An RC rig is a drilling machine used in mining and geology.
Its job is simple: break underground rock and bring samples to the surface.
A RC drill rig is often used in gold, copper, and lithium exploration.
Many people also call it an RC drilling machine.
It is fast and gives clean samples.
One simple idea:
It is a “rock sample machine.”
RC Rig Parameter
| Technical Parameters | unit | YG-400 | YG-500 | YG-600 | YG-800 | YG-1200 |
| Maximum drilling depth | M | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 1000 |
| Drilling diameter | mm | 105-305 | 105-400 | 105-450 | 105-550 | 105-800 |
| Recommended working air pressure | Mpa | 1.2-3.5 | 1.6-6 | 1.6-6 | 1.6-8 | 1.6-8 |
| Recommended gas consumption | m³/min | 16-55 | 16-55 | 16-75 | 16-96 | 16-96 |
| Drill pipe length | m | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Recommended drill pipe diameter | mm | 89/102 | 102/114 | 102/114 | 114/127 | 127/146 |
| Recommended diameter for air reverse circulation double-walled drill pipe | mm | 89/102 | 102/114 | 102/114 | 114/127 | 127/146 |
| Axial pressure | T | 6 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 13 |
| Lifting force | T | 22 | 25 | 29 | 47 | 57 |
| Rapid ascent speed | m/min | 20 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 30 |
| Fast forward speed | m/min | 32 | 33 | 33 | 42 | 44 |
| Maximum rotational torque | Nm | 8000/4000 | 10000/5000 | 12000/6000 | 18000/9000 | 24000/12000 |
| Maximum rotational speed | r/min | 75/150 | 75/150 | 75/150 | 70/140 | 86/172 |
| Small auxiliary hoisting force | T | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Drilling efficiency | m/h | 10-35 | 10-35 | 10-35 | 10-35 | 10-35 |
| Walking speed | Km/h | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 5 | 6.4 |
| External dimensions | m | 6.2*1.85*2.8 | 7*2.1*2.8 | 7*2.1*2.8 | 10.5.*2.25*3.3 | 11.5*2.25*3.4 |
| Adaptation conditions | Loose layers and bedrock | |||||
| Drilling method | Top-drive hydraulic rotation and propulsion, down-the-hole hammer drilling or mud drilling. | |||||
| Optional accessories | Mud pumps, centrifugal pumps, generators, foam pumps | |||||
How Does an RC Rig Work?
An RC rig uses compressed air inside drill pipes.
The air pushes rock chips to the surface.
The samples go directly into a collection box.
So the sample stays clean.
This system is also called reverse circulation drilling equipment.
It works continuously without many stops.
One simple idea: Air carries rock upward.
Beginner Tip:
You must use an air compressor. Without it, the RC rig cannot work.
How to Choose an RC Rig?
You only need to check four things:
- Drilling depth.
- Air compressor matching.
- Ground condition.
- Maintenance simplicity.
Always check the full reverse circulation drilling equipment setup.
RC Drill Rig Real Case (Burkina Faso)
A client in Burkina Faso used RC rig for the first time. He used a normal drill before.
Problems were serious:
Slow drilling, poor samples, frequent jams.
After switching to RC rig:
- Drilling speed doubled.
- Samples became cleaner.
- Lab results improved.
He said: “The project finally runs on schedule.” He used a basic RC drilling machine setup.
One simple idea: Right machine changes everything.
Beginner Tip: Do not ignore sample quality importance.
RC Rig FAQ
Yes, it is required.
RC rig collects samples, not full rock cores.
RC Drill Rig Basic Maintenance Tips
Keep RC rig simple to maintain:
- Check the hydraulic system.
- Maintain the air compressor.
- Clean sample system.
Most problems come from poor maintenance.
