Boomer / Drilling Jumbo Repair and Maintenance
Boomer and drilling jumbo maintenance for rock drills, feeds, positioning and power systems. Plan specialist support using exact machine details.
An underground drilling jumbo needs different skills for tramming, boom positioning, drilling and electrical power. Boomer is an Epiroc product name; drilling jumbo is the wider equipment category. A machine that trams correctly can still have a drilling-power, feed or percussion fault. Identify the carrier and each installed rock drill when arranging repair or servicing. Power arrangements vary: diesel tramming is not universal, battery variants exist, and incoming supply voltage must be read from the machine documentation rather than assumed.
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Machine type and use
Boomer is an Epiroc face-drilling product family. Underground drilling jumbos position rock drills on one or more booms to drill a tunnel or mine face. They are different from boom lifts and microtunnelling machines. Power, control and tramming arrangements vary; do not assume every jumbo uses the same electrical or hydraulic system.
The mechanic, electrical and controls team
The usual disciplines are underground-equipment mechanics, rock-drill specialists, industrial electricians and controls technicians. Match the team to the failed system and the site authorisation requirements. Battery-powered variants add their own electrical competence requirements.
Underground service and rock-drill overhaul
Underground work needs access, ventilation, isolation, lighting and the project permit arrangements before tools are brought to the machine. Accessible hoses, feed wear items and confirmed electrical defects may be repaired at the worksite. Internal rock-drill work needs cleanliness, measurement and testing appropriate to the unit; an equipped specialist workshop may be needed. Control software, calibration and proprietary systems can require OEM involvement. Do not describe every rock-drill repair as legally OEM-only, or every general workshop as capable.
Before the first technical call
Say whether one boom or every boom is affected, and whether the issue is percussion, rotation, feed or positioning. Include the rock-drill identification as well as the carrier model. Send existing fault logs and the circumstances of the failure. A single affected drilling unit and a whole-machine power failure lead to different diagnostic plans.
Rock drill, boom, feed and power-system faults
| Symptom | Checks to Make | Site vs Workshop Assessment | Likely Replacement Parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock drill has weak percussion | Hydraulic supply, lubrication, operating inputs or internal rock-drill wear | Drill-system tests at site; precision overhaul in suitable facilities | Rock-drill seal/wear kits and identified internal parts |
| Rotation stalls or becomes irregular | Drill rotation circuit, tooling resistance, motor or controls | Measured diagnosis at site; internal repair as needed | Motor/seal components, valve parts or tooling |
| Feed carriage jerks or binds | Feed mechanism, guides, hose reel/carrier or control fault | Inspect with the feed secured; repair accessible items at site | Feed parts, guides, wear strips, hoses or seals |
| Boom positioning drifts | Cylinder leakage, holding/control circuit or linkage wear | Site diagnosis with the boom supported | Seals, valve parts, pins or bushes |
| Flushing-water flow poor | Supply, pump, filters/strainers, hose, swivel or tool restriction | Check the supply-to-tool circuit at site | Hoses, seals, strainers or pump parts |
| Rock-drill lubrication alarm | Lubricant supply, pump, lines or monitoring fault | Specialist assessment before further drilling | Specified lubricant, pump/line parts or sensor |
| Incoming power or insulation fault | Supply, cable, connector, motor or electrical equipment condition | Qualified electrical team using the exact machine requirements | Cable, connector, contactor, motor or protection parts after testing |
| Tramming or braking fault | Fitted drivetrain, brakes, power system or controls | Mobile-machine specialist; battery systems need appropriate competence where fitted | Brake, drive, engine or electrical parts specific to the machine |
| Control or positioning data unreliable | Sensors, harness, communications, control supply or configuration | Model-compatible controls diagnosis | Confirmed sensor, cable or control component |
| Hoses damaged or oil overheats | Routing, abrasion, cooling restriction or internal losses | Hose/cooling checks at site; internal faults measured separately | Correct hose assemblies, filters, cooler or hydraulic parts |
Servicing and condition inspection
Maintain drilling assemblies and the carrier according to their separate instructions. Track drifter service, feed wear, lubrication, flushing and cable condition. Keep model-specific maintenance records and record recurring alarms. Underground ventilation, traffic and emergency arrangements must be coordinated by the site for any maintenance visit.
Inspection areas to include
- Each boom, feed beam, carriage, hoses and positioning joints.
- Rock drill/drifter, lubrication, flushing and drill-string interfaces.
- Hydraulic supply, cooling and common electrical/control systems.
- Tramming, steering and brakes; cables, reels and protective systems where fitted.
What the inspection or repair report should record
Record each drilling unit separately, including feed, positioning, flushing and lubrication findings. The report should state which electrical checks were performed by qualified personnel and what remains untested. Rock-drill overhaul records should identify the unit serial number, internal findings, parts fitted and the test performed before return.
Manufacturer examples and machine identification
Epiroc manufactures the Boomer family; Sandvik offers underground drilling rigs and jumbos under its own product names. Calling a Sandvik machine a Boomer can lead to the wrong parts or technician being selected, so use the nameplate.
Planning service for an Indian project
For road, rail and hydropower tunnelling projects, provide the tunnel location, access constraints, shift window and machine power information. Water, dust and impact exposure affect cables, connectors and feed components. Record each installed rock-drill model on a multi-boom jumbo; they may have different service histories. A supply specification taken from another project or a different jumbo is not a valid basis for electrical work. At mines, follow the applicable DGMS requirements and the mine'™s maintenance and examination arrangements.
Equipment to arrange for the work
- Manufacturer-compatible diagnostic access and suitable hydraulic/electrical measuring equipment.
- Rock-drill service fixtures and precision measuring tools for workshop overhaul.
- Feed alignment/wear tools and appropriately rated component-handling equipment.
- Equipment suitable for the site environment; electrical tests must be planned by qualified personnel for the actual supply and machine.
Before maintenance starts
Treat incoming electrical power, unsupported booms and stored hydraulic energy as separate isolation requirements; follow the underground project controls.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Boomer a microtunnelling machine?
No. A Boomer face-drilling rig drills holes at a tunnel or mine face. An MTBM excavates and advances as part of a trenchless tunnelling system.
Can a single mechanic attend a Boomer breakdown?
It depends on the defect. A mechanical visit may be enough for a limited fault, while power, control and drifter problems may require a coordinated specialist team.
Do all Boomers use diesel engines for tramming?
No. Equipment variants include different power arrangements, including battery tramming. Use the exact model and configuration.
Can we assume the incoming supply is 1000 V?
No. Epiroc specifications include other voltages for some models. Confirm the machine plate, documentation and project electrical design before any connection or testing.
Can a general hydraulic mechanic overhaul a rock drill?
General hydraulic experience alone is insufficient. The workshop needs the rock-drill procedure, precision inspection capability, correct parts and an appropriate post-rebuild test.
Information to prepare for a repair or inspection enquiry
- Rig make/model, serial number, number of booms, each rock-drill identity and power arrangement.
- Affected boom/function, exact alarms, operating logs and existing photographs or safely recorded video.
- Rig/rock-drill hours and recent service, overhaul or component-replacement history.
- Tunnel or mine location, access/induction requirements and current machine position.
- Required shift window and available isolation, power, lifting and specialist workshop resources.
Need a mechanic or an inspection?
Send the machine make and model, site location and symptoms through the Mech On Site contact page. Include the service or inspection you need and any fault codes or existing photographs.
Technical References
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