The PROSPECTOR rig

The PROSPECTOR version of the Consallen Forager-55 is similar in performance, but shorter than the standard and lighter by about 75 Kg. at 375 Kg. (825 lbs). The tripod is easier to erect by hand, and is powered by either an aluminium diesel, or a petrol (gas) engine. This machine is intended for shallow drilling and is the least expensive of our range of machines but most portable.

The ability of the rig and drilling system to handle, place, drive and recover steel temporary casing, and to operate bailers, suction tube samplers, sand pumps and clay cutters with retainers, makes it particularly useful as a means of accurately sampling Placer (alluvial) deposits and also for making shallow water wells.

The machine and tools can be easily transported by helicopter, canoe, raft or animal traction/portaging in addition to towing by a small pickup or van.

The winch pull capacity of the PROSPECTOR is 1,000 Kg and the tripod has 9000 Kg capacity for pulling casing with the addition of braces & snatch blocks. The tripod can be completely dismantled into individual components for ease of transport and man-portability. The longest component is 2.5 metres (8'-2") and the heaviest is the winch/bedframe at about 120Kg (264 lbs).

This machine is most convenient to man-handle when hydraulically driven using a power pack that is independent of the winch and bedframe. Various power units are available, including the power pack illustrated on our main page, which can be supplied with a petrol(gas) engine.

If hydraulic power is available, the use of a casing rotator can be beneficial in Placer deposit drilling. See Casing Rotator Similarly a Powered Swivel allows rotary drilling with foam, air, or mud flush. The rotary unit will allow the use of a down-the-hole hammer for rock drilling. Powered Swivel

The following link is to the main Consallen Forager Range page with complete details and specifications: Click here to the main Forager web page