Vertical drilling rig for excavators – WPK series from a Polish manufacturer

Your excavator is standing on the construction site, and you have to drill dozens of holes for posts, piles, or fencing. Instead of bringing in separate equipment or hiring a crew with handheld petrol augers, you simply need to attach the appropriate hydraulic drive to the arm of the machine you already have. The WPK series from Staltechnika includes eight models of vertical drills for excavators tailored for machines weighing from 0.8 to 35 tons, with torque ranging from 45 daNm up to 3400 daNm. If you are looking for a Polish-made hydraulic drilling rig for an excavator with a guarantee of full technical support and spare parts availability on-site, you have come to the right place.

What is an excavator drilling rig used for, and when does it really pay off?

An excavator drilling rig is used to drill precise vertical holes in the ground using the carrier machine’s hydraulic system. Instead of involving a separate machine or a crew with handheld equipment, just attach the drive to the arm of the excavator you already have on-site, connect the hydraulic hoses, and start drilling.

When does the investment pay for itself fastest? Practice shows several scenarios:

• Fences and posts – when drilling 50 holes for fence posts, a handheld petrol auger takes a full day’s work for two people; an excavator drilling rig completes the same scope in 2–3 hours.
• Pad foundations and piles – drilling for reinforced concrete or precast piles requires maintaining a precision and depth impossible to achieve manually.
• Power poles, telecommunication poles, and acoustic screens – here, both the depth (even up to 6 m) and the repeatability of drilling in a line count.
• Orchards and urban arboriculture – planting trees with root balls in urban areas requires the quick preparation of holes with a strictly defined diameter.
• CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) technology – continuous flight auger piling, where uninterrupted drilling and feeding concrete under pressure directly through the auger are crucial.

If you need to drill more than a dozen holes deeper than 1 m in a single workday, a hydraulic drilling rig for an excavator will pay for itself on the first job.

How to choose a vertical drilling rig? Three parameters that determine everything

Choosing a vertical drilling rig comes down to three numbers. Matching them correctly protects both the excavator and the drive.

1. Excavator operating weight

This is the starting point. Every vertical drilling rig for excavators in the WPK series specifies a carrier weight range – from the WPK-3 model (0.8–1.1 t) all the way to the WPK-40 (16–22 t). If the drive is too heavy for the excavator, the machine will lose stability during drilling. If it’s too light, you won’t utilize the equipment’s full potential and will shorten the lifespan of the seals.

2. Hydraulic pump oil flow (l/min)

Every excavator drilling rig drive has a required flow range. Too low flow = slow rotation and low efficiency. Too high = risk of damaging the hydraulic motor seals. Check your machine’s parameters in the manual or contact us – we will help verify this based on your excavator model.

3. Required torque vs. soil hardness

The harder the ground (compacted clay, permafrost, rocky soil), the higher the torque required. Models with a planetary gear (WPK-40 and above) offer torque up to 1900 daNm, allowing you to work in conditions impossible for direct drives.

Choose a vertical drilling rig with a torque reserve. A power reserve means peace of mind on the construction site.

WPK model overview – which one to choose for your excavator?

Below is a summary of WPK models with key parameters to help you choose an excavator drilling rig tailored to your machine:

A separate group consists of the CFA models WPK-50C, WPK-55C and WPK-60C – specialized vertical drilling rigs for foundation piles using the continuous flight auger method, designed for the heaviest excavators. They differ from standard models not only in size but above all in the design of the head featuring a central passage for feeding concrete, and a two-speed drive system that allows the operator to adjust speed and torque to the current soil conditions.

WPK-3 and WPK-4 – mini excavator drilling rig: when a small machine does a huge job

A mini excavator drilling rig is the most frequently sought-after model in our offer. Mini excavators (1–3 t) are now standard on small construction sites, in landscaping, and for fencing contractors. An attached hydraulic excavator drilling rig turns this versatile machine into a powerful tool for precise drilling.

The WPK-3 model is designed for the smallest machines (0.8–1.1 t). It weighs only 18 kg, yet it achieves a torque of 45 daNm, allowing you to drill holes up to O 300 mm and depths of 1.5 m. It is perfect for planting trees, erecting decorative fences, and working in hard-to-reach places where a larger excavator simply won’t fit.

