How often should a trenchless drilling machine be maintained?
Sep 26, 2025| 1. Daily Maintenance
Cleaning and Inspection: Remove mud from the drill rod, drill bit, and drill body. Inspect the guide drill bit for wear (blade wear > 3mm requires replacement).
Hydraulic System: Check the oil level and quality. Test the hydraulic cylinder for smooth operation (oil leakage > 5 drops/minute requires attention).
Lubrication: Apply molybdenum disulfide grease to the drill rod threads. Apply lithium-based grease to moving parts such as guide rails and chains.
2. Weekly Maintenance
Guide System: Calibrate the probe signal strength (deviation > 5% requires adjustment). Fasteners: Check bolts and clamps for looseness and adjust drive belt/chain tension.
Electrical System: Clean dust from the electrical control cabinet and inspect the terminals for oxidation.
III. Monthly Maintenance
Hydraulic Oil Filter: Replace or clean (reduced to 150 hours in dusty environments).
Engine Oil: Change every 250 hours for mineral oil; extended to 500 hours for fully synthetic oil.
Slurry Pump: Check for shaft seal leakage (>10 mL/minute requires replacement).
IV. Quarterly Maintenance
Gearbox Lubricant: Replace ISO 1444-1. VG220 gear oil (100 hours for the first change, every 50 hours thereafter)
Hydraulic oil: Change the first change after 500 hours, every 2000 hours thereafter
Air filter: Clean every 50 hours in dusty environments, replace every 1000 hours in normal environments
V. Annual Overhaul
Comprehensive Disassembly and Inspection: Inspect core components such as the spindle and bearings for wear, and replace out-of-tolerance parts
Hydraulic System: Thoroughly clean the oil tank, replace seals, and test system pressure stability
Software Update: Back up the PLC program and calibrate servo drive parameters
Adjustments for Special Operating Conditions
Harsh Environments: Reduce the oil change interval by 20%-30%, and increase the hydraulic oil filter change frequency to 150 hours.
Extended Outages: Drain the hydraulic oil and inject nitrogen for protection. Fill the drill pipe bore with anti-rust oil.
