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DRILL ROD THREAD INFORMATION

PIPE SIZE CHART

FAQ's

Why are lead times considerably longer now, than in the past?

Due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, current lead times for virtually all of WRAM's product line have been extended. Beginning in early 2021 due to the global plandemic, acquiring material needed to manufacture the majority of the items WRAM offers has become more and more difficult. However, we will continue to search for the highest quality materials, and are in the process of bringing more vendors into the fold. 

Why is my WRAM swivel leaking and/or spraying fluid?

There are a few factors that can cause your unit to rain fluid during operation.

 

1. Packing life

2. Bearing failure

3. Incorrect Packing Gland adjustment

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We have engineered WRAM swivels with the capability of maintenance and/or repair in mind. All WRAM swivels have what is considered, "wearable parts." These specific parts of your unit are intended to be replaced after so many operating hours. In turn, this ensures the long-lasting life of your unit, as well as saving you $ over time.

 

See Q&A below for more details.

How do I know if the Packing Adjusting Gland is tight enough on my WRAM swivel?

The worst harm you can cause to your unit's packing assembly is to overtighten the Packing Adjusting Gland. Packing needs room to expand under pressure during operation in order to create a seal inside the unit's bonnet/gooseneck. If the adjusting gland is overtightened, leaving very little, if not, no room at all for its expansion under pressure, then the unit will have no choice but to expound the internal fluids elsewhere, namely the driller's head. Don't get rained on!

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See Q&A below for more details

Q&A

What is the life of the packing in my swivel?

Packing life depends on many different variables, such as unit temperature while operating, weather temperature, humidity, proper greasing of the unit, the swivel's bearing life, lower connection side-play during operation, pressure ratings, operating rpms, specific drilling applications, and even downhole substances passing through the unit. In order to get the most life out of your swivel packing:

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1. Grease your unit liberally before every operation.

2. Watch for side-play during drilling. Side-play may be an indication the unit's bearings are failing. Bearing failure will cause packing to wear quickly.

3. If your unit is equipped with an adjustable packing assembly, be sure not to overtighten the packing adjusting gland. See above FAQ's for more details.

4. Know your swivel and packing max pressure rating. Do not exceed this rating. Pressure above what your unit and/or packing can handle will cause            wear and/or possible unit failure.

5. Do not exceed your swivel's max rpm. Higher rpm's during operation also causes higher temperatures inside the unit. This will cause excessive                    packing wear.

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What size Pipe Wiper do I need for my drill rod?

In order to determine the best Pipe Wiper for your use, two dimensions are needed - The outer dimension of the pipe wiper, and your drill rod O.D. The style of the wiper - whether that be Flat, Heavy Duty, Tapered, Crown, Crown-Split, Dual, or Dual-Split - is driller's preference. With the exception of some drilling rigs that are outfitted with a designated Wiper Box, O.D. of the Pipe Wiper is also a driller's preference as well for most applications. Although the wiper's I.D. is directly determined by your drill rod O.D. The wiper I.D. should be within 1/4" - 1/2" smaller than your drill rod O.D. in order to ensure proper cleaning of your drill rod when passed through the I.D. of the Pipe Wiper. It is also important to note the age of the drill rod the wiper will be installed onto. A 1/4" smaller wiper I.D. for newer drill rods may improve performance. The same is true for a 1/2" smaller wiper I.D. for drill rods that have seen many drill hours.

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What is the difference between a Shale Trap and a K-Packer?

A Shale Trap is a coned-shaped formation packer designed to seal between casing and annulus in order to "shale," or gravel-pack a well. A shale trap has two dimensions, I.D. and O.D. The Shale Trap I.D. is determined by casing size. A shale trap is fastened to the O.D. of casing. The shale trap O.D. is determined by annulus/borehole size. The annulus/borehole size is the shale trap's sealing diameter.

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A K-Packer is a tri-seal, mechanical packer designed to seal between drop-pipe/screen and casing. A K-Packer has two dimensions as well, I.D. and O.D. The K-Packer I.D. is determined by screen size. A k-packer is either slipped onto (Blank), threaded onto (Coupling), or welded onto (Weld-On) drop-pipe/screen. The K-Packer O.D. is determined by casing size. This size will be the k-packer's sealing diameter.

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Both Shale Traps and K-Packers are NOT designed to create a water-tight seal. 

How do I properly tighten the Packing Adjusting Gland on my WRAM Swivel?

To ensure proper adjustment, hand-tighten the packing gland. Run the unit. if unit leaks, use tool such as a cheater bar, and tighten at 1/8" increment. Run unit again. If unit leaks again, continue process at 1/8" increments until unit is no longer leaking. This process ensures your packing assembly has just enough space to expand under pressure, creating a seal in the unit's watercourse I.D.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

WARRANTY
We, Western Rubber & Mfg. (WRAM), warranty our parts and products against defects in material and/or workmanship under normal service for a period of (1) one year from date of purchase. Defective parts and/or product will be replaced without charge upon approved satisfactory proof of such defect caused by WRAM. The liability of WRAM will be solely limited to the replacement of such defective part(s) or product. WRAM makes no other warranty whatsoever, expressed or implied. No one is authorized to waive, change, or amend the foregoing in any particulars.

PRICE
Prices are subject to change without notice but quotations accepted within thirty (30) days of their date will be invoiced at the quoted price in the event of a price increase. We will not be responsible for prices quoted by any Jobber to customer from outdated price or discount sheets.

TAXES AND COLLECTION CHARGES
All taxes imposed by any Government shall be added to the amount to be paid by the purchaser. Transportation and collection taxes and/or charges shall be for the account of the purchaser.

CANCELLATIONS
Orders for products of special design size or materials are not cancelable upon our receipt of purchase order. Any item not shown in our catalog or listed in our price book is non-cancelable.

RETURNED GOODS
No returned good will be accepted without written authority from our Home office. Merchandise credit only will be issued after inspection at our factory and such credit will be subject to any cost necessary for Western Rubber to put item in saleable condition.

DESIGN CHANGES
We reserve the right to change or modify the design of any WRAM products without obligation to furnish or install such changes on products previously or subsequently sold.

DELIVERY
All deliveries quoted are estimates. Every effort will be made to ship within the time quoted, but we will not be responsible, nor be liable for any damage incurred on account of such delays.

CASH TERMS
A late payment finance charge will be assessed on all balances not paid by the due date indicated on each invoice at a monthly rate of 1 ½ %, which is an annual rate of 18%. This charge will be shown and so designated on the next monthly statement.

GENERAL
We have no control over the use or abuse of our products or equipment, and our services are advisory only. The customer therefore agrees that WRAM shall have no liability for allegedly defective or inadequate service and the customer agrees to indemnify and hold WRAM harmless from all claims other than given in our foregoing warranty.

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