Troubleshooting

We build our drills to perform in the toughest conditions day in and day out. But if problems occur, the troubleshooting chart below will help you pinpoint and resolve the most common causes so you can get on with your drilling project.

Problem Cause Remedy
Drill motor runs, but will not drill hole effectively Drill is starved for air
Too low or high feed pressure
Defective or bent drill bit
Check air compressor for CFM output; check hose size from air compressor; check air inlet screen in rock drill for obstructions
Adjust feed pressure: horizontal drilling (18-28 psi); vertical drilling (5-9 psi)Replace damaged bits
Drill retracts slowly from drilled hole or not at all In-line flow control valve adjusted improperly (see air-line schematic in parts book)
Piston seal is leaking on feed cylinder
Adjust in-line flow control valve
Replace with seal kit
Drill will not feed properly, or not at all Feed pressure is too low Increase feed pressure using regulator control knob: horizontal drilling (18-28 psi); vertical drilling (5-9 psi)
Air bleeding through regulator housing Dirt on seat
Regulator plumbed backwards
Remove dirt on seat in the diaphragm assembly
Check for proper plumbing (see airline schematic in parts book)
Drill motor will not run (or barely runs with no power) Lever on back of drill motor in wrong position Ensure on/off lever is set parallel with the drill motor
Can hear air blowing through the drill Stuck drill bit in the bit guide, or the lower drill bracket is too tight
Cycling valve may be stuck
Make sure the bit turns freely in the bit guide; loosen the lower drill bracket until the bit turns freely
Cover the exhaust with a rag or some other material (DO NOT USE FINGER TO COVER EXHAUST) – turn the drill motor on; back pressure may free the valve
Disassemble the cycling valve and clean
Oiler is not oiling properly Low fluid level
Oil flow is too low or high
Refill oiler as needed
Adjust oiler
Drill bit is binding in hole Feed pressure is too high
Damaged drill bit
Steel or rebar in concrete
Lower feed pressure with regulator knob; horizontal drilling (18-28 psi); vertical drilling (5-9 psi)
Check for damage and replace if needed
Check for steel in concrete and move drill if needed
Dirt not being cleaned out of drilled hole Drill bit is clogged
Air tube in rock drill is pinched or damaged
Remove bit obstructions
Check for damage to air tube in rock drill and replace if necessary
Unit is not drilling parallel to concrete or at an angle Angle adjustment is improperly set Adjust per parts book
Unit will not adjust up or down Setscrews are too tight Loosen setscrews per set-up in parts book
Drill bit(s) not retracting all the way out of the hole(s) Return stop-rod on carriage is not properly adjusted
Guide plates are not properly adjusted
Adjust return stop-rod; ensure bit is retracted with ample distance inside the dust deflector
Adjust guide plates, particularly when using screw-on bits
Drill bit sticks in guide bushing when retracting Return stop-rod on carriage is not properly adjusted Adjust return stop-rod