Vermeer Unveils Trio of S3 Navigator Drills

After five years of querying customers and working at the drawing board, Vermeer Corp.’s Underground division is finally ready to pull the wraps off a trio of S3 Navigator horizontal directional drills (HDDs).

The D23X30, D24X40 and the D40X55 S3 drills are built with speed, simplicity and sound (noise) in mind – all three of which are key when contractors are looking to complete more jobs, in congested urban areas.

Simplicity is necessary as contractors are facing a shortage of operators. By making the new S3 drills easier to operate, experienced and new operators alike can switch from one drill to the next and use a similar control system.

This S3 trio is built for speed because with increased speed comes productivity and profitability in the competitive telecommunications, water and gas distribution markets. Tracking is faster as are the cycle and rack times on the drills.

As for sound, Vermeer heard from contractors that when working in congested urban settings, noise is a big concern – not only for the operator but also those living and working in close proximity to the jobsite.

All three have had significant sound reductions with the D23X30 at a 99 dBA guaranteed sound power level and an operator ear rating of 78.7 dBA; and the D24X40 and D40X55 at 104 dBA guaranteed sound power level and an operator ear rating of 82.9 dBA. To put that into perspective, a blow dryer, kitchen blender and food processor are all in the 80-90 dBA range.

With 24,000 lbs of thrust and pullback and 3,000 ft-lbs of rotational torque — an increase over its predecessor, the D20x22 Series II Navigator HDD — the D23x30 S3 is equipped to maximize machine and jobsite efficiency. The D23X30 is ideal for utility installations.

A carriage speed of 206 ft per minute, a rotational speed of 219 rpm and enhanced rod breakout efficiency will help contractors install more linear feet per day. The D23x30 S3 also offers a ground tracking speed of up to 3.3 mph to help contractors get from one project to another faster.

To power the D23x30 S3, Vermeer has selected a 100-hp, liquid-cooled, turbocharged diesel Deutz TCD 3.6L4 Tier 3/Tier 4-compliant engine, which is capable of producing greater power than its predecessor.



The D24X40 S3 builds upon a rig that set the industry in 1993. With 28,000 lbs of thrust and pullback and 4,200 ft-lbs of rotational torque — along with improved ground speed, carriage speed, rotational speed and rod breakout efficiency — the D24x40 S3 is built to help maximize machine and jobsite productivity.

A carriage speed of 240 ft per minute and a rotational speed of 253 rpm help contractors install more linear feet per day, maximizing jobsite efficiency. The D24x40 S3 is powered by a 125-hp, liquid-cooled, turbocharged diesel John Deere 4045 4.5L Tier 4 engine.
Rounding out the trio is the Vermeer D40x55 S3 that can complete a wide range of installations from 2- to 16-in.

The D40x55 S3 has 40,000 lbs of thrust/pullback and 5500 ft-lbs of rotational torque, the D40x55 S3 offers a more than 10 percent increase in thrust and rotation over its predecessor, the D36x50 Series II.

The D40x55 S3 features a carriage speed of 188 ft per minute, which is 7 percent faster than its predecessor, helping contractors install more linear feet per day.

The versatility of the D40x55 S3, allows contractors to select the ideal drill configuration for the specific need. They can choose from three drill rod options: 10-ft rod in 2.38 in. or 2.63-in. diameters and 15-ft rod with a 2.63 in. diameter.

A 140-hp, liquid-cooled, turbocharged diesel John Deere 4045 4.5L Tier 4- compliant engine delivers robust power, while a redesigned excavator-style climate-controlled cab allows operators better visibility, more legroom and greater comfort in unfavorable climate conditions.

For more information about the new S3 drills, customers should check with their local Vermeer dealer or visit the Vermeer website.