If traditional open-cut construction is like performing open surgery on the earth, working with a directional boring rig is similar to minimally invasive puncture with a needle — small entry points, fast restoration, and no long trenches left behind. This type of machine is also widely known in the industry as a hdd boring machine. It completes underground pipeline installation quietly through three procedures: steering drilling, hole reaming, and pipe pulling. For Bolivia’s old urban districts with narrow roads and crisscross underground pipelines, this trenchless construction method is almost the optimal solution. YG series machines have played this role in multiple local projects. The following two cases illustrate how it gets work done under soft soil and semi-hard rock conditions, respectively.
Case 1: Urban Water Supply Pipeline Installation — Precisely Avoid Underground Utilities in Limited Space
Customer Background
A local municipal subcontractor in Santa Cruz undertook a project to replace an aging main water pipeline in the old town area. The road section is lined with shops on both sides, with existing power cables and communication optical cables buried underneath.
Construction Challenges
The construction zone is narrow; prolonged road closure is not allowed. The drill path must bypass existing underground pipelines, with drilling depth controlled between 3.5 m and 4 m and limited trajectory options. The stratum consists of silty clay mixed with small gravels. Though not extremely hard, it causes certain abrasion to drill bits.
YG Solution
Based on site conditions, we recommended the YG-180 horizontal drilling rig. Its body width is only 2.27 meters, suitable for deployment on narrow streets. The standard steering system checks depth every 3 meters during drilling to ensure the drill bit travels safely within the permitted corridor.
Project Process
At the early communication stage, the customer’s main concerns were whether the machine could turn and set up flexibly on narrow old-town streets, and if steering accuracy was enough to avoid poorly marked underground pipelines. Our technical team used navigation software to simulate three different drilling routes according to site photos and underground utility maps provided by the client, marking clear safety distances between the drill bit and existing pipelines for on-site decision-making. Meanwhile, we compiled a list of key data including transport dimensions, minimum turning radius, and minimum workspace required for operation, helping the customer plan entry and exit routes in advance. After around two weeks of email and video discussions, the customer confirmed the construction plan, signed the purchase contract, and ordered spare drill rods and one reamer at the same time.
Actual Results
The total installation length was 280 meters, with the bore reamed to Φ500 mm. Steering deviation was kept within 10 cm, fully meeting acceptance standards. Since extensive excavation was unnecessary, only temporary barriers were placed at the two entry/exit pits. The main road remained open during morning and evening rush hours. The whole construction took 5 working days, around one-third shorter than the expected schedule for open-cut methods. No damage to underground pipelines occurred.
Case 2: Mountain Gas Pipeline Crossing — Stable Drilling in Weathered Rock Strata
Customer Background
An energy pipeline installation company near Cochabamba needed to lay a natural gas branch line across a low hill to connect two neighboring communities. The site is covered with shrubs, leaving no access for large machinery.
Construction Challenges
The crossing section features highly weathered sandstone locally mixed with chert nodules of medium-to-high hardness. The rig must operate on slopes, and mud circulation may be blocked by large rock cuttings. The customer previously checked several directional drilling rigs but was uncertain about drilling speed in such semi-hard rock formations.
YG Solution
We offered the customer the high-torque YG-320A directional drilling rig. This model delivers a maximum torque of 12000 N · m and is equipped with PDC drill bits specially designed for medium-hard rock. Its mud pump reaches a maximum flow of 320L/min and a pressure of 80bar, effectively carrying large rock cuttings back to the surface. Machines with strong rock-drilling capacity are commonly referred to as a hdd boring machine within the industry, and the YG-320A perfectly meets the requirements for such mixed ground conditions.
Project Process
The customer learned about the YG brand through industry peers. After comparing European and American brands, they found YG offered better cost performance and lead times matching the project timeline. Before signing, we shared drilling parameters from previous projects in similar strata and promised remote technical guidance for the pilot hole. During construction, operators adjusted mud mixture according to real-time mud return to improve cutting transport capacity.
Actual Results
The crossing length reached 390 meters with a maximum burial depth of roughly 8 meters. Average net drilling speed in weathered sandstone hit about 4.2 meters per hour. Pilot hole drilling and reaming were completed within 6 working days. Thanks to the built-in anchoring system, no extra ground anchors were needed for slope operation, saving auxiliary working time. No drill jamming or tool breakage happened during construction, and drill bit abrasion stayed within expectations. The customer expressed satisfaction with machine stability and after-sales support.
Judging from the two cases above, the YG directional boring rig achieves reliable performance under various working conditions in Bolivia mainly due to the following advantages:
Wide model range for flexible selection
The YG series covers YG-160A to YG-320A, with pullback force ranging from 100kN to 320kN and torque from 5000 N · m to 12000 N · m. Suitable models are available for short-distance, small-diameter urban installation as well as long-distance, large-diameter mountain crossings, avoiding improper equipment selection.
All machines come standard with automatic drill rod loading/unloading, a self-contained anchoring system, and automatic lubrication for drill rod connections. These designs reduce auxiliary staff numbers and operator workload. This benefit stands out as local labor costs keep rising in Bolivia.
Comprehensive safety protection
Every model is fitted with electric shock prevention systems to reduce risks of accidental contact with underground cables during urban construction. Emergency stop buttons and overload protection further safeguard on-site workers.
Works on diverse strata for multi-purpose use
From silty clay in Santa Cruz to weathered sandstone near Cochabamba, YG rigs operate across soft soil to hard rock simply by switching drill bits and adjusting mud formulas. Such wide adaptability saves customers from purchasing dedicated machines for specific ground. Compared with other directional drilling rigs, YG delivers competitive overall operating costs.
Sufficient spare parts inventory and fast after-sales response
YG maintains ample stock of common wear parts including drill bits, reamers, seals and mud pump pistons, ready for immediate shipment. We also provide operation videos in Chinese, English, and Spanish plus remote online diagnosis to help customers resolve on-site technical issues quickly.
Service & Reliability — Maximize the Performance of Every Rig
Beyond solid machinery, YG focuses on pre-construction technical support for clients. Right after contract signing, we provide recommendations on drill bit selection, mud mixture ratios, and initial drilling parameters based on geological reports and crossing profiles submitted by customers. Remote video commissioning support is available once equipment arrives on site. Thanks to this front-end service model, both customers in the cases actively ordered spare drill rods after project completion and expressed interest in future cooperation.
Contact YG
Whether dealing with complex underground utility corridors in downtown Santa Cruz or semi-hard rock formations on hills around Cochabamba, YG’s directional boring rig helps customers finish pipeline installation safely and on schedule with reliable configuration and stable performance. If you have trenchless pipeline laying projects in Bolivia or other South American countries, feel free to contact us.
Contact YG: Get customized equipment recommendations and detailed quotations matching your working conditions.
Service Hotline: + 86 138 3712 2632
Email: admin@ygconstructionpro.com
Official Website: https://ygconstructionpro.com/
Choose YG and make your underground projects worry-free and more efficient.
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