50 Years of BAUER Rotary Drilling Rigs: Innovation Built on a Solid Foundation

• 1976: Development, design, and manufacture of the BG 7
• Today: Focus on digitalization and energy efficiency
• New BG 50: Same operating weight as the BG 45, more power
• B-Tronic 5: Newest generation of machine control 

Schrobenhausen, Germany – Some inventions do more than solve problems. They transform entire industries. In 1976, BAUER laid the foundation for a development that would have a lasting impact on specialist foundation engineering with the BG 7. It all began with a practical challenge: The drilling rigs available at the time could no longer meet the increasing demands of construction sites. For Dr. Karlheinz Bauer, who was then leading the family-owned company in its sixth generation, the answer was clear: “Then we’ll build one ourselves.”

Within just a few months, BAUER developed a rig specifically designed for pile drilling, featuring a robust mast, heavy-duty Kelly bar, powerful hydraulics, and an innovative cylinder crowd system. Drilling performance increased significantly: While previously it was often possible to install only two piles per week, the BG 7 was already capable of producing several piles per day. A triple-telescopic Kelly bar enabled drilling depths of up to 18 m and maximum drilling diameters of 1,500 mm.

From In-House Solution to a Dedicated Product Line

Originally developed exclusively for BAUER’s own use, the company’s drilling rigs quickly attracted strong interest in the market as well. The BG 7 was followed by additional models such as the BG 11 and BG 22. In 1989, BAUER unveiled the BG 30 at bauma in Munich. With a maximum torque of 367 kNm, a crowd force of 350 kNm, and drilling diameters of up to 2,000 mm, it was among the most powerful rigs in its class at the time. Today, the BAUER rotary drilling rig portfolio covers a wide range of performance classes, from the compact BG 15 H with its rear-folding mast and the electrically powered eBG 33 to the BG 55 with BTM 720 torque multiplier for cased drilling at large depths and diameters. At bauma 2025, BAUER presented the new BTM 600 torque multiplier for cased continuous flight auger (CCFA) applications.

A great deal has changed over the past five decades. “In the early days, everything in rotary drilling rigs was purely hydraulic – a few levers, a few pressure gauges, and that was basically it,” says Johann Kraxenberger, Head of the Rotary Drilling Rigs Product Line at BAUER Maschinen GmbH. “Today, we work with digital interfaces, electric joysticks, and live data. The technology has fundamentally changed over the past decades.”

Focus on Efficiency and Resource Conservation

Alongside digitalization, sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important in construction equipment. For years, BAUER has relied on its Energy-Efficient-Power technology (EEP). Among other benefits, it improves overall efficiency, utilizes energy recovery, and optimizes auxiliary consumers. “Thanks to EEP, fuel consumption of our rotary drilling rigs is reduced by up to 20% – a tangible benefit for both the environment and our customers,” emphasizes Johann Kraxenberger. This is complemented by numerous assistance systems, including Stability Plus, the adaptive Kelly retraction assistant, and the Kelly winch Speed Limiter for critical soil conditions. These systems help the machines operate more efficiently and safely while reducing wear on the equipment and conserving resources.

New BG 50 Expands the V Rig Class

This spring, BAUER Maschinen GmbH unveiled the new BG 50 as the successor to the proven BG 45. Built on the new BAUER BT 145 carrier, equipped with the service platform integrated into all BT carriers, the rig offers significant advantages in terms of productivity, cost efficiency, safety, and reliability on the jobsite. Key upgrades include increased torque, enhanced drilling performance, and improvements in mobilization and handling. Specifically, single-pass drilling depth has been increased by 7%, while main winch pull has risen by 11%. With 470 kW of power, the BG 50 also delivers around 8% more output than its predecessor. “The result is a true powerhouse that delivers outstanding performance even in the most demanding drilling applications,” Kraxenberger adds.

Same Operating Weight, More Power

The extended mast allows the rig to be set up without an additional assist crane. This significantly simplifies mobilization and demobilization, reduces logistics and setup costs, and minimizes the space required on the jobsite – an increasingly important factor in urban or confined conditions. Particularly noteworthy is that, despite the significant increase in performance compared with the BG 45, the operating weight has remained virtually unchanged.

Latest-Generation Machine Control

With B-Tronic 5, the BG 50 features a modern, intuitive user interface. Individually configurable by the operator, it clearly displays all relevant machine and process data and supports safe and efficient operation. Integrated assistance functions provide direct support during operation.

Field Testing Under Real-World Conditions

Before the BG 50 makes its way to customers, it will undergo an extensive validation and testing program at the Aresing plant site through the end of the year. Under real-world jobsite conditions, its performance, reliability, and safety will be thoroughly put to the test. Series production is scheduled to begin in early 2027.

Close Integration of Jobsite Experience and Mechanical Engineering

For BAUER, staying close to the jobsite is far more than a factor in its success. “The close collaboration between jobsite operations and mechanical engineering is unique. It enables us to consistently align our developments with the real-world requirements of our customers and bring innovations into practical application much faster,” emphasizes Johann Kraxenberger. Expertise across the BAUER Group works seamlessly together: Experience gained from construction projects flows directly into the development of new machines. At the same time, the teams responsible for equipment development, drilling tool development, and process engineering work hand in hand. “Together, we form an unbeatable team,” Kraxenberger concludes. “This unique combination of experience and expertise enables us to continuously rethink specialist foundation engineering and drive it forward in decisive ways. Fifty years after the BG 7, BAUER rotary drilling rigs continue to stand for technical excellence, maximum reliability, and continuous advancement in specialist foundation engineering.”