Geoprobe 6620

We have added another new drill to the fleet of limited access drills.  In keeping with our niche of machines for limited access areas, the Geoprobe 6620 is a great new tool for our drilling tool box.  For those clients who are familiar with our MiniMole, this drill will be suitable for many of the locations where the MiniMole is traditionally used.  Equipped with an automatic 140lb drop hammer, this machine is equally adept at geotechnical drilling as it is using direct push tooling for environmental investigations.  Although the machine is slightly wider than the MiniMole, the increased weight and larger auger motor make it a more powerful alternative for places you can fit the slightly larger footprint of this machine.  This is the largest of our 3 direct push machines, with our MiniProbe being more suitable for tighter spaces and our Geoprobe 420 being very specialized for more access limited areas.

APGO Webinar

In April 2013, we wrote that the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO) had released a draft template for reports completed to satisfy the reporting requirements for Phase Two ESAs for Reg 153.  (See link here for that posting and document).  The finalized version of the document is dated October 2013 and can be found by clicking Template.  On May 15, 2014, the APGO will be presenting a webinar to discuss this document.  You can register for the webinar by clicking here.

Smart Remediation

Building on the tremendous success of the first “Smart Remediation” conference last year, organizers have been planning an event for this year.  You can get all the details by clicking Smart Remediation.

Big Beaver Power Boost

When Kodiak brought Big Beaver drilling to southern Ontario in 1996, it was revolutionary in the field of limited access drilling.  A machine that was larger and more powerful than the Pionjar and smaller and more nimble than the truck and track mounted machines commonly being used.  We brought the capability of doing SPTs with small equipment and introduced the concept of running a drill that was physically separate from a power unit, allowing for drilling indoors without fumes.  Since that time, other modifications have been made, including the introduction of “Shorty”; a short tower that allows us to run the 140lb hammer with only 8ft of headroom.

Now, a significant improvement has been made to one of our units by increasing the output of the power source by over 30% (from 18hp to 24hp).  This increase has allowed us to change the rotation head to increase the torque  from ~500 ft lbs to ~800 ft lbs !  Although the penetration of the drill is still subject to the weight limitations of the machine, the increased rotation torque will allow us to rotate through more difficult formations.  We are constantly being pressured by our clients to push the limits with this machine – this will allow us to push even further in many instances.

MOE Guidance Document Released (Draft)

The MOE has released a draft version of a technical guidance document on soil vapour intrusion.  The MOE indicates “The Guidance is intended to provide the user with a basic understanding of soil vapour intrusion and the tools required to identify review and evaluate sites for vapour intrusion with respect to contaminated sites.”  The MOE had an info session on this topic on January 27.

Because Kodiak Drilling specializes in drilling indoors, we have installed a lot of vapour probes and have developed some unique methods and equipment for their installation.  We will continue to monitor the MOE proposed methods to ensure we are providing equipment and methods that are technically defensible and consistent with their requirements.
After revising the document based on feedback, the MOE plans to post the document on the EBR for public comment.