Operating Procedures for the Winkie Drill Rig

Operating Procedures Before Leaving the University and Before Returning from a work site, insure all equipment is accounted for and stored properly. Use the Equipment Check List as verification.

At least three working days before drilling, contact Tennessee-One-Call "Call before you dig" (1-800-351- 1111) or the local utility representatives to have the site cleared for exploration. Striking underground utilities with drilling/augering equipment may result in injury or death.

Make sure tow vehicle has a 2" ball trailer hitch. Ensure that trailer is safely secured to tow vehicle (2" diameter hitch) and safety chains and lights are properly connected.

When trailer is positioned over bore hole location, disconnect and level the trailer using four corner jacks and the bubble level.

Rotate the gas can so that it is parallel to the trail (at a level position) turning the gas tank valve to the open position.

Push the trolley forward into one of the two drilling positions and secure trolley on tracks with pins.

Attach the multi-handled lift wheel to the top of the Winkie and raise the motor to the top position.

Attach the auger and drilling bits to the reduction gear on the hex head and secure with a yellow auger pin.

Loosen the bolts at the base of the Winkie and rotate the drilling assembly to the vertical position using the bubble level. When in correct position tighten to prevent the machine from tilting during the drilling cycle.
If drilling more than one auger length, apply the stabilizer bars from the top of the assembly to the front center bar of the trailer.
Once the machine is set, the gas line is open, the gear is in neutral, and the choke is on, use the pull handle to crank the motor. (Pull two or three turns with the choke on and throttled two or three clicks, then turn choke off and crank. It should start with one or two cranks.)

Allow the motor to idle a few minutes before engaging the drive shaft. Only engage gears when motor is at idle speed.

The drive shaft is engaged by placing the gear shifter to either the high or low position. (Usually low is appropriate).

When drilling, be sure not to force the drill bit into the soil. To make sure the bit is not screwing in, but advancing, it is best to watch the hole and make sure that the auger is pulling up cuttings of soil. Maintain a boring log as you advance in to the soil. The boring log should include a description of each soil encountered and the approximate depth. This description should include color and a visual classification. (e.g. tan silty clay with chert)

To go deeper than one auger length, the motor is stopped and the auger pin is removed. The motor is then raised and an additional length of auger stem is added on top of the previous length of auger. The auger tool is used to prevent the auger bit from slipping too deep into the hole while removing bits. Insure that the engine IS NOT running when adding auger sections.

To cut off engine make sure the drive shaft is in neutral and contact the ground wire by the spark plug with engine casing.

Before transporting the Winkie drill, slide the trolley rearward to the transport position, and secure with steel pins. Loosen the two vertical adjustment bolts and lower the top to the transport position and re-tighten bolts.

Return the yellow auger pins to the tool box.

retract and remove the four corner jacks and stow in the storage bins.

The gas tank must be in a level position when finished in order to transport the Winkie. Make certain that the auger bits are removed, the motor is lowered to 2 inches from the bottom position.

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Last updated by Derrick Bellamy 03/27/02