Description
Operate cable-tool (churn) drilling rigs to percussively bore holes for water wells, blasting, and geotechnical borings; control stroke rate, tool string, casing, and bailers; collect geological samples; maintain equipment; and ensure safe, accurate drilling and well development.
- • Set and adjust stroke length, stroke rate, and cable tension based on formation and hole size.
- • Verify depths, verticality, and alignment of boring positions.
- • Start, stop, and regulate spudding operations; control hoisting and casing insertion.
- • Select appropriate cable-tool bits, jars, sinker bars, and bailers for formation conditions.
- • Level and stabilize truck-mounted rigs; align derricks over boreholes.
- • Assemble and attach bits, jars, sinker bars, and cable; extend tool string as depth increases; dress or change bits as needed.
- • Percussively bore holes for water wells, blasting, grouting, anchors, and foundations.
- • Circulate water and operate bailers or sand pumps to remove cuttings and cool bits.
- • Position rigs on site, set outriggers, and extend telescoping derricks.
- • Perform routine maintenance: replace and dress bits, inspect cables, sheaves, and drums, and lubricate machinery.
- • Drive rig and support trucks to and from work sites.
- • Record drilling progress, penetration rates, water levels, and geological observations.
- • Fish and recover lost tools or casing using retrieval equipment.
- • Assemble and position derricks, sheaves, engines, and rig components using hand and power tools.
- • Add water or drilling fluid to maintain circulation and manage sloughing.
- • Operate cable-tool rigs for water wells and environmental borings.
- • Conduct step-drawdown or constant-rate pumping tests to assess well performance.
- • Log and sample drill cuttings; note lithology and aquifer characteristics.
- • Raise tools and bailers to clean holes; remove slough and sand from the bottom.
- • Set and drive casing; install well screens, seals, and pumps to develop wells.
- • Assist in designing or sizing well pumping systems and sanitary seals.
- • Disinfect and redevelop new or contaminated wells and pumping systems.
- • Review site plans and client requirements to assess feasibility and estimate costs.
- • Signal crane or hoist operators to move and spot equipment.
- • Inspect cuttings to identify formation changes; submit samples for laboratory analysis when required.
- • Fabricate, cut, or thread casing and pipe as needed.
- • Lay out simple drill-and-blast hole patterns and mark collar locations.
- • Monitor drilling by listening to equipment, watching cable behavior, and checking gauges to adjust stroke and tooling.
- • Stabilize boreholes with drive shoes, casing shoes, and seals as conditions change.
- • Follow safety procedures for hoisting, pressure systems, and groundwater protection.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
