Vermeer has introduced its first horizontal directional drill with a Tier 4-Final engine, the D9x13 S3 Navigator HDD.
Touted as the first of the company's S3 generation of drills, it features improved hydraulics and enhanced speed. The D9x13 S3 is designed for installation of utilities such as communication, power, gas and water, as well as some limited sewer applications. A small footprint aims the unit at projects in congested urban areas.
The D9x13 S3 has a 44-horsepower Kubota Tier 4-Final engine, delivering 9,000 pounds of thrust/pullback and 1,300 lb.-ft. of rotational torque. A new hydrostatic hydraulic system for the thrust and rotation circuits increases the system efficiency, allowing better use of engine horsepower, Vermeer says. This new hydraulic system also improves the ground drive speed by 60 percent over its predecessor.
Drilling speed has been improved with a 30 percent faster carriage speed than its predecessor, operating up to 188 feet per minute. Rotational speed is also increased to 190 rpm. An onboard pump delivers drilling fluid at 15 gpm at 750 psi (51.7 bar).
