Practical Engineering was commissioned by Mitchell Drilling Corporation to advance the development of their rod loader concept. Increased safety, through a reduction in the manual handling of drilling pipes and collars, was seen as the major advantage of the rod loader’s technological development. The primary difference of this rod loader (when compared with industry ‘off-the-shelf’ products) was the ability to manipulate both drill pipe and collars. 
In order to work effectively with the rig and in drilling applications the rod loader needed to have:
- 140 degree rotation (standard rotation is 90 degree)
- Weight limitations
- Improved safety scheme AS4024
- Mast mounted, but with capability to withdraw from the front of the mast when necessary.
- Improved maintenance accessibility.
The Practical Engineering team of engineers and drafters produced a design and drawings for a rod loader that has proven very successful, and is currently in production for a number of Mitchell Drilling Corporation rigs. | 
Design