wisconsin have asked the state Department of Natural Resources board members to consider adopting rules to regulate and reduce pollution runoff which were officially proposed in December. The rules change...

Dear Wayne.(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2002... I get e-mails and phone calls from drillers from all over asking me questions about different things. And because I would rather talk to drillers than most anyone else, I have a good time on the phone -- or the net -- most evenings. My wife...

Facts.(about water)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... * Of the total liquid freshwater on earth about 98 percent is ground water and 2 percent is surface water. * More than 39,Q00 gallons of water is used to manufacture a new car, including tires. * It takes about 800,000 gallons of water...

Water treatment restores Italian Villa.(Villa d'Este)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The gardens of a 16th-century Italian villa, damaged by hard water and bacterial pollution, recently were restored to a sparkling grandeur through an ambitious water treatment project. Touted as a spectacle to rival Versailles, the estate...

Synthetic slurry used for foundation work at BWI Airport. (Project Profile).(Baltimore/Washington International Airport)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area has experienced a surge of population growth, resulting in greatly increased traffic at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). As part of a major expansion of BWI, Atlantic Caisson Corp....

LWI provides clean cups of water.(Living Water International)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Living Water International (LWI) is a nonprofit organization that was created in 1990 by a group of caring businessmen who visited Kenya. After visiting, they were so overwhelmed at the need for clean water supplies that they formed an...

Digging chain. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Building upon its original Shark Chain, Ditch Witch introduces the Shark Chain II, a digging chain with a new design for improved trench cleaning. A rounded top plate is included to allow optimal placement of the cutting teeth, while the...

Metering pumps. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Made for a wide range of water treatment applications are CHEM-TECH Series 100 and 150 positive displacement mechanically actuated diaphragm metering pumps. Offered by Pulsafeeder, they come in many different models, with feed rates from 3 gpd...

Versatile drill rig. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... The compact, multi-purpose SIMCO 2800 is an all-hydraulic, intermediate range top head drive drill rig that is available in several versions. With the appropriate options, the SIMCO 2800 can be used for auger drilling, mud or air rotary...

Explosion-proof point level sensor. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Bindicator's radio frequency (RF) level controls include RF 9200 and RE 11000/12000 Series, which offer explosion-proof rating because the cover does not need to be removed for calibration. All calibration is accomplished though a magnetic...

Water Conditioning. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Enting Water Conditioning Inc. offers the Model 255/460i, an electronic two-tank automatic water conditioning system with brine safety. The 460i Electronic Demand Control is designed to maximize efficiency while minimizing salt and water use by...

Top drive drill. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Driltech Mission's D25KW is designed for top production and equipped for drilling water wells with 3-to 5-inch drill pipes. This diesel-powered, hydraulic top drive drill can be used for rotary, down-the-hole, mud and dual tube reverse...

Diamonds don't wear ... or should they?(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Part 1 Diamond is well recognized as the hardest substance known to man. One would think that an operator of a sawing machine could utilize the hardness characteristics of diamond to maximum advantage, i.e. the harder the better. In...

Light at the end of the tunnel: An update on economic issues impacting the construction industry shows there is.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... There are many reasons to be optimistic about the long-term strength of the U.S. economy. However, economic conditions were worsening before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and they have deteriorated further since then. In light of this fact, a...

Facts.
February 1, 2002... * A human can five more than a month without food but only as much as a week with * Rain raps are not tear-shaped; they look more like the shape of a small hamburger bun. * On average, a 25-foot by 40-foot grass lawn consumes more than...

The international construction scene. (Portfolio).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The worldwide construction market has been on a roller coaster ride for the past few years, as evidenced by the latest statistics. After strong growth in 1999, the market declined 6 percent in 2000 -- from $3.6 trillion in 1999 to $3.4 trillion...

Getting the job done. (Portfoilo).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... General George S. Patton had a clever way of choosing leaders among the ranks of his troops: "Picking the right leader is the most important task of any commander," Patton said. "I line up all the candidates and give them a problem. I say,...

