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Soft Soil Sticking? Fix It with Diluted Mud & Slow Reverse for Water Drilling

In rural well construction, soft soil layers such as clay, silt, and quicksand are the "natural enemies" of drilling rigs. Many farmers and construction teams have reported that after the drilling rig is lowered into the ground, it gets stuck in soft soil, making it impossible to pull the drill rod out. This can delay the project or even damage the drilling tools. Our Xinhao Drilling Rig service in rural well-drilling scenarios has found that 80% of drill bit entrapment in soft soil is caused by excessively thick mud and excessively high operating speed. Using the method of "diluting the mud + low-speed reverse rotation," a quick freeing process can be achieved within 10-20 minutes, and even beginners can easily operate it.

I. Three Main Reasons for Drill Bit Burial in Rural Soft Soil

Rural water well drilling machines are mostly small, portable machines or crawler drill rigs. Due to limited construction conditions, drill bit burial primarily stems from misjudging soft soil layers and operational errors:

Improper Mud Mixing: To prevent borehole collapse, novices blindly mix mud that is too thick (bentonite content exceeding 15%). This mud forms a cementing layer in the soft soil, firmly sticking the drill rod and drill bit to it.

Incorrect Drilling Parameters: Drilling at high speeds (>150 rpm) in soft soil layers causes the drill rod to agitate the soft soil, forming a "mud bag" that encases the drill bit, leading to burial.

Incorrect Geological Assessment: Rural strata are complex. Drilling without prior surveying, and failing to adjust techniques when encountering silt or quicksand layers, can cause soft soil to collapse from the borehole wall, burying the drill bit.

We once encountered a client in Nanyang, Henan Province, who was drilling in clay layers using thick mud and high-speed drilling. After the drill bit became stuck, a forced pull caused the drill rod to bend. Using our method, the drill bit was successfully retrieved in just 15 minutes.

II. A stuck drill in soft soil is a common issue.

Avoid forceful pulling, which can damage equipment. Here’s a simple two-step recovery method:

1. Dilute Mud & Flush

Release thick mud from the pool and add water (and soda ash if available) to create a thin slurry. Circulate it for 5-10 minutes to break up the soil around the drill string.

2. Slow Reverse & Pull

Set your drill to low-speed reverse (30-50 RPM). Gently rotate to loosen the soil, then winch up slowly (≤0.5 m/min). If resistance remains, repeat flushing.

3 Quick Tips to Prevent Sticking:

Survey soil with a hand auger first.
Use light pressure and higher mud flow in soft layers.
Clean the hole every 2-3 meters to prevent buildup.

For rural sites, portable water drilling machine like Xinhau XH-100 are ideal. Remember: patience and the right technique protect your drill and get the job done.

Wishing You a Bright Christmas & A Prosperous New Year | From Your Trusted XinHao Drilling Rig

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