In the high-stakes world of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, efficiency isn’t just about the big-ticket items. Sometimes, it’s the overlooked components that make the biggest difference, for example the wear bend, also commonly referred to as the deflector box.
Ask any driller what slows a productive day. You’ll hear the usual suspects—compressors, sample systems, rods. Rarely does anyone volunteer the small steel elbow that turns the stream of cuttings on its way to the cyclone. Yet that wear bend (also called a deflector box) quietly decides how much time you spend drilling versus fixing.
Its job is simple — it turns the flow of cuttings so they head into the collection unit — but it cops constant abrasion and vibration. If it’s hard to service or wears out fast, the whole rig slows down. For many contractors, standard wear bends represent a persistent weak spot. They wear out quickly, are difficult to maintain, and in some cases, compromise safety.
Enter Harlsan. What Harlsan’s WEARLOK® changes:
- Two-bolt access to wear plates. Open, swap, close. That design is the difference between “we’ll get to it” and done in minutes (data showed that maintenance dropped from ~30 minutes to ~5).
- Quick-change wear system. Field-serviceable plates mean you don’t pull the whole unit just to replace sacrificial components.
- Materials that survive abrasion. Options include hard-faced steel and ceramic wear blocks, plus a replaceable tungsten-carbide discharge sleeve.
- Rig-ready fit. Available in 60° and 90° configurations with hose tail & knock-on nut sizes from 2″–4″ and thread options like NPT and ACME, so integration isn’t a project – it’s a drop-in.
It’s not just a wear bend; it’s a productivity tool.
Even more notable was the impact on maintenance. By reducing the number of bolts to just two, Harlsan made removal and servicing faster and safer. Field crews, who often work at height and under pressure, could now complete inspections and replacements with far less risk and downtime. Maintenance that once delayed drilling operations could now be carried out promptly and with confidence
These improvements translated directly into greater operational uptime. The rig experienced fewer unplanned stops, and the crew was able to spend more time drilling and less time troubleshooting. The contractor reported higher productivity and improved morale on-site, ultimately deciding to roll out the Wearlok® across its entire fleet.
Following its successful trial, the Wearlok® wear bend was rapidly adopted across the contractor’s fleet. Crews noted not just the durability and simplicity of the unit, but the meaningful impact it had on daily productivity:
- Extended service intervals, thanks to reduced wear at the main impact zone
- Less downtime, as checks and maintenance could be performed more quickly
- Higher productivity, with longer drilling runs and more meters drilled per day
- Improved team safety, due to reduced time spent working at height
In short, the Wearlok® wear bend didn’t just replace a component — it removed a barrier to operational excellence.
Designed for the Real World
What makes the Wearlok® unique is its focus on real-world usability. It accommodates a wide range of rig configurations, with support for drill string sizes from 3” to 4½” and custom setups where needed. It’s compatible with RC hammer drilling methods, and offers flexible connections, including ACME, NPT, knock-on nut, and flange options.
Installation angles are also considered, with 60° and 90° configurations available to suit different rig geometries. This level of versatility ensures that the Wearlok® is not just high-performance — it’s highly adaptable.
Why Harlsan’s Wearlok® is the global market leader In a field where time equals money and safety is paramount:
Faster checks and change-outs
WEARLOK® uses just two bolts to open the wear area. That means inspections and swaps don’t steal the shift. Less time on tools. Less time on platforms. More time turning. Simple maintenance access boosts safety and reduces delays.
Tough where it counts – superior wear resistance
WEARLOK®s design offers protection that is concentrated at the main impact zone—the spot that takes the punishment when cuttings hit and change direction. Reduced frequency of change-outs reduces costs.
A clean, stress-free install
Because the unit is built to the rig, install isn’t a wrestling match. Proper alignment reduced turbulence. Custom fit and rapid deployment ensure you’re never stuck waiting for compatibility fixes.
Safety is baked into the design
If a part is quick to open and easy to handle, then people actually service it. A reduction in time crews spend at height means improved safety, and it also reduces the the temptation to defer checks “until later.”
It’s a solution that is engineered not just to fit your rig — but to optimise it.
RC drilling is a fast-paced, high-output environment where every hour of uptime counts. The cumulative impact of small inefficiencies adds up – and nowhere is that more evident than in components like the wear bend. Harlsan’s Wearlok® has demonstrated a rare combination of durability, simplicity, and safety that directly addresses the frustrations contractors face in the field.
It’s not just a wear bend. It’s a productivity tool.
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