Percussion drilling is a manual technique where a heavy cutting or hammering bit is attached to a cable and moved up and down rapidly to cut a hole in the soil. In this style of drilling, the constant cycling action make it imperative to have good pneumatic controls and a reliable, responsive clutch and brake.
A manufacturer of percussion drilling equipment recently contacted WPT wanting to upgrade their mechanical clutch system to pneumatics, providing the operator with increased precision and safety during the drilling process. After a technical review of their system, WPT Power’s solution was our Power Grip Clutch and Low Inertia Spring Set Brake. WPT’s Power Grip Clutch and Low Inertia Spring Set Brake utilize an air-tube design that allow for seamless, controlled engagement and disengagement with minimal air volume. During operation of the percussion rig, gravity will drive the hammering bit into the soil and WPT’s Power Grip Clutch is used to hoist the bit back out of the hole.
Once the hammering bit has been reached peak elevation, WPT’s Low Inertia Spring Set brake will hold the bit in place until the operator is ready to drive the hammering bit back into the hole. These percussion rigs can see as many as 30 cycles per minute, so the performance of WPT’s clutch and brake are essential.
For more information on any of the features listed above, please contact WPT Power or call 940.761.1971.