Drilling rigs are among the most specialist and highest-value pieces of plant equipment that change hands in the UK. They're used across foundation engineering, mineral exploration, water well drilling, geothermal projects, and rock drilling — and each application has its own specialist buyer pool.
Types of Drilling Rig We Buy
Piling rigs (rotary drilling rigs) — hydraulic rotary rigs used for bored pile foundation construction. The most valuable and most commonly traded drilling rigs in the UK construction market. Used for CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) piling, rotary bored piling, and secant piling. Key manufacturers: Bauer, Soilmec, Casagrande, Liebherr.
CFA rigs (Continuous Flight Auger) — specialist piling rigs for CFA construction; the auger is rotated into the ground continuously, concrete is pumped under pressure through the hollow stem as the auger is withdrawn. The most common piling method on UK housing and commercial construction.
Rock drilling rigs / top hammer drills — used for quarry blasting, tunnelling, ground anchors, and geotechnical investigation. Key manufacturers: Atlas Copco (Epiroc), Sandvik, Furukawa.
Water well drilling rigs — used for water supply, ground source heat pump boreholes, and geothermal projects. Typically truck-mounted or crawler-mounted rotary rigs.
Micro piling rigs / mini piling rigs — compact, lightweight rigs for restricted access sites; used for underpinning, slope stabilisation, and urban foundation work. Key manufacturers: Klemm, Comacchio.
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rigs — for trenchless installation of pipes and cables under roads, rivers, and obstacles. Key manufacturers: Vermeer, Ditch Witch, Prime Drilling.
Major Drilling Rig Manufacturers
Bauer (Germany) — the global premium brand for piling and foundation drilling equipment. Bauer rigs consistently achieve the strongest resale values in the UK piling market. Key models:
- BG series (rotary drilling): BG 15H, BG 20, BG 24H, BG 28H, BG 33, BG 36, BG 40, BG 45 — the BG 24H and BG 28H are the most commonly traded Bauer rigs in the UK; maximum torque and CFA capability are key specifications
- MC series (multi-purpose): MC 32, MC 64, MC 96
- RTG series (trench cutter / diaphragm wall): RTG 21, RTG 25, RTG 27
Soilmec (Italy — Trevi Group) — the other major premium piling rig brand. Strong UK presence and well supported by Soilmec UK. Key models:
- SR series: SR 20, SR 30, SR 40, SR 50, SR 60, SR 70, SR 80 — the SR 30 and SR 40 are the most commonly traded Soilmec rigs in the UK used market; the SR 30s CFA configuration is widely specified on UK housing sites
- SC series (CFA dedicated): SC 80, SC 100, SC 130
Casagrande (Italy) — strong alternative to Bauer and Soilmec. Key models: B 125 XP, B 170 XP, B 250 XP, C6 XP, C8 XP — the C6 XP and C8 XP are compact CFA rigs popular on UK sites.
Liebherr (Germany) — primarily known for cranes but also manufactures piling and drilling equipment. LB series: LB 16, LB 24, LB 28, LB 36, LB 44.
Atlas Copco / Epiroc (Sweden) — the leading brand for rock drilling and surface drill rigs. Key models:
- ROC series: ROC D7C, ROC F6, ROC L6, ROC D9C — widely used in UK quarrying and geotechnical drilling
- SmartROC series: SmartROC C50, SmartROC D60, SmartROC T40, SmartROC T45 — current generation intelligent drill rigs
Sandvik (Sweden) — rock drilling specialist. Key models: DR410i, DX800, DX900, DP1500i — used in quarrying and mining applications.
Klemm (Germany) — specialist in micro piling and anchor drilling. Key models: KR 806-3, KR 807-2, KR 808-3GS — compact rigs for restricted access piling work.
Comacchio (Italy) — compact crawler drilling rigs for micro piling, geotechnical investigation, and soil nailing. Key models: GEO 305, GEO 405, MC 650, MC 1000.
What Affects Drilling Rig Value?
Torque capacity. For rotary piling rigs, the maximum torque output (typically expressed in kNm) is the primary capacity specification — it determines what diameter piles can be drilled and in what ground conditions. Higher torque commands a premium.
CFA capability. A rig configured for CFA piling (with concrete pump, CFA monitoring system, and appropriate auger set) is worth significantly more than an equivalent rotary-only machine in the current UK market, where CFA is the dominant piling method.
Engine hours. Drilling rig engines accumulate hours quickly on difficult contracts. Under 3,000 hours is low; 5,000–8,000 hours is the active market; above 10,000 hours buyers apply significant discounts.
Tool and auger set. A complete, well-maintained set of Kelly bars, augers, casings, and tools adds considerable value. Missing or worn tooling reduces value and increases buyer cost.
Service history and maintenance records. Given the complexity and cost of foundation drilling equipment, a documented service and maintenance history is very important to buyers.
Inspection and safety certification. LOLER certification for lifting components. Rig-specific safety inspections.
Indicative Values (2026)
| Machine | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bauer BG 24H rotary rig | 2013–2016 | 4,000–7,000 | £180,000–£320,000 |
| Bauer BG 28H rotary rig | 2014–2017 | 4,000–7,000 | £220,000–£380,000 |
| Soilmec SR 30 CFA rig | 2013–2016 | 4,000–7,000 | £150,000–£280,000 |
| Soilmec SR 40 rotary rig | 2014–2017 | 4,000–7,000 | £200,000–£340,000 |
| Casagrande C6 XP / C8 XP | 2013–2016 | 4,000–7,000 | £130,000–£240,000 |
| Atlas Copco ROC F6 / ROC L6 | 2012–2016 | 5,000–9,000 | £45,000–£85,000 |
| Klemm KR 806-3 / KR 808-3 | 2013–2016 | 3,000–6,000 | £65,000–£120,000 |
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