With the ability to be configured for large-diameter water and utility installs in urban areas, as well as challenging pipeline work, the Vermeer D220x500 S3 delivers up to 54,000ftlbs (39,828.2 Nm) of torque at a spindle speed of 36rpm, 240,400lbs (1069.4kN) of thrust/pullback, and fluid flow rates of up to 350 gallons per minute (1324.9L/min) if the onboard pump is selected.

The D220x500 S3 is available with an onboard cab or stand-alone operator cab, and with a 20ft to 30ft (6.1m to 9.1m) rod rack.

Contractors can also choose between a rod stager or full-length catwalk, as well as add an optional mud pump, crane or hydraulic scissor lift for optimum staging efficiency.

"The new D220x500 S3 integrates many of the quality features found on the Vermeer D220x300 S3 HDD, but with even more versatility and ramped-up performance," said Tod Michael, product manager of trenchless products for Vermeer. "This drill is designed to meet the needs of utility contractors performing large-diameter city work, as well as pipeliners that are performing long, large-diameter bores."

Choose the configuration

Outfitting the Vermeer D220x500 S3 with a 30ft (9.1m) rack gives crews the ability to use a variety of Range 2 drill pipe at various diameters and a range of 29ft to 32ft (8.3m to 9.8m) in length — an ideal setup for performing pipeline work. This rack configuration can be paired with a rod stager that holds four rods or a full-length catwalk.

Crews will also like the benefits of using the optional hydraulic scissor lift with the rod stager to help reduce drill rod and wireline staging cycle times.

Also, if paired with a stand-alone pump, the D220x500 S3, with its four 1.5in (3.8m) mudlines and 3in (7.6cm) head shaft, can accommodate 650 gallons per minute (2460.5L/min) of downhole drilling fluid flow. 

For more mobile operations, the D220x500 S3 can be equipped with an on-board excavator-style cab that has a view of the open-top vices, as well as the rack and rod stager. Both the on-board and detached cab include the same dual multifunction joystick controls found on all Vermeer S3 horizontal directional drills.

Jobsite performance

The Vermeer D220x500 S3 is built with a 415hp (310kW) Cat C13 ACERT Tier 4 Final engine that is convenient to service. The drill also runs quiet at just 81.2dB(A).

"The combination of the D220x500 S3 drill's class-leading rotary torque and fluid pressure delivers optimized drilling and reaming performance in challenging ground conditions like rock," added Michael. "More torque helps reduce the number of reamer passes crews need to make when widening a hole, and high fluid flow help protect tooling while maintaining the drill hole integrity and operational efficiencies."

The D220x500 S3 also features a sliding vice that helps clamp the rod connection at different positions when reaming and pulling product and includes a wireless remote for repositioning plus mounted cameras near the drive chuck, vice and rod handling areas for outstanding operator visibility.

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