What is included in a drill rig 250-hour service?

A 250-hour drill rig service is a minor service that includes draining and replacing engine oil (typically 15W-40), replacing the engine oil filter, inspecting the air filter, draining the fuel/water separator, checking coolant level, checking hydraulic oil level, inspecting all hydraulic hoses (especially the high-pressure drill circuit), inspecting the drill head/rotary drive for play, noise and oil level, inspecting the mast/feed system (rails, chains/cables, carriage), checking the hammer/DTH tool (if fitted) including retainer ring and bit condition, inspecting the rod handling system (carousel and clamp), greasing all pivot points (mast tilt, feed, boom if fitted), inspecting tracks or tyres, checking the dust collection system (cyclone, filter, hoses), checking battery and electrical connections, testing emergency stops and safety interlocks, and inspecting the cab and ROPS/FOPS structure. It takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.

How often should a drill rig be serviced?

Drill rigs follow a tiered service schedule based on engine hours. A 250-hour (minor) service covers oil, filters, grease, drill head inspection and basic safety checks. A 500-hour (intermediate) service adds filter replacements, drill head gearbox oil change, compressor oil change, mast cylinder inspection, dust collector filter replacement, hydraulic oil sampling and drill rod thread measurement. A 1,000-hour (major) service adds hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, full compressor overhaul and structural NDT. Daily pre-start checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Always refer to the manufacturer service manual for your specific make and model.

Why is the drill head inspection important at 250 hours?

The drill head (rotary drive) is the primary working component of a hydraulic drill rig. At the 250-hour interval, the technician checks for excessive play in the output shaft, abnormal noise during rotation, and the oil level in the gearbox. Catching early signs of bearing wear, seal failure or gear damage at this stage prevents catastrophic drill head failure that would take the rig out of service for days and cost significantly more to repair than a scheduled gearbox overhaul.

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Yes. Download and use the drill rig 250-hour service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each rig with scheduling by hours, cost tracking and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.

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Free drill rig 250-hour service checklist

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A step-by-step 250-hour (minor) service procedure for hydraulic drill rigs, tracked or wheeled. Covers engine oil and filter change, air filter inspection, hydraulic system checks including the high-pressure drill circuit, drill head/rotary drive inspection, mast and feed system checks, hammer/DTH tool inspection, rod handling system check, greasing all pivot points, track or tyre inspection, dust collection system check, electrical checks, emergency stop and safety interlock testing, and cab and ROPS/FOPS inspection. Includes fluid specifications, parts list and technician sign-off. This page explains what the service involves, how to perform it, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download straight away.

Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 26 March 2026

How to use: Fill equipment details and hour reading, then work through each service action. Tick Done as each task is completed. Record fluid quantities and part numbers used. Set the next service due hours and sign off.

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What is a drill rig 250-hour service?

A 250-hour service is the first tier of scheduled preventive maintenance for a hydraulic drill rig (tracked or wheeled). It is performed every 250 engine hours (or approximately every 4-6 weeks of full-time operation) and is classified as a minor service. The procedure covers engine oil and filter replacement, air filter inspection, fuel system maintenance, hydraulic system checks with particular attention to the high-pressure drill circuit, drill head/rotary drive inspection, mast and feed system checks, hammer/DTH tool inspection, rod handling system check, greasing all pivot points, track or tyre inspection, dust collection system check, electrical checks, emergency stop and safety interlock testing, and cab/ROPS/FOPS inspection. Unlike a daily pre-start check, the 250-hour service involves actual maintenance actions: draining and replacing fluids, replacing filters, greasing components and testing safety systems. It is typically performed by a qualified mechanic or fitter.

Benefits of scheduled drill rig servicing

Reduced breakdowns: regular oil, filter and fluid changes prevent engine and hydraulic failures that cause unplanned downtime on site.
Drill head longevity: checking the rotary drive for play, noise and oil level at every 250-hour service catches bearing wear and seal failure before costly gearbox damage.
Hydraulic system protection: inspecting high-pressure drill circuit hoses prevents burst hoses under drilling pressure, which can cause safety incidents and extended downtime.
Dust system compliance: checking the dust collection system at each service ensures it meets workplace exposure standards for respirable dust.
Compliance: documented service records demonstrate that equipment is maintained to WHS standards, supporting insurance and regulatory obligations.
Resale value: a complete service history with documented 250, 500 and 1,000-hour services increases the rig's value at trade-in or disposal.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:

Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
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Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
Electronic signatures.
Edit forms later without reprinting.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).

Book a demo to see digital service procedures and hour-based scheduling in MapTrack.

Service actions included in the 250-hour procedure

This service procedure covers 17 service actions across 8 system areas:

Engine: drain and replace engine oil (15W-40), replace oil filter, inspect air filter, drain fuel/water separator, check coolant.
Hydraulic system: check hydraulic oil level, inspect all hydraulic hoses (especially high-pressure drill circuit).
Drill head and mast: inspect drill head/rotary drive (play, noise, oil level), inspect mast/feed system (rails, chains/cables, carriage), check hammer/DTH tool (if fitted), inspect rod handling system (carousel, clamp).
Lubrication: grease all pivot points (mast tilt, feed, boom if fitted).
Undercarriage / tyres: inspect tracks or tyres for wear and damage.
Dust collection: check dust collection system (cyclone, filter, hoses).
Electrical: check battery and electrical connections.
Safety devices: test emergency stops and safety interlocks, inspect cab and ROPS/FOPS structure.

