PDC bits shear through rock using diamond cutters and are generally faster in medium to hard formations with consistent geology. Tricone bits crush and chip rock using rotating cones and are better suited to harder formations or a mixed or variable ground where formations change along the bore path.

Air hammers are most effective in very hard, consolidated rock formations such as granite or basalt where rotary cutting methods are slow or impractical. If you are drilling through formations with a UCS above approximately 100 MPa, an air hammer system is worth considering.

No. Rock motors work alongside surface rotation and rig thrust. They add torque directly at the cutting head downhole, which improves steering precision and reduces the rotary load on surface equipment and drill rods.

JB Trenchless supplies Pioneer One air hammer systems across a range of sizes to suit different bore diameters and rig configurations. Contact the team to confirm the right specification for your project.

Yes. Tricone bits and some PDC configurations are well suited to mixed ground. For bores that transition between formations, having the right tooling on-hand before starting gives crews the flexibility to adapt without delays.

A rock motor — specifically our AT-Boretec Rockmotor — is a downhole tool that sits between your drill string and the cutting bit. It uses the inner rods of a AT/DR system to rotate  the bit face, independent of the outer rod rotation. Combined with a bent sub at approximately 2° offset, it allows the operator to steer the bore through solid rock formations while maintaining directional control. This means you get both high torque at the cutting face and the ability to change bore direction without rotating the entire drill string.

The AT-Boretec Rockmotor is purpose-built for All-Terrain (AT) and Dual-Rod HDD systems. It integrates directly with the most widely used rigs from Ditch Witch, Goodeng, and Vermeer. It is not compatible with standard single-rod rigs — it requires the dual-rod or AT drive system to function correctly. If you’re unsure whether your rig is compatible, contact our team with the make and model and we’ll confirm before you order.

We supply a few different bit types that pair with the Rockmotor: PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) bits for efficient cutting in medium to hard formations, Tricone bits for harder and more abrasive rock, and claw bits for mudstone. Sizes range from 4.75″ up to 6.5″ to suit different borehole requirements. We stock both ranges, meaning you get the full tooling chain from a single supplier.

Air hammers are the preferred solution when facing hard rock. Rock motors are the preferred solution when ground is softer but still hard, as their bent sub design lets you navigate curves, avoid obstacles, and hit precise exit points even in hard formations. Air hammers deliver superior raw penetration rate in very hard, competent rock but offer less steering flexibility. Many contractors use both: an air hammer in very hard rock, and a rock motor for mixed or medium-hard formations. Our team can help you select based on your specific ground conditions and bore geometry.

We supply Pioneer One air hammer systems in 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, and 5-inch body configurations. The pilot hole cuts 1-2” larger than the hammer size. Hammers ize selection is driven by your borehole diameter, available compressor output (CFM/pressure), and rig thrust capacity. The 3″ CR suits small-mid HDD rigs on confined crossings; the 4″ CR handles mid-range work; the 5″ CR is suited to larger rigs tackling heavy rock formations. Contact our team with your rig specs and formation type and we’ll confirm the right match.

Yes — the air hammer system requires minimal water during operation and produces virtually no drilling fluid contamination at the cutting face. Because the percussive mechanism uses compressed air rather than mud-driven torque, there is also significantly less cleanup involved. This makes it well suited to sensitive sites, urban crossings, or locations with water table restrictions.

Our air hammer systems are designed to integrate with standard HDD rigs, but you do need a compatible compressor delivering sufficient CFM and pressure for the hammer size. We offer suitable air compressor units and also supply the full range of complementary tooling including Air Hammer Reamers for borehole enlargement after the pilot bore. Talk to us about your rig before ordering — we’ll confirm compatibility and advise on compressor requirements.

We supply a complete air hammer ecosystem including: replacement bits (button bits), Air Hammer Reamers for back-reaming passes, and wear components for on-site maintenance. Because the tool operates in highly abrasive hard rock conditions, having the right bit and reamer combination makes a significant difference to penetration rate and tool life. We can bundle compatible accessories with your hammer order.

There are three primary benefits of directional drilling:

1. Installing any infrastructural material is a lot easier with directional drilling as it requires only a single pilot hole

2. Directional drilling is highly cost effective as it is virtually trenchless and does not require a significant amount of equipment to dig a trench for replacing underground piping

3. There is very little disruption that comes into landscaping when it comes to directional

A ditch witch is an underground construction equipment that digs a trench in the ground through the use of a vertical bucket line. Large ditch digging machines use a continuous conveyor chain, but a ditch witch uses a 12 foot conveyor chain, that is equipped with knife-like blade attachments, that enables it to easily dig out chunks of dirt.

Horizontal directional drilling is a process that is split into four stages, which includes:

1. Horizontally drilling a pilot hole under and across the obstacle

2. Enlarging the borehole by pre-reaming the horizontal boring to larger diameters

3. Conducting pull back operations by attaching the reamer to the drill string and connecting it to a pulling head

Installing the conduit by pulling the product into a position within the confines of a pipe.

Our drill rods are manufactured from forged and heat-treated alloy steel with a high carbon content. The forging process aligns the steel grain structure for maximum fatigue resistance, while heat treatment delivers the hardness needed to handle the torsional and bending loads typical in horizontal directional drilling. This combination is what separates rods that fail mid-bore from ones that last across hundreds of pullbacks.

We carry a broad range of lengths and diameters to suit mini, midi, and maxi HDD rigs. Thread profiles include a range of standard HDD connections. If you’re unsure of your current rod thread — or are considering a spec change — contact our team. We can identify your existing thread from photos or part numbers and advise on compatible upgrades.

Yes, provided the thread profiles match. We stock a full range of drill rods that are compatible for the many Makes & Models out there. We regularly supply full new baskets or smaller quantities, especially in those times where the drill shot is longer than the distance the onboard drill rods can go. One thing to watch out for is connection old drill rods with new drill rods, as the drill string is only as strong as it’s weakest link!

Each rod goes through testing for durability, hardness, tensile strength, and impact resistance as part of our quality management process. We don’t list products until they meet the performance benchmarks we’ve established across more than 30 years in the trenchless industry.