Field Replaceable Assemblies

Engineered specifically for contractors who need flexibility, the Falcon FR features Field Replaceable Assemblies that utilize our Mechanical Bolted Design.  This simple yet incredibly strong design allows for drillers to be able to interchange Arm & Cone Assemblies right in the field – no welding required.   One body can be used for multiple cutting profiles to handle any formations encountered underground.

Engineered for Small HDD Rig Class

Century’s Falcon FR Series Hole Openers are ideal for 50 – 200 class rigs. They utilize larger cutter segments, 12 ½” or 17″, for longer down-hole time and improved bottom-line performance.  Small Rig Contractors should not have to walk away from a job when the going gets tough. That is why we offer this lighter weight Hole Opener which boasts a solid body welded to a shaft for superior strength along with the Field Replaceable Assemblies to keep drillers drilling.

Performance Driven Design

This solid body design virtually eliminates cutter flex, maximizing the energy directed to fracturing rock. Engineered to withstand the high rotational torque and pull forces required to fracture harder rock, the Falcon FR Hole Opener is a smooth running Hole Opener with high penetration rates.  Added to this performance-driven design is the ability to go from Pilot Hole to 24″ in a single pass.

Bottom-Line Performance

Your bottom-line performance matters to us. That is why we are always looking to bring tomorrow’s tools to you today.

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Standard Options

With Field Replaceable Assemblies, the Falcon FR puts you in charge of whatever formations you encounter underground.  Incorporating Century’s Patent Pending Mechanical Bolted Design the Falcon FR Series allows you to easily interchange Arm & Cone Assemblies – right in the field! No welding required!

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Design Features

Engineered Design Advantages

A Key feature of the Falcon FR Hole Opener is the innovative Field Replaceable Arm & Cone Assembly.  Century’s Engineering Team delivered this turn-key, innovative drilling solution utilizing the latest in software design, 3D Modeling, Finite Element Analysis, materials and manufacturing processes.  This unique design requires no welding to interchange assemblies right in the field.  In addition, key features are incorporated into each assembly that extends the life of every Hole Opener.

Drilling Performance

There is a direct correlation between the cone, bearing, seal and carbide insert size to maximizing penetration rates and bit longevity.

Cone Size

Bearing Size

Most designs consist of a main roller bearing, ball race, thrust bearing and nose bearing (roller or sleeve). Century’s roller and sleeve designs utilizes the bearings to properly distribute the load across the entire cone face. This prevents the point loading and possible premature bearing failure that results from taking smaller cuts versus the larger cuts Hole Openers with larger cones can take. The larger bearings used allow for greater load capacity as well.

Seal Size

Seal size is a critical component in the design of cones. A larger effective seal area provides the advantage of longer seal life. This, in addition to the composition of seal material, is key to designing seals with a better resistance to compression set and abrasive formation wear which extends the running time of Hole Openers that utilize these types of cones.

Larger Carbide Inserts

In looking at the maximum weight on a bit available due to the torsion limits of the drill string and the amount of weight per insert necessary to break rock, it was determined that a very large carbide insert could be used as long as a full cone cutting structure was achieved. These larger inserts can cut rock effectively even though they have the look of a soft formation tool. This offers greater flexibility for boring in areas where the lithology is not well known because the tool can cut both soft and hard formations efficiently without twisting off.

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Design Features

High Load, High Energy Cone Configurations

Mechanical Bolted Design

Cost Effective Tool

Century’s Falcon FR Series Hole Openers feature Field Replaceable Assemblies that come in 12.5” and 17”cone sizes.  There are three cutting structures incorporating TCI Conical, TCI Chisel and Milled Tooth.

Mechanical Bolted Design

Featuring a Mechanical Bolted Design, the Falcon FR requires no welding to easily interchange Arm & Cone Assemblies right on the jobsite.

Century Cone Profiles

Your bottom-line performance matters to us. That is why we are always looking to bring tomorrow’s tools to you today.

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Bolted Arm & Cone Assemblies

HSN O-Ring Seals

For the high energy required, Century has designed and utilizes the largest seal in the industry. HSN Material utilized for wear, heat compression and chemical resistance properties.

Premium Crowned Roller Bearings

Gives the bearing the capability to withstand the extreme high loads.

Premium Floating Thrust Bearing

Allows for reduced frictional heat build-up to ensure lower operational temperatures under high-energy operations. This design facilitates the longer bit life Century’s reputation has been built around.

Gage Row Protection

Double the number of carbide inserts that actively cut the gage diameter and assist in maintaining tight tolerances and extending in-gage bit life.

Shirttail/Leg Protection

Hard Facing along with carbide inserts blanket the shirttail and leg providing superior wear resistance.