The WPK-4 model is intended for excavators weighing 1–3 t. Its S-46 hexagonal drive connection is heat-treated, increasing abrasion resistance and extending the lifespan of the entire system. A built-in pressure relief valve limits the pressure to 180 bar – this is a safeguard that protects the excavator’s hydraulic motor from costly breakdowns if the auger hits a buried rock or a thick root. This model drills holes from O 100 to O 400 mm, reaching a depth of 3 m at a 200 mm diameter.

What does a customer get when buying a WPK-4?

• Drill drive with a built-in pressure relief valve
• A set of high-pressure hydraulic hoses
• An adapter plate made for the customer’s specific quick coupler or pins

Augers are ordered separately. Our offer includes a full range of diameters from 100 to 500 mm, with both standard steel and carbide teeth (tungsten carbide) for hard soils.

WPK-40 – hydraulic drilling rig for large excavators: 1900 daNm in the field

If you work with a machine weighing 16–22 t and your tasks involve piling, power poles, acoustic screens, or deep pad foundations, the WPK-40 is the model made for you. At its heart is a planetary gear generating 1900 daNm (19,000 Nm) of torque. For comparison – an average handheld petrol auger achieves a torque of around 15–30 Nm. The difference is a thousandfold.

Weighing 530 kg, this vertical excavator drilling rig requires a solid carrier, but rewards it with parameters impossible to achieve with lighter equipment: it drills holes from O 300 to O 800 mm at an operating pressure up to 350 bar and an oil flow of 150–200 l/min. The drive connection is a hardened S=130 mm or S=160 mm hexagon, made to specific order.

What protects your excavator while operating the WPK-40?

A pressure relief valve integrated with the drive reacts in a fraction of a second to a sudden pressure spike, for example, when the auger hits a hidden rock or a thick root. The operator has time to safely retract the drill without the risk of blowing seals in the excavator’s hydraulic system.

Clockwise and counterclockwise rotations offer another layer of protection. A jammed auger can simply be unscrewed by reversing the oil flow on the control valve, without leaving the cabin and without forcefully yanking the arm.

CFA drilling rigs – vertical drilling rig for foundation piles using the continuous flight auger method

CFA drilling rigs in the WPK series (models WPK-50C, WPK-55C and WPK-60C) form a separate technical category designed exclusively for executing foundation piles using the continuous flight auger method. They differ from standard WPK models in the head design, featuring a O 125 mm central passage (hollow stem), and a two-speed drive system based on two radial piston motors.

What is CFA technology and why does it matter?

In standard drilling, the auger bites into the ground, after which the operator must repeatedly extract it to remove the spoil. For deeper holes, this means frequent work interruptions and a risk of the borehole walls collapsing, especially in waterlogged or low-bearing soils.

CFA technology works differently. A continuous flight auger drills and simultaneously brings the spoil to the surface without stopping its rotation. When the auger reaches the designed depth, concrete is pumped under pressure directly through the hollow passage in the auger’s axis, pushing the spoil upward as the auger is extracted. The result is monolithic piles cast in a single cycle, with no risk of borehole wall collapse and no technological breaks. In waterlogged or low-bearing soils, it is the only method guaranteeing pile geometry repeatability.

Technical parameters of CFA drilling rigs

Drilling parameters are conditioned by the soil type and excavator parameters.

Who is a CFA excavator drilling rig for?

A CFA drilling rig is equipment for foundation piling contractors working with heavy excavators, who handle projects requiring geotechnical documentation and repeatable pile parameters. It works best in:

• Residential and commercial construction – CFA piles for foundations of multi-story buildings in soils of variable bearing capacity
• Road and rail infrastructure – piles for overpasses, bridge abutments, and diaphragm walls
• Waterlogged soils – where classic drilling with auger extraction risks borehole wall collapse
• Urban areas – CFA technology does not generate vibrations comparable to impact piling, reducing the risk of damage to adjacent buildings

As a domestic manufacturer, Staltechnika supplies CFA drilling rigs with a full set of accessories, an adapter plate for the specific excavator, and service capabilities without the need to involve foreign distributors.

Additionally, a CFA concrete feeding adapter fits the CFA kit, connecting the rotary head with the concrete pump. This is a solution that, until recently, was only available in Poland on machines imported from Western manufacturers. Staltechnika offers it as a domestic manufacturer for the WPK-40 rig – complete with full support, spare parts on-site, and service availability without long waiting times.

How long does it take to mount a drilling rig on an excavator?

