Facing Tough Terrain and Frequent Downtime
In the directional drilling world, ground conditions can make or break a job. For Pipe Strong, a Schaumburg, Illinois-based company founded in 2018, navigating tough terrain is part of the daily grind. With a fleet that includes 10x15s, 20x22s, 24x40s, and 40x55s, their crews are constantly adapting to different job sizes and soil types, from sandy stretches to unforgiving rock.
But one challenge kept slowing them down: frequent bit teeth changes. In rocky and sandy conditions, their teams had to swap out teeth every 100 feet, costing them hours in downtime and productivity.
A Solution from Vermeer Midwest
Looking for a better solution, Pipe Strong turned to their trusted parts team at Vermeer Midwest in Aurora. The recommendation? Try our new Laser Clad Teeth.
The difference was immediate. With the new tooling, crews were able to bore several hundred feet, sometimes over 500, without pulling back to change bits. The durability of the Laser Clad Teeth resulted in fewer interruptions and smoother operations, even in the most challenging ground conditions.
Time Savings and Increased Efficiency
“Even though the cost is slightly higher, the time saved from not having to trip back every few hundred feet easily makes up for it. You’re saving a couple of hours of downtime every bore,” said Pat, Union Steward for Local 150 and Crew Supervisor at Pipe Strong.
For Pipe Strong, the decision to invest in quality tooling has paid off. They’re not looking to switch anytime soon. Their relationship with Vermeer Midwest has been built on consistent support—through parts, service, and sales, and that trust continues to grow.
Confidence in Quality
Pat summed it up simply: Vermeer gives them confidence. Confidence in their machines, their tooling, and the jobs they take on. They don’t buy cheap, they buy quality. And they’ve never regretted that choice.
Pipe Strong, a directional drilling company in Schaumburg, IL, faced frequent downtime due to rapid bit wear in tough terrain. By switching to Vermeer Midwest’s Laser Clad Teeth, they dramatically improved drilling efficiency and reduced interruptions. Learn how this tooling upgrade helped them bore hundreds of feet without changeouts, saving time and boosting productivity.