DeepRock
Hydra-Drill
The industry standard for portable drill rigs
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Hydra-Drill What is the DeepRock Hydra-Drill?
The Hydra-Drill is the lightest, lowest cost, highly portable water well drilling system on the market today.
The Hydra-Drill is a small top-head rotary drilling rig powered by a 4, 5.5 or 6HP gasoline power head and a 5HP gasoline re-circulating pump ( mud pump ). The Hydra-Drill uses the method of drilling referred to as "mud rotary" drilling.
The power head engine turns the drill stem which has a drill bit screwed onto the end. As the drill bit drills down into the earth, the mud pump re-circulates a drilling fluid down the drill stem and out the drill bit.
This drilling fluid is pushed up the bore hole and flows into a mud pit. Is it hard to drill with the Hydra-Drill?
The drilling process is simple.
Anyone who can operate any type of outdoor power equipment can drill with the Hydra-Drill.
One person can drill with the Hydra-Drill but a two or three person drilling crew is better.
Complete drilling instructions are included with each Hydra-Drill and our Customer Service Department is only a toll-free telephone call away.
We have a Hydra-Drill package that will drill to depths of 300 feet ( 90 meters ).
Water is found at less than 300 feet in most places in the world.
The smaller Hydra-Drill packages will drill a 4 inch ( 100mm ) bore hole designed for a 2 inch ( 50mm ) casing.
The larger packages will drill up to an 8 inch ( 203mm ) bore hole for a 6 inch casing.
The rule of thumb is to drill a 2 inch larger diameter bore hole than the diameter casing you plan to use.
This is a very common question.
You want to drill down into a naturally occurring aquifer.
An aquifer is simply a formation of highly porous material, usually coarse sand and gravel
or sometimes fractured rock that is saturated with pure water.
This water usually enters the aquifer at a higher elevation from rainfall or snow melt that percolates downward until it reaches the aquifer.
It then moves through the aquifer laterally at a slow rate.
These aquifers extend hundreds or even thousands of miles. These aquifers occur at reasonable depths almost everywhere in the world.
Contrary to popular belief, an aquifer is not a narrow underground river where it is necessary to drill at a very specific site.
The best place to drill is the most convenient location for your well. How deep will I have to drill?
Most aquifers usually are found at less than 300 feet.
The best indication of the depth of the aquifer in your area is the depth of the existing wells of your neighbors.
If you have neighbors who have drilled wells it is very likely you will find water in the same depth range.
Remember though, that if the well was commercially drilled it is common for the commercial driller to have drilled deeper than was really necessary. How will I know when I have hit water?
Most water bearing formations, known as aquifers, are simply formations of coarse sand and gravel.
These types of formations are very porous and saturated with water.
One of the best ways to determine when you have hit water is to check the cuttings being flushed out of the bore hole while drilling.
when coarse sand and gravel are being flushed up, there is an excellent chance you are in water or very close.
another thing to watch for is a marked decrease in the temperature of the drilling fluid as it flows out of the bore hole.
An aquifer is a constant 64-65 degrees and this ground water will mix with the drilling fluid and lower the temperature.
the drilling fluid also could become much thinner and sometimes you will lose circulation when you hit water.
The Hydra-Drill is a light-weight drilling rig and will perform best in favorable drilling conditions such as normal soils and clays.
The more heavy duly Hydra-Drill packages will handle many types of rock well.
Many types of rock, such as sandstone or shale can be drilled fairly quickly.
Harder types of rocks will result in a slow drilling speed but we have some special bits that are recommended to drill harder rock.
If the rock is extremely hard and a substantial depth is required to be drilled, then the Hydra-Drill may not be feasible. Why should I buy the Hydra-Drill instead of having the well commercially drilled?
Good question!
It is our experience that in many parts of the country the cost of having just one well drilled costs more than the Hydra-Drill.
Remember, the Hydra-Drill will drill many wells and the purchase cost can be spread over several wells or over several years.
Even if one well is drilled you still have the Hydra-Drill to sell or rent to your neighbors.
It is not unusual to recoup 65% to 75% of the purchase price on the used market. Is it legal for me to drill on my own property?
In most areas the restrictions that apply to professional drillers do not apply to someone who wants to simply drill a well on his own property for his own use.
Many areas have what is known as a homeowners exemption which allows people to drill on their own property.
If this question is a concern we recommend you check with your local authorities.
We also recommend you be sure they understand that you plan to drill only on your own property and do not plan to drill on a commercial basis. Should I have the water tested? We recommend you have the water tested In most cases if the water is pumped from a natural aquifer it is pure, drinkable water but have it tested to make sure.
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