Top Maintenance Tips for Kelly Bars

As you probably already know, Kelly bars are an essential piece to your Kelly drill rig configuration. And since Kelly drilling remains one of the most utilized drilling methods, these bars go through quite a bit of stress, wear, and tear, which means they are prone to failure if you don’t keep up with maintenance.

While Kelly bars always require professional repair and maintenance at some point, there are a few easy things you and your team can do to keep your inventory in tip-top shape for as long as possible. Read on to learn the top maintenance tips for Kelly bars you can do on your own.

Don’t Run it Until it Breaks!

The last thing you want to deal with is an on-site repair to your Kelly bar. Keep in mind that these bars are wear items, which means they will absolutely need upkeep to maintain optimal working condition. If your Kelly bar breaks while deep in the ground, extracting the damaged parts can cause extensive delays with your project and even compromise your boreholes. Even if you manage to get the bar out of the ground, you still may need a crane to come out to the site, which could end up costing tens of thousands of dollars.

As with most equipment, regular preventative maintenance is always much better than dealing with broken machinery and parts. When it comes to Kelly bar maintenance schedules, the timing can often vary. A good rule of thumb is to schedule professional maintenance every 400 – 600 working hours for interlocking type bars and every 800-1,000 hours for friction type bars.

Inspect for Damage and Wear

Even when in-between maintenance, it’s still a good idea to inspect your Kelly bars for any damage that can come from wear and tear and identify possible issues before they get worse. This is as simple as scanning the bar for cracks and worn-down areas, along with any inconsistencies with joints, bolts, springs, drive keys, and blocks.

Grease the Moving Parts

Swivels and A-frame bearings are often in need of lubrication—all it takes is a little grease now and then. Be sure to grease up these components every so often to keep them in better working order. It may seem a little tiresome at times, but simple actions like this will prevent big problems down the road.

Final Thoughts

Like we said earlier, even with the best maintenance on your own, Kelly bars will eventually need to be professionally serviced and repaired. If you are experiencing issues with your Kelly drilling equipment, contact the team at Blaze Equipment. Our experienced fabricators will give your Kelly bars a thorough inspection and consult with you on what’s needed to get the bar back to performing like new.

In need of brand-new Kelly bars? We can handle that too. Our local team uses superior materials to build and configure Kelly bars to your exact specifications and requirements. We want to see your business and projects succeed, and we know what it takes to provide the craftsmanship and expertise needed to set you up for that success. Click here to learn more about our Kelly bar services, or you can contact us today by giving us a call at 817-678-7370 or visiting our contact page.