Complete HDD tooling for horizontal directional drilling.

Paddle reamers

Multiple flat blades radiating from a central body, designed for soft, unstable soils like sand, loose loam, and reactive clay.

• Diameters: 6" to 36"+ (larger for maxi-rigs)
• Connections: API box threads (2-3/8", 2-7/8", 3-1/2" Reg)
• Cutting structures: carbide cutter segments on paddles
• Best for: sand, loose silt, reactive clay, soft loam
• Key benefit: lower pullback pressure vs. solid body tools

In reactive clay, use a fluted paddle design to prevent clay balling. Always pair with high-vis bentonite.

Barrel reamers

Cylindrically shaped with a closed, solid body that compacts and stabilizes the borehole — highly effective in granular soils.

• Diameters: 8" to 30"+ for maxi-rig applications
• Connections: API-threaded tool joints or sub adaptors
• Features: internal mud baffles, central mandrel for neutral buoyancy
• Best for: loose sand, gravel, sandy clay, dry/moderate moisture
• Sizing rule: minimum 1.5× product pipe diameter

Use barrel reamers for intermediate and final reaming passes after a fly cutter loosens material.

Fly cutter reamers

Several radial arms with carbide-tipped cutting bits that aggressively cut and mix soil rather than compacting it.

• Diameters: 6" to 48"+ multi-arm configurations
• Cutters: replaceable carbide picks (conical for harder ground)
• Design: modular arms with integrated fluid jets
• Best for: stiff clay, shale, layered soils, mixed ground
• Operation: moderate pullback speed with ample drilling fluid

Fly cutters excel at cutting through clay without balling up, and can handle soft rock and tree roots.

Rock reamers & hole openers

Heavy-duty tools built to grind, cut, or crush solid rock formations during back-reaming.

• Roller cone: rotating tri-cone cutters with TCI inserts
• PDC: fixed cutter blocks with industrial diamond surfaces
• Bearings: sealed journal bearings with premium grease
• Best for: very hard, abrasive rock (granite, sandstone, chert)

PDC reamers excel in medium-hard, non-abrasive rock — no bearings to fail.

Tapered & fluted reamers

Gradually increase in diameter, providing controlled enlargement that maintains stability through soil transitions.

• Tapered design: gradual diameter increase for controlled cutting
• Fluted profiles: spiral channels for efficient cuttings transport
• Replaceable cutters: carbide teeth and blade segments
• Best for: layered sand/clay, glacial till, mixed ground
• Step reaming: 8" to 12" to 18" to 24" progressively

Specialty & combination

For challenging ground conditions: two-stage assemblies, mixing reamers, compaction tools, and swabbing reamers.

• Two-stage: fly cutter + barrel reamer for mixed ground
• Mixing: enhanced fluid circulation in wet soils
• Compaction: stabilization in loose granular material
• Swabbing: aggressive hole cleaning and debris removal
• Sizes: 200mm to 1500mm+ for maxi-rig applications

Swivel load ratings

• Small utility: 1,800 – 10,000 lbs working load
• Medium HDD: 10,000 – 50,000 lbs working load
• Large HDD: 50,000 – 120,000 lbs working load
• Maxi-rig pipeline: 120,000 – 500,000+ lbs working load
• Selection factors: product pipe strength, bore length, hole friction, rig pullback capacity

Break-away swivels

• Designed shear pins for specific break loads (8,000 – 15,000+ lbs)
• Protects product pipe from excessive tension
• Match break-away rating to product maximum tension limit
• Keep spare replacement pins on site

Bearings & maintenance

• Thrust ball bearings: preferred — handle radial/axial loads
• Construction: twin row ball bearing, double-sealed typical
• After each use: pump fresh grease until clean purge visible
• Lubricant: calcium-complex grease (resists bentonite washout)
• Avoid: lithium greases (break down in clay/bentonite)