08-04-2026

Tonghand vs stationary breakout unit: looking beyond the obvious

About to invest in a stationary breakout unit? It may be worth taking a
step back first. On paper, the choice seems straightforward. A stationary breakout unit is a familiar solution. Fixed position, clear function, reliable
in making and breaking connections. But on site, the reality is often less
static. There is another way to do it…

It moves to where the work is

A stationary breakout unit defines a fixed point in the operation. The pipe needs to be brought to the unit, aligned and handled within that setup. It works, but it also dictates how the workflow is organised. In practice, that means tool joints need to stop at an exact position, often coordinated by radio. This takes time and interrupts the process.

A Tonghand turns that around. Work happens directly on the reamer, drill head or any downhole tool. There is no need to move the pipe to a fixed position or adapt the workflow to a static machine. Breaking or making can take place while the rig continues adding or removing pipe. That changes how the job runs. Less repositioning, less waiting, more control over the process.

More than making and breaking

The difference becomes even clearer when looking at how connections are prepared. With a stationary unit, connections are typically made when needed, often as part of the main drilling process. A Tonghand allows for a different approach.

Strings can be pre-made, torqued to the correct specifications and laid out in advance. When required, the full string can be picked up and run in one go. This reduces time pressure during critical phases and creates a more controlled workflow.

It also ensures that connections are made according to the specifications of the drill pipe supplier, which is essential for both safety and performance, and increasingly required from an insurance and compliance perspective.

Only correctly made connections allow full torque and pulling force to be applied. If connections are not made to specification, the risk of thread damage, excessive wear or even pipe failure increases. For example, incorrectly made connections can become so tight that they can only be loosened by heating the female thread, making the pipe unusable.

A drill string downhole can only be trusted when every connection is made up correctly.

Pipehandling anywhere on site

No two jobsites are the same. Space can be limited, conditions change and setups need to adapt. A fixed breakout unit does not move with those conditions. A Tonghand does.

Because the Tonghand is mounted on an excavator, often already present on site for digging or other work, it can be positioned anywhere the machine can reach. Across the jobsite, around obstacles and in confined spaces. Pipe can be handled under any angle and in any position, without changing the setup.

That flexibility becomes especially valuable when working around obstacles, on restricted sites or in non-standard setups.

Forward reaming: reduce transport and disposal

The impact becomes even clearer when forward reaming is applied. Instead of bringing cuttings and drilling fluid back and forth across the site, the process is centred around the rig. Drilling fluid remains at the rig side, where it can be controlled and managed directly.

This reduces the need for transport of spoil and slurry, which has a direct effect on logistics. Fewer truck movements, less handling on site and a more predictable flow of material. It also reduces the need for additional equipment and manpower, such as return lines, pumps or vacuum trucks, and the space required to operate them.

The result is a more efficient process with a clear impact on overall project cost. In practice, this can lead to substantial savings on a single bore. For a practical example, see how this approach was applied on site by Klever, where savings of up to €20,000 were achieved on a single bore.

Safety: reducing risk at the source

Static breakout units and the Tonghand were developed for the same reason: to make pipe handling safer.A static breakout unit already marks a major step forward compared to manual handling. It brings control to the process and reduces the need for people to physically work the pipe by hand.

The Tonghand builds on that same principle but takes it a step further. Because it can work directly on downhole tools, pipe handling becomes more flexible and requires even less manual intervention around the operation. That reduces exposure, limits unnecessary handling and gives the crew more control over the operation.

It is not a question of one safe system versus an unsafe one, but about how much risk can still be taken out of the job.

Comparable investment, lower operating cost

One of the common assumptions is that a Tonghand represents a significantly higher investment than a static breakout unit. In practice, that difference is often limited.

The real difference lies in how the equipment is used and what it enables on site – less movement, shorter cycle times, lower operational cost per metre. And that impact is measurable.

Want to find out for yourself? Check out this tool to calculate what the Tonghand means for your operation.

Already working with a stationary breakout unit?

Safety can be taken a step further by combining it with a Deckhand.It allows drill pipe to be handled without lifting slings or manual positioning near the breaker.