National Driller articles from January 2003

National Driller archives from January 2003

Wishing you a happy new year. (For Openers).(drilling industry has changed on many levels since late 1999)(Editorial)
January 1, 2003... It was quite a year we had in 2002. We've had to get used to looking at the world a little differently. Our daily way of life has been altered significantly and on many levels since late 1999. There's a little less room for the weak of heart or...

Maximizing yield from screened recovery wells. (Kwader's Corner).(steps that can be taken to maximize screened well efficiency)(Column)
January 1, 2003... Ideally, in order to obtain the most water possible from a screened well, the well would be installed as a perfect cylinder without any disturbance to the formation. This is not possible because a screen is needed to keep the formation from...

Materials for grouting ground source heat pump wells. (Drilling Fluids).(discussion of the various types of grout that can be used in well field construction)
January 1, 2003... One of the fastest growing segments of the well drilling industry is the installation of ground source heat loop fields. These fields consist of a grid of boreholes drilled to a specified depth that have a pre-formed high density polyethylene...

Single-gas detector. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... The Pulsar+ single-gas detector from MSA Instrument Division features a gas concentration display and replaceable sensor and battery. The unit detects CO, [H.sub.2]S or [O.sub.2] and is ideal for use in confined space monitoring for a variety...

Under Reaming Bits. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... Numa's range of the Super Jaws Under Reaming Bits capable of drilling holes from 5 7/8 inches to 48% inches in diameter. Super Jaws is a special under reaming wing bit design made for simultaneously setting casing while drilling in...

Water treatment system. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... Geotech Environmental, Equipment Inc.'s ORS LO-PRO Air. Strippers series can remove nearly al volatile organic contaminants including MTBE and radon. LOPRO's patented design allows for easy maintenance. The water treatment systems, compact,...

Water conditioner. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... The ATW-Series water conditioner from Water-Right employs a twin media tank designed to achieve effective water treatment in 24-hour demand applications. The ATW twin system series offers 20,000- to 300,000-grain capacities with flow rates to...

Check Valve. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... The Series 39 Tideflex InLine Check Valve from Red Valve provides backflow prevention and handles abrasive materials, sewage, sludge and other difficult slurries efficiently The rubber check sleeve opens with as little as one inch of working...

Pressure tanks. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... WICOR Industries Water Systems Group has added 40-gallon and 48-gallon models to round out its line, of Signature 2000 fibrewound pressure tanks. Every signature 2000 tank utilizes FDA-approved air that's resistant to chlorine and will not...

Hydraulic trencher. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... Ditch Witch added a compact hydraulic trencher to its pedestrian trencher product line. The 1330 trencher features a reversible digging chain for dislodging rocks or spoils caught in the chain. The trencher also includes a hydraulic digging...

Trailerable work boat. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... The Workhorse, a trailerable work boat from Marine Builders, is designed and constructed specifically for marine construction, enabling access to smaller waterways and lakes not connected to a main navigable waterway. The work boat is produced...

Back up alarms. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... The Safe-T-Alert 2000, 2500 and 3000 back up alarm series from Superior Signals Inc. are available in various models and can be used for any-thing from light to heavy-duty industrial needs. These alarm series have decibel ratings from 82 dB up...

Onboard power solutions. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... The VHP90CMH portable power from IngersollRand is designed specifically for vehicle-mounted applications. Standard production vehicles can be transformed into a versatile, self-contained power center. The unit is available in 30 cfm to 90 cfm...

Drop Hammer. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... The AMS Auto Drop Hammer is an option that can be added to your truck or trailer-mounted PowerProbe or any drill rig with an open, flat platform for geotechnical sampling. This auto drop hammer can be used to meet ASTM Method D 1586-99, a...

Threaded button bits. (Product Info).
January 1, 2003... Torquato Drilling Accessories offers a full line of button bits in sizes ranging from 45mm through 127mm. The company provides bits with a choice of carbide insert sizes and shapes, and both standard bits and retrac type bits for use in broken...

Flexible water supply system. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Grundfos introduces a new renewable energy source-driven solution to the world water supply market. Grundfos' SQFlex pumping system represents a reliable, affordable alternative for those living in remote locations. As the name SQFlex suggests,...

