The reverse circulation drill rig uses a dual-wall drill pipe and reverse circulation principle. It improves drilling efficiency while also achieving a big leap in sample quality and environmental performance. Here’s how it works: a pneumatic hammer drives a tungsten steel bit to break rock. The pressure change from compressed air creates a reverse cycle, sending cuttings continuously and steadily up through the inner pipe. Take the popular YGRC-400 model as an example: max drilling depth 400 m, drilling diameter 115–305 mm, working air pressure 1.05–3 Mpa, air consumption 16–42 m³/min. Also, its travel speed is 2.5 km/h, climbing angle 21°, machine weight 7 tons, and drilling efficiency 10–25 m/h. It fully meets the needs of complex geological conditions.【WhatsApp/WeChat/Phone】+86 13837122632
Conventional Circulation Drill Rig Vs Reverse Drilling Machine
A conventional circulation drill rig uses compressed air or mud to blow cuttings up the outside of the drill pipe. The cuttings can mix with material from different layers, causing sample contamination. But reverse circulation drill rig returns cuttings directly through the inner pipe. They never touch outside areas, so cross contamination is completely avoided. Also, conventional rigs drill slower and usually need a lot of water to help remove cuttings. A reverse circulation rig works entirely with air circulation – not only is drilling faster, it is also suitable for water scarce areas. This kind of reverse drilling machine design truly combines efficiency and environmental friendliness.
4 Benefits of Using a Reverse Circulation Drill Rig
Reliable and contamination free samples Cuttings go directly through the inner pipe into a cyclone separator for sample splitting, then fall into sample bags marked with location and depth. The whole process avoids outside contact, ensuring purity and traceability, so you can accurately locate mineralization.
Fast drilling speed An RC drill can complete 200–300 meters per day, greatly shortening the drilling cycle and giving faster exploration results.
Low site requirements No water is needed during drilling. This makes it ideal for dry areas or ecologically sensitive regions.
Clear cost advantage Compared to diamond drilling, reverse circulation drilling can cut costs by up to 40%. For example, in Australia, the cost per meter is about 250–300 RMB (including consumables, vehicle wear, etc.).
6 Advantages of the YG Reverse Circulation Drill Rig
YG series reverse circulation drilling equipment is optimized in every technical detail. Each design addresses real construction problems:
Drill mast compensation system for stable operation When working, the YG reverse drilling machine uses compensation cylinders to extend and make firm contact with the ground. This greatly improves mast rigidity, preventing shaking or shifting from reaction forces. Whether in loose layers or hard bedrock, the compensation system lets the mast “grip” the ground firmly, ensuring hole verticality and safety.
Compensated slide plate to protect drill pipe threads Drill pipe threads are one of the most easily worn parts. The YG rig uses a compensated slide plate design. It automatically adjusts the slide plate position during pipe connection and movement, avoiding abnormal impact or friction on the threads. This not only extends pipe life but also saves users money on replacement pipes.
Hydraulic wrench combination for safe and fast pipe handling Conventional rigs often need multiple people to connect/disconnect pipes – heavy work and a safety risk. The YG rig has a hydraulic wrench system. The operator just moves a control lever to automatically lock or release the pipe. The process is safe, easy, and fast, greatly reducing labor intensity and improving efficiency per shift.
Drill centering device with level for high starting accuracy Starting accuracy directly affects the whole hole quality. The YG RC drill rig for sale has a unique drill centering device plus a high precision level. The centering device opens and closes easily, adjusts quickly for different bit diameters, and the combined clamp plates have variable inner diameter to perfectly match the drill tool. Whether for geological exploration or engineering surveying, you get perfect first hole positioning.
Air pre-cleaner for dusty environments Mine and field air often contains heavy dust, which speeds up engine wear. The YG rig uses a patented air pre cleaner. It removes over 90% of incoming dust and automatically ejects it – no manual cleaning needed. This keeps the engine running efficiently even in sand and gravel conditions, greatly extending equipment life.
Special oil mister and roller slide for longer key component life The special oil mister in the air system precisely lubricates the hammer, effectively extending its life and reducing downtime from hammer failure. Meanwhile, the YG rig uses a roller slide structure. Compared to traditional sliding friction, it is much more wear resistant, staying smooth even after long use, further reducing maintenance frequency.
Applications of the YG Reverse Circulation Drill Rig
This series is widely used for:
Geological exploration – mineral sampling, mineralization zone location, resource evaluation
Hydrogeological surveys – deep hole drilling and groundwater monitoring in water scarce areas
Engineering investigation – geotechnical surveys before bridge, tunnel, and high rise building foundation work
Environmental drilling – contaminated site investigation and remediation sampling
Whether loose layers or bedrock, the YG reverse circulation rig handles it all. Optional accessories include mud pump, generator, and foam pump.
Q: What formations is reverse circulation drilling equipment suitable for? A: It works on a wide range of formations – from loose overburden (sand, gravel) to hard bedrock (granite, limestone). For example, the YG series uses a pneumatic DTH hammer driving a tungsten steel bit, which is especially effective in medium hard to hard rock layers. The rig can also be equipped with a mud drilling system to handle complex water bearing sand layers – truly “soft and hard capable.”
Q: What is the typical hole diameter for reverse circulation drilling equipment? A: For the YG series, the reverse drilling machine typically makes holes between 115 mm and 305 mm. The exact diameter can be adjusted by changing bits and hammers according to exploration or engineering needs. For instance, both YGRC 400 and YGRC 500 have standard drilling diameters of 115 305 mm, meeting most geological sampling and engineering investigation requirements.
Q: How deep can a reverse drilling machine drill in one hour? A: Drilling speed depends on formation hardness, air pressure, and bit wear. Under normal conditions, the YG series achieves about 10 to 25 meters per hour. In loose or medium hard formations, efficiency tends to reach the upper end; in very hard rock, speed is lower. Overall, compared to conventional circulation and diamond drilling, reverse drilling is much faster – 200 300 meters per 8 10 hour day.
Choosing a good reverse circulation drill rig means you get faster drilling, cleaner sample data, and lower total cost. The YG series rc drill rig for sale, with its excellent design and reliable quality, has become a trusted helper in geological exploration. Feel free to contact us anytime for more product information!
