What Does
Steering Head Mean?
In directional drilling applications, the steering head is the component at the leading end of the drill that allows it to be maneuvered vertically, and in some cases, horizontally.
Necessary adjustments to the drilling direction are done remotely by an operator who also uses the drill’s navigational system to monitor the position of the drill at any given time.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Steering Head
Having the ability to steer the drilling system is essential to ensure that the bore is kept on its intended path. In addition, during drilling, unforeseen obstacles or difficult situations may be encountered, which may necessitate altering the path of the drill.
Most steering heads are controlled via a system of hydraulic actuated flaps that open and close to move the steering head horizontally and vertically. The onboard navigation system is used to feed real-time information to the operator to track the drill location and the cutting path in order to make necessary adjustments.