A new TRACTO ‘Rockstar’ in town
Trenchless technology specialist TRACTO has unveiled the GRUNDODRILL 20ACS, the latest addition to its horizontal directional drilling (HDD) portfolio. Building on the success of the renowned 18ACS ‘King of Rock’, the new rig combines rock and jet drilling capabilities in a single, highly automated platform designed to tackle complex ground conditions with greater efficiency, safety and productivity.
The rig features 200 kN thrust and pullback force, 9,000 Nm of torque on the outer rods, a 123 kW diesel engine and a high-capacity Bentonite pump, enabling efficient installation on demanding projects.
Key features include:
Fully automated drilling, rod changing and rod lubrication functions
Capacity for up to 144 metres of ELICON twin-tube rods on board
Simple selection and changeover of rod types via the operating interface
Capability for cable-guided bores in particularly challenging ground conditions
Improved machine stability through a robust undercarriage and optional anchoring systems
Radio remote control for flexible operation from outside the cab
A redesigned, swivel comfort cab with enhanced ergonomics and operator amenities
Integrated digital tools, including BORE DATA and COMMANDER fleet management, providing valuable operational and performance insights
TRACTO has long been a pioneer in HDD and was the innovator of steerable drilling technology and the ACS (All Condition System) which enables both jet and rock drilling with a single machine. At the heart of ACS is the ELICON twin-tube rod system, which allows efficient drilling through mixed and hard ground while reducing wear, optimising flushing performance and lowering Bentonite consumption. Combined with automated rod handling, the system has helped establish the ACS range as a proven solution for challenging drilling applications worldwide.
The GRUNDODRILL 20ACS is designed to help contractors improve productivity, maximise uptime and deliver reliable performance on complex HDD projects.
The first unit arrived in the UK in June and it will be on display at No Dig Live 2026 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire from 29th September – 1st October 2026.