Mounting an excavator drilling rig usually takes 10–20 minutes and requires no specialized tools. The procedure is as follows:

1. You attach the adapter plate to the excavator arm (using a quick coupler or pins – depending on your machine).
2. You connect two hydraulic hoses to the excavator’s auxiliary line using ball quick couplers.
3. You check the direction of rotation – if necessary, you swap the hoses around.
4. You mount the chosen auger on the drive connection.
5. You perform a test drill and verify there are no leaks.

Dismounting takes the same amount of time, so you can both drill and perform other bucket work during a single shift.

Which excavator does the WPK series drilling rig fit?

A hydraulic excavator drilling rig from the WPK series fits any machine whose parameters fall within the given model’s range. Compatibility does not depend on the brand or country of manufacture, but on three values you can check in your machine’s documentation:

• Operating weight – must fall within the range of the selected WPK model (e.g., WPK-4 for 1–3 t machines, WPK-40 for 16–22 t machines).
• Working oil flow – resulting from the efficiency of the excavator’s hydraulic pump. Too low flow restricts the auger’s rotational speed; too high risks damaging the drive seals.
• Hydraulic connection and mounting type – we manufacture adapter plates for various quick coupler systems (e.g., Lehnhoff MS01/MS03, Verachtert) and for non-standard pins. If you do not know your machine’s standard, simply provide its model – we will select the correct mount.

If in doubt, contact us before ordering. Provide the operating weight, oil flow, and mounting type, and based on this, we will definitively confirm compatibility and select the appropriate vertical drilling rig model.

Why buy a drilling rig from the Polish manufacturer Staltechnika?

The market for excavator augers is full of cheap substitutes from Asia and expensive Western brands. Staltechnika sits between them with one significant advantage – we are a manufacturer, not an importer.

What does this mean in practice?

• Spare parts are on-site. You don’t wait weeks for delivery from abroad. Carbide teeth, auger blades, seals, hydraulic hoses – we manufacture or stock everything continuously.
• Custom fit at no extra charge. An adapter plate for a non-standard quick coupler, an auger in a rare diameter, a custom-sized extension – for us, this is a standard order, not an exceptional service.
• Direct service. When a problem arises with your excavator drilling rig, you talk directly to an engineer who knows the product inside out, not to a foreign distributor’s customer service center.
• Readily available financing. For companies that prefer not to commit all their capital at once, we offer purchase financing options – contact us for details.

FAQ – frequently asked questions – vertical drilling rig for an excavator

Which drilling rig should I choose for a 5 t excavator?

The WPK-10 model, designed for the 3–6 t range, fits a 5 t excavator best. Before ordering, check your hydraulic pump’s oil flow – this is the second key parameter after machine weight.

Is an excavator drilling rig suitable for rocky soils?

Yes, provided you select an auger with carbide teeth (tungsten carbide). Standard steel teeth work well in dirt and sand; for rocky ground, permafrost, and compacted clay, always choose the carbide version.

What is the maximum drilling depth of a vertical drilling rig?

Standard augers are 1.2 m long. Using extensions, you can reach depths of 3–6 m, depending on the excavator arm’s reach and the drive model. For drilling deeper than 4 m, contact us before purchasing – we will select the optimal configuration of the auger and extensions.

How do I connect a hydraulic drilling rig to an excavator – is an additional line needed?

No. A hydraulic excavator drilling rig operates on a standard two-way auxiliary line – the same one that powers a hydraulic breaker. Just connect two hoses and check the rotation direction. A full set of hoses with ball quick couplers is included.

Can vertical drilling rigs drill at an angle?

The WPK series consists of vertical drilling rigs that work vertically relative to their arm suspension. For angled or horizontal drilling, other models from our range are used (WPH horizontal drilling rigs or MW drilling masts).

How long does delivery take after ordering?

Lead time depends on the model and configuration. Standard models are usually shipped within 5–10 business days. Units with an adapter plate for a non-standard quick coupler may require 2–3 weeks. Contact us to get an exact timeline for your order.

Check out our full offer and send an inquiry

The WPK series includes eight models tailored to mini excavators, medium, and heavy excavators, as well as specialized CFA vertical drilling rigs for foundation piling. For every model, you can select dedicated augers, drilling heads, and extensions – you will find their full range in the vertical drilling accessories category.

Contact us by phone or via the inquiry form – tell us what excavator you have and what you want to use the vertical drilling rig for. We will select the right model and price a package tailored to your needs.

Call or send an inquiry – we respond on the same business day.