DKI's Ring Bit casing advance system pairs a Heavy Duty Ring Bit, Casing Shoe, and Pilot Bit into one robust, oversized cutting face — a simple, proven design available in Standard and Pass-Thru configurations for fast, efficient casing through overburden into bedrock.
The Ring Bit system uses a Heavy Duty Ring Bit, Casing Shoe, and Pilot Bit that securely locks into the ring bit via an easy locking-lug mechanism, forming a robust, oversized cutting face similar in profile to a conventional DTH hammer bit. This is a very efficient way of carrying casing down the hole, with the casing pipe welded directly to the casing shoe, which threads into the ring bit to sit unrestricted on its shoulder — preventing the casing from rotating during drilling while securing it firmly in place.
Ring Bit is available in two configurations: the Standard system, suited to casing sizes 4.5″ (115mm) to 24″ (610mm), and the Pass-Thru variant, designed for 4″ (102mm) to 12″ (305mm) casing, which allows the pilot bit to unlock from the ring, pass through it, and continue drilling into bedrock without pulling the tooling out of the hole.
The pilot bit securely locks into the ring bit, forming a solid, oversized cutting face that handles the full impact load of the hammer.
Built for strength and durability in the most abrasive overburden and rock conditions.
Choose Standard for general overburden casing work, or Pass-Thru to drill straight through into bedrock without a tool change.
A very efficient way of carrying casing down the hole, minimizing wasted energy transfer between hammer and cutting face.
The casing shoe sits unrestricted on the ring bit's shoulder, preventing casing rotation during drilling while keeping it firmly seated.
Configure for casing left in the hole or pulled out after drilling, depending on your project's engineering needs.
| Comparison Point | Standard Ring Bit System | Pass-Thru Ring Bit System |
|---|---|---|
| Operation | The pilot bit locks into the ring bit via locking lugs, forming a complete cutting face behind the casing shoe. | Drilling proceeds exactly as the Standard system through overburden, with casing following the ring bit assembly. |
| Bedrock Transition | As the DTH hammer drives the assembly down, the casing shoe and welded casing pipe follow behind, advancing through loose overburden. | Once casing is set at bedrock, the pilot bit unlocks from the ring bit and passes through it, continuing to drill the rock socket without removing the tool string. |
| Operational Efficiency | Once the assembly reaches bedrock and the casing is seated, the ring bit and pilot bit are retrieved, leaving the casing in place (or pulled, depending on project requirements). | This eliminates the need to pull and re-run separate rock-drilling tooling, saving a full trip in and out of the hole. |
| Configuration | Casing OD (in) | Casing OD (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 4.5” – 24” | 115 – 610mm |
| Pass-Thru | 4” – 12” | 102 – 305mm |
Pilot Bit, Ring Bit & Casing Shoe assemblies can be customized to your specifications, including for non-standard casing or extra hard-facing treatments in highly abrasive ground — contact our technical team to discuss your project.
Precise cased bores for piling and foundations.
Casing advance for anchor and underpinning installations.
Efficient casing through overburden on well programs.
Cased holes for geothermal installations.
Stable cased bores for investigation programs.
Standard is suited to casing sizes 4.5″ to 24″ for general overburden casing work. Pass-Thru, sized 4″ to 12″, allows the pilot bit to unlock and drill on through the ring bit into bedrock without pulling the tooling — ideal when speed and trip-time savings matter most.
Pass-Thru tooling sees additional wear on the pilot bit, which comes at a higher tooling cost, but the time saved by not pulling and re-running rock-drilling tools often outweighs that cost on time-sensitive projects.
Ring Bit uses a locking pilot-bit design suited to casing up to 24″, while Wing King uses cam-actuated wings and covers a wider range up to 36″. See our Casing Advance Systems hub page for a full side-by-side comparison.
Yes, Ring Bit systems are available in both permanent (left-in-hole) and retrieved (pulled-out) configurations depending on your project’s engineering requirements.
Tell us your casing size and whether you need Standard or Pass-Thru, and we'll confirm the right Ring Bit setup for your drill string — built to perform, engineered to last, made in the USA.
Built tough enough for the unpredictability of job sites, our equipment minimizes costly downtime and re-drills.
Every hole counts, and our tools are built to keep penetration rates high even in unpredictable, mixed formations.
Engineered for open-pit and underground alike, our tools lower per-meter drilling costs without sacrificing performance.
Engineered for the rigors of well-site conditions, our hammers and bits extend service life while reducing per-foot drilling costs.
Less downtime, fewer bit changes, more material moved. That's the Drill King difference for quarry operators who can't afford to slow down.
From residential wells to large-scale geothermal fields, our tools are trusted to get the job done right the first time
