Pneumatic Drifter
A pneumatic drifter is a heavy air-powered rock drill mounted on a feed beam, boom or drill carriage rather than held by hand. Vikay supplies drifters from India: the VK 12, equivalent to the Atlas Copco BBC 120F, and the VK 12FZ, equivalent to the BBC 120FZ.
Because it is carriage-mounted, a drifter can be built heavier and hit harder than any hand-held machine, which is what makes it the standard percussive head on drill jumbos,
wagon drills and ring-drilling rigs. Feed force comes from a screw or chain feed on the beam, so hole straightness and penetration rate do not depend on operator strength.
The VK 12 and VK 12FZ are dimensionally interchangeable with the Atlas Copco, now Epiroc, BBC 120F and BBC 120FZ, mounting on the same cradles and feed beams and taking the same
shank adapters. The FZ variant carries the reversible-flushing arrangement used where hole cleaning is difficult.
Drifters suit development jumbos, long-hole and ring drilling, tunnelling and shaft work. Wear parts including side bolts, main valves and intermediate parts are listed under
Pneumatic Drifter Parts.
FAQS
What is the difference between a drifter and a hand-held rock drill?
- A drifter is mounted on a feed beam or boom and fed mechanically, so it can be much heavier and deliver far more impact energy. A hand-held drill relies on the operator or a pusher leg for feed.
Are the VK 12 and VK 12FZ interchangeable with the BBC 120F and BBC 120FZ?
- Yes. They are built to the same mounting and shank dimensions, so they fit existing cradles and feed beams and use the same drill steels.
Do you supply BBC 120F and BBC 120FZ spare parts?
- Yes. Aftermarket parts for the BBC 120F, BBC 120FZ and the VK 12 are listed under Pneumatic Drifter Parts.
