admin@yugongequipment.com
In rural UK, the cost to connect to municipal water supply commonly ranges from £3,000 to £15,000 — and this does not cover annual water meter charges. For numerous rural properties across England, Wales and Scotland, drilling a private well is often a more practical and cost-effective option. Yet there is one major challenge: getting a full-size drilling rig through narrow farm gateways or walled gardens. Most projects get stuck right before work even starts.
That was exactly the problem faced by a mixed farm in Kent, southeast England. The farmer needed a small water boring machine that could pass through a 2.4-metre-wide gate at the back of the barn to reach the work zone. It had to drill through the clay and underlying chalk rock typical of Kent, down to sufficient depth to reach a stable aquifer. In addition, he wanted equipment that his farmhand could operate independently after basic training. Hiring professional drilling companies for every well was financially unsustainable. While searching for a portable well drilling machine for sale, he found the wheel-mounted YG-150 drilling rig.
Portable Well Drilling Machine for Sale Specifications
Crawler-type:
| Model | YG-HY200 |
| Engine | Diesel |
| Drilling Power | 22HP |
| Walking power | 8HP |
| Max drill depth | 150m |
| Drill diameter | Φ75-Φ300mm |
| Electric start | include |
| Radiator | include |
| Lifting power | 800KG |
| Lifting height | the highest point of 2.5 meters machine |
| Volume | 12 CBM |
| Weight | 1000kg |
Wheel-type:
| Wheel-type | |
| Model | YG-150 |
| Motor Type | Diesel |
| Power | 22Hp |
| Max drilling depth | 150m |
| Drilling diameter | 75-325mm |
| Electric start | include |
| Mud pump | include |
| Lift weight | 800KG |
| Lifting height | max 2.5m |
| Machine weight | 550KG |
Customer Requirements: What Does a Small Drilling Rig for Water Need?
Before selecting equipment, the customer drew up clear requirements based on site conditions and operational needs:
- Restricted site space — The preferred drilling spot sat in a walled yard behind the barn, with only one 2.4-metre-wide access gate. Any rig had to fit through this opening.
- Sufficient drilling depth — Local geological surveys showed usable aquifers lay 60-90 metres below ground, under layers of clay, flint and chalk. The rig had to reach at least 100 metres for a safe working margin.
- Easy operation — The machine would be run by a farmhand with basic mechanical skills.
- Good mobility — The farm had multiple potential drilling locations, including livestock enclosures, vegetable gardens and a planned barn conversion. The rig needed to move easily between different work sites.
- Controlled budget — As a small agricultural business, capital expenditure had to be reasonable. The customer wanted equipment that delivered professional-grade results without the high price tag of full commercial drilling rigs.
These requirements clearly pointed toward a small drilling rig for water: compact, reliable, and user-friendly, rather than large commercial machines built for heavy-duty contract drilling work.
In-Stock Models Ready to Ship – See What’s Available
Why the Wheel-Mounted YG-150 Is the Right Portable Well Drilling Equipment
Matching the customer’s needs against available equipment option by option, the wheel-type YG-150 delivered strong performance across key criteria:
Access to Narrow Spaces
Weighing only 550 kg with a compact build, the YG-150 can be towed by a standard pickup truck straight through the 2.4-metre farm gate. Its built-in drawbar and wheel-driven travel system mean no extra trailer is needed for final positioning. Once unhitched, the rig can roll on its own wheels right to the drill spot.
Drilling Performance Matches Local Geology
With a maximum drilling depth of 150 m and hole diameter range of 75-325 mm, the YG-150 fully covers the 90-metre drilling requirement through Kent clay and chalk formations. Its 325 mm maximum hole size allows installation of adequate casing to stop well-wall collapse caused by clay.
Diesel Power with Electric Start
The 22HP diesel engine features electric start. Operators avoid strenuous manual cranking, which brings huge convenience on cold, damp mornings in the UK. No external power supply is required for field-site drilling.
Built-in Mud Pump for Efficient Cuttings Removal
Drilling through clay and flint creates large volumes of rock debris. The integrated mud pump washes cuttings out of the borehole in real time during drilling. There is no need to transport separate flushing pump units, keeping the whole setup compact and lowering transport workload.
Stable Hydraulic Power Output
Hydraulic drive delivers steady, controllable drilling torque under variable ground conditions. When drilling shifts from soft clay into flint interbeds, the hydraulic system maintains consistent rotational pressure with no manual adjustment required from the operator.
UK Project Field Record: Operating Performance of Small Water Boring Machine
Shipment and Arrival
The YG-150 was shipped by sea from China to Felixstowe Port with a transit time of roughly 30 days. The customer arranged import customs clearance in the UK via a local freight forwarder. The rig arrived packed in a standard wooden crate, with drawbar and wheel assemblies pre-installed. Spare nozzles and complete English-language documentation were included in the crate, covering operation manuals, electrical wiring diagrams and maintenance schedules.
