Norddiamant Drill Arm: Safety and Efficiency in Core Sampling
Norddiamant’s mobile drilling trailer is developed for efficient and safe asphalt core sampling directly on the road. The equipment meets the requirements of standard FAS 418 and is sized for the most common sample diameters of 100 and 150 mm. The trailer is delivered complete and ready to use – hitch up and go.
Norddiamant Drill Arm
What sets our trailer apart is the proprietary Norddiamant Drill Arm. The arm folds out from the rear of the trailer and can be moved steplessly sideways along the full rear edge, as well as adjusted in distance from the trailer. That means the operator can drill all four sample points in a row – with 30 cm spacing according to FAS 418 – without moving the vehicle even once.
The arm can also reach beyond the trailer width, making it possible to take samples in the middle of the lane without repositioning the equipment. This saves significant time when sampling long road sections, and reduces the time the operator needs to spend unprotected in or next to the carriageway.
Safety on the road
Asphalt sampling often means only one lane is closed. How the equipment is designed directly affects how much time the operator is forced to spend unprotected in or next to the active lane.
With Norddiamant’s drilling trailer, the operator never needs to be to the left of the vehicle and trailer – other than when getting in and out of the car. All drilling is done from the rear of the trailer, and thanks to the drill arm’s reach, every sample point can be accessed without moving the vehicle.
Compared with alternative methods, this is a clear safety advantage. With a fixed drill stand on the trailer, the vehicle must be moved between each sample point, forcing the operator to walk around the vehicle repeatedly. Choosing a free-standing drill stand lifted onto the asphalt instead requires heavy lifting and the operator standing on the plate as counterweight – something that really needs at least 300 kg to work safely, yet is still seen in the field. Neither of these steps exists with Norddiamant’s solution.
Complete and weather-protected
The drilling trailer is built on a robust standard trailer with an aluminium cover that protects all equipment from weather and road dirt. Unlike open designs, it can be parked outdoors year-round without exposure to rain, snow and salt. The rear door folds upward and provides a natural roof to work under – practical in bad weather.
Inside, all necessary equipment is mounted and pre-connected:
- Generator (petrol or diesel)
- 175-litre water tank with level indicator
- Water pump for cooling during drilling
- 230V outlets for packer or other equipment
- Flashing light visible from the rear
- Stabiliser legs with side-mounted cranks
- Storage for core samples and tools
Proven design – in service since the 1990s
Norddiamant drilling trailers are used by leading road and construction contractors and have proven to last decades of intensive field use. The arm deploys and retracts quickly, and the system needs minimal maintenance. The oldest still-active trailers from us are now 30 years old. Many drill thousands of holes per year.
Configured for you
We help you configure the trailer for your needs – sample diameter, generator type and any options. Standard is drills for Ø100 and Ø150 mm – adaptation for Ø200 mm or larger can be ordered. Contact us for a quote or more information.