Jobsite Belgie Verbraeken Tonghand 2 edited

26-11-2024

Sharing insights: Jobsite visit in Belgium with Swiss drilling company

Our clients frequently explore the market in search of the best HDD equipment. And what better way to convince them than by seeing the tools and units in action on a jobsite? Today, we accompany our Swiss guests to two locations near Antwerp to exchange experiences with operators, rig masters, and mud engineers. These professionals work with the equipment daily, tackling varied weather conditions and all types of soil.

Early start: meeting the Huber brothers at the jobsite

“Which side are you on?” asks Michael Huber. He and his brother set off from Switzerland in the early hours of the morning. We decide to meet up at the rig site. Michael and his brother left Switzerland early this morning. Their family business, Huber Leitungsbau GmbH, is set to drill on the Südlink project in Germany next year. Prioritising safety and efficiency, they discovered the LaValley Industries Tonghand through DWL Baumaschinen, our Swiss dealer. Curious about its application, they’re here to see how the tool is being used on Belgian soil.

Jobsite Belgie Verbraeken Tonghand 4 e1732632119851

Verbraeken Infra: Tonghand in action

Verbraeken Infra, a prominent player in HDD, is working today with an international crew on a 1,200-metre bundle bore for electrical cables. In a region traditionally dominated by gas pipelines, this type of project is rapidly gaining traction in Belgium. Currently, the drilling company is managing six large bores across Belgium and Germany.

“Working quickly is crucial to prevent the clay from swelling.”

We arrive as the pilot bore and first reaming pass have already been completed. The crew expects to wrap up this project in just two weeks. “The soil here is about 80% sand with a rather aggressive clay type,” explains the experienced Belgian supervisor. “Working quickly is crucial to prevent the clay from swelling.”

At the pipe side, we meet operator Mark. The 900mm reamer is ready for the second reaming pass. With 15 years in HDD, Mark has seen it all. Today is his first time working with the Tonghand. Handling drill pipes is one of the most significant safety risks in horizontal drilling. Increasingly, operators in the UK see the Tonghand as an essential piece of equipment, many can’t imagine working without it. The tool is also gaining popularity across Europe, with Verbraeken taking the lead. After a positive experience with a rented unit, the company purchased their own Tonghand and quickly added a second to their fleet.

Installation and training by LaValley certified trainer

Installing the Tonghand requires some modifications to the excavator, but these are straightforward. Kurt Drossin, a representative from our Belgian dealer Vermeer Benelux, explains: “SiteTec offers flexible service. We can install the Tonghand on-site at the client’s location, or they can bring their excavator to SiteTec’s workshop in Wijk bij Duurstede, as Verbraeken did. Once installed, the coupling system allows for quick and easy attachment and detachment.”

After a brief demonstration by Ricardo, a LaValley-certified trainer from SiteTec, Mark quickly got the hang of it. “With this tool, I manage everything from the cab. Today’s sunny, but on dark, cold days, this is a game changer. I can single-handedly handle make-up and break-out operations, all according to the drill pipe supplier’s specifications.”

“Today’s sunny, but on dark, cold days, this is a game changer.”

Mark also appreciates the robust design and the codes on each component, providing easy access to part specifications. “Hop in the cab, and I’ll show you how it works,” he says, before inviting Huber’s CTO to experience first-hand the precise control the Tonghand offers.

Cas Vos: mixing and recycling

A few metres away, supervisor Ruben’s crew is working on three parallel bundle bores for a heavy-duty electrical grid. For large drilling projects like this one in Antwerp, Cas Vos uses a mixing unit and a recycling unit from SiteTec. The team maintains a relaxed atmosphere.

Two bores are already complete, and the third’s pilot bore—500 metres—has been finished. From the recycling unit, a team member waves to Michael, inviting him to observe their process. The team is experienced and tightly coordinated. While hoses from the drill rig are being inspected, there’s time for casual conversation. “I’ve been in HDD for years, and I’m not done yet,” one operator says with a smile. “This is the best job there is.”

From the recycling unit, a team member waves to Michael, inviting him to observe their process.

At the pipe side, another operator is working with a static breaking unit combined with a truck-mounted crane. As he’s very experienced with this setup, we’re curious about what his experience would be with a Tonghand compared to the static breaking unit. But that’s a story for another time. The Swiss brothers take their research into the best equipment seriously and have more meetings lined up. Time to leave Belgium and continue their visit in the Netherlands.

First impressions count

For our Swiss visitors, it was an inspiring day filled with valuable insights. They were impressed by the Tonghand’s quality and efficiency. The ability to rent the machines before committing to a purchase offers a low-risk way to experience the benefits firsthand.

“The Tonghand would be a safe and robust solution,” Michael comments. He also emphasises the importance of a reliable SiteTec dealer in his home country: “They speak my language, and a good dealer actively seeks out efficient and safe equipment for you. It’s even better when they have the equipment in stock.”

This visit not only facilitated knowledge exchange but also strengthened our connection with European customers. Together, we continue to inspire and support each other in our shared mission: achieving safe and efficient jobsites across Europe.