Product Reviews · Underground Tunnelling Equipment · 18 min read

Sandvik DT1131i Tunnelling Drill Review: Specifications, Applications and Buyer Checks

The advertised Sandvik DT1131i is a used 2016 three-boom electro-hydraulic tunnelling drill located in Billingham, England. The seller reports 1,620 diesel-engine hours, three percussion readings, RD525 rock drills, 18 ft feeds, a safety canopy, SRH side boom, service basket, 690 V supply and CE marking. Its suitability depends on serial-specific condition, drilling-system history, electrical compatibility and the delivered scope.

Listing details at a glance

What is the Sandvik DT1131i?

Sandvik officially classifies the DT1131i as a computer-controlled, three-boom electro-hydraulic jumbo for fast, accurate drilling in tunnelling and cavern excavation. It combines automatic drilling, supervised boom positioning, pre-planned rounds and data collection. Sandvik also lists face drilling, cross-cutting and bolt-hole drilling.

That makes the model relevant to large civil tunnels, underground mine development, hydropower caverns and other drill-and-blast excavations—provided the actual feeds, tools, control system and site services match the work.

It is a drilling jumbo, not a full-face TBM

The affiliate URL and some marketplace categories use “tunnel boring machine,” but the DT1131i is a tunnelling drill. It drills a pattern of blast or support holes; a full-face TBM mechanically excavates the complete profile using a rotating cutterhead. The distinction matters for fleet planning, excavation cycles and equipment comparison.

Three booms, RD525 drills and coverage

Sandvik specifies three SB150i booms with electric parallelism, 3,200 mm extension, 1,650 mm feed extension and 358-degree roll-over. The iDATA control system supports supervised automatic positioning, target locking, correction and boom self-collision detection. Inspect welds, pins, bushes, cylinders, hoses and sensors, then cycle all booms to check drift, play, binding, alarms and calibration.

Each RD525 hydraulic rock drill is rated at 25 kW. Sandvik publishes 45–64 mm drifting holes and 76–127 mm cut holes. The seller's three percussion readings should be reconciled with drill serial numbers, rebuild histories and service invoices. A controlled live-drilling test can reveal rotation, impact, flushing and leakage issues that a visual inspection cannot.

Sandvik publishes a maximum coverage area of 183 m². The listing states 18 ft feeds; Sandvik's TF5i-18 table gives a nominal 5,270 mm hole length, while other configurations reach the model's larger published maximum. Confirm the installed feed model, beam condition, rod arrangement and achievable depth.

Automation, operator environment and carrier

The official specification lists Sandvik iDATA with iSURE tunnel-office planning support, automatic round drilling, hole-length control, torque control and drilling-data collection. Confirm the installed software version, licences, calibration records, diagnostics, data export and support that will transfer with the used machine.

Sandvik documents a noise- and vibration-insulated FOPS cabin with heating, air conditioning and visibility for tramming and drilling. The TC11 carrier specification identifies a 110 kW Mercedes-Benz OM904LA diesel engine, wet-disc service brakes and fail-safe SAHR parking and emergency brakes. Confirm the exact carrier variant, then inspect access, glazing, seat restraint, controls, lighting, alarms, steering, tyres, axles and brakes from a cold start.

Electrical, water and air requirements

The seller lists 690 V. Sandvik publishes a 380–690 V standard range, 270 kW total input, automatic cable reel and star-delta starting. A competent engineer should verify frequency, cable, connector, earthing, isolation and protection coordination before purchase.

Official specifications also identify water flushing, a 400 l/min booster pump, 15–20 bar flushing pressure and a CT28 compressor rated at 2.8 m³/min at 7 bar. Confirm the installed pumps, compressor, filters and hoses and ensure the destination can provide suitable water, drainage and dust control.

HSSE and operational considerations

The machine requires competent model-specific operators and maintainers. Planning should cover ground control, exclusion zones, underground traffic, ventilation, dust, noise, water, stored hydraulic and pneumatic energy, high-voltage isolation, cable handling, drilling steel and emergency response.

Apply approved lockout and zero-energy verification before maintenance. Inspect hoses, feeds, rods, guards and emergency devices. Verify the service basket's load information, interlocks, emergency lowering and inspection status. This article does not replace Sandvik manuals, statutory obligations, competent engineering advice or site-specific risk assessment.

Applications that may suit the DT1131i

• Large road, rail, utility and infrastructure tunnels using drill-and-blast excavation.
• Underground mine development and cross-cuts.
• Hydropower caverns and water-conveyance projects.
• Large underground chambers and access headings.
• Projects needing three-boom coverage and drilling-data capture.