Compact rig. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... The SIMCO EP200/ATV is a ruggedly built, compact package to get drillers in and out of hard-to-access sites. It features a hydraulic probe hammer with bit pressure control, auger drill head, 42-inch net stroke with 20-inch mast slide. The rig...

Aluminum mud pump. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Centerline Manufacturing, manufacturer of hydraulic drive mud pumps constructed of cast steel, announces a new line of aluminum mud pumps. The aluminum models will weigh about half as much as the steel models, but will be the same size and...

Under Reaming Bits. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Numa has recently expanded its range of the Super Jaws Under Reaming Bits. Capable of drilling holes from 5 7/8 inches to 48 9/16 inches in diameter, Super Jaws is an under reaming wing bit design made for simultaneously setting casing while...

Solid augers. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Solid augers from Mills Machine are manufactured with thick steel flighting and a heavy steel center shaft, and have a variety of cutting heads available. Used for utility, industrial, mining and construction applications, the augers are...

Pressure tank. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Signature 2000 fibrewound pressure tanks from Sta-Rite Industries Inc. are lightweight for fast, one-person installation. Top access allows for easy servicing without removing the tank. The tank is constructed with a one-piece molded inner...

Percussive drilling hammer. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Driltech Mission utilizes mirror-impact technology in its Mission 6 DTH percussive drilling hammer. The hammer's piston and drill bit shapes help optimize the drilling process, and the Mission 6 requires no bit foot valve, no make up rings and...

Well Cleaning Brush. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... The Cotey Well Cleaning Brush is designed to agitate, surge and scrub simultaneously. It features interchangeable brushes that clean from 4- through 16-inch ID casing. The brush can be used in all types of water well casing, can attach to cable...

Mini bladder pump. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... In conjuction with with the United States Geological Survey, Geotech Environmental Equipment Inc. has designed the original bladder pump and further developed what is known today as the Geotech family of bladder pumps. Geotech now intends to...

Backreamers are versatile. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... 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....

Vertical turbine pumps. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... 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...

Submersible pumps. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Webtrol 4-inch thermoplastic submersible pumps from Weber Industries Inc. feature injection-molded glass-filled Noryl motor bracket and discharge; an oversized stainless steel pump shaft; heavy wall stainless steel pump housing; polycarbonate...

Aeration system. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... For the removal/reduction of gases -- hydrogen sulfide, methane, radon, volatile organic compounds and odors -- from potable water, Water Guard, a division of ACTION Mfg. and Supply Inc., manufactures the Duke Aerator. With the Duke, well water...

Water filtration. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Ozone Pure Water Inc.'s C.A.R. filtration line is a cartridge filter that is designed to remove an unlimited amount of iron, manganese, sulphur clay, sand, silt, sediment and slimy biofilm from water. It also is intended to eliminate the need...

Reverse osmosis system available. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Aquacheck offers the Water-Safe 10B-ASO reverse osmosis system, which is designed for chlorinated water supplies and handles 10 gallons per day. Features include 5-micron, 10-inch polypropylene filter housings, a 10-inch granular activated...

Potable Water Pipe. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Used by municipalities and independent contractors alike, Pure-Core products from PW Pipe are made of premium polyethylene resins formulated for conveying potable water. Available in 1/2- through 2-inch sizes, the Pure-Core pipe meets the...

Ultraviolet Purification. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... The SANITRON brand of Ultraviolet Water Purifiers from Atlantic Ultraviolet Corp. have flow rates ranging from 120 gal./hr. to 25,000 gal./hr. These stainless steel units come standard with a dual-action wiping mechanism to facilitate the...

Reverse osmosis system. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Filtration Concepts Inc. offers its new Max Q, a reverse osmosis water making system designed to give the user total control of the system's functions from a remote location. The control system features a great deal of information on a backlit...

Water softener. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... For environmentally restricted areas, Sigma Water Systems offers the AQA Total, an alternative to salt-based water softeners. This water conditioner requires no monthly maintenance since there are no filters to change or salt to buy. The system...

Water level meter. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... The Heron Water Tape is manufactured to be easy to use, easy to read and easy to clean. It has a 300-foot polyethylene tape reinforced with Kevlar. The measuring tape is wound on an aluminum reel mounted on a tabular steel frame. The 5/8-inch...

