The Vermeer Mix Master HD (MXHD) reamers are a new solution for opening horizontal directional drilling (HDD) boreholes in sandy loam, sticky clay and other reactive ground conditions. These reamers direct fluid to the cutting teeth where it is needed, maintaining bore integrity and hydrating the bore path and cutting teeth.
The solution facilitates slurry flow and cuttings removal. Threaded shaft sizes are available in a variety of sizes with cut diameters ranging from 6 in. to 36 in. (15.2 cm to 91.4 cm). The Vermeer MXHD reamers are designed for small utilities and large-diameter HDD applications.
"The hydro distribution design of these reamer mixes cuttings with drilling fluid and discharges the resulting slurry out of the borehole with directional fluid control," explained Cody Mecham, Vermeer product manager. "This helps manage the risk of the drill operator outrunning their mud during the reaming process. Moreover, fluid ports are always located near the cutting structure, regardless of the cut's size, limiting areas where mud can accumulate on the plates.”
Vermeer MXHD reamers have an intentional plate angle and engineered open spaces that promote slurry passage and movement of cuttings. On mid-size and larger reamers, plate openings and optimized angles also facilitate slurry flow and help move cuttings behind the reamer.
Small rotary teeth on the Vermeer MXHD reamers minimize overcutting while maintaining the integrity of the bore wall. These teeth are strategically mounted in a spiral pattern on the plates, resulting in consistent pullback and a clean cut. This geometry helps mitigate wandering and cuts a bore path.
Vermeer prioritizes durability with the MXHD reamers, achieved by increasing plate thickness and adding reinforcing gussets to angled plates on mid-size and larger reamers. The progressive plate design steps the hole up to the full diameter, with initial plates increasing the diameter in 2-in. (5.1-cm) increments while the final plates finish cutting in 4-in. (10.2-cm) increments.
"We are excited to introduce the Vermeer Mix Master HD reamers to the market," said Mecham. "These reamers represent a significant advancement in fluid management technology, and we are confident that they will provide our customers with the high-quality performance and reliability that they have come to expect from Vermeer HDD tooling."
