The JH16 is one of the core John Henry Rock Drill product families—built for contractors who need reliable, excavator-mounted rock drilling that can keep pace on demanding jobsites. In the field, “JH16” typically means a drilling solution that balances reach, mobility, and production capability without turning into a fragile, high-maintenance science project. Whether your drilling scope is blasting support, trench rock, pipeline ditch work, or stabilization-related drilling, the JH16 platform is designed around a simple goal: steady, repeatable drilling output in harsh conditions.
JH16 Rock Drills
Why the JH16 Platform Fits Excavator-Mounted Drilling So Well
Excavator-mounted drilling works because it matches how construction actually happens. Drill locations shift constantly, access is rarely perfect, and you can’t afford to lose half a day to setup friction every time the work zone moves. The JH16 approach leans into that reality by using the excavator as the mobile platform while the drill package delivers controlled drilling performance. That gives you the ability to reposition quickly, work in uneven terrain, and stay productive even when the site layout forces you to drill from imperfect angles or tight staging areas.
Two Common JH16 Configurations: JH16/316 and JH16/170
Within the JH16 family, you’ll see multiple configurations referenced, including JH16/316 and JH16/170. The key idea is that the JH16 lineup provides practical options for different jobsite needs—so you can align the drilling setup with your access constraints, carrier platform expectations, and daily production goals. Instead of forcing every contractor into one standardized configuration, JH16 is structured so crews can choose a setup that fits their typical work conditions and how they like to operate day-to-day.
Built for Production: Feed Design and Stability Where It Matters
Production drilling is a game of consistency. The JH16/170 configuration is described with a heavy-duty feed design built around durable materials and smooth drifter travel. It’s also designed with stability features intended to help hold position for accurate drilling—important when drilling quality and repeatability matter for blasting patterns or precise drilling tasks. The overall focus here is practical: keep the drilling system stable, keep the action smooth, and support sustained output through long shifts without creating a constant maintenance burden.
Why Use the JH16 on Your Project?
Where the JH16 Gets Used: Blasting, Rock Sections, and More
The JH16 platform shows up in a range of rock drilling applications where drilling output directly impacts the schedule. It’s referenced alongside contractor use cases like drilling and blasting, pipeline ditch work, soil nailing, and other rock drilling needs. The point isn’t that one drill does everything—it’s that the JH16 class is positioned as a dependable “go-to” excavator-mounted drilling solution for the kinds of projects where hard ground can derail timelines if drilling isn’t handled efficiently.
Buy, Rent, or Mount: Flexible Paths to Putting JH16 to Work
Not every contractor needs the same acquisition path. Some want direct purchase, some want rentals to cover a project phase, and some want a mount option that integrates with an excavator they already own. The JH16 family supports that flexibility. If you need drilling capacity immediately, rentals can be a fast route to production without lead time headaches. If you already have a late-model excavator in your fleet, package mount options can be a practical way to add drilling capability while keeping your carrier platform standardized and familiar to operators.
Consumables and Logistics: Drill Steel That Keeps the Job Moving
In rock drilling, consumables aren’t optional—they’re the difference between “we drilled today” and “we’re waiting.” John Henry’s drill steel support emphasizes keeping commonly used top-hammer steel and related consumables available, including major thread standards contractors rely on. Planning drilling around consumables availability is one of the most underrated parts of staying productive, and having a supplier ecosystem that supports drill steel and wear items can reduce downtime risk—especially when a project is pushing milestones and every delay creates a ripple effect.
The Support Layer: Parts, Service, and Uptime Protection
A drill’s real test is what happens mid-project when wear items and maintenance show up. The JH16 platform sits inside a broader support ecosystem that includes parts availability and service options designed to keep equipment productive. When drilling is on the critical path, that support layer becomes schedule insurance. The best JH16 setup is the one that fits your work—and the best partner is the one that can keep you drilling when the job is on the line.