Chlorinating system. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... B & B Chlorination helps treat water problems at the source with the Mark I Dry Pellet Chlorinator. The Mark I mounts directly on top of the well to drop chlorine pellets into it. As the dry pellets sink into well water, they begin to dissolve...

Windmill pumps. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... The Heller-Aller windmill pumps are designed to pump well or cistern water to a depth of 300 feet. The Heller-Aller model 50L two-way and model 660 (shown) three-way pump give the customer the option of a water supply at the pump or to another...

Self-cleaning filters. (Best of 2002: Product Showcase).
January 1, 2003... Made for low- to medium-flow applications, Amiad Filtration System's Scanaway filters are designed to clean themselves. The assembly is built of Polyacetal and has a central scanner with hollow wings facing the inner side of the filter screen....

CDC hits private wells. (Newscope).(drinking water illness rises)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Outbreaks of disease from drinking water have risen in recent years despite improvements in publicly operated water systems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported. Well water, and not municipal water...

Hancor recognized for safety. (Newscope).(wins 2002 award for Outstanding Achievements in Safety & Productivity)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The National Safety Council (NSC) recently announced Hancor Inc. as a winner of the 2002 award for Outstanding Achievements in Safety & Productivity. Presented in cooperation with Aon Corp. and Cambridge Integrated Services Group. Inc., the...

Drilling Club passes along experience: post your question and see if they've got an answer.
January 1, 2003... About a month ago Leonard Roe, founder of Rig-Site Drilling Club (http://leonardt.proboards.com) based in England, taught a class in Aberdeen, Scotland for drillers and toll pushers. The lesson led to a discussion on in-flow tests. The...

Continue to produce business: the question lies in what type of business. (Environmental Drilling Needs).
January 1, 2003... Environmental drilling first took hold in the early 1990s. More than a decade later three companies that work in the environmental field provide different services, use different techniques and give different opinions on where the environmental...

Beware the dirty tricks. (Marketing Stratagies).(advice for preventing theft in the workplace)
January 1, 2003... Anytime we hear the term "dirty tricks" we immediately assume the tricks are tactics we could use to take unfair advantage of others. However, that is not always the case. I have accumulated a list of tricks that dishonest employees can play on...

USFilter sells to National Waterworks. (Newscope).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... USFilter has completed the sale of its waterworks distribution business to National Waterworks Inc. for $620 million. National Waterworks Inc. is jointly owned by JP Morgan Partners, the private equity arm of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., and Thomas...

NGWA announces its 2002 awards. (Newscope).(National Ground Water Association )
January 1, 2003... The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) announced the winners of its annual awards, given to individuals and companies who have exhibited excellence in the ground water industry. The winners presented during the 54th Annual Ground...

My friend Ray: am I wrong to have extinguished someone's entrepreneurial free? (Smart Business).(Column)
January 1, 2003... Ray had quit his job as a factory foreman a year or so before in order to go into business for himself. Landscaping was his real calling, but in our part of the country that's seasonal work spanning four or five months. Ray figured he'd fill in...

The submersible wastewater pump story.
January 1, 2003... Originally used in Europe, submersible wastewater pumps first were seen in the United States in the mid-1950s. Submersibles now are the dominant pump in the municipal lift station market. A submersible lift station includes not only the...

Clean Water Act proposals stir debate. (Letter to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2003... I read with great interest Mr. Caplan's article "Six Principles for a Stronger Glean Water Act" (Dec. '02, P. 60) because everybody wants clean water. At least I thought so until I figured out that those who don't want a whole bunch of...

Ground water availability and use.
January 1, 2003... Long-term, systematic measurements of ground water levels provide essential data needed to evaluate changes in ground water storage over time. Using these data, the assessment would include two types of indicators to describe the nationwide...

Qualities of a well driller's bride. (The World According to Wayne).(Column)
January 1, 2003... In the name of equality, since I generally write for the hairy-legged gender, I thought I'd expound on the qualities a young lady should have to enter into a life of adventure with a well driller. At a casual glance, some folks might think that...

Dad's 1947 Lincoln. (Porky's Hoke Thoughts).(Column)
January 1, 2003... Howard "Porky" Cutter Remember the story about me finding my old truck in Oklahoma in front of a farmhouse? What follows is when this friend read the story. A while back an old classmate of mine, Buell Olmstead from Covington, Okla,...

