The system has been created for horizontal directional drill (HDD) contractors who are working in tight job sites and looking to avoid high disposal costs.

HDD contractors use a fluid cleaning system to remove and recycle drilling fluids, especially in environmentally sensitive areas. These systems ensure that fluids being reused in the drilling process do not inhibit machine performance. This is especially important because solids can cause costly damage to the drilling package as the fluid passes through.

The M300DH is small enough to fit in space-restricted areas on job sites and has the power to clean and circulate drilling fluids for any brand of drill with 100,000 to 240,000lbs of pullback.

In addition, its 480v generator can power the agitation system to keep solids suspended in fluid and the machine's first-cut cleaning capacity is rated up to 300 US gallons per minute (gpm) of 11-13lbs. of drilling mud, setting a new standard.

"Some cleaning systems manufacturers rate capacities based on the cone volume ratings of water. But end-users were discovering, when they get on a job, the system could not process the volume of mud they required," said Richard Levings, American Augers product manager. "American Augers changed the way it rates its cleaning systems to focus on the amount of actual high solids drilling fluids it can process across the first cut screens, rather than clean water through the cones. This helps the contractor buy the right cleaner they need to be successful."

The M300DH also features a new Derrick Hyperpool shaker and a screen compression system that provides HDD operators with a faster and more seamless transition when changing screens or adjusting cleaning needs based on soil conditions. The versatile capabilities of the M300DH accommodates any job site while being easily mobilised for a quick load in and load out. It can be skid- or trailer-mounted and is available through  Ditch Witch dealers.

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