Suitability depends on rock mass, face dimensions, blast design, support cycle, transport clearance, services, maintenance capability and regulations. Complete a project-specific technical match before negotiating price.

Inspection priorities

• Confirm serial number, ownership and the exact machine offered.
• Reconcile diesel and percussion hours with service and electronic records.
• Inspect and function-test all three RD525 drills, booms and feeds.
• Verify iDATA functions, software, sensors, calibration and licences.
• Check hydraulics, electrical equipment, cable reel, water and air systems.
• Test the carrier, steering, brakes, tyres, lights, alarms and emergency stops.
• Inspect the safety canopy, SRH side boom and service basket.
• Inventory manuals, tools, spares, rods, bits and adapters.
• Document transport dimensions, configuration-specific mass and lifting points.

Product location: Billingham, England

Location affects inland haulage, port selection, export formalities, cleaning, loading, insurance and delivery time. Confirm whether the unit can be powered, supplied with water and demonstrated there.

Worldwide shipping and customs support

Omnia Machinery advertises worldwide shipping, regular updates and customs paperwork included. That does not guarantee delivery to every destination. Request a written quotation covering collection, loading, dismantling, abnormal-load haulage, freight, insurance, customs documents, duties, destination permits, offloading, reassembly, commissioning and training. Confirm the Incoterm and the point at which cost and risk transfer.

Current seller offer — Verified 3 November 2026

Official Sandvik DT1131i video

This official Sandvik Mining video presents the DT1131i and its tunnelling and cavern-drilling application. It is model context, not evidence of the advertised machine's condition.

Questions to ask before contacting the seller

• Is reference 8883 still available at the displayed price?
• What is the complete serial number and ownership history?
• Can the engine and percussion readings be documented?
• What rebuild work has been completed on each RD525?
• Are all booms straight, calibrated and fully functional?
• What feed models, rods, bits and adapters are included?
• Which iDATA and iSURE functions and licences transfer?
• What exact voltage, frequency, cable and connector are required?
• Can an independent technician perform tramming and live-drilling tests?
• What repairs, alarms or fault codes remain?
• Is the service basket currently inspected and operational?
• What are the verified shipping dimensions and mass?
• Which delivery destinations and Incoterms are supported?
• Who handles customs, insurance, unloading and reassembly?
• Are commissioning, training and parts support available?

Frequently asked questions

What is the Sandvik DT1131i?

It is a computer-controlled three-boom electro-hydraulic tunnelling drill for face drilling in tunnels and cavern excavations. Sandvik also documents cross-cutting and bolt-hole drilling.

Is the DT1131i a tunnel-boring machine?

No. It is a drilling jumbo that creates planned blast or support holes. A full-face TBM excavates the tunnel profile with a rotating cutterhead.

How many rock drills does it use?

Sandvik specifies three 25 kW RD525 hydraulic rock drills. Confirm the installed serial numbers and service histories on the advertised unit.

What drilling coverage does Sandvik publish?

Sandvik publishes a maximum coverage area of 183 square metres. Usable coverage depends on configuration, face geometry and the drilling plan.

What hole sizes can the RD525 drill?

Sandvik publishes 45–64 mm for drifting holes and 76–127 mm for cut holes. Tooling and rock conditions must be matched to the project.

What hours does the seller list?

The seller reports 1,620 diesel hours and percussion readings of 2,703, 2,263 and 2,669 hours. Verify the meters against service records and machine data.

Where is the advertised unit located?

The marketplace listing places it in Billingham, England, United Kingdom. The seller page states EU more generally, so request the exact inspection address.

What electrical supply is required?

The seller lists 690 V. Sandvik publishes a standard 380–690 V range and 270 kW total input. Confirm frequency, cable, connector, earthing and protection.

Does the seller offer delivery?

The seller advertises worldwide shipping, regular updates and customs paperwork. Request a destination-specific quotation covering every logistics and import responsibility.

Is this a hands-on review?

No. This is a desk-based buyer guide based on the live offer, selected advertiser photographs and official Sandvik documentation.

Final assessment

The DT1131i combines three RD525 drills, broad coverage, supervised automation and drilling-data functions in a platform intended for large drill-and-blast excavations. The advertised machine's published hours and listed service equipment justify closer review for a suitably resourced project.

A sound decision depends on serial-specific evidence. Verify machine identity, drill history, boom accuracy, control status, electrical compatibility, basket condition, transport mass and delivered scope through independent technical and commercial due diligence.

Join the discussion

Which DT1131i capability matters most for your project—three-boom coverage, RD525 drilling, automation or data reporting? Share your experience or question in the comment section below.

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