Steep Slope Drilling in Minnesota

Steep Slope Drilling in Minnesota

Spider Excavators reach North Shore basalt cliffs and Iron Range escarpments across Minnesota.

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Spider excavator operating on steep slope for drilling project

When Conventional Equipment Cannot Reach the Site

North Shore basalt and Iron Range formations along corridors like US-61, TH-169, and Lake Superior North Shore create slopes where conventional drill rigs cannot operate. Access Limited eliminates that constraint with Spider Excavators and rope-access crews.

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Vertical Face Drilling?

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Steep Slope Drilling Capabilities in Minnesota

Access Limited navigates Minnesota most challenging terrain with Spider Excavators and rope-access certified drilling crews — installing anchors, bolts, nails, and barrier foundations on slopes where conventional drill rigs cannot operate along corridors like US-61, TH-169, and Lake Superior North Shore.

Spider Excavator Drilling

Spider Excavators walk on slopes exceeding 60 degrees — reaching work faces that would require road construction for any conventional rig. Access Limited operates the largest Spider Excavator fleet in North America.

Ropework Drilling

Rope-access certified drilling crews work on vertical and near-vertical faces across Minnesota — drilling precise anchor patterns where no machine can be positioned.

Difficult Access Drilling

When the site is in a steep canyon or behind terrain that eliminates conventional access, difficult access drilling bridges the gap.

Remote Access Drilling

Some Minnesota sites are hours from the nearest road. Remote access drilling deploys self-sufficient crews that traverse the terrain.

Purpose-Built Drill Rigs

Access Limited operates purpose-built limited access drill rigs fabricated for steep slope and confined conditions.

Steep slope drilling supports rockfall mitigation, slope stabilization, shoring, and ground improvement across Minnesota.

How Access Limited Reaches Difficult Terrain

Every steep slope project starts with access assessment.

Step 1

Access Assessment

Engineers evaluate terrain, slope angle, and access constraints to select the right equipment.

Step 2

Drilling Plan

Hole locations, depths, angles, and equipment configuration are determined by the site.

Step 3

Spider Excavator Deployment

Spider Excavators walk to the work face — no access road required.

Step 4

Drilling Execution

Anchors, bolts, nails, and foundations installed to specification on the steep face.

Verification

Completed drilling verified against design specifications before handoff.

Verification

Completed drilling verified against design specifications before handoff.

Spider excavator performing drilling on steep slope for stabilization

Why Minnesota Chooses Access Limited

  • Largest Spider Excavator Fleet — Immediate availability, no rental delays.
  • Rope-Access Certified Crews — Vertical face drilling by trained technicians.
  • No Access Road Required — Spider Excavators walk from staging to the work face.
  • Every Application — Rockfall anchors, slope nails, shoring tiebacks, and micropiles on steep terrain across Minnesota.

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Why Agencies Choose Access Limited

See why MnDOT, iron mining operators, and Great Lakes shipping trust Access Limited for steep slope drilling in Minnesota.

Erosion Control for Water Infrastructure in Minnesota

I am sending this to you from Duluth Minnesota where 4 of your employees just finished working on a wall they had put in for us previously. That was a few years ago after Duluth suffered a flood. We are on Lake Superior and St. Louis County wanted to help stop erosion. The guys worked during the rain and just kept on going, like little Energizer bunnies. Nice fellows, all of them!! They are certainly a credit to your company and I feel it is always good to give thanks to people for a job well done. Please let them know how much we appreciated their dedication to get the job done. We will always wish you and your team good days ahead!!

Transformative Project for Homeowner in Minnesota

Just wanted to say that somehow your workers/artists took an ugly and scarred piece of this earth and turned it into a very pleasing and contoured piece of this earth. It looks incredible!! The fellows were all so nice and just wonderful to us. They worked so hard and were always hear early…….no goofing off…. just working. My husband suffered a traumatic brain injury in early 2012 and it has been a rough couple of years. He is almost completely healed. There were many tears and a lot of frustration. Seeing this project and the amazing workmanship put into it has really put a smile on our face. We thank your fathers for getting this company up and running. We thank you and Tim for keeping it running. Your company made a difference in our life and one we will not soon forget. It is easy to say thanks…it is hard to put into words.... but know that our thank you comes from the heart!!!

Slope Remediation for Mining Operations in Ontario, Canada

[Our] team wishes to acknowledge for the excellent work that Courtney Smith and his team performed for us this summer at [our mine]. Courtney was able to provide prompt input and provide some innovative approaches to some of the challenges we faced this summer. Of particular note, the entire summer was performed without an injury or loss time incident, and many of our slope remediation structures were repaired and installed allowing us to continue safely mining. Courtney and his team worked hard, safely, and diligently at each task and was able to complete everything we assigned to the group in a timely fashion. In addition, they maintained a positive attitude despite challenging conditions. We look forward to having Courtney and/or Adam back to site next summer tackling our next set of challenges with slope wall remediation…. Please extend our appreciation for the great work Courtney and his team completed this year. As in their words, we look forward in seeing the team “dominate” any future challenges for our next year’s campaign.

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Access Limited provides Spider Excavators and rope-access crews reach every steep slope across Minnesota.

Call 805.727.4310

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