Since 1983, Hydracore Drills has been developing a new drill suitable for drilling on difficult surface setups and which would allow easy movement and repositioning. The result was the Gopher Drill which the company had tested on a property near Squamish, B.C. After a number of refinements to the engine size and type, the company completed the design of their best seller, the Gopher UG, an all- hydraulic underground drill.
The power pack on the drill is a 25 HP electric motor or a 27 HP air motor, with aluminum, used where practical for reduced weight.
The complete drill, with hydraulic oil, all hoses, ready to drill, weighs 1,008 lbs. using the electric motor, and 732 lbs. using the air motor.
Specifications include a feed stroke of 37 in., a lift/thrust at 2,500 psi of 5,150 lbs., a bit RPM of 1650, torque at 2,500 psi of 90 ft./lbs., and a depth rating of 500 ft.
The development of this small, lightweight drill lead to the development of an even smaller drill with a much lower price tag which will appeal to the prospector.
This market accounts for the name of the drill, the Prospector. Smaller, lighter, and less expensive than the Gopher, the Prospector was designed for holes up to 300 ft.
The weight of the Prospector, ready to drill, is about 450 lbs., with the heaviest component being the engine, at 100 lbs.
The cost of the Prospector is just over $10,000 compared with the $30,000+ cost of the Gopher UG.
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