In RC drilling, keeping your drill string clear and your rig running is the name of the game.

When blockages occur – and they do – every minute spent troubleshooting adds to your downtime, costs, and frustration.  The solution? A blow down system that works every time, with minimal effort, and without putting your crew or schedule at risk.

For many RC contractors, however, the reality is far more complicated. Traditional blow down systems, especially those with integrated hydraulic and pneumatic components, are prone to failure. A fault in one part of the system can disable the entire unit, leading to costly downtime and complicated repairs. When even a small malfunction takes your rig out of commission, it’s clear that a better approach is needed.

View the FLOTEC product page for more detail and technical specifications.

That’s exactly what Harlsan set out to deliver with the Flotec® blow down system — a smarter, simpler, and safer solution that’s already proven itself in the field.

Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling is the backbone of efficient mineral exploration globally, but even the most advanced rigs can be brought to a halt by one simple problem: drill string blockages.

One of Harlsan’s largest customers, a major player in the RC drilling industry, was using an old blow down system with integrated hydraulic and pneumatic components. This design meant that a failure in one component would render the entire system inoperable. Seeking a more reliable solution, they opted to trial Harlsan’s Flotec® blow down system, which separates the hydraulic and pneumatic components.

Flotec® was installed in one of their rigs, and its performance closely monitored. The results were overwhelmingly positive: maintenance became simpler and less time‑consuming, leading to significantly reduced rig downtime. Wear‑life was extended, and the overall rig performance improved markedly.

The success of the Flotec® blow down quickly garnered attention within the company – what was planned to be a gradual implementation was accelerated and within nine months Flotec® was standard across their entire fleet.  (Read the case study to learn more)

Results:

They discovered that Flotec® requires less time and effort for maintenance, improving safety by reducing the time teams spend operating at height.  In addition, Flotec® has a thicker section wall on the wear sleeve, increasing wear‑life.

Not only does it clear drill string blockages with a simple switch, it also flushes the hole & clears the water, allowing operations to resume quickly.

In RC drilling, downtime is the silent profit killer. Every hour spent waiting on maintenance, replacing parts, or clearing blockages is an hour not spent drilling. And in a competitive mining environment, that’s an hour you can’t afford to lose, so investing in a reliable, robust, easily-maintained system is essential to keeping operations productive, safe, and cost-effective.

Harlsan’s Flotec® blow down system offers a reliable and intelligent solution to an everyday challenge. With its focus on efficiency, reliability, and ease of use, Flotec® empowers drill teams to stay productive, safe, and ahead of schedule — all while lowering long-term maintenance costs.

Learn how Flotec drives rig efficiency.