Defining innovation. (Portfolio).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Innovation is an easy word to throw around. But what do we mean by innovation and how do we get more of it? Perhaps the best definition comes from Joyce Wycoff, founder of the Innovative Thinking Network. Wycoff says "innovation is the ability...

Better problem solving ideas. (Portfolio).(keeping customers happy)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... When a company suffers a quality problem with a product and/or service, customers often are lost. That's usually not due to the problem itself -- but due to the company's failure to respond adequately to it. A strong and speedy response to...

Virtues of gladiator leadership. (Portfolio).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The time is right for a more heroic gladiator-style of leadership, says retention expert Gregory Smith. "Desperate times lend themselves to the rise of gladiators," Smith notes. "Instead of seeing today's economy as a negative, executives...

Slimhole drilling in geothermal exploration.
February 1, 2002... There are two major reasons for pursuing the concept of slimholes for geothermal projects: exploration and small power plants. Geothermal Exploration Drilling, costs associated with exploration and reservoir assessment. are a major...

Contacting the Mars Well & Pump Corp. (New Scope).(exploring water on planets)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... When water ice was detected in the permanent cap at Mars' north pole, the possibility of water existing on existing on other planets and in other solar systems became a reality, according to a report from the Bottled Water Web...

Piling it on with reverse circulation. (Project Profile).(dock construction in Churchill, Manitoba)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Located on the banks of the Hudson Bay, three things usually come to mind when you think of Churchill, Manitoba: polar bears, beluga whales and frigid weather. While these three characteristics of Churchill are accurate, there's also another...

American augers growing quickly. (News Scope).(wins Weatherhead 100 Award)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... American Augers Inc., West Salem, Ohio, recently was included in a distinguished group of the fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio. Mike Mooney, American Augers' CFO, was presented with the prestigious Weatherhead 100 Award for 2001. The...

Association honors contractor. (News Scope).(California Groundwater Association, Wes Heitman)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Last year at its Annual Convention and Trade Show, the California Groundwater Association (CGA) conferred the J.D. Doshier Award, 2001 Contractor of the Year, to Wes Heitman of W.S. Heitman Drilling in Red Bluff. Heitman has served as Northern...

Constructing monitoring wells.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Monitoring wells are used to obtain ground water samples and water level elevations in aquifers. They also can be used to estimate the hydraulic characteristics of aquifers. The wells are constructed by advancing a boring with a drilling rig,...

Valve resource. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... The American Water Works Association's Valve Handbook, published by McGraw Hill, was written to be a comprehensive resource for anyone in the business of plant design or maintenance. The handbook covers all aspects of the valves on today's...

Rotary torque transducer. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... The Sensotec 1650B Rotary Torque Sensor literally clamps onto the drive train and, within 15 minutes, converts the shaft into a rotary torque transducer ready to take measurement data. The 1650B System avoids the need to break into the drive...

Vertical turbine pumps. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Vertical turbine pumps from Wolf Pumps feature a cast iron discharge case and a bowl shaft that is either stainless steel or chrome plated. Cast iron discharge head assemblies range from 3 inches to 10 inches. The impeller is bronze, balanced...

Convertible jet pump. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Whether operating as a shallow well or deep well pump, Flint & Walling's jet pumps are manufactured to deliver more water at full city pressures. These pumps provide high single-stage capacities and pressures -- depths to 150 feet, capacities...

Self-cleaning filters. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Made especially for low- to medium-flow applications, Amiad Filtration. System's Brushaway filters, clean themselves, doing away with bags and cartridges. The unit is made of nylon brushes on a central column touching the inside of the...

Heavy-duty grouter. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Every part of the Geo-Loop 50-500 Grout System is designed to work together for maximum output. The hose reel holds 400 feet of 1-inch treme hose, pays out front or back, and winds back up quickly. Driven by an 18-Hp Onan engine, the grout pump...