DeepRock delivers DR150 rig. (Trading Post).(Geo-Thermal Contractors LLC buys equipment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Ben Hobbs, driller for Geo-Thermal Contractors LLC in Nebraska, and Mike Beasley of DeepRock are shown with Geo-Thermal's new DeepRock DR150 featuring Mr. Rupe, a 260 gpm, 400 psi mud pump, and Otto, an automatic rod loading/breakout/rod...

Chicot Irrigation takes home Pump Hoist. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Buster Craig and Keith Scarborough from Chicot Irrigation Inc. in Lake Village, Ark., pick up their new SEMCO S6000 Pump Hoist.

Cummens picks up new Smeal. (Trading Post).(CTW Corp. buys equipment from Smeal Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Bill Cummens of CTW Corp., Lannon, Wis., picked up a new Smeal R12 hydraulic derrick from president Virgil Hunke at Smeal Manufacturing Co. in Snyder, Neb. CTW purchased the rig through the Smeal dealer Virgil Peterson of New Brighton, Minn.

Meadowbank Well Drilling get refurbished rig. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Meadowbank Well Drilling, Elora, Ontario, has a newly refurbished 1995 Speedstar 30-K. It was recently refurbished by the GEFCO service center. A 5-inch by 6-inch mud pump was added; the mast was removed and all bearings, bushings, cables and...

Brenneman receives pump hoist. (Trading Post).(Brenneman Well Drilling buys equipment from Laibe Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... John Brenneman of Brenneman Well Drilling, Accident, Md., takes home a new Pulstar P12,000 pump hoist from Laibe Corp., Indianapolis.

Civiello Drilling buys from Rose-Wall. (Trading Post).(purchases equipment from Rose-Wall Manufacturing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Jim and Mike Civiello of Civiello Drilling in Tuscarawas, Ohio, have purchased a new customized 2000-gallon rig tender from Rose-Wall Manufacturing mounted on the owner's Peterbilt model 377. It is equipped with eight tool boxes, two 110-gallon...

Kents acquire first rig service body. (Trading Post).(Kent Well Drilling)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Kent Well Drilling of Wrenshall, Minn., purchased its first drill rig service body from North Central Manufacturing. The body was mounted on a 2003 Mack and had a 4,000-pound crane, custom bit rack plus all the options. Bob Kent and Bob Kent...

Hole Well Drilling purchases Driltech Model. (Trading Post).(Paul Hole Well Drilling buys equipment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Rotary Drilling Equipment Inc. of Olyphant, Pa., delivers a Driltech Model T25K5W to Paul Hole (r) and his son Paul of Paul Hole Well Drilling, Martinsburg, W.Va.

G F Back obtains Flatwater Fleet rig. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Jerry and Rosemary Back, owners of G F Back Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska, are shown taking delivery of their new RTT-Rig Tender from Flatwater Fleet at their home in Fairbanks. The 2,100-gallon tender is equipped with a 10,000-pound hydraulic crane...

Helmer makes deal with independent. (Trading Post).(Garld Helmer buys equipment from Independent Well Rig & Supply Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Garld Helmer of Crystal, Mich., purchased a used 1978 Ingersoll-Rand TH-55 from Jim Price of Independent Well Rig and Supply Inc., Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

Thayer purchases through Laibe. (Trading Post).(H.L. Thayer Pump & Well Repair buys Pulstar P700 pump)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Herb Thayer of H.L. Thayer Pump & Well Repair, Fenton, Mich., took home from the Pulstar Manufacturing facility in Dodge, Neb., his new Pulstar P700 pump hoist he purchased through Laibe Corp. of Indianapolis.

Higgins sells to Rivera in Panama. (Trading Post).(Juan Rivera buys equipment from Higgins Rig Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Juan Rivera, Panama, purchased this 1987 Acker Soil Max from the Higgins Rig Co. Rivera's rig is equipped with a 3L6 Moyno Mud Pump, Deutz Diesel Deck Engine and is mounted on a 1987 GMC 8000. Higgins Rig Co. is located in Hodgenville, K.Y.

The fundamentals of pumped water systems. (Tech Topics).
January 1, 2003... Part 1 - How Pumps Work What do we mean by the term, "pumped water system?" In this series of articles, we are referring to systems which move ground water from a well to its intended point of use -- the types of systems likely to be...