The T4, "a drilling culture classic", turns 50
In 2018, one of the world’s most successful truck-mounted rig celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The first T4 manufactured in Clarksburg, West Virginia, USA., 1968
The first T4 was sold in Plattsburgh, New York. The initial success of the T4 was largely due to the company developing its down-hole drills, compressors and the rig itself to complement each other. No other manufacturer offered such compatibility at that time.
The rig’s innovative rod-handling system enabled the T4 to work with down-the-hole hammers better than competing rigs based on a kelly bar design. Additional drill pipe was tripped out of the hole and added to its carousel much easier and more safely than other tophead rigs on the market due to its patented keylock design.
The drill became quickly popular with contractors and water well drillers and was adapted over the years for use drilling blast holes, elevator shafts, mine rescue boreholes and a variety of other specialized drilling applications.
Since 1968, even governments around the globe have purchased T4 units for applications such as air or mud drilling for water, gas, blast holes, mining, exploration, mine rescue, de-watering, angle drilling and more.
“The T4W rigs are built to take anything you can throw at it and keeps on running. While visiting Nashville area recently, I was told there were over 40 T4Ws still working in the area, and most were built in the ‘70s and ‘80s. A testament to the T4W design and build quality” - Kevin Moran, product engineer – deep hole drilling rigs.