Site Preparation and Positioning
On drilling day, the rig was towed out of the equipment shed, driven through the gate into the yard, and positioned directly over the marked well point. Full site setup, including connecting water hoses, checking hydraulic oil levels, and testing the mud pump, took approximately 30 minutes. Its compact footprint let operators work comfortably within the walled yard without repeated repositioning.
Drilling Process Through Kent Geological Layers
Drilling advanced quickly through topsoil and hard clay for the first 15 metres. Penetration slowed between 15 m and 40 m when dense flint layers were encountered, yet operations continued smoothly. The hydraulics maintained steady rotation while the mud pump continuously flushed rock cuttings out of the borehole. Below 40 metres, the rig entered chalk strata, and drilling progressed cleanly at a uniform rate.
This small drilling rig for water reached the target depth of 85 metres within roughly two working days. A 125 mm PVC well casing was fitted and gravel filter media installed. Air-lift well development was then carried out until clear water flowed.
Project Outcomes
- Final drilled depth: 85 m
- Static water level: 22 metres below ground
- Water yield: approx. 1.5 cubic metres per hour (sufficient for livestock watering, garden irrigation and household use)
- Total drilling time: around 14 hours across two working days
- Equipment failures: Zero. Stainless-steel nozzles performed reliably throughout drilling with no blockages, even while working through flint-bearing ground.
Alternative Option: Crawler-Mounted YG-HY200 for Larger-Scale Jobs
For projects on more challenging terrain or larger-scale work, the crawler-type YG-HY200 serves as an upgraded option within the same portable well drilling machine for sale product line.
Its crawler travelling system works exceptionally well on soft, wet ground commonly found across Wales and southwest UK, as well as sloped sites where wheel-mounted rigs struggle for traction. The integrated radiator supports long-duration continuous drilling under high-temperature conditions. Nonetheless, for standard UK farm and garden sites with good ground conditions and easy access, the lighter weight and simple towing capability of the YG-150 generally make it the more practical choice.
Key Points When Buying a Small Water Boring Machine for UK Use
After-Sales Support and Spare Parts
Every portable well drilling equipment leaves the factory supplied with one set of spare nozzles and wearing parts. Additional components can be ordered separately and shipped to the UK. Stainless-steel nozzles are the main consumable items, especially for ground containing flint or abrasive rock. Maintaining a reasonable stock of spares is recommended.
Operation Training and Technical Documentation
YG provides full English documentation with every rig, including illustrated operation guides, maintenance schedules and electrical wiring diagrams. For first-time buyers, remote video installation guidance and operational training can be arranged to ensure full familiarisation before drilling your first well.
UK Port Shipment and Delivery
Standard sea routes from China to the UK typically arrive at Felixstowe, Southampton or London Gateway port, with transit times of 28-35 days. Rigs are crated for export with drawbar and wheel assemblies pre-fitted to minimise on-site assembly work. Customers may appoint their own freight forwarder or ask the YG logistics team for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Small Drilling Rig for Water
Q: Can a small water boring machine be used inside UK gardens?
A: Yes — this is one of its primary application scenarios. At only 550 kg, the compact YG-150 with a drawbar towing design fits through standard garden gates and operates within confined residential-scale spaces. It is ideal for private well drilling in rural and semi-rural parts of the UK.
Q: What is the maximum drilling depth of portable well drilling machine for sale?
A: Both YG-150 and YG-HY200 reach a maximum depth of 150 metres, covering nearly all domestic, agricultural and light-commercial well-drilling requirements in the UK. Typical aquifer depths across southern England range from 30 m to 100 m.
Q: Is a small drilling rig for water suitable for UK ground conditions?
A: Fully suitable. Common UK geological formations, including clay, sand, gravel, flint, and chalk, are all within the operating capacity of these rigs. The hydraulic drilling system handles variable ground effectively, while the built-in mud pump keeps boreholes clean in clay-rich strata.
Q: What is the price for portable well drilling equipment?
A: Prices vary according to configuration and order specifications. For reference, these portable rigs cost only a fraction of what you would pay to hire commercial drillers for multiple wells. Send us your project requirements for a detailed quotation including delivery costs to your nearest UK seaport.
Q: Can one single person operate this small water boring machine?
A: Yes. After basic familiarisation (normally 3-4 hours), one person with basic mechanical knowledge can run the rig independently. Electric start, hydraulic controls and integrated mud pump all reduce physical effort and simplify drilling workflows.
Lock In Today’s Factory Price – Request a Quote Now
A UK-Field-Validated Small Water Boring Machine
From quiet farms in Kent to the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs, the small water boring machine YG-150 has proven that reliable independent water supply for UK rural properties is fully achievable. You avoid high contractor drilling fees and long waiting periods for municipal water connections.
Whether you are a Yorkshire farmer needing irrigation wells, a Devon smallholder seeking household water supply, or a contractor based in Scotland expanding your fleet with compact rigs, YG-series portable well drilling equipment delivers field-proven performance matched to UK geology.
Looking for a small drilling rig for water for your UK project? Contact us now and share your site details and drilling requirements. We will recommend suitable configurations and provide a full quotation covering delivery to UK ports.