Ultraviolet disinfection. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Jacuzzi Bros.'s DWS Series Ultraviolet Disinfection System helps provide bacteria-free water for home or industry; The DWS Series requires no chemicals and is designed to be completely automatic, compact and easy to install. Water entering the...

New hammer line. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... Over the course of the year, Numa will be introducing many hammers in the new Patriot hammer line, while retiring the Champion hammer line. The first to be released in the hammer series is the Patriot 60, which can be used for virtually any...

Mine tailings control valve. (Product Info).
February 1, 2002... The 36-inch Series 5400 mine tailings control valve from Red Valve Co. features a full-port opening and no cavities to trap solids or debris. The elastomer sleeve isolates the valve, body from the process and is abrasion-resistant. The sleeve...

Can wastewater help wetlands? (New Scope).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... A study is underway m Louisiana to determine whether treated wastewater could be used to replenish ailing wetlands on the Mississippi River's West Bank, according to U.S. Water News Online (www.uswaternews.com). The $200,000 study, to be...

NGWA Celebrates in Music City.
February 1, 2002... The 2001 Ground Water Expo hosted by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) was 72 hours of fast-paced action as the Nashville Convention Center provided the stage for exhibitors showing off their latest products and services,...

Schwall Thrives in its niche.(J.A. Schwall Well and Pump Service)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Currently in its second generation, J.A. Schwall Well & Pump Service Inc., Northbrook, Ill., has been in business for 55 years. Company president John Schwall describes his beginnings in the industry with a recollection fondly familiar to so...

Water security bill passes house. (Legislative Update).(Water Infrastructure Security and Research Development Act)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed The Water Infrastructure Security and Research Development Act. The $109-million package includes $12 million per year for five years to fund research, development and demonstration projects...

Contamination legislation introduced. (Legislative Update).(Underground Storage Tanks Compliance Act of 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The Underground Storage Tanks Compliance Act of 2001 recently was introduced into legislation. The bill would attempt to put a stop to ground water contamination from leaking underground storage tanks. The U.S. General Accounting Office has...

Mining laws reviewed. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The U.S. mining law adopted in 1872 will be reviewed in 2002 by Congress to establish stronger environmental controls and a bigger role for states in enforcement, inspections and managing permits. Interior Secretary Gale Norton proposed...

House passes Brownfields bill. (Legislative Update).(House of Representatives)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The House of Representatives recently passed the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2091. The Senate approved the original bill in April. Because of the changes in the House bill, the Senate must approve it again...

Water security budget approved. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Congress recently approved a $20-billion plan to fight again t terrorism. The plan includes grant money to be used for water system vulnerability assessments. AI Warbuton, director of legislative services for the American Water Works...

State protects water resources. (Legislative Update).(Pennsylvania)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... State officials have unveiled a new water resources initiative designed to inventory and protect Pennsylvania's water resources from overuse. The initiative has been included in proposed legislation that aimed to meet the governor's water...

Replenishment System receives grant. (Legislative Update).(Groundwater Replenishment System)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The Groundwater Replenishment System (GWR) in Orange County, Calif., will receive an additional $2.5 million in federal funding for fiscal 2002. The funding comes from an appropriations bill signed into law last year by President Bush. The GWR...

Water projects approved. (Legislative Update).(Montana)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Montana's governor recently approved six restoration projects in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin totaling $5.3 million to improve drinking water supplies. Funding will come from the partial settlement of a lawsuit brought by the state in 1983...

Schramm delivers to Tumwater. (Trading Post).(Tumwater Drilling and Pump)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Tumwater Drilling & Pump, Dryden, Wash., recently picked up a new Schramm T450WS Rotadrill. Owner Steve and Sheri Ballew are pictured with driller Brett Pythian. Tom Runyon of Schramm Inc., which is headquartered in West Chester, Pa., sold the...

