A rotary drilling rig machine is what contractors reach for when they need deep, wide holes in rock, soil, or mixed ground. Unlike small augers or handheld drills, this equipment sits on tracks or wheels and applies both rotational force and downward pressure. It drills foundation piles, water wells, geothermal boreholes, and mineral exploration shafts.
A good rotary drilling rig saves weeks of manual labor. One unit can drill a 20-meter hole, 1.6 meters wide, in a single shift. That same hole would take a crew with a tripod and hammer drill three or four days. For bridge footings, building foundations, or solar farm piles, this machine pays for itself within months.
Rotary Drilling Rig Machine: Core Specifications at a Glance
YG Machinery manufactures four standard models of this equipment. Each one uses a rotary drive system with hydraulic power. The table below shows what each model delivers.
| Model | Max Drilling Diameter | Max Drilling Depth | Max Rotary Torque | Rotary Speed | Rotary Angle | Dimensions (m) | Weight |
| YG13 | 1000mm | 13m | 50kN.m | 10-45r/min | 360° | 3.1×1.92×3.5 | 9 ton |
| YG15 | 1600mm | 15m | 45kN.m | 17-45r/min | 180° | 6.8×2.27×3.2 | 13 ton |
| YG16 | 1500mm | 16m | 46kN.m | 20-46r/min | 180° | 10×2.3×3.2 | 11 ton |
| YG20 | 1600mm | 20m | 36kN.m | 22-43r/min | 360° | 9.5×2.6×3.5 | 17.8 ton |
The YG13 is the most portable. The YG20 drills the deepest. YG Machinery builds every unit with high-strength steel and sealed hydraulic lines. Each machine runs a test for 2 hours before shipping.
How to Choose the Right Rotary Drilling Equipment
Selecting rotary drilling equipment depends on three factors: hole depth, hole diameter, and ground condition. Match these to the numbers above.
For shallow foundation piles under 10 meters, the YG13 works fine. It weighs only 9 tons, so transport costs stay low. One flatbed truck moves it. No special permits needed in most states.
For deeper holes up to 20 meters, the YG20 is the answer. It weighs 17.8 tons but drills twice as deep. The extra weight also helps when drilling through hard clay or fractured rock. Heavier machines bounce less and stay on line better.
Torque matters more than speed for tough ground. The YG13 has 50kN · m of torque – the highest of all four models. That extra twisting force breaks up cobbles and breaks through caliche layers. The YG20 has less torque (36kN · m) but more depth. Match the tool to the job.
Rotary angle matters for sloped sites. The YG13 and YG20 rotate a full 360 degrees. The YG15 and YG16 rotate 180 degrees. Full rotation helps when drilling on hillsides or next to existing structures. Partial rotation works fine on flat, open ground.
Rotary Drilling Rig for Sale: What You Get for Your Money
A rotary drilling rig for sale represents a major investment. Prices range from $45,000 for a used YG13 to $180,000 for a new YG20 with all options. Here is what the price includes from YG Machinery.
The base machine comes with the rotary drive, hydraulic system, and operator platform. Standard features include a mechanical hoist, wire rope, and drill bit adapter. YG also includes one set of wear parts: seals, filters, and hydraulic hoses.
Optional extras add cost but improve productivity. A mud pump ($4,500) circulates drilling fluid to clear cuttings and cool the bit. A set of three drill bits ($3,200) covers soft clay, hardpan, and rock. Remote control ($2,800) lets the operator stand back from the hole – safer and cleaner.
Financing is available through YG Machinery’s partners for qualified buyers. Terms run 12 to 60 months. Down payments start at 30%. Used machines come with a 6-month warranty. New machines have a 12-month warranty.
Why This Rotary Drilling Machine Price Delivers Real Value
The rotary drilling machine price from YG sits below European and American brands by 30-40%. That does not mean lower quality. It means lower overhead. YG builds in China, ships directly, and does not maintain a network of expensive sales offices.
What buyers get for that lower price is a simple, repairable machine. No proprietary electronics that require dealer software. No custom hydraulic fittings that cost $200 each. Standard parts. Standard tools. Any mechanic who has worked on excavators or backhoes can service this equipment.
The steel frame uses welded box construction – same as Caterpillar or Komatsu. Hydraulic pumps come from Italy. Hoses from Germany. The engine is a Chinese brand with proven reliability and cheap parts. A full engine rebuild costs $1,200, not $8,000.
Owners report 5,000 to 8,000 hours before major repairs. Regular oil changes and filter swaps keep the machine running. YG Machinery stocks all parts and ships within 48 hours. No waiting weeks for a simple seal kit.
Rotary Drilling Rig Machine: Key Features and Performance Benefits
The rotary drive system sits at the heart of this equipment. It uses a hydraulic motor to spin the drill pipe at up to 46 rpm. Torque stays consistent across the full speed range. No lag when the bit hits a rock.
The hoisting system lifts to 8 tons. That is enough to pull a stuck drill string or lift casing sections into place. A mechanical brake holds the load without hydraulic pressure. Safe. Reliable. No creep.
