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In the late ‘teens Hughes brought out the famous simplex
two-cone bit with long split body having side reamers and
lubricated journal-type bearings. These bits could be dressed on
the job by replacing cones and reamers when needed. In the early
1920s the bit was improved by offering optional acme self-
cleaning cones with long intermeshