"Both SmartROC D50 and SmartROC D55 surface drill rigs will help our customers - in both mining and quarrying applications - decrease operational costs and boost productivity", said Mattias Hjerpe, global product manager at Epiroc.

The new generation SmartROC D50 and D55 are packed with intelligent features to improve operations and increase safety. Both down-the-hole surface drill rigs share the intelligence and automation of the bigger SmartROC D60/D65, which were released last year. The SmartROC D50 and D55 are versatile and flexible drill rigs, with a feed carrying 5m tubes.

The SmartROC D50 and D55 offer smart features such as automated drilling and rod handling and both rigs are also available with a new option, radio remote control system.

"With this option, the operator works safely while being able to view the rig from a distance. This is a popular feature available on other rigs, but due to popular demand from our customers, Epiroc has made it available on these machines too," Hjerpe explained.

Due to a new advanced control system - with intelligent control of compressor load and engine rpm - the SmartROC D50 and D55 also cut fuel consumption. The rigs also benefit from a redesigned hydraulic system, which not only reduces fuel burn, but also uses hundreds of litres less hydraulic oil than previous versions of the machines. Additionally, this serves to increase sustainability

The automation-ready platform can also be fitted with the new option Auto Feed Fold. By just performing a single action, the Auto Feed Fold enables the operator to dump the feed for tramming or position it ready for drilling.

Inside the cabin, the operator will find an updated, ergonomically designed working environment. The rig offers multifunction joysticks and adjustable tramming speed to further improve operator comfort and make trailer loading safer and easier. The cabin also includes a brand-new touchscreen-based rig control system.

"This system is both intuitive and easy to learn - and presents live information to the operator. The new screen will give the operator total control of the rig," Hjerpe noted.

Like all SmartROC rigs, as other new features and improvements are released, they can easily be installed via software upgrades to keep the machine up-to-date at all times. This makes the SmartROC D50 and SmartROC D55 future-proof. 

"Our customers will increase profit and achieve a great total cost of ownership," said Hjerpe.

The SmartROC D55 has a more powerful engine and higher working pressure available from the compressor than the SmartROC D50, but both machines are designed to a work just as well in a mine as in a quarry and are the same size.

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