Check the drill’s dust-control configuration
Some drills have pre-separators and collection systems; verify the actual configuration against the equipment documentation and the machine itself. Check whether the system works properly.
GLOBMACH’s surface drill pages can provide equipment context, and operating photos or videos can help with an initial observation. The limitation is that video cannot measure suction, filter condition or pulse cleaning. To assess its actual condition, qualified personnel should inspect the complete installed system, from the dust hood to the discharge outlet, under appropriate operating conditions and in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s procedure and site safety requirements.
Start by tracing the full path, not just the fan
Inspect the installed collection path, including the drill-hole shroud, expansion joints and hoses, pre-separator if fitted, filter housing, fan and discharge outlet. Leaking hose connections, worn seals and restricted filters can all affect airflow and should be assessed on the actual machine.
Some rigs use wet dust suppression, which may involve water mist or water delivered to the drill hole; dry collection uses airflow to capture dust. Their maintenance and site requirements differ, so confirm the installed configuration and applicable site rules. If a retrofit is planned, check whether this machine supports it and what is required.
Suction test: do it before drilling
Before drilling, have a qualified operator perform the manufacturer-approved dust-control system inspection for that specific rig. Record fan operation, hose condition, and any available differential-pressure or fault indications at multiple feed positions. Do not place loose material near the intake, and do not set your own pass/fail thresholds; the goal is to record a repeatable baseline under the equipment manual and site dust-control rules.
Within the operating range permitted by the manufacturer, have qualified personnel check hose condition at multiple feed positions; watch for kinking or collapse as the boom moves. Qualified personnel should inspect the fan, ducting and filter components using the manufacturer’s procedure for the specific equipment. Abnormal suction can have several causes; a single static test cannot establish the fault.
Drilling Under Load Reveals Problems That No-Load Testing Cannot
Have qualified personnel drill a test hole according to the applicable equipment manual when equipment and site safety conditions permit, and observe whether dust escapes around the hole, drill rod, shroud and discharge outlet. Observe the telescopic sections and seals in motion from a safe position; for close inspection, shut down and isolate as appropriate according to the manual. Assess performance against the equipment manual, site dust-control requirements and test results.
During the loaded test, also observe the pulse-cleaning cycle and dust-control performance, and record any alarms. Abnormal pulsing or suction can have several causes and should be checked using the manufacturer’s procedure for the specific machine; the presence or absence of an alarm alone cannot determine dust-capture capability.
Hoses and enclosures: hidden faults
Hoses are among the components that need inspection. Check for kinks, cracks, wear and loose clamps. A hose that looks sound from one side may be crushed underneath. Check for missing hood sections and damaged extension locks. Ask the seller for additional photos of three sides of the hood, or make this an inspection hold point.
The material-guide hood itself may have rubber flaps or foam seals. These parts wear quickly and are inexpensive to replace. However, cracks may appear in the structural steel at points of bending stress. Check the brackets that attach the material-guide hood to the boom for cracks. If you are considering this machine through the GLOBMACH platform, use the machine number to request photos of that specific area.
Pulse-Jet Cleaning and Filter Condition After Shutdown
After completing the test hole, follow the shutdown and filter element maintenance procedures in the machine manual strictly. Before isolating the system, record any differential pressure indication, pulse-jet cleaning fault, or visible dust escape. A qualified technician may inspect the filter housing and pulse components once stored pressure and moving parts have been made safe; appearance alone cannot prove that the filter elements are in good condition.
Observe pulse cleaning and any abnormal sounds using the manufacturer’s inspection procedure and safe conditions. Hissing may indicate a leak; qualified personnel should investigate the valves, diaphragms and air supply lines. Sound alone cannot establish the fault or predict when the filter will clog.
Dust collection air volume and fan drive
After shutdown and appropriate isolation, have qualified personnel inspect the fan blades for impact damage, erosion and signs of imbalance in accordance with the equipment manual. Fan wear can affect airflow. For a hydraulic drive, check around the hydraulic motor for leaks; for an electric drive, check wiring and belt or coupling wear. Check operating performance separately under the conditions permitted by the manual.
Review the results of applicable manufacturer-prescribed airflow tests and record operating sounds and the condition of the fan and drive components. If the motor is slow to reach speed, have qualified personnel check the bearings, drive and other possible causes according to the manual, and include necessary repair costs in the quote.
Written confirmation: your inquiry to the seller
Now you know which requirements to raise. Send the seller an inquiry covering your site's dust regulations, your drilling method, the availability of the filter elements you plan to use, and, if the atomizing option is fitted, whether you have a water supply available. Ask for specific suction test results, video of the pulse cleaning actually running during drilling, and a written statement confirming that all guard components, hoses, clamps and the entire collection path are supplied with that machine number.
The rule is simple: accept the system only if suction remains effective across the entire working range and all components are present. If you cannot verify suction, or the seller says parts of the shroud are missing, factor this weak or untested performance into a repair reserve and make it a hold point in your inspection. Only then can you have an honest understanding of the machine you are buying when purchasing a used surface drill dust collector.