The mast tilts 5 degrees forward and back. This helps start holes on uneven ground. It also lets the operator drill angled holes for soil nails or tiebacks. A pin system locks the mast at each angle. No drift during drilling.
The operator platform has basic controls: two joysticks, a throttle, and a few switches. No touchscreen. No menu system. Everything is labeled in English. A new operator learns the controls in one hour.
Safety features include emergency stop buttons at both ends of the machine. A deadman switch on the joysticks stops rotation if the operator lets go. Guards cover all moving belts and chains. The exhaust exits away from the operator platform.
Rotary Drilling Rig Machine: Applications Across Construction and Mining
This equipment drills holes for many purposes. Here are the most common.
Building foundations. High-rise buildings need deep piles to reach load-bearing strata. A rotary rig drills holes 15 to 20 meters deep. Steel rebar cages go in, then concrete gets poured. One machine handles 10 to 15 piles per day.
Bridge footings. Bridges transfer heavy loads to the ground. Piles under each pier must go down to bedrock. The YG20 drills through overburden and into rock. Torque control prevents binding.
Solar farm piles. Ground-mounted solar panels need hundreds of steel piles. A rotary rig with an auger attachment drills each hole in 90 seconds. The YG13 moves fast between holes. A small footprint means less ground disturbance.
Water wells. Rural properties need wells 15 to 30 meters deep. The YG15 drills through sand, clay, and gravel. A casing follows the drill to keep the hole open. The screen and pump go in after drilling.
Geothermal boreholes. Closed-loop geothermal systems need pairs of holes 20 meters deep. The YG20 drills both holes from one setup. Angle drilling lets the holes meet at the bottom.
Mineral exploration. Mining companies drill test holes to sample ore grades. The YG16 fits on narrow access roads. It drills core samples that geologists analyze on site.
YG Machinery – Your Rotary Drilling Rig Machine Partner
YG Machinery has built drilling equipment for over a decade. Their factory in Zhengzhou, China, produces every rotary drilling rig machine in-house. No outsourcing of frames, hydraulic systems, or controls. Each unit gets a 2-hour test run before creating.
YG Machinery offers installation and training for first-time buyers. An engineer travels to your site for 3 to 5 days. They assemble the machine, train your crew, and drill the first few holes with you. Remote support continues by video call.
Spare parts ship from a warehouse in Houston, Texas, for North American buyers. Common items – filters, seals, hoses – arrive in 2 to 3 days. Major components like engines and hydraulic pumps take 10 to 14 days.
Other Equipment from YG Machinery
Beyond rotary rigs, YG Machinery manufactures several other products for construction and drilling contractors:
- Water well drilling rigs (lightweight truck-mounted units for 100m depth)
- Foundation pile drivers (diesel hammer and vibratory models)
- Anchor drilling rigs (for soil nailing and rock bolting)
- Mud pumps (triplex piston pumps from 50 to 200 GPM)
- Drill pipe and augers (custom lengths and diameters available)
- Casing rotators (for driving steel casing through loose ground)
- Core drill rigs (for concrete and asphalt sampling)
Contact YG Machinery directly for a full equipment catalog. They offer bundle pricing for multiple machines. Free site assessment and hole layout are available before purchase.
Rotary Drilling Rig Machine: Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much fuel does this machine use per hour?
Between 8 and 15 liters per hour, depending on load. The YG13 uses less because it is smaller. The YG20 uses more because it drills deeper. Idling burns about 3 liters per hour. Turn off the engine during breaks.
2. Can I drill through solid rock with this equipment?
Yes, but slowly. Use a carbide-toothed bit and reduce the rotation speed to 15 rpm. Mud circulation helps clear rock dust. Drilling through granite or basalt may take 30 minutes per meter. For large rock jobs, consider a down-the-hole hammer rig instead.
3. What kind of maintenance does it need weekly?
Check the hydraulic fluid level. Grease the rotary drive bearings (3 fittings). Inspect hoses for leaks. Clean the radiator fins. Tighten track bolts if equipped. Total time: 30 minutes. Monthly: change engine oil and hydraulic filters.
4. How do I transport it between job sites?
The YG13 fits on a standard flatbed trailer. The larger models need a lowboy trailer and may require oversize permits depending on width. Remove the drill pipe and lower the mast for transport. YG ships each machine with a transport checklist.
5. What safety training do operators need?
Operators should understand basic hydraulics and heavy equipment safety. No formal certification is required in most states. YG provides a 50-page operator manual with each machine. The on-site training covers safe startup, operation, and shutdown.
6. Can I drill angled holes for soil nails?
Yes. The mast tilts 5 degrees forward and back. For steeper angles, you need a special adapter or a different rig. Contact YG for angle drilling attachments. They are available for all four models.
7. How long do drill bits last?
Soft clay bits last 500 to 800 holes. Hardpan bits last 200 to 400 holes. Rock bits last 50 to 150 holes, depending on rock hardness. YG stocks replacement bits and can resharpen used ones for half the price of new.
