Common Methods and Precautions for Daily Maintenance of Drilling Equipment

Common Methods and Precautions for Daily Maintenance of Drilling Equipment

Maintaining drilling equipment in good working condition is crucial, and the key lies in standardizing daily maintenance procedures. The core objective is "prevention first, detection at the earliest stage." Through a set of regular inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment methods, malfunctions can be effectively prevented, equipment lifespan can be extended, and operational safety can be ensured. When performing maintenance, safety must always be the top priority; all operations should be performed only after the equipment is completely stopped and the power supply is disconnected.

Common daily maintenance methods begin with regular inspections and maintenance before and after each operation. Before starting work, operators should conduct a comprehensive "pre-start inspection": check if the engine or motor has sufficient oil, coolant, and fuel; check for leaks in the hydraulic system's oil lines and connectors; use a hammer or wrench to check if the connecting bolts of key parts are tightened; visually inspect the wire ropes for broken strands or severe wear, and check the drive belts for cracks or looseness. After starting, let the equipment run idle for a few minutes without load, carefully listen to the sound of the engine, gearbox, and turntable to ensure smooth operation, and observe whether the readings of various instruments (such as pressure gauges and temperature gauges) are normal. After finishing work and shutting down the equipment, it is essential to promptly clean the heavy mud from the drill pipe, drill floor, mud pump, and vibrating screen, especially thoroughly cleaning the pipelines and filters of the mud circulation system to prevent mud from drying and hardening, leading to blockage or corrosion.

In terms of periodic maintenance, the focus is on lubrication, tightening, and inspection of key components. It is essential to strictly follow the equipment manual's requirements for timely and precise application or replacement of specified types of lubricating oil or grease to all moving friction parts, such as bearings, chains, gears, and open slides. A regular inspection checklist should be established, for example: checking the sensitivity of the braking system and the thickness of the brake pads weekly; checking and adjusting the clutch clearance after completing each well or after a certain operating time; regularly checking the wear and cleanliness of the drill pipe joint threads and applying special thread grease. For wear-prone parts of the mud pump, such as pistons, cylinder liners, and valve bodies, preventive replacement should be carried out according to their wear patterns.

The precautions to be taken during maintenance are of paramount importance. First and foremost, safety is paramount; absolutely no inspection, adjustment, or cleaning work is permitted while the equipment is in operation. Secondly, a maintenance log should be established for each major piece of equipment, clearly recording the date of each inspection, operating hours, problems found, lubrication details, and parts replaced. This log serves as a valuable "health record" for the equipment, helping to analyze failure patterns and predict component lifespan. Finally, for equipment stored for extended periods (such as during seasonal shutdowns), "storage maintenance" is essential: thoroughly replace the engine oil and filters; drain the engine cooling system and water lines (especially in cold regions to prevent freezing); clean and dry the entire machine; apply rust-preventive grease to all exposed metal surfaces and moving parts; and store the equipment in a dry and well-ventilated area. Through this systematic and traceable maintenance method, equipment reliability can be maximized, and the risk of sudden failures can be minimized.