- Pull-back
- 45,000–65,000 lbs
- Power
- 380–513 hp Cummins
- Depth
- Beyond 2,600 ft
- Casing torque
- Up to 29,500 lb-ft
Reverse circulation, on a platform drillers already trust
X Series exploration drilling rigs are reverse circulation (RC) rigs for mineral exploration and resource drilling. They build on the proven GT Series platform — the same rod handling, hydraulics and heavy-duty components — and add what RC work demands: a blast box, blowdown valves, an RC swivel and a sampling splitter, fitted as standard.
There are four models. The X45 and X65 are single rotary; the X45DR and X65DR add a Eurodrill casing head for dual rotary drilling, holding the hole open through collapsing overburden so the sample coming up the inner tube is the ground at the bit, not the ground above it. The X65DR reaches beyond 2,600 ft (800 m) with 29,500 lb-ft of casing torque behind it.
Every model drills angled holes to 45°, runs from dual controls and carries our rod rack and loader — the most robust, reliable and safest rod handling system on the market — so a crew can pull rod all shift without handling it by hand.
How deep each X rig drills
Every string is drawn to scale, to the depth that rig’s spec sheet rates it. Dashed is further depth the sheet says it can reach.
- X45 1,000 ft and beyond
- X65 1,000 ft and beyond
- X45DR 1,000 ft and beyond
- X65DR 2,600 ft (800 m) and beyond
Rated depths from each rig’s September 2026 spec sheet. Actual depth depends on formation, drilling method and tooling.
X Series single-rotary rigs
65,000 LBS
PULL-BACK513HP
CUMMINS ENGINE25FT DRILL RODS
1,200FT ON BOARD RODSEURODRILL TOP DRIVE – RH24X
TORE OF 17,700 LB-FTDRILL BEYOND
1,000FT
46,000 LBS
PULL-BACK380HP
CUMMINS ENGINE20FT DRILL RODS
880FT ON BOARD RODSEURODRILL TOP DRIVE – RH24X
TORE OF 17,700 LB-FTDRILL BEYOND
850FT
The X65DR, X45DR, X65 & X45 rigs are all fitted with Mincon components.
The X65DR, X45DR, X65 & X45 rigs are all fitted with Eurodrill heads as standard, widely accepted as the best on the market
X Series dual-rotary rigs
65,000 LBS
PULL-BACK513HP
CUMMINS ENGINE20FT DRILL RODS
600FT ON BOARD RODSEURODRILL TOP DRIVE – RH24X
TORQUE OF 17,700 LB-FTEURODRILL CASING HEAD – RH40X
TORQUE OF 29,500 LB-FT
46,000 LBS
PULL-BACK380HP
CUMMINS ENGINE20FT DRILL RODS
880FT ON BOARD RODSEURODRILL TOP DRIVE – RH24X
TORE OF 17,700 LB-FTEURODRILL CASING DRIVE – RH26X
TORQUE OF 14,976 LB-FT
The X45, X65, X45DR and X65DR were previously listed as the RC45, RC65, RC45DR and RC65DR — the rig pages still carry those names.
Single or dual rotary?
Single rotary
The X45 and X65 drill with a single Eurodrill top drive — the fast, economical choice where the ground stands up and the collar is sound.
Dual rotary
The X45DR and X65DR add a casing head — 14,976 lb-ft on the X45DR, 29,500 lb-ft on the X65DR — that advances casing while the top drive drills. Through loose overburden it keeps the hole open and the RC sample clean.
RC-ready from the factory
- RC components as standard
- Blast box, blowdown valves, RC swivel and sampling splitter are on the spec sheet of every X rig — not a conversion kit.
- Skid-mounted sampling
- Sampling on its own skid, with spindle-mounted discharge, keeps the sample line short and the rig floor clear.
- Angled drilling to 45°
- Drill inclined holes to 45°, with a 30° angled tip-out system on the head.
- Rod rack & rod loader, as standard
- Our own rod handling system is fitted to every rig — the most robust, reliable and safest on the market, and the reason crews ask for it by name.
- Height-adjustable working table
- Set the table where your crew works best. It doubles as a casing extractor.
- Centralizing rollers & breakout wrenches
- Hydraulic centralizing rollers and a hydraulic breakout chain wrench, with a sliding rod wrench available for crews who would rather not rely on clamps alone.
- Two independent winches
- A main winch and a wire/sandline winch, independent of each other, rotating through 90° and extending.
- Dual controls, remote travel
- Run it from the lead driller’s side, the second man’s, or both. Tracks travel on a wireless remote and four hydraulic legs lift and level the rig.
GTData: the rig, live
Live data at the driller’s controls and on a cloud dashboard, with alerts that catch bit wear, formation changes and maintenance early.
- Rate of penetration (ROP)Tracks drilling progress; an alerted drop identifies bit wear
- TorquePrevents overloading; flags formation changes or stuck pipe
- RPMOptimizes bit performance and drilling efficiency
- Air flow (cfm)Ensures consistent drilling parameters
- Air pressure (psi)Monitors true air pressure and performance
Questions drillers ask
Something we have not answered? Ask a driller.
What is reverse circulation (RC) drilling?
Reverse circulation drilling uses dual-wall rods. Compressed air goes down between the inner and outer walls to a hammer at the bit, and the cuttings come back up the inside tube to surface, where they are collected and split into samples. Because the cuttings never touch the hole wall, the sample represents the ground at the bit — which is why RC is the workhorse of mineral exploration and grade control.
What makes the X Series an RC rig rather than a converted rig?
The RC components are on the spec sheet of every X rig: a blast box, blowdown valves, an RC swivel and a sampling splitter, with skid-mounted sampling and spindle-mounted discharge. The rig is specified for RC work from the factory, on the proven GT platform.
How deep can the X Series drill?
The X45, X65 and X45DR are rated beyond 1,000 ft. The X65DR reaches beyond 2,600 ft (800 m). Depth in RC work depends heavily on air, ground and water, so we size the package — rig, compressor and booster — to the program.
When should I choose dual rotary for exploration?
When the overburden is loose, wet or collapsing. A dual rotary rig advances casing with its own head while the top drive drills inside it, holding the hole open and keeping the sample clean. The X45DR carries a 14,976 lb-ft casing head and the X65DR a 29,500 lb-ft Eurodrill RH40X taking casing up to 8 in (219 mm).
What air do I need for RC drilling?
RC drilling needs high-volume, high-pressure air. The GTD tracked compressor delivers 1,350 cfm at 507.5 psi from a Cummins X15 (675 hp) Stage V engine, with booster and bulk fuel tank options, and the TC48 tracked carrier can bring extra rod, a loader crane and auxiliary equipment alongside.
Are the X Series and RC Series the same rigs?
Yes. The X45, X65, X45DR and X65DR are the rigs previously listed as the RC45, RC65, RC45DR and RC65DR, and their spec sheets still carry the RC names.
Can I monitor an X rig remotely?
Yes. GTData puts live rate of penetration, torque, RPM, air flow and air pressure in front of the driller and on a cloud dashboard, with alerts that flag bit wear, formation changes and maintenance before they cost you a shift.