A scaled-down rotary well drilling rig, designed for use by the farmer or rancher himself and priced accordingly, is new from Orion Mfg., Dexter, Ore.

"It's a mini-version of large, commercial-scale rigs," Vice President Chester Anderson told FARM SHOW. He compares the all hydraulic Orion 55 to the Kubota tractor: "Small in size but very well made, and capable of doing the job, except a little slower."

Anderson suggests that, to cut costs, the Orion-55 can be purchased jointly by groups of neighboring farmers or ranchers for use cooperatively.

"The new Orion-55 rotary should not be compared with hand-held well-drilling rigs being widely advertised," explains Anderson. "This rig weighs 3,000 lbs. and has an industrial-grade hydraulic system, oil coolers, and a 40-gal. hydraulic reservoir system."

The rig is capable of drilling wells, 3 to 6 in. in dia., to depths of 600 ft., says Anderson. Wells 8 in. in dia. can be drilled if the depth is shallow.

With the proper bits, the rig can drill through rocks, according to Anderson. A book of operating instructions comes with each unit.