Typically, drilling equipment are land or sea-based structures like oil platforms or offshore oil rigs. However, drilling equipment can also come in smaller sizes to allow for easier mobility to different sites for mineral drilling or soil exploration. The mobile drilling rigs can be moved from site to site by mounting it on a truck. Bigger land rigs must be disassembled and loaded into a truck and then reassembled at a new drill site. This process is a lot more time consuming and ultimately costs a drilling contractor far more money. If you mistakenly purchase equipment that is not clear title or has a lien applied, you may have to forfeit ownership to the lending institution. Although this may sound cliché, it is very important to do your research when planning to participate in industrial equipment auctions. That is the only way you can spell out exactly what you want, set a realistic budget, and bid on the best equipment. You need to be in possession of information such as the specifications of the equipment you want and what would constitute a deal breaker. Most used equipment is sold as-is, where-is. If possible, test and inspect used drilling equipment before you buy. If you don't have considerable heavy equipment knowledge, have a qualified mechanic or experienced operator carry out both a physical and functional inspection on your behalf. If you're buying online, look for websites that provide detailed equipment information and photos. Scrutinize pictures carefully and don't be afraid to email any questions you have to the seller or to ask for photos of the equipment from different viewpoints; for example, a photo of the undercarriage, engine compartments or hours meter. Ask to see service or maintenance records. And if you’re buying sight unseen, confirm that the item you collect matches the description that was advertised before you take them.
There are different forms of drilling equipment used to dig a hole in the ground and each can produce different results when penetrating the Earth’s crust and extracting core samples. For example, Auger drilling is excellent for swamps or marshy regions. On the other hand, air core drilling works best for extracting core samples from unconsolidated ground because the rods the drilling rig contains a hollow inner tube that traps samples as the drill bores down into the ground. Of course, diamond core drilling offers the greatest penetration ratio with hard rock surfaces because of the hardness that the diamond drill bit encompasses itself. It is however far more time consuming than other methods used by drilling rig companies. If you are making a purchase online or from a private seller, make sure you have some kind of recourse if the equipment arrives in a condition that differs from the image presented online, or if the equipment doesn't arrive at all. Check the terms of any online transaction before you buy, and look for websites that have a secure escrow process. With each purchase you make, ask for a receipt, invoice or other documentation naming you as the owner of the drilling equipment. If you are buying from a private seller, try to avoid paying in cash. Pay by certified check and leave a paper trail that can help prove you paid for the item.