Controls for Operating the Pipe Racks

Controls for Operating the Pipe Racks

The general method of operating the pipe racks is as follows:

1. Place the operating mode selector switch in the DRILL position. The main air compressor must be energized.

2. Verify that the operating mode selector switch is in the DRILL position and that the hoist/ pulldown speed selector switch is in the PIPE JACK/JOINT position.

3. Select the desired pipe rack.

4. Lift and move the pipe rack joystick, located on the main control panel, out of neutral to perform the desired operation.

The following special sequence is required for each pipe rack configuration.

1. One pipe rack configuration.

a. Turn the pipe rack selector switch to the #1 position.

b. Operate the rack as described under general procedure.

2. Two pipe rack configuration.

a. If the first pipe rack is to be operated place the selector switch #1 position and operate the rack as described under general procedure.

b. If the second pipe rack is to be operated place the selector switch in the #4 position and operate the rack as described under general procedure.

NOTE: Take extra care to insure that one pipe rack is out of the way and locked in place before operating the second pipe rack.

3. Three pipe rack configuration.

a. The first and second pipe racks are part of a carousel and require a special operating sequence. The third pipe rack is a standard swing out rack.

To operate the third pipe rack place the selector switch in the #4 position and operate the rack as described under general procedure.

b. The carousel configuration of pipe racks one and two requires a special sequence. Position #1 of the selector switch will allow, when the joystick is pulled to the rear, the carousel with pipe racks to be swung out over the guide bushing hole.

One of the pipe racks will be over the hole. Position #2 of the selector switch will allow, when the joystick is pulled to the rear or pushed forward, the carousel to rotate to move the other pipe rack over the hole. Returning the selector switch to position #1 and moving the joystick forward will return the carousel to the stored position.

c. Because of the sequence of operation pipes must be removed from pipe rack #1 first and then pipe rack #2. When returning the pipes to the racks return pipe to #2 pipe rack, then #1 pipe rack.

NOTE: Take care to insure that one pipe rack is out of the way and locked in place before operating the other pipe rack.

4. Four pipe rack configuration.

a. The four pipe rack configuration consists of two swing out carousels with two pipe racks to each carousel. Pipe racks #1 and #2 in the left carousel and pipe racks #3 and #4 in the right carousel work and are sequenced the same as the carousel in the three pipe rack configuration. For pipe rack #3 and #4, the #4 position of the selector switch controls the swing out of the right carousel and the #3 position controls the rotation of the carousel.

b. Because of the sequence of operation, pipe must be removed from pipe rack #4 first, then pipe rack #3. When returning the pipes to the racks, return pipe to #3 pipe rack, then #4 pipe rack.

TOOL HANDLING

This section describes the procedures necessary to load, unload, handle, assemble and disassemble the drill tools.

The procedures detailed in this section are intended to be as universally applicable as possible. It is, however, impossible to prepare a procedure that will take into account every possible machine option or tool vendors’ products. For this reason it is important that the operator not only become familiar with these procedures, but with the machine and the particular tools being handled.

PIPE LOADING AND UNLOADING

Loading pipe onto the drill is necessary when the drill is new and has not yet had the pipe installed or when the pipe has been removed for change out or for maintenance to the mast. The procedure in this manual, unlike some more commonly used procedures, requires that the mast be in the horizontal or lowered position to load the drill pipe. This is necessary for safety.

This procedure, while not the most expedient for machines requiring pipe change out while the mast is in the drilling position, is quite efficient while the mast is in the stored position. Proper scheduling of maintenance and production requirements against pipe life will allow using this procedure while reducing the downtime of the machine.

CAUTION: Limitations exist as to the length, diameter, wall thickness and number of drill pipes that may be stored in the tool racks when raising or lowering the mast. Refer to the pipe size limitation chart in the appendix of this manual before loading pipe onto the machine with the mast down and before raising or lowering the mast. Failure to comply with these limitations will overload the mast, mast support and hydraulic system possibly causing loss of control of the mast. Refer to the appendix of this manual for an alternate method of loading and unloading pipe from the machine in order to comply with the mast raising and lowering limitations.

