Boart Longyear recently introduced its LF160 Drill Rig and Freedom Loader during MinExpo International 2016.

“The new Freedom series is aptly named,” says Monika Portman, director of product management and marketing for Boart Longyear. “Because drillers’ safety and productivity are front-of-mind in the design, the combination of the LF160 drill rig and the LF262 Freedom Loader provides our customers with important freedoms in drilling, movement and bidding.”

The LF160 incorporates technology from Boart Longyear’s most popular surface coring drill rigs. When paired with the FL262 Freedom Loader, it is ideal for drilling contractors who want to target sophisticated surface drilling exploration contracts that stipulate high safety standards, without compromising on productivity.

With hands-free rod handling, the combined rig and loader require no intervention from the driller’s assistant to trip in and align the rods or connect to the top drive head, thus offering greater freedom to drill by reducing the risk of hand and back injuries while handling rods.

Freedom of movement comes as a result of the Freedom Loader’s remote control panel, which allows drillers to move to and work from a safer location, away from the risks of moving rods.

Because the LF160 is CE certified according to the latest EN16228 safety standards, contractors can be assured of the freedom to bid on contracts that stipulate these exacting requirements. The Freedom Loader can also cycle 6-meter rods in the same amount of time as a manual cycle.

Other features of the rig and loader include a forward-tilting head design that simplifies the rod handling process; a clamping device that maintains constant pressure at any hole depth; a wireline winch located in the front of the mast, inside the rotation barrier, for improved visibility; depth capacity of up to 1,800 meters of NQ, accommodating the majority of diamond coring needs; the choice of a Tier 3 or 4 final engine, to comply with emissions requirements in every country; and either a crawler or truck-mount configuration.

Boart Longyear, based in Salt Lake City, touts itself as the world’s leading provider of drilling services and equipment, and performance tooling for the mining industry. The company has more than 9,000 employees worldwide, manufactures equipment in six global factories, and sells to customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, go to www.boartlongyear.com.