Why a 120m Water Well Drilling Rig Is a Practical Choice for African Agricultural Projects
In many parts of Africa, access to a stable water source is important for agricultural irrigation, livestock farming, and rural water supply. Where surface water is limited or seasonal, groundwater can provide a more reliable solution.
For these projects, choosing a water well drilling rig should be based on the required drilling depth, geological conditions, borehole diameter, mobility, and operating costs.
A 120m Water Well Drilling Rig can be a practical option for some agricultural and rural water projects where the required well depth is within this range.
1. Project Background
The project was developed for an agricultural irrigation application in Africa.
The customer needed to develop a reliable groundwater source to support agricultural production. Seasonal rainfall and limited surface water made groundwater an important option for maintaining a more stable water supply.
The planned well depth was approximately 120 meters. Since the drilling site was located in an agricultural environment, the customer also needed equipment that could move between different drilling points and operate on relatively uneven ground.
Therefore, the customer was not simply looking for the deepest drilling rig available. They needed a machine that could provide sufficient drilling capacity, good mobility, and practical operating costs for the actual project.
2. Customer Requirements
The customer’s main requirements were:
- Drilling depth of approximately 120m
- Hole diameter of 100–219mm
- Suitable for agricultural water well drilling
- Good mobility between drilling locations
- Stable drilling performance
- Easy operation and maintenance
- Suitable for local working conditions
These requirements made a compact crawler-mounted water well drilling rig a suitable choice.
3. Working Conditions
African drilling projects can involve different types of terrain and geological formations.
Agricultural projects may be located on:
- Unpaved roads
- Farmland
- Rural areas
- Sloping ground
- Remote drilling sites
For this reason, equipment mobility is an important consideration.
The selected rig uses a crawler-mounted design, with a walking speed of up to 3km/h and a maximum climbing angle of 30°.
The actual drilling method and tools should also be selected according to local geological conditions, which may include soil, sand, gravel, weathered rock, or harder formations.
4. Equipment Selection
For this project, we selected a 120m Water Well Drilling Rig with a hydraulic drilling system and crawler-mounted chassis.
The machine is powered by a 55kW Quanchai four-cylinder diesel engine and is designed for water well drilling applications such as agricultural irrigation and groundwater development.
Its relatively compact structure makes it easier to transport and relocate between different drilling points compared with larger drilling equipment.
5. Key Parameters
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Drilling depth | 120m |
| Hole diameter | 100–219mm |
| Engine power | 55kW |
| Machine weight | 3T |
| One-time advance length | 2.3m |
| Walking speed | 3km/h |
| Maximum climbing angle | 30° |
| Air pressure | 1.45–2.5MPa |
| Air consumption | 15–29m³/min |
| Penetration efficiency | 10–35m |
| Drill pipe diameter | φ76 / φ89mm |
| Lifting force | 6T |
| Swing speed | 40–46rpm |
| Swing torque | 2200–3000N·m |
| Dimensions | 3850×1560×2050mm |
6. Why This Configuration?
The configuration was selected to match the requirements of a 120m agricultural water well project.
The 55kW diesel engine provides the power required for drilling and hydraulic operations while keeping the overall machine relatively compact.
The drilling system provides 2200–3000N·m rotary torque and a rotation speed of 40–46rpm, providing sufficient drilling performance for the intended application.
The 6T lifting force allows the rig to handle drill pipes and drilling tools during drilling and rod withdrawal.
The crawler-mounted design is another important advantage for African agricultural projects. With a compact structure, 3T machine weight, and 30° maximum climbing capability, the rig can be moved between different drilling locations with greater flexibility.
Depending on the formation, the drilling system can also be configured with an air compressor or mud pump.
7. Delivery
Before delivery, the drilling rig was assembled and inspected at the factory.
The main systems, including the diesel engine, hydraulic system, rotary system, lifting system, drilling mast, and crawler chassis, were checked to ensure that the equipment was ready for transportation and operation.
For overseas customers, proper preparation before shipment helps reduce installation and commissioning time after the machine arrives at the project site.
8. Field Application
After arriving at the agricultural project site, the drilling rig was moved to the designated drilling point.
The operator positioned the machine, installed the appropriate drilling tools, and started drilling according to the geological conditions.
During drilling, parameters such as rotation speed, feed speed, drilling pressure, and flushing conditions can be adjusted according to the formation.
The target was to complete the 120m water well and provide a reliable groundwater source for agricultural irrigation.
Conclusion
A 120m Water Well Drilling Rig can be a practical choice for agricultural irrigation and rural groundwater projects in parts of Africa where the required well depth is within this range.
The key is not simply choosing the largest drilling rig, but selecting equipment that matches the drilling depth, geological conditions, borehole diameter, terrain, mobility requirements, and project budget.
With a 55kW diesel engine, 100–219mm hole diameter, 6T lifting force, 2200–3000N·m rotary torque, and crawler-mounted design, this 120m drilling rig provides a practical solution for agricultural water well applications.
If you are planning a 120m agricultural water well project in Africa, send us your required drilling depth, hole diameter, geological conditions, and project location. RUIXIN can help you select a suitable water well drilling solution for your project.
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