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n late 2025, the Epiroc Shop in Lively, Ontario received a unique assignment: a request to rebuild a Pit Viper 271 drill rig for a key customer in the region. 
Prior to its arrival at the Epiroc Shop, the machine had put together an impressive resumé, amassing over 93,000 engine hours and a total of 1,260,000 meters drilled. Proving itself to be a dependable rig, it was averaging 105,000 meters drilled per year.
For this rebuild, the first of its kind in Canada, the aim was to deliver on schedule, while also remaining flexible throughout the process. That way, the shop team could adjust as needed to accommodate any customer requests for modifications.
To tackle the project, the shop assembled a mix of Planners, Mechanical & Electrical Supervisors and Service Technicians to ensure that quality standards were met, or if possible, surpassed.
They started by removing the engine and compressor assembly along with the cooler pack, lubricator tank and receiver tank. They also took off the existing track and stripped the main frame in order to begin non-destructive testing and frame repair. From there, they conducted tower repairs and started installation of the power unit. The cab was rebuilt in-house and installed with the new track & tower. Once the rebuild was completed, the rig went through extensive testing before it was prepped for delivery to return to the customer site.
This approach helps contribute to a circular economy, allowing for materials to be refurbished and reused while sustainably maintaining a highly productive drill rig. This renewed lifecycle comes at a lower cost, but the machine still performs at an extremely high level.
This like-new condition is achieved in a straightforward way – Epiroc replaces everything.
This includes powerpacks, hoses, wiring, electrical components, cabs and every other key component in the rig. The Pit Viper is brought down to its bare frame, every nut and bolt is taken off, and the shop assesses the machine at that time. After that, they determine what can be rebuilt and what needs to be replaced. Every piece is either refurbished or new.
This means it becomes as close to a brand-new machine as possible. The shop also remains open to design changes based on the customer’s request. They keep an open line of communication with the customer, so they can collaborate on changes that can better suit the needs on site.
The cherry on top – a renewed warranty is included, showing the confidence the shop team has in the durability and longevity of the rebuilt drill.
“With this being the first Pit Viper 271 rebuild completed in Canada, our shop crew successfully leveraged their deep technical expertise and adaptability to deliver the project to a high standard, demonstrating strong capability in executing complex rebuilds on new platforms,” says Eduardo Carvalho, Business Line Manager Parts & Services Division.
The process allows for continuous input and feedback from the customer, so certain upgrades and modifications are available to ensure the machine is tailored to the preferences of the operation.
“This was an exciting project for Epiroc Canada and we’re very proud of this achievement from our shop team,” says Dawn Nigro, Epiroc Canada General Manager.
“This solution was born from us working together with our customers to offer a lower-cost solution that still delivers a sustainable, and formidable, Pit Viper 271 drill rig.”
