Precautions for Daily Maintenance of Drilling Rigs

Precautions for Daily Maintenance of Drilling Rigs

Daily maintenance of drilling rigs is the foundation for their efficient and long-term operation. Proper maintenance can significantly reduce malfunctions, lower repair costs, and ensure that the equipment is ready for use whenever needed. The following outlines maintenance precautions from several key aspects.

I. Routine Checks Before and After Daily Operation (Pre- and Post-Shift Maintenance)

This is like checking the oil and water before driving a car, and it's the first line of defense against problems.

Pre-operation checks:

Oil and fluid check: Check whether the oil levels of engine oil, diesel fuel, coolant (for water-cooled engines), and hydraulic oil are within the standard range. Replenish immediately if insufficient.

Tightening of key parts: Quickly check for any looseness in the main connecting bolts, drill pipe joints, and wire rope buckles of the drilling rig. Bolts are prone to loosening on equipment with significant vibration.

Cleaning and appearance: Clean dirt and oil stains from the equipment surface, and check for any obvious oil leaks, water leaks, or damaged wires.

Safety devices: Test whether the emergency stop switch and safety guards are intact and effective.

Post-operation maintenance:

Cleaning: After stopping the machine, clean the mud and sand from the drill pipe and drilling tools while they are still warm, especially the threaded parts, to prevent rust and difficulty in connecting next time.

Lubrication: Apply a small amount of grease to exposed moving joints, guide rods, etc., as needed, to keep them flexible.

Proper parking: Park the equipment on a flat, dry surface, retract the hydraulic outriggers, and cover it if possible.

II. Core Items of Regular Maintenance (Based on Working Hours or Cycles)

These items need to be performed more systematically.

Lubrication system maintenance (of paramount importance):

Timely and proper oil change: Strictly follow the instructions in the manual regarding the time or working hours for changing engine oil, oil filter, hydraulic oil, and hydraulic oil filter. Never use inferior or incompatible oils.

Grease application: Regularly apply sufficient grease to the designated lubrication points of the drilling rig's bearings, pins, open gears, etc., using a grease gun, until the old grease is squeezed out.

Inspection and replacement of key components:

Filters: Regularly clean or replace the air filter and diesel filter. In dusty construction sites, air filter inspections should be more frequent.

Wearable parts condition: Regularly check steel cables for broken strands and wear, check drill rod threads for excessive wear, and check drill bit wear, replacing them promptly when necessary.

Electrical system: Check that battery terminals are secure and free of corrosion, and that wiring connections are firm to prevent poor contact.

Special maintenance for long-term storage:

If the equipment will be idle for an extended period (e.g., more than a month), special attention is required:

Drain stored water: Drain the engine coolant and all water from tanks and pipes to prevent freezing and cracking in winter.

Fuel treatment: Fill the fuel tank to prevent internal rusting, or drain the fuel completely.

Starting and running: Ideally, start the engine monthly and run it at no load for ten to fifteen minutes to lubricate the components and charge the battery.

III. Maintenance awareness during operation (Proper use is also maintenance)

Correct operating habits are the best form of maintenance.

Smooth operation: Avoid rough operations such as suddenly pulling the control levers or abruptly increasing the throttle, reducing the impact on the hydraulic system and transmission components.

Listen and observe: During operation, pay attention to whether the engine and hydraulic system sounds are normal, check that instrument readings (oil pressure, water temperature, etc.) are within the normal range, and smell for any unusual odors (such as burning smells). Early detection of abnormalities can prevent major repairs.

Strictly prohibit overloading: Do not force the equipment to drill through hard rock layers or extra-deep holes that far exceed its design capabilities.

IV. Record keeping and professional service

Establish a maintenance log: Briefly record the date, items, and parts replaced for each maintenance, making it easy to track and plan for the next maintenance.

Rely on professional services: For complex tasks such as engine overhauls and precise hydraulic system adjustments, contact professional maintenance personnel. Regularly have experienced technicians perform comprehensive inspections.

In summary, drilling rig maintenance can be summarized as: daily checks are fundamental, regular oil changes are key, correct operation is the guarantee, and professional maintenance is supplementary. By making maintenance a habit and a discipline, your drilling rig will become a reliable and trustworthy partner, ready to work at any time and creating maximum value for you over its long service life.