Atlas Copco Drill Rigs: What Nobody Told Me About the Shift (spoiler: it changed the way I work)

A few questions I wish I’d known to ask

When I first started handling parts and service orders for Atlas Copco drill rigs (back in 2017), I assumed the hard part was the specs—horsepower, pressure, bit size. Turns out that wasn’t the hard part at all. The hard part was the stuff nobody writes in a brochure: how the industry is evolving under your feet, and how your old assumptions can cost you time and money.

This isn’t a technical manual. It’s a list of questions I’ve asked myself (and a few I wish I’d asked earlier) after watching roughly 200 orders go through. Maybe you’ve had similar ones.

Q1. Is an Atlas Copco drill rig really that different from a simpler setup?

Short answer: yes, but not for the reason most people think.

I used to assume ‘industrial technique’ meant over-engineering for no reason. My first real wake-up call was on a rig that had a minor hydraulic leak. The fix was straightforward, but the diagnostic process on a modern drill rig? It’s practically a guided tour compared to older models. The initial cost stings, but the learning curve is shorter.

That said—I’ve seen a team spend an entire afternoon trying to diagnose a fault using outdated software. The hardware had evolved, but their troubleshooting habits hadn’t. That’s not the rig’s fault. That’s a training gap. (Atlas Copco Industrial Technique AB does issue updated tooling guides—check their site for the latest versions; as of early 2025, at least.)

Q2. So, does this mean I need a dedicated software specialist on-site?

Personally? No. But—and this is the thing I got wrong early on—you do need someone who understands that the electronic control system is now as critical as the hydraulics.

I once had a client ask me, “Can we just bypass the controller and run the drill manually?” In theory, yes. In practice, you lose half the safety interlocks and fuel optimization. Not worth it on a modern rig. I don’t have hard data on how many operators have tried this, but based on the calls I’ve taken, it’s more common than you’d think. The correct answer is: update your training, not your machine.

Q3. What’s the deal with the ‘mustang truck’ question? I’ve heard people mention it.

Oh, that’s a fun one. It’s not a specific product—it’s a shorthand people in the field use to describe a truck-mounted drill rig that has the power and stability of an Atlas Copco unit, but with more mobility. Think of it as a ‘mustang’ in terms of ruggedness. I’ve had to correct myself on this: people search for ‘mustang truck’ when they mean a strong, mobile drilling platform. The closest actual Atlas Copco product is probably the truck-mounted drill rig series. If you hear ‘mustang truck’ in conversation, ask them what specific rig model they mean. It’s usually a specs conversation in disguise.

Q4. What about parts? I’ve heard a bilge pump mentioned somewhere?

Right, that surprised me too. On a construction or mining site, a bilge pump has a specific job: water removal from low points. Not a core Atlas Copco product, but a common item in the same parts ecosystem because a drilling rig can flood if you’re not careful, especially during wet season.

I once handled an order where a client needed a replacement pump. They requested a ‘bilge pump’ specifically. I assumed they meant a standard water pump. It wasn’t until I double-checked their site schematic (thankfully) that I realized the component was actually a specialized dewatering unit—the bilge pump was a colloquial term. (That saved a $600 restocking fee.)

Lesson: always clarify site terminology. The same word can mean two different things depending on whether you’re talking to a mechanic or a parts dealer.

Q5. How do you know when an OEM part is actually necessary vs. a third-party alternative?

This is the question that cost me about $1,200 in mistakes before I learned.

My initial approach was ‘cheapest option, as long as it fits.’ That worked for about 80% of parts—filter elements, basic seals. But for precision components (like a hydraulic breaker piston or a rock drill drill bit assembly), the third-party part failed within a month. The OEM part? Still running 18 months later.

According to USPS (usps.com), as of January 2025, a standard First-Class Mail letter costs $0.73—not relevant to this, except to say: pay attention to the cost of the mistake, not just the cost of the item. On a $3,200 repair, a $150 saving on a part is small if the job has to be redone.

In my opinion, OEM is mandatory for any component that handles high pressure or critical safety. Everything else? Third-party can be fine. But verify torque specs and material ratings first.

Q6. Is it true that ‘how to fold a paper crane’ has anything to do with drill rigs? That sounds ridiculous.

It sounds ridiculous because it is—but not in the way you think. It’s a mental model I stumbled into while reading a project management article. Folding a paper crane requires following exact sequential steps. Miss one fold? The crane looks wrong. Same with assembling a complex valve unit on a drilling rig. Skip the manufacturer’s sequence, and the assembly fails pressure test.

I’m not saying you should practice origami. I’m saying that when someone at Atlas Copco Industrial Technique AB writes a step-by-step manual, they’re not being bureaucratic—they’re giving you the sequence that works. I’ve had technicians skip steps in the manual because they thought it was ‘extra paperwork.’ 9 times out of 10, that’s where the problem starts.

Q7. So what’s changed in the last few years, really?

The fundamentals haven’t changed: you still need a good drill rig, proper maintenance, and skilled operators. But the execution has. Data logging is now standard. Remote diagnostics can cut downtime by half. And parts availability? Better than it was in 2020, but you still need to plan ahead.

I don’t have a crystal ball. But if you’re still treating your drill rig like a 2010 model, you’re missing the efficiency gains that modern equipment offers. That’s not a dig at older operators—I’ve made that mistake myself.

Let me rephrase that: the best practice in 2020 may not apply in 2025. Your training should reflect that. (Oh, and always check firmware updates on the controller. I should add that. It’s free. Most people don’t do it.)