Fluid specifications

General fluid specifications for hydraulic drill rigs (tracked and wheeled). Capacities vary by rig size and manufacturer.

System	Type / Grade	Approx. Capacity
Engine oil	15W-40 CI-4 / CK-4	15 - 25 L
Hydraulic oil	ISO VG 46 (AW 46)	100 - 200 L (system)
Coolant	50/50 ethylene glycol	20 - 30 L
Drill head gearbox oil	Per manufacturer specification	Varies
Compressor oil	Per manufacturer (if on-board)	Varies
Grease	EP2 lithium complex	As required

Specifications are general guidelines. Always refer to the manufacturer's service manual for your specific make and model.

Parts and consumables

Have the following parts and consumables ready before starting the 250-hour service:

Engine oil (15W-40 CI-4/CK-4) - 15-25 litres
Engine oil filter - 1
Fuel/water separator element - 1
EP2 grease cartridges - 2-4
Coolant (pre-mixed or concentrate) - as required for top-up
Dust collector filter (if replacing) - 1
Rags, drip tray and waste oil container

Look up part numbers in the manufacturer's parts manual for your specific make and model before ordering.

How to perform a drill rig 250-hour service

Position the drill rig on firm, level ground with the mast lowered, engine shut down and keys removed. Allow the engine to cool before draining oil.
Record the equipment details and current hour meter reading at the top of the service procedure form.
Start with the engine section: drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, fill with new oil to the correct level, then inspect the air filter, drain the fuel/water separator and check coolant.
Check hydraulic oil level. Inspect all hydraulic hoses, paying particular attention to the high-pressure drill circuit hoses for bulging, abrasion or leaks.
Inspect the drill head/rotary drive: check for play in the output shaft, listen for abnormal noise, and verify the gearbox oil level. Inspect the mast/feed system (rails, chains or cables, carriage). Check the hammer/DTH tool if fitted. Inspect the rod handling system.
Grease all pivot points: mast tilt, feed cylinders, boom (if fitted) and any other specified grease points. Inspect tracks or tyres for wear and damage.
Check the dust collection system: cyclone, filter condition and hose connections. Check the battery and electrical connections.
Test all emergency stops and safety interlocks. Inspect the cab and ROPS/FOPS structure.
Start the engine and check for leaks, abnormal noises or warning lights. Record any defects or recommendations in the notes section.
Set the next service due hours (next 250-hour and next 500-hour intervals). Sign off and update the rig's maintenance log.

In MapTrack, you can schedule services based on hour meter readings, get automatic reminders, complete service procedures on mobile and link every record to the rig. Book a demo to see how.

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Drill rig service interval hierarchy

Drill rig maintenance follows a tiered schedule where each level includes all tasks from the level below. This is called carry-forward or cumulative servicing.

250 hours - Minor service (you are here)

Engine oil and filter, grease points, drill head inspection, safety interlock tests. Estimated 2-3 hours.

500 hours - Intermediate service

All 250-hour tasks plus filter replacements, drill head gearbox oil change, compressor oil, mast cylinder inspection, dust collector filter replacement and hydraulic oil sampling. Estimated 4-6 hours.

1,000 hours - Major service

All 500-hour tasks plus hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, full compressor overhaul and structural NDT. Estimated 8-12 hours.

2,000 hours - Overhaul service

All 1,000-hour tasks plus drill head rebuild assessment, mast structural inspection, hydraulic pump and motor inspection. Typically 2-3 days.

In MapTrack, you can configure service schedules by engine hours and receive automatic alerts when each interval is due.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in a drill rig 250-hour service?: A 250-hour drill rig service is a minor service that includes draining and replacing engine oil (typically 15W-40), replacing the engine oil filter, inspecting the air filter, draining the fuel/water separator, checking coolant level, checking hydraulic oil level, inspecting all hydraulic hoses (especially the high-pressure drill circuit), inspecting the drill head/rotary drive for play, noise and oil level, inspecting the mast/feed system (rails, chains/cables, carriage), checking the hammer/DTH tool (if fitted) including retainer ring and bit condition, inspecting the rod handling system (carousel and clamp), greasing all pivot points (mast tilt, feed, boom if fitted), inspecting tracks or tyres, checking the dust collection system (cyclone, filter, hoses), checking battery and electrical connections, testing emergency stops and safety interlocks, and inspecting the cab and ROPS/FOPS structure. It takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
How often should a drill rig be serviced?: Drill rigs follow a tiered service schedule based on engine hours. A 250-hour (minor) service covers oil, filters, grease, drill head inspection and basic safety checks. A 500-hour (intermediate) service adds filter replacements, drill head gearbox oil change, compressor oil change, mast cylinder inspection, dust collector filter replacement, hydraulic oil sampling and drill rod thread measurement. A 1,000-hour (major) service adds hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, full compressor overhaul and structural NDT. Daily pre-start checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Always refer to the manufacturer service manual for your specific make and model.
Why is the drill head inspection important at 250 hours?: The drill head (rotary drive) is the primary working component of a hydraulic drill rig. At the 250-hour interval, the technician checks for excessive play in the output shaft, abnormal noise during rotation, and the oil level in the gearbox. Catching early signs of bearing wear, seal failure or gear damage at this stage prevents catastrophic drill head failure that would take the rig out of service for days and cost significantly more to repair than a scheduled gearbox overhaul.
Is the template free to use without MapTrack?: Yes. Download and use the drill rig 250-hour service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each rig with scheduling by hours, cost tracking and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.

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