New Generation of Bauer Rotary Drilling Rigs: The Medium-sized Platform Range of the ValueLine

Given the continually increasing market requirements, BAUER Maschinen GmbH is best equipped for the future owing to the introduction of its two drilling rig lines ValueLine and PremiumLine in 2011. Despite their different purposes – the ValueLine is optimized for kelly drilling, whereas the PremiumLine comprises multifunctional drilling rigs for a large number of different applications in specialist foundation engineering – they have one important factor in common, says Manfred Schoepf, Head of Marketing of BAUER Maschinen GmbH: "Both our ValueLine as well as our PremiumLine rigs exhibit the highest Bauer quality standards. Our customers can be sure of this 100 percent.

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Four years after the reorganization, BAUER Maschinen GmbH is introducing a new generation of rotary drilling rigs of the ValueLine series: the medium-sized platform series, designed for bored piles with a diameter of up to 2.5 meters and a drilling depth of up to 70 meters. Through consistent focus on usefulness to the customers, functionality and profitability, it has been possible to come up with a new price-performance ratio for drilling rigs. The medium-sized platform series includes the BAUER BG 26 as the lowest-priced model, and – in the larger version – the BAUER BG 30. The new ValueLine rigs score with their latest technology.

"Although we have limited our product range to two machines with medium-sized platform, it in no way implies a gap in our product range. We are merely replacing machines that are similar to each other with closely related machines," explains Bruno Unger, divisional director for the ValueLine. This offers a decisive advantage as the machines were developed in such a way that components are exchangeable between the rigs. This means that, in most cases, the required spare parts are immediately available.

The core element of the medium-sized platform series is the common base unit BT, which was completely designed and constructed by Bauer. This innovative concept offers an entire range of advantages: The modern and highly functional base carrier is impressive not only because of the highest safety standards and very low noise emission values; the machine can also be equipped with a 298 Kilowatt CAT C 9.3 engine, which complies with the latest Tier 4 final emission standards. The large cross-sections of the hydraulic lines provide optimal engine efficiency, which is then directly reflected in the fuel consumption. For difficult conditions, a BTM torque converter or a casing oscillator can be additionally attached.

The ValueLine medium-sized platform series impresses not only because of its high performance, but also because of its many new features that especially make maintenance, assembly and disassembly easier. An integrated service platform allows for easy and safe access for all maintenance work in the uppercarriage. There is a grating step that is connected to a part of the side paneling and that is pulled out from the uppercarriage. The side paneling thus serves as protection against falling. This system is unique worldwide and sets new standards in the area of Health, Safety & Environment. All the service points can be reached from the ground or from the platform without any difficulty. That no compromises were made as far as comfort is concerned is proven by the Bauer comfort cabin, which is characterized by high functionality and which provides an optimal view of the site.

The technical innovations have already proven highly successful in practical experience. Measurements taken during the initial construction site operations showed that the fuel consumption is up to 30% lower than that of the predecessor. "With this, the new ValueLine machines have already taken a giant leap forward as compared to their predecessors," says Bruno Unger.