Pullback swivels
Sealed, greasable swivels from DCD Design in Canada — from 2.3 to 73 tonnes.
The swivel takes the whole pull
The swivel sits between the reamer and the pulling head. It lets the drill string turn while the product pipe follows without rotating — and on every pullback it carries the full pulling force through bearings working in mud, sand and water.
DCD Design builds swivels for HDD and patented its harsh-environment swivel in 1996. The seal is what matters: several stages, each finer than the last, keep sand and grit away from the bearings, and the bearing cavity is packed with grease.
We carry two series, both with a clevis at each end: the light DUB-Lite and the heavy-duty DUB-Swivel. Matching clevis pin kits are available for every size, and rebuild kits for the DUB-Lite.
- Safe working load from 2.3 to 73 tonnes
- Clevis at both ends — the best type for side loads
- Multi-stage seal against sand and grit
- Greasable — and the DUB-Lite can be rebuilt in the field
- Serial numbers and material traceability on larger sizes
- Full dimensions for every model in the DCD catalogue
Light swivels that can be rebuilt in the field — 2.3 to 41 t, with a clevis at each end.
See models→The harsh-environment swivel — 2.3 to 73 t, with a clevis at each end.
See models→Replacement clevis pins for both series, and kits of bearings and seals to rebuild a DUB-Lite in the field.
See models→DUB-Lite®
Built for HDD with a progressive multi-stage seal and angular contact bearings for both pullback and pushback. All parts are high-strength alloy steel, designed for at least three times the safe working load. The simple design is rebuilt in the field with a kit of bearings and seals. Sizes 204 to 215 have a grease nipple on the side, so you can grease without removing the clevis pin — do it after every pull.
Type 2 — clevis/clevis
The most common type, and the best at handling side loads because it pivots at both ends. After pushing back, pull the product pipe straight before rotating again, or the swivel can fold back on itself. Sizes 202 to 215 have a deeper clevis at the reamer end for a lug that keeps the swivel in line.
| Safe working load | Part number | Ultimate load | Weight | Clevis pin kit | Rebuild kit | Quote |
|---|
DUB-Swivel®
DCD's harsh-environment swivel. The seal works in three stages: a gap seal for coarse particles, a mechanical seal of lapped steel rings — the type used in military tank drivetrains and cement mixers — and a lip seal right in front of the bearings. The bearings run in grease behind a relief valve, the design bearing life is over 700 hours, and every part is designed for five times the safe working load. From 20 tons up, each swivel has its own serial number and full material traceability.
Type 2 — clevis/clevis
Clevis at both ends with hardened, lockable clevis pins — the most common type and the best at handling side loads. Use only DCD clevis pins: an ordinary bolt is not strong enough. Worn bearings and seals are replaced through DCD's factory rebuild service, which can also extend the warranty — ask us.
| Safe working load | Part number | Ultimate load | Max. continuous speed | Weight | Clevis pin kit | Quote |
|---|
Pin kits and rebuild kits
Clevis pins are machined and heat-treated to hold the clevis — never replace them with an ordinary hex bolt. Order the kit that matches your swivel's part number. DUB-Lite swivels can also be rebuilt with a kit of new bearings and seals.
Pin kits
Each kit lists the Allen key it needs.
| Product | Part number | Allen key | For swivel | Quote |
|---|
Rebuild kits — DUB-Lite®
Bearings and seals to rebuild a DUB-Lite swivel in the field.
| Product | Part number | For swivel | Quote |
|---|
How long does a swivel last?
At the safe working load and under normal conditions, a swivel bearing lasts about one million revolutions. At half the load it lasts eight million. The harder a swivel works, the shorter its life — and the relationship is not linear.
That is why DCD recommends a swivel larger than the rig's pullback capacity. It usually pays off, and lives of more than 3,000 hours have been recorded. Grease after every pullback, and pull the product pipe straight before rotating again after a pushback.
Safe working load is straight-line tension; ultimate load is the minimum breaking load.
Tell us the job — we'll match the tools.
Send us your machine model and quantity and we'll come back with a quote and lead time.