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When soft formations turn sticky and drill time starts slipping, this Steel Tooth Tricone Roller Bit for Soft Drilling keeps crews moving. The milled-tooth structure bites aggressively yet clears cleanly, so cuttings come up bright and even. The journal bearing runs with a low, steady hum; seals hold pressure without weeping. On rigs from water-well trailers to HDD units, operators report smoother footage and fewer trips because torque remains predictable and the cones stay sharp longer. If your program calls for a compact, high-value bit that doesn’t punish pumps, this 114 mm tricone is a proven way to lift ROP, stabilize deviation, and protect budgets across multiple shallow to medium sections.
Fast footage in soft rock: Long, crested steel teeth maximize contact and shearing in clays, mudstone, soft limestone—more meters per shift.
Lower overall cost/ft: Hardfaced teeth and gauge armor slow wear, extending rebuild and bit change intervals.
Seal reliability under load: The O-ring system with optimized seal groove keeps mud out and grease in; fewer bearing-related failures.
Cleaner returns, calmer pumps: Three-jet hydraulics focus flow at the cutting face to break up balls and keep the hole tidy.
Rig-friendly handling: 2-7/8 API REG pin fits common water-well/HDD BHAs; compact OD eases tripping through tight casing.
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| IADC | 117 (steel/milled tooth) |
| Diameter | 4-1/2" (114 mm) |
| Bearing / Seal | Journal bearing, elastomer O-ring |
| Circulation | Mud fluid |
| Connection | 2-7/8 API REG PIN |
| Nozzles | 3 jet nozzles |
| Gauge / Shirttail | Available |
| Recommended RPM | 180–60 r/min |
| Recommended WOB | 0.3–0.75 kN |
Target Window (IADC 117): Very soft to soft formations with low compressive strength—soft shale, salt, gypsum, and soft limestone—where long, crested steel teeth can shear efficiently.
Performance Approach: Favor higher RPM with moderated WOB to prevent balling, keep the bottom clean, and maintain a fast, even bite.
Adjustment Logic: If streaks harden or abrasivity increases, step across the IADC spectrum (e.g., 1×7 → 3×5/5×7 families) while retaining the same API connection to avoid BHA rework.
Field Cue: When cuttings start to smear and torque spikes intermittently, reduce WOB slightly and raise RPM to stay in the IADC-117 sweet spot; verify nozzle sizing if returns thicken.
Journal bearing + O-ring: silver-plated cone IDs and anti-seize alloys reduce galling; the elastomer seal maintains contact across temperature swings.
Cutting structure: milled steel teeth with hardfacing on flanks and tips for wear resistance without compromising bite.
Protection: optional gauge and shirttail hardmetal shielding slows body wear in abrasive sands; helps hold hole size for casing.
2-7/8 API REG pin pairs with common subs; shoulders are machined for consistent torque-turn relationships.
Three jet nozzles deliver focused hydraulics; orifice sizes can be specified to balance pump pressure, annular velocity, and HSI targets.
Good practice: size jets to maintain adequate bottom-cleaning in weighted mud while preventing nozzle erosion and motor over-speed.
WOB: 0.3–0.75 kN as a baseline; increase only until ROP gains taper. Watch differential pressure and stick-slip.
RPM: 180–60 r/min; softer intervals generally reward higher RPM with moderated WOB.
Field checks: look for even dulls, intact seal faces, and straight, non-balled cuttings. Adjust nozzle set if returns thicken or cones show heat tint.
Where this 4-1/2" (114 mm) steel tooth tricone delivers outsized value—and how to run it for results.
Typical formations: soft shale, clay, soft limestone, unconsolidated layers.
Why this bit: fast footage with clean hole geometry; predictable torque helps smaller rigs maintain pump efficiency.
Operational notes: prioritize RPM in the upper recommended band; size jets for bottom cleaning without over-accelerating motor speed.
Typical formations: soft to medium-soft lithologies before harder caprock.
Why this bit: aggressive tooth engagement lifts ROP and shortens time-to-temperature sections, improving overall cycle time.
Operational notes: maintain moderate WOB to protect seals; monitor returns for heat tint and adjust nozzle orifices accordingly.
Typical formations: soft clays, siltstones, and mixed but low-strength sequences.
Why this bit: compact OD and 2-7/8 API REG pin integrate cleanly with HDD BHAs; stable torque supports steering accuracy.
Operational notes: keep annular velocity high enough to prevent balling; verify gauge protection level if sand content rises.
Typical formations: legacy wells in soft intervals; shallow investigative holes.
Why this bit: economical, quick-starting cutting action reduces trip count and keeps per-job tooling costs contained.
Operational notes: short break-in at mid-RPM/low-WOB; confirm even dulls and intact seals before pushing parameters.
| Program Type | Formation Snapshot | Primary Benefit | Parameter Emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Well | Soft shale/clay | Fast ROP, clean returns | Higher RPM, moderate WOB |
| Geothermal (shallow) | Soft–medium-soft | Shorter cycle time | Balanced hydraulics, seal care |
| HDD Pilot | Soft clays/silts | Steering stability | AV for cleaning, jet sizing |
| Workover/Repair | Soft intervals | Fewer trips, low cost/ft | Conservative WOB, even dulls |
Manufactured to petroleum drilling tooling practices with API-compatible thread gauging; each bit is serialized for full traceability across purchasing, inventory, and field returns.
Material certificates, dimensional reports, and pressure/grease checks are available on request to support contractor QA and third-party inspection.
Export-grade wooden case with internal protection for pin/teeth; cartons are clearly labeled by size, IADC, and heat/lot for warehouse accuracy.
Lead time for this size is typically ≈15 days (expedite possible subject to inventory); MOQ is 1 piece to accommodate trials, hot shots, and urgent replacements.
Consolidated shipments and mixed-size pallets supported to lower inbound freight per bit.
Logo/paint to fleet standard; selectable nozzle orifices and gauge protection levels aligned to your mud program and abrasivity.
Thread protectors, bit breakers, and cross-over subs can be bundled to streamline mobilization.
Formation consultation available to align steel tooth vs. TCI selections across your well list or HDD crossing plan.
Applied know-how in soft-formation tricone behavior—balancing tooth geometry, seal reliability, and hydraulics for stable ROP.
Process control with calibrated API gauges and serialized QC records reduces risk at the rig floor.
A total-cost lens: durability where it matters (gauge/teeth/bearing) without over-engineering the price.
Responsive service cadence for quotation, spares, and engineering support—so rigs keep turning to the right.
A: Yes—use conservative WOB, verify nozzle sizing, and consider upgrading gauge protection or stepping to a higher IADC family if wear accelerates.
A: Standard build uses three jets; orifice sizes are configurable at order to match your pump/HSI targets.
A: Dimensional checks, thread gauge reports, and pressure/grease records are available; MTCs supplied upon request.
A: Start mid-RPM/low-WOB for a short interval, confirm clean returns and stable torque, then optimize for ROP.
A: Yes—logo/paint, labels, and packaging can follow your standard; MOQ remains one piece for trials.