User's Manual

DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED
30 DigiTrak F5 Operator’s Manual
Target Steering
Target Steering allows the F5 receiver to be placed ahead of the drill head and used as a
steering target. Position the receiver on level ground so it is facing in the same direction as
the drilling. To activate Target Steering, you must program the receiver with the desired
target depth. The drill head can then be guided to a point directly below where the receiver
has been placed using the Target Steering screen on the remote display.
Target Steering with the F5 system requires level topography for the most accurate results. It
also assumes a conservative bend radius. Therefore, in situations with significant pitch
changes, such as during the launch/exit ends, the up/down steering information on the
remote display may not be accurate. In these situations, only the left/right steering
information should be considered accurate.
Feasible Target Depth and Positioning the Receiver as a
Target
The maximum distance the receiver can be placed ahead of the drill head for Target Steering
is 35 ft (10.7 m). Beyond this distance, the up/down steering information is not accurate. Over
the 35-ft (10.7-m) range, starting with the drill head approximately level, the following
parameters apply:
 The maximum depth change is approximately 4 ft (1.2 m).
 The maximum pitch change is approximately 14%.
For the most conservative Target Steering operation, we assume that the ideal drill path is a
circular arc with a radius that accommodates the bend radius of most drill strings and
products being installed. As shown in the diagram below, the feasible steering area is limited
to the shaded region bounded by the two circular arcs.
Diagram of Feasible Steering Area
Maximum depth change is approximately 4 ft (1.2 m) over horizontal distance of 35 ft (10.7 m).
Surface of ground
Receiver
Target
Target
Feasible Target
Steering area
Transmitter
Current
depth
Horizontal distance
35 ft (10.7 m) max.
Depth change
4 ft (1.2 m) max.
Target
depth
Target
depth
Depth change
4 ft (1.2 m) max.