VIDEO: Vermeer’s new D550 HDD brings 100,000 foot-pounds of torque

The drill is designed to deliver a steady, ultra-slow speed for working in challenging hard rock

Vermeer introduces the D550 horizontal directional drill (HDD) with 100,000 foot-pounds of torque, advanced telematics, as well as smart onboard technology and diagnostic information.

The 500,000-lb crawler-mounted drill is designed to help crews work efficiently when installing large-diameter products, including oil and gas pipelines, water lines and high-voltage electrical transmission lines at long distances.

“This latest generation maxi rig drill delivers more compared to older Vermeer models,” said Clint Recker, trenchless product manager at Vermeer. “In addition to the D550 drill’s class-leading torque, it can deliver a steady, ultra-slow speed control for working in challenging hard rock, as well as rotation speed for boring in challenging clay conditions.”

Vermeer developed and integrated new drilling technology into the machine to simplify operational and service experience for contractors. Operationally, the D550 controls have three different auto drilling modes — rotation, thrust and speed.

The D550 ultra-slow speed technology increases thrust control to allow drill operators to regulate weight-on-bit pressure for cutting action and maximizing tooling life and improves on its predecessors by including a full travel vise, engineered hydraulic transmission and quiet engine.

The maxi rig’s full travel vise can be positioned up and down the rack as needed for making/breaking tooling and optimizing efficiency during casing installation. The hydraulic circuit on the D550 delivers the peak amount of torque at high rotational speeds while system pressures remain low to help maximize component life.

Also, the drill is designed to run quiet, which helps keep job site sound levels down and reduces the need for sound barriers when working in urban areas.