INSIDE LOOK: New Ditch Witch JT21 Directional Drill

Ditch Witch has a rich history in providing contractors with reliable and versatile directional drills for a range of underground construction installations, going all the way back to the release of the original Jet Trac drill in 1990. For the last 20 years, the JT20 in its various forms has been the flagship of the broad range of Ditch Witch drills, offering a versatile blend of power and performance in a compact footprint.

Now, Ditch Witch is responding to the needs of the market by offering an upgraded replacement to this popular model. In January, the pioneering company announced the release of the new JT21, boasting more downhole horsepower and increased carriage speed to keep contractors ahead of schedule.

The JT21 features 21,000 pounds of pullback, 20,000 pounds of thrust and 2,250 ft-lbs. of torque, allowing crews to complete installations at a faster pace in a variety of soil conditions. Also, a new design and lower center of gravity increases stability.

“The JT20 has been a staple of the industry and has been our most popular drill but having been on the market for 20 years, the time had come for an upgrade,” says Ditch Witch HDD product manager Britton Yunker.

“Any operator who puts the JT21 drill to work will quickly see why it’s the most powerful drill in its class. But it’s not sheer power alone that sets the JT21 drill apart from other drills in its class. It also incorporates several productivity-boosting enhancements, making it an ideal choice for contractors whether they’re looking to replace an aging drill or make crews more effective.”

When asked about the main differences between the JT21 and its predecessor, Yunker reiterated power. “The JT21 has the same hydraulic system that we have on our JT24, which is the next size up, and we incorporated a direct drive rotation motor,” he says. “The direct drive rotation motor is hooked directly to the spindle, so there is a no need for a gearbox that can reduce available power.

“These improvements allow for 40 percent more downhole horsepower, and that is especially important when you’re going through tough ground conditions. More power results in better time management, the ability to pull in bigger product more effectively, and going longer distances.”

Yunker is also quick to highlight the carriage speed of the JT21, capable of achieving 215 ft per minute. “The crews using these drills are trying to do 1,000 ft per day, so 215 ft per minute whenever you’re cycling pipe knocks off minutes and that can be a big benefit over the course of a day.”

Another feature included on the JT21 is Virtually Assisted Make-up (VAM) technology, a proven feature first introduced on the JT/AT120. VAM technology provides software-driven make-up and breakout of pipe to simplify operators’ jobs and help prevent pipe-thread damage to extend pipe longevity. A horizontal-style pipe loading, also used on larger drills, was incorporated on the JT21 to help optimize efficiency and uptime on jobsites.

Other notable aspects of the new JT21 include platform commonality with the Ditch Witch range of drills including the JT24, the JT/AT32, JT/AT40 and the JT/AT120, which allows operators to run different drills without the need for additional training. Additionally, the JT21 is equipped with multi-mode joysticks, meaning operators have the ability to choose between Ditch Witch, American Augers or alternative controls – whichever is their preferred method.

“A lot of big contractors who own drills in this class also have bigger drills in their fleet, and the common platform allows them to plug in operators on different machines as needed,” Yunker says.

Advanced telematics on the JT21 provide additional benefits for the contractors, giving real-time information on key drill health and operating parameters. This information assists contractors in making informed decisions to improve overall jobsite management and optimize maintenance.

The JT21 is ideal for the burgeoning fiber installation market, but it can be used for any underground construction application, with the ability to pull back up to 12 in. diameter product. In a typical fiber install, contractors use this size drill to install up to 400-ft lengths of 4 in. product.

The increased power on a small footprint make the JT21 a solid choice for working in urban or congested areas. Choosing the right drill for your needs comes down to your typical use case, Yunker says. When buying a new drill, he recommends talking to local Ditch Witch dealers who are familiar with the ground conditions in the area and can help in ensuring you get the right tool for the job.

With the increase in power and the introduction of new technologies, Ditch Witch is proud to say that the new JT21 comes in at only a nominally higher price than its predecessor. “It is amazing that our engineers were able to design a more powerful and full featured drill with only a slight cost increase vs. its predecessor,” Yunker says.

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