An attachment drill is often what contractors call an excavator-mounted drilling setup—an efficient way to add real drilling capability without switching to a dedicated drill rig for every project. When rock shows up unexpectedly, access is tight, or the drilling phase needs to stay mobile, an attachment drill can be the cleanest way to keep production moving. John Henry Drilling (Jimco) builds excavator-mounted rock drill systems designed for construction environments where reliability, mobility, and consistent drilling output matter more than anything else.
Attachment Drill
Why Attachment Drills Are Popular on Job Sites
Attachment drills make sense because excavators are already a core part of most fleets. Operators know them, service support is widely available, and the platform is built for repositioning and reach. Compared to more rigid drill setups, an excavator-based attachment drill can often move hole-to-hole faster and adapt better to uneven terrain, constrained work zones, and changing staging areas. For contractors, this means the drilling operation can match the pace of the jobsite—rather than forcing the whole crew to slow down to accommodate equipment setup limitations.
Mobility and Access: The Real “Feature” Contractors Pay For
Rock drilling jobs don’t happen in a vacuum. You might be drilling on a bench, along a ditch line, near structures, or in narrow corridors where every reposition matters. Attachment drills shine in these environments because excavators can work in tight areas and adjust quickly as conditions change. John Henry’s excavator-mounted platform is positioned around precision and versatility, giving contractors a drilling solution that can reach tough locations while maintaining operator control and stability. When the work zone is cramped or shifting daily, mobility becomes a production tool.
A Complete System, Not Just a Bolt-On Tool
A true attachment drill isn’t simply a single component—it’s a complete drilling system designed to deliver controlled, repeatable performance. John Henry drills are framed as excavator-mounted rock drilling platforms where the excavator provides the base power and mobility, while the drilling system delivers consistent drilling results. For contractors, this matters because drilling output has to be predictable. If you’re drilling a lot of holes—whether for blasting support, trench rock sections, or stabilization—small inefficiencies add up fast. A system approach keeps drilling smoother, more controllable, and easier to plan around.
Attachment Drills and You!
Attachment Drill Options for Different Jobsite Needs
Not every job requires the same drilling reach, footprint, or carrier setup. That’s why Jimco supports multiple John Henry models and configurations, including options like JH16 and JH20 platforms and specialty solutions for compact or constrained sites. For example, the LTS configuration is built around limited tail swing for narrow jobsites, and the Revolver configuration adds feed positioning flexibility for certain applications. The right attachment drill setup is the one that matches your actual work: how often you reposition, how tight your access is, and what drilling reach you need to stay productive.
Package Mounts: Add Drilling Capability to Your Existing Excavator
If your fleet already has excavators you want to keep using, package mounts are a practical path to adding drilling capability without a full machine replacement. Jimco invites contractors to share excavator specifications so their engineering team can provide a package mount proposal tailored to the carrier. This can be an efficient approach when you’re standardized on a platform, want to keep operator familiarity, and need a drilling system that integrates cleanly into your day-to-day operations. It’s a straightforward way to make your excavator an attachment drill platform that’s ready for rock work.
Rentals: A Fast Track to Field-Proven Drilling
Renting is often the fastest way to get an attachment drill in the field—especially when rock work shows up suddenly or a project ramps up quickly. Jimco provides rentals to major construction projects across the U.S. and offers John Henry rock drills mounted on late-model Caterpillar and Komatsu excavators. Renting can also be a smart test: you can validate performance, jobsite fit, and operator workflow before committing long-term. When schedules are tight, rentals help contractors start drilling sooner without sacrificing capability.
Long-Term Value: Support, Parts, and Consumables That Keep You Drilling
Attachment drills are hard-working systems, and long-term success depends heavily on support. Jimco supports the John Henry platform with parts availability and service guidance, helping customers keep machines productive during critical drilling windows. They also supply drill steel and consumables used in top-hammer drilling, including common thread types stocked to support field needs. When drilling is on the critical path, this support layer becomes a real advantage—because it reduces the risk of small maintenance issues turning into multi-day project delays.