Unique features of Dino DC400Ri key for Magnus Schakt

Transportability, fuel economy, fast mounting and dismounting all played a major role when Mikael Kauppi, CEO of Swedish Company, Magnus Schakt, was looking for a new drill rig. When most projects his new rig would be used on only take a few days, or sometimes just a few hours, the ability to move and set up the rig as rapidly, and efficiently as possible, are essential requirements. He was thus pleased when Sandvik Sweden made him aware of the new Dino DC400Ri, which possessed the features he was looking for.

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Land used for construction projects often contributes to the problems faced by companies: it might be difficult to reach, waterlogged or just too hilly. However, when it comes to removing a bit of rock, and no matter the operating conditions, Mikael Kauppi, CEO of Swedish family business Magnus Schakt, is very happy to prepare the foundations with one of his three drill rigs. In effect the business is in his blood, and it is no exaggeration to say that Mikael Kauppi was brought up with drill rigs, explosives and a great sense of adventure. His father founded Magnus Schakt in 1973, with the company now being run by Mikael since 1992. Success has seen the company now employ five people permanently, including Mikael's wife, Tina, who takes care of administration, and their son who operates the rigs.

"The size (of the company) is ideal. If I need more help, I can bring in employees with company tax certificates. The company was dormant for a few years during the 1990s, while I was managing the surface drilling operation for a power plant project in Uri in Kashmir, run by Skanska and NCC. I stayed there for about three and a half years, then moved to Zimbabwe for one and a half years, before returning to Sweden and the family business in 1998," says Mikael. Of the business he now so successfully runs he states; "It's important that the company can offer a full range of services, which is why we've all completed the training courses required – such as ADR. In addition to drilling, we are also authorized to perform blasting works and transport hazardous materials."

The company is based in Saltsjö-Boo and mainly works in the Stockholm area. "Most jobs are small. One exception was the Stockholm City Line project, which lasted for about 4-5 years. We prepared land for the new station platforms under Central Station, where we used the Sandvik DC122R. We usually only receive about three to four days advance notice of a job. We mostly work with residential and industrial land, and have both business and private clients." Since most jobs are of short duration, the choice of machinery is vital. Hence Mikael has chosen to place all of its eggs in one basket, so to speak, with all its drilling rigs being supplied by Sandvik Construction. The advantages of using the same supplier for all its equipment is that it's easier to get spare parts, and there is only one company to contact if there are any problems.

The electrically powered DC122R used so successfully on the Stockholm City Line project has been used alongside two conventional surface drill rigs from the 300 series. However, one is about to be replaced by a slightly larger, new, Dino DC400Ri. The new rig, which is the first of its kind to be delivered in Sweden, has been acquired based on three essential factors: the machine is easy to mount, dismount and transport. "Since most of our assignments are short, setting up and transportation has to be easy and fast."

The new Dino DC400Ri, which is Sandvik's latest addition to its fleet of surface drill rigs, is now operational on a project. The rig is being used to drill blast holes that are needed to remove a small rocky knoll from a plot in Nävekvarn, about 25 km from Nyköping, where the company Älvsbyhus is building houses. "Älvsbyhus is one of our most frequent clients. We do a lot of earthworks for their home installation projects in the Stockholm region." Of his other regular clients Mikael comments, "Kämpedal Entreprenad is our main client, but we also do a lot of work for NCC."

When buying the new drill rig Mikael was very clear about what he was looking for. He would rather wait for the right machine than buy any rig. He began discussions with Sandvik's Swedish Sales Manager for drill rigs, Stefan Persson, back in 2006. At that time, the machine Mikael wanted hadn't gone into production and development was subsequently delayed by weak market conditions. "A machine of that size ( that Mikael required ) had been around for a while, however it was launched in the mid-1980s and kept in production by Tamrock (which was acquired by Sandvik ) until 2002, by which time it had grown too big. A few years later, the size was in demand again so we have simply developed a more modern, radio-controlled variant that was launched at Steinexpo last autumn. The radio control means that the rig can be operated with great precision, even in rugged terrain," says Stefan, who adds, "Since Mikael had to wait so long he got to be our first Swedish customer. Another three machines have now been delivered to other customers in Sweden."

The Dino DC400Ri is a 10,000kg rig that complements Sandvik's range of top hammer drill rigs, and, according to Stefan Persson, is not only suitable for housing plots, but also for ditching and road construction, to name a few examples. "It can handle hole dimensions from 51 to 76 millimeters and has a robust boom with the widest reach for its size. That means it can drill for a lot longer than other models before it has to be moved, which is very important when assignments are short." To accompany its new drill rig Sandvik has also launched a brand new rock drill, the RD414, which was designed specifically for the Dino DC400Ri.

Stefan continues; "The drilling rate is excellent, and kind to the tools. We have also developed a new, patented collaring guide that makes it easier to start drilling holes, especially where the rock inclines. The aim has also been to create a product with low fuel consumption and emissions in line with the Tier 4 standards." The chosen solution for the latter is a 105 kilowatt Volvo engine, complete with electrical load sensors. Ease of maintenance has also been in-built, with service points that are easy to access from ground level, and on-board devices to monitor how the machine is running thereby delivering continuous, easy to understand diagnostics.

All of these factors mean that Mikael's drilling operation in Nävekvarn only takes a few hours to complete. When the job is finished, the newly purchased Dino DC400Ri is driven up onto a demountable platform for immediate transport to Nykvarn where the next job is waiting. Then it's back to Solsidan in Saltsjöbaden. "All we have to do is crawl up onto the platform, tie-down and drive off. No extra measures are required for the boom. This is also a low-profile drilling rig, and can handle ceiling heights up to 4.3 meters without any problems. The demountable platform is also a very flexible solution because it facilitates loading and unloading, and makes it much easier to position the rig at some construction sites where mounting and dismounting would otherwise be very difficult." So concludes Mikael, before hopping into the car to drive to the rig's next workplace, where the drill will start up again tomorrow.

Key features of the DINO DC400Ri

• Hole diameter: 51-76mm (2"-3")

• Rock Tools: R32, T35, T38 rods

• Rock drill: RD414, 14 kW

• Engine type: Volvo TAD570VE, Tier 4 Final

• Engine output: kW105

• Air flushing capacity: 3,5 m3/min, up to 8 bars

• Control method: radio remote

• Total weight: approx. 10,000 kg (without optional features)