To load drill pipe onto the drill, proceed as follows:

1. If the mast is in the vertical or drilling position, lower the mast and store it in the mast rests. Refer to the appropriate topic in this manual for the exact operating procedures.

2. Obtain a crane with suitable capacity and reach to place the drill pipe into the pipe racks with the mast in the stored position. Normal placement of the crane is on the left side of the drill since this allows the shortest reach and greatest boom angle.

CAUTION: Follow all applicable safety measures when working with cranes and rigging. Failure to follow safe working procedures can cause an accident, leading to the possible death or injury of personnel.

3. Position the pipe to be installed in such a position so as to be accessible to the crane. Normal placement of the drill pipe is on the left side of the machine, laying at right angles to the machine. This allows the crane to lift the pipe and swing without excessive boom hoisting and lowering. The pipe may be stored on suitable blocking on the ground, or on a truck or trailer.

CAUTION: Make sure the drill pipe is secured against unwanted or unexpected movement. Failure to secure the pipe properly may result in the pipe shifting and causing death or serious injury to personnel in the area.

4. The upper gate is open when the pipe rack is empty. This function is controlled by a limit switch in the lower pocket of the pipe rack.

5. Using suitable rigging, attach the crane to the drill pipe. The pipe should be rigged so that it will remain horizontal while being lifted. Attach suitable tag lines to the pipe. Remove the thread protectors and clean and lubricate the threads and shoulders on each end of the pipe. Install an approved lifting bell to the pin (upper) end of the pipe. Lift the pipe into position over the mast.

6. Using a tag line guide the pipe into the desired pipe rack. Place suitable blocking beneath the pipe to allow the sling to be removed from the pipe.

CAUTION: Block the pipe securely to prevent it from moving unexpectedly.

7. Remove the slings from the pipe. Attach a sling to the lifting bell on the pin end of the pipe and lift the pipe sufficiently to remove the blocking.

8. Slide the pipe down the pipe rack until it rests on the bottom of the pocket. Lay the pipe in the pipe rack and remove the sling and lifting bell.

9. When the pipe rest in the bottom of the pocket it will trigger the limit switch and close the upper gate.

10. Repeat the procedure for additional lengths of pipe.

11. Unloading the pipe is the reverse of the procedure used for loading the pipe.

DRILL TOOL STRING ASSEMBLY

The tool string consists of one or more sections of drill pipe, a stabilizer (drill collar) and a bit. In assembling the tool string, the stabilizer is the first item installed, then comes a section of drill pipe and finally the bit.

To install the stabilizer proceed as follows:

1. Place the stabilizer to be installed in a position so as to be accessible to the auxiliary inch line. Clean and lubricate the threads and shoulders on each end of the stabilizer. Install a lifting bell on the pin (upper) end of the stabilizer and lift it onto the drilling deck with the auxiliary winch line. Securely block the stabilizer horizontally on blocking sufficient enough to place the stabilizer 8-10 inches above the drill deck. Remove the auxiliary winch line.

2. Remove the guide bushing from the hole in the drill deck. Place the guide bushing on the upper end of the stabilizer with the tapered end of the bushing toward the lower (box) end of the stabilizer. Reattach the auxiliary winch line to the lifting bell.

3. Install the stabilizer and drill bushing in the hole in the drill deck. Make sure the drill bushing is seated properly. Lower the stabilizer until the slots in the stabilizer are aligned with the tool wrenches. Extend the tool wrenches to hold the stabilizer in place.

4. Remove the auxiliary winch line from the stabilizer and secure it out of the way. Remove the lifting bell from the stabilizer and store it.

NOTE: The use of stabilizers that have been modified or that do not allow this procedure to be used should be avoided. The use of nonstandard stabilizers will make assembly and disassembly of the tool string difficult and dangerous.