This compact and powerful drilling rig in the 16t weight class, one of the mainstays of the Comacchio MC line, has gone through a ground-up redevelopment process based on the introduction of a new patented undercarriage.

The new MC 14 features an innovative undercarriage offering enhanced stability and manoeuvrability on uneven ground while keeping the rig's width within a minimum of 1,800mm. The new rig also features a new fully articulated mast and boom design system allowing the rig to cover a wider range of working positions in extremely small spaces, including front-the-wall drilling on the side of the tracks within the minimum distance from the wall face. The modular mast design offers up to 3,750mm feed length to handle various tooling types.

Thanks to the Comacchio all-in-one radio control system, the MC 14 is fully remote-controlled, offering the operator complete visibility of the borehole and the surrounding working area, thus increasing productivity and job site safety.

The new MC 14 is equipped with a Cummins B 4.5 engine providing up to 142kW power and complying with the latest EU Stage V emission standards. The powerful engine allows for the installation of a wide range of drill heads and accessories. The result is that the MC 14 can perform the full spectrum of drilling technologies, with a special focus on demanding heavy-duty applications such as double head drilling (both in rotary/rotary mode and rotary/rotary percussion mode).

The double-head systems of the rig have been developed by Comacchio to minimise size and elevate performance, offering up to 1,600daNm torque output on the upper head and 2,400daNm on the lower rotary. All of the double-head systems can be equipped with a preventer (for up to 244mm casings) to convey spoils in a safe and clean way.

Moreover, to speed up temporary casing removal, the rig can be equipped with Comacchio's patented rod breaker with casing extractor on the upper clamp, providing 8t of extra pulling force while extracting casings.

The enhanced stability and mobility required while operating with such heavy-duty double-head drilling systems is achieved through the new patented undercarriage, making the MC 14 ideally suited for the construction of foundations, retaining structures and earthworks in challenging ground conditions.

The MC 14 can easily be converted to single head operation due to the modular interchangeable design.

Comacchio's new MC 14 was recently used in Switzerland for the expansion of the Perlen Papier AG paper mill. The steam required for the paper drying is delivered by the neighbouring energy-from-waste plant and a foundation expansion for the steam accumulator was necessary to ensure the stability of the supply network. Sixty micropiles with 254mm diameter were installed using casings up to 17m depth. Drilling inside casings was carried out to reach the full depth of 26m.

The project was carried out by the Swiss company Marti AG using an MC 14 equipped with the Comacchio R900/R2400 double head system, providing 1,100daNm torque on the upper head and 2,400daNm on the lower head. A preventer was used to protect the surroundings from discharged borings and keep the job site clean. The onboard equipment of the rig included a 200l/min flush pump and a crane.

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