The BTE Mid-Western S83 Jackleg Drill is a 60–80 lb class pneumatic jackleg rock drill — the air leg drill for production face drilling, rock-bolt holes, and anchor-bolt work in underground mines, tunnels, and quarry walls. BTE Mid-Western manufactures it in the United States to the original Gardner Denver S83 design, so crews that learned on a Gardner Denver leg drill are running the same tool with a live parts pipeline behind it.
Build the drill for the heading on this page: choose the FL7 power-retractable or TUL2B telescopic feed leg, leg lengths from 24 to 72 in. (or drill-only if you're pairing it with a leg you own), and a 7/8 x 4-1/4 or 1 x 4-1/4 chuck to match your drill steel.
- 60–80 lb class feed-leg-mounted pneumatic rock drill for sustained production face drilling
- Rated 2,302 BPM with 69.2 ft-lb of energy per blow; 73 lb tool weight
- Percussion-plus-rotation pneumatic motor with 3 in. piston and 2-1/2 in. stroke
- FL7 power-retractable or TUL2B telescopic feed legs, 24 to 72 in. lengths, or drill-only
- 7/8 x 4-1/4 or 1 x 4-1/4 chuck; available in dry and wet (water-flush) configurations
- 1 in. air hose and 1/2 in. water hose connections
- US-manufactured to the original Gardner Denver S83 design; Crowder Supply stocks replacement parts
Air Supply & Lubrication
A jackleg lives or dies by its air: run it through an in-line oiler charged with rock drill oil on every shift, off a compressor sized to the drill's demand through the 1 in. hose — see the S83 spec sheet in the documents below for the full air requirement. Dry air and an empty oiler are the two fastest ways to kill a rock drill.
S83 Jackleg FAQ
What is a jackleg drill?
A pneumatic rock drill mounted on an air-powered feed leg that supports the tool's weight and pushes the bit into the face — letting one miner drill horizontal and angled production holes all shift long. It's the standard tool for face work in underground mining and tunneling.
FL7 power-retract or TUL2B telescopic leg?
The FL7 power-retractable leg retracts under air power for fast repositioning between holes; the TUL2B telescopic leg extends farther for high headings and stoper-style work. Both mount the same S83 drill.
What drill steel does it take?
7/8 x 4-1/4 or 1 x 4-1/4 shank steel depending on the chuck you select — our guide to choosing drill steel and rock drill bits walks through matching steel and bits to the hole.
Drilling down instead of into the face?
That's sinker work — see the S83 Sinker Drill for handheld downward drilling, or the S83 Demon for stand-mounted production holes. All jackleg drills we carry are in the category.
