The DA555 is based on the DA554 rod loader and is designed to reduce the manual lifting of rods. 

It comes as standard equipment on the DE800 iSeries and can be retrofitted to older Sandvik DE800 hydraulic models.

The DA555 can load both core and reverse heavy circulation drill rods remotely, keeping the operator at a distance of up to 50m from the rig.

According to Sandvik, it is also simple to operate and easy to learn.

Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology exploration product line manager George Tophinke said the rod handler was an important technological development.

“With its remote-controlled rod loading operations, the DA55 represents a giant step forward in terms of safety, productivity and reliability,” he said.

The rod handler’s globally patented design incorporates internal jaws inside the cup that clamp the rod during loading operations.

This process ensures the rod joint is secured and torqued correctly to the rotation unit before the rod loader is removed, to help reduce rod falls.

The DA555 can load rods for a 210 degree rod collection arc around the mast base from either the on-board tray or from the auxiliary rod storing equipment.

It is attached to the rig mast to maintain a small rig footprint size.

The remote control features Zero G drop sensors.