North Central supplies Bell Brothers. (Trading Post).(North Central Manufacturing, Bell Brothers Water Well Drilling)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Thanks to North Central Manufacturing, Saginaw, Minn., a new DRSB-1500 is now in the hands of Bell Brothers Water Well Drilling, a company located in Laceyville, Pa. This unit has side ladders, 230-gallons fuel with reel, toolboxes and elevated...

North American sells to Wilson's. (Trading Post).(North American Equipment and Supply, Wilson's Water Wells)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Wilson's Water Wells Ltd., Stouffville, Ontario, recently purchased a new Speedstar 40-K. The rig is a customer custom design, with a 5 1/2-by-8-inch mud pump with rod oilers, 1,000-cfm/3 50-psi Sullair air compressor, complete casing hammer...

WB Drilling buys from Flatwater Fleet. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Jeff Wmkowski, owner of WB Drilling Co., Hamilton, NJ., has taken delivery of his new 3,000-gallong RST-Rig Supplier from Flatwater Fleet, Saginaw, Minn. Jeff's unit includes interior coating, rear tool boxes, a 2-inch water pump and a...

Owen purchases from North Central. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Owen Drilling Co. of Benton, Ark., has bought a new DRSB-2 500 from North Central Manufacturing, Saginaw, Minn. The water truck body and support unit was complete with toolboxes and fuel tank, a crane base and cargo straps.

Higgins sells Talon REICHdrill rig. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Kyle Burt and Quanah Gilmore of Talon Drilling Inc., Amarillo, Texas, purchased this 2000 REICH drill T650WII drill rig from the Higgins Rig Team of Hodgenville, Ky. The drill is equipped with a 900/350 Sullair compressor and 4-by-5 Mission mud...

Shidler & Wilder gets Pulstar Via Laibe Corp. (Trading Post).
February 1, 2002... Craig Wilder of Shidler & Wilder Wells & Pumps, Petersburg, Mich., was recently at the Pulstar Mfg. facility in Dodge, Neb., to pick up his new Pulstar P7000 pump hoist, purchased through the Laibe Corp., Indianapolis.

DESI sells pump hoist to Ferguson. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Larry Ferguson of Ferguson Well Drilling Co., Leicester, N.C., is now the proud owner of a new Pulstar P10000HD3L pump hoist. He recently made a trip to Pulstar Mfg. head-quarters in Dodge, Neb., to get the pump hoist, which he purchased...

Bob's well drilling gets new Schramm. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Bob Nelson of Bob's Well Drilling, Interlochen, Mich., recently acquired a new Schramm T300M Rotadrill mounted on a Sterling truck. Clint Daniels sold the rig for Schramm Inc., West Chester, Pa., with the support of Jim Price of Independent...

Flugrath construction deals with Higgins. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A 1986 Midway 1500 has been delivered to the yard of David Flugrath of Flugrath Construction, Cranes Mill, Texas, by the Higgins Rig Team of Hodgenville, Ky. David's drill is mounted on a 1976 LN9000 truck.

Pulstar for Lester A. Baker Wells & Pumps. (Trading Post).
February 1, 2002... Charles Baker of Lester A. Baker Wells & Pumps, which is located in Elk Grove, Calif., is shown taking delivery of his P10000HD3L pump hoist from Pulstar Mfg. Inc., Dodge, Neb.

Foremost DR-12 goes straight to the "Hart". (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Recently, Foremost Industries, Calgary, Canada, staged "Drilling in the Rockies" to showcase the Dual Rotary (DR) drilling method. Clark and Brian Watson from G. Hart and Sons of Fenelon Falls, Ontario, attended to witness the Foremost Dual...

[0] Facts.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... * Ninety-seven percent of the earth's water is saltwater in oceans and seas. Of the 3 percent that's freshwater, 2 percent is frozen in the polar ice caps. That leaves 1 percent available for drinking. * It takes 1,500 gallons of water to...

Facts.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... * When it rains one inch, you get 27,000 gallons of water per acre. * The forerunner of Chase Manhattan began as a water company in 1799. * During the time that water was distributed through wooden pipes, if water was needed to fight...