How the conventional Manual Aqua-Master (AQM) Operates??

A specially configured trailer supplied by Drillcorer containing the drilling rods and water tank (assuming there is no close water supply) will be towed to site by the tractor. . In less difficult terrain and at depths up to 100m, compressed air can be used instead of water to cool the drill bit. When using a tractor mounted air compressor a frame on the tractor sides will carry drilling rods

1. AQM is connected to the tractor, including Power Take Off (PTO) and Hydraulic hoses, raised for transit, the trailer is connected and driven to site

2. The trailer is disconnected, AQM is lowered to ground level, and the water supply from the tank connected to the pump

3. The chuck is loosened with an L shaped tool, to suit the receptacles on the chuck. The drilling rod is lowered to the surface and the chuck tightened, and drill bit attached. The Water/Mud pump output of this pump will be connected to the top of the drilling rod by a swivel screwed joint supported by the light winch.

4. The hand lever operating the clutch in pushed to the left so engaging the PTO drive shaft with the gearbox and the water/mud pump. This rotates the drill-bit/rod/chuck

5. The hand control lever of the hydraulic drill-head thrust valve (DTV) is pushed down to apply variable down pressure to the drill bit to bore through the substrate

6. When the chuck bottoms, it is loosened and the lever of the DTV is pushed up to return the chuck to the top.

7. The chuck is then tightened and the process repeated. With the 3m drilling rod, there will be 3 chuck adjustments

8. The Water/Mud pump output connection is unscrewed from the top of the previous drilling rod and fitted to the next drilling rod and attached back onto the light winch

9. The Drilling process then starts again for another three chuck adjustments and the process repeated

Technical discussion and ideas :

1. The current Aqua-Master has a simple and robust attachment to existing tractors. It is essential to keep this feature

2. Aqua-Master is attached to the tractor, and driven to site. The tractor engine provides the power, so the engine is left running, with the power drive to Aqua-Master engaged

3. The current Manual Aqua-Master is operated by a single person using the following controls:

• Manual slide operated clutch engagement lever which engages the tractor power drive
  
  
• Hand operated lever controlling a hydraulic valve to enable the power rams to apply downward force for the drill head. This lever also controls the upward motion of the power rams to move them back to their start position for another 30" of downward drilling
  
  
• Manual Hydraulic valve to control the hydraulic motors powering the winch. The winch pulls the drilling rods out of the ground after drilling has been completed. This same valve also controls a second light duty winch used for lifting new rods into position. The new rod, once manually screwed into the preceding rod, has the Water/mud pump output coupling connected to its other end.
  
  
• Manual Chuck (3 jaw, spanner tightened) is closed to provide the rotational link from the power drive to the descending drilling rods
  

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