TANK, WATER

550 259 62B TANK, WATER is where you store the water for dust suppression, plain and simple. On a drill rig, that water is critical for keeping the dust down when you're punching holes, especially in dry, dusty conditions. It feeds the misting system that sprays down the drill string, which not only makes the site safer and more breathable for the crew but also helps protect the rig's own air filters and other sensitive components from getting choked with abrasive dust. It’s a pretty fundamental piece of the dust control puzzle.

When this tank starts to go, usually what happens is you'll find leaks. Could be a small weep at a seam that just gets worse over time, or a crack from impact or fatigue. You'll notice the water level dropping faster than usual, and you might see puddles forming under the rig when it's parked. The biggest headache, though, is when the dust suppression system starts running dry too often. You'll see a lot more dust coming off the drill collar, and the operator will be complaining about visibility and breathing. That's your cue that the water supply isn't holding up, and this tank is often the culprit.

Replacing one of these isn't rocket science, but you still want to do it right. First off, drain it completely, obviously. When you're bolting the new one in, make sure all the mounting points are solid and that you're not overtightening anything, which can stress the new tank. A common thing folks forget to check is the condition of the mounting brackets themselves – sometimes they get fatigued or cracked, and if you just slap a new tank on weak mounts, you'll be doing the job again sooner than you think. Also, give the level sensor a quick look while you're in there; they can get gummed up.