When the drilling contractor examined the job site in Berwyn, IL, it appeared to be a routine bore other than having to keep within a narrow 3-ft. (.9 m) right-of-way between a sidewalk and the roadway. However, once the bore was under way, unforeseen problems necessitated that the initial bore be abandoned.

John Burns Construction, Orland Park, IL, contracted to produce the 16-in. (41 cm) diameter 350-ft. (107 m) long bore, and called Scott Beschorner of Vermeer Sales in Aurora, to furnish the equipment that could complete the job. A Vermeer 24 by 40 directional drill, and McLaughlin’s newest guidance system: the Spot D Tek IV directional tracking and locating system and Mole Map IV remote monitor, which would be attached to the directional drill, were selected.

Considering the noise interference and signal loss previously encountered, a McLaughlin 9.5HKz low interference directional probe compatible only to the Spot D Tek IV, was chosen to overcome the noise problem. Signals transmitted by the probe to the receiver and remote monitor filtered out the interference caused by traffic signal pads in the area and railroad tracks parallel to the bore. The now clear signal displayed the exact location and depth of the bore-in-progress in real time, even when rotating the drill rod. Pitch, roll, depth, probe temperature and battery life are simultaneously displayed on the backlit LCD of both the receiver and remote monitor, which is clearly visible to the directional drill operator. “Yaw” target steering is an added feature that enables the operator to avoid left-right oversteering, critically important in extremely narrow right-of-ways as with this job in keeping the 350-ft. (107 m) bore within the 36-in. (91 cm) confined right-of-way.

Ken Cross, job superintendent of John Burns Construction said he was pleased to point out that the bore was completed in less than two hours as a result of choosing a directional drill and McLaughlin guidance system compatible to overcoming the difficulties encountered.

For more information, call 800/435-9340.

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