Excavator-Mounted Drilling: When the PRD EX 65 Makes Sense

Not every blast hole job needs a dedicated crawler rig. The PRD EX 65 is a drill attachment that mounts on an excavator, turning a machine many sites already have into a blast hole drill.

How it works

The EX 65 mounts on excavators of 20 tons and above. It takes its power from the excavator's engine and hydraulic system, so there is no separate prime mover on the drill. The excavator's reach and mobility position the mast.

Key figures

• Application: blast holes for coal, limestone and surface mines
• Method: DTH
• Hole diameter: 115–165 mm
• Drilling depth: 24 m; single pass 6 m / 10 m
• Pull-up force: 7,000 kgf (1:3); pull-down 4,350 kgf (1:3)
• Torque: 3,300 Nm; rotation 0–250 rpm
• Mast length: 11.4 m

When it makes sense

• The site already runs suitable excavators.
• Hole diameters of 115–165 mm and depths up to 24 m cover the blast design.
• Access is rough, and the excavator's own mobility helps.

When a dedicated rig is better

For larger diameters or deeper benches, or continuous production drilling, a dedicated crawler rig such as the PRD BH 30 160 or PRD BH 45 250 is the better fit. Compare them in how to choose a blast hole rig.

The PRD EX 65 is available on request. Tell us your excavator model and blast design in the form below.