Powerful, comfortable, precise - TERRA-JET DJ 10 XL / DJ 13

Jobsite story

A Dutch contractor from Neerijnen had to connect an urban aria with new houses to electric power. One part of this contract was to lay a protection pipe with a curve of around 60 m (200 ft) under a small channel.

The HDPE pipe OD 110 mm (4.3”) had to be laid over a length of 67 m (220 ft) in a depth up to 4.30 m (14 ft). The ground was extremely soft. It had to be drilled very carefully and precise to avoid bentonite drilling fluid being pumped into the small channel.

TERRA-JET DJ 10 XL

The operators decided to use their HDD machine TERRA-JET DJ 10 XL for this bore. It was obvious that the pilot bore had to be drilled quite carefully because steering was not easy in this soft ground.

The “direct ram” of this TERRA-JET helped a lot because the direct thrust forces of the double cylinder allow extremely high thrust speeds. This was a big advantage in the soft ground.

Another advantage is the cruise mode which allows to adjust the rotation speed and a pullback force. The HDD machine continues automatically with this rotation speed and pullback force. The joystick must not be held during operation. The operators also like the semi-automatic break a part of the drill rods, which is unique in the class up to 4 tonnes (up to 10'000 lbs).

The operation with the TERRA-JET is quite relaxed, because the operation platform and the practical control panel are very comfortable. Even the operator’s seat moves forwards and backwards on rollers, for easy handling of the drill rods.

Pic 1: The comfortable operator’s platform.

Pic 2: The drill path was clearly marked with sticks.

Pic 3: The drill head arrives right on target after 67 m (220 ft).

Pic 4: The drillhead was disassembled, the reamer “fly cutter” OD 150 mm (6”) was assembled.

Pic 5: Due to the comfortable operator’s platform and the assistance systems, the operator can relaxed watch the machine during drilling.

Pic 6: The HDPE pipe was pulled in after 40 min.

Pic 7: The HDPE pipe is pulled in.