A reverse circulation drill rig is a specialized drilling machine that uses compressed air to drive a down-the-hole hammer while returning cuttings through the centre of the drill rods. Unlike conventional drilling, where air or fluid travels down the centre of the drill string and returns up the outside of the hole, this RC drill rig forces air down between the inner and outer pipes of a dual-wall drill pipe, with the cuttings travelling up through the centre. This reverse flow direction gives the reverse circulation drill rig its name and delivers significant advantages in sample quality, drilling speed, and environmental performance. The YG150RC equipment incorporates the latest RC drilling technology into a crawler-mounted, fully hydraulic system that handles drilling depths up to 150 metres and hole diameters from 110mm to 250mm.
Reverse Circulation Drill Rig Technical Specifications:
| Model | YG150RC | |
| Drill rig weight(crawler mounted) | kg | 9000 |
| Engine Power | kW | 125 |
| Length × Width × Height (normal) | mm | 6750x2200x2950 |
| Ambient Temperature Range | °C | -10～38 |
| Drill Ability | ||
| Nominal Drill Depth | m | 150 |
| End-hole Diameter | mm | 110-250 |
| Drill angle | ° | -10-90 |
| Horizontal hole height | m | 1.85-2.8 |
| Drill head output | ||
| Max Output Torque | N.m | 8000 |
| Output Rotation Speed(continuity) | rpm | 30 / 60, 54/108rpm |
| Output Rotation Speed(interval) | rpm | 62 / 124105/210rpm |
| Feeding | mm | 3500 |
| Thrust Force | kN | 45 |
| Lifting Capacity | kN | 65 |
| Pipe-puller Device Output | ||
| Output Rotation Speed | rpm | 40 |
| Max Output Torque | N.m | 30000 |
| Hole-through Diameter | mm | 370 |
| Auxiliary Winch | ||
| Pull Force of the First Layer | kN | 11 |
| Rope Diameter | mm | 14 |
| Rope Capacity | m | 60 |
| Engine(Cummins) | 6BTA5.9-C125 | |
| Power | kW | 125 |
| Rotary Speed (Max.) | rpm | 2200 |
| Track Chassis Base | ||
| Walk Speed | Km/h | 1.2 |
| Unit Pressure | MPa | ＜0.05 |
| Climb Ability | ° | Drill rig weight(crawler-mounted) |
5 Advantages of the YG150RC Reverse Circulation Drill Rig
- Exceptional drilling speed. The YG150RC machine delivers penetration rates up to twice that of conventional rotary drilling methods. The combination of a 125kW Cummins engine and pneumatic down-the-hole hammer provides high-impact energy that breaks rock efficiently, especially in hard formations where conventional methods struggle.
- Superior sample quality. This RC drilling machine brings cuttings to the surface through the centre of the drill rods, preventing cross-contamination between sample layers. The reverse circulation drilling equipment collects virtually all cuttings for identification and analysis, making it the preferred choice for mineral exploration where accurate geological data matters.
- Dust control and environmental protection. The YG150RC machine features an integrated dust collection system that captures drilling dust at the source. The reverse circulation method itself generates significantly less airborne dust than conventional drilling, protecting operators and reducing environmental impact.
- Reduced labour requirements. All major functions on this equipment operate hydraulically—mast lifting, mast compensation, rod handling, rotation and feed, outriggers, winch, and crawler travel. One operator manages the entire drilling process from the cab, dramatically reducing crew size and labour costs.
- Full hydraulic control. The YG RC drill rig uses a complete hydraulic system for every machine function. This delivers smooth, precise control over feed force, rotation speed, and rod handling. Operators adjust drilling parameters instantly to match changing ground conditions, optimising performance without stopping the rig.
How Does the Reverse Circulation Drill Rig Work?
The YG RC drill rig operates on a principle that is simple yet highly effective. Compressed air from a surface compressor travels down through the annulus between the inner and outer pipes of the dual-wall drill string. At the bottom of the hole, the air drives a down-the-hole hammer that delivers high-frequency percussion blows to the rock, breaking it into small cuttings.
The return path is where the reverse circulation drilling equipment differs from conventional equipment. Instead of the cuttings travelling up the outside of the drill string (where they can contaminate samples and create dust), the air and cuttings travel up through the centre of the inner pipe. This central return path brings the cuttings directly to the surface through a sealed system.
At the surface, the air-cuttings mixture passes through a cyclone separator or splitter that collects the cuttings for sampling. The clean air then passes through a dust collector that captures any remaining fine particles before releasing the air to the atmosphere. This closed-loop system explains why the drill rig produces minimal dust and delivers clean, uncontaminated samples.
The hydraulic system controls every aspect of the drilling process. The operator uses joysticks to control rotation speed, feed force, and rod handling. The mast lifts and compensates hydraulically, maintaining the correct drilling angle. The crawler tracks move the rig between positions, and the outriggers stabilise the machine during drilling.
4 Applications of the Reverse Circulation Drill Rig
- Mineral exploration. The reverse circulation drill rig is the industry standard for mineral exploration drilling. The ability to collect clean, uncontaminated samples at high speed makes this RC drilling machine ideal for defining ore bodies, conducting grade control, and exploring new mineral deposits. The YG150RC reaches 150 metres depth with hole diameters from 110mm to 250mm, covering most exploration requirements.
- Water well drilling. Reverse circulation drilling equipment has become widely used for large-diameter water well drilling. The reverse circulation method handles a range of formations, including hard rock, gravel, and sand, making it suitable for both domestic and commercial water wells.
- Civil engineering and foundation work. The machine handles large-diameter foundation piles for bridges, buildings, and other structures. The ability to control cuttings and maintain hole stability makes it suitable for congested job sites and environmentally sensitive areas.
- Geotechnical investigation. Engineers use the equipment for geotechnical site investigations. The clean samples and fast penetration rates provide accurate soil and rock data for foundation design and construction planning.
YG RC Drilling Machine Price
YG manufactures reverse circulation drill rigs with the latest RC drilling technology, full hydraulic operation for all machine functions, integrated dust collection with 90 percent air pre-filtration, uncontaminated geological sample collection through cyclone separation, and a crawler chassis for access to remote and uneven sites. Every rig includes drill frame compensation for stability, hydraulic wrench rod handling, a drill centralizer with a level for accurate hole starting, a specialized oil mist lubricator for impactor protection and wear-resistant roller slideways, with compressed air reverse circulation down-the-hole drilling capability in various geological formations.
Tell us your target formation, hole depth, sampling requirements and site conditions. We recommend the right configuration and send you a direct factory RC drilling machine price.
