Scania : The answer to drillers’ prayers

A collaboration between Atlas Copco and Scania has produced a flexible rig that could be the answer to drillers' prayers.

The prototype truck was unveiled by Atlas Copco at a launch event held at its plant near Gothenburg, Sweden, in April. The new vehicle has a demountable drilling platform on the back of it, which will house the drilling equipment when complete.

That's a significant improvement on the current scenario for drillers, as Örjan Haag, Atlas Copco's Business Development Manager, explains.

Long-held need

'The idea of a new flexible rig for drillers meets a long-held need for a combined drilling rig and compressor,' says Haag, who worked on the overall concept with Product Manager Kent Aidesjö.

'Most people use a vehicle in which the compressor is fixed and there is another vehicle or trailer rig or compressor,' says Haag. 'It's usually two units though it can be different, but the car they use for the transporting can't be removed from the drilling site.'

'Some run demountable flatbeds, but these trucks need two flatbeds. A conveyor has to transport one of them first and then the other, one with the compressor and one with the drilling rig. The truck with trailer also requires another licence and then it becomes more difficult to find qualified personnel. So there are logistical and financial benefits to Scania and Atlas Copco's solution.'

From plain white truck to exciting new prototype

The idea of a demountable drilling platform that holds everything came from Marcus Larsson, Global Account Manager for Scania's International Fleet Sales unit. Scania has been delivering engines for Atlas Copco's compressors for just over a year.

'A year ago we rented a plain white Scania truck for an event and loaded a compressor from Atlas Copco onto it. Then we realised that we could make it into something better,' says Marcus Larsson. Hence, the collaboration between the two companies began.

And, of course, there's a Scania V8 engine under the bonnet, which helps with the twin demands of torque and power.

The final stage of development

So what does a demountable, exposed platform, housing a compressor and drilling rig, look like? 'That's what Scania and Atlas Copco are thinking about now,' says Örjan Haag.

'Can you have extra compartments for the tubes? Can you connect to an extra tank of diesel? Is there room for the box? We are looking at how the truck and demountable platform can be designed to fit with weights and balance.'

'One possibility is to place the drilling rig at the front, with the compressor at the back. This is a prototype and it's not complete by any means. Though I must say that this solution is really super easy and the simplest solution is usually the best one.'

Smart and simple - there are more than a few drillers looking forward to this logistical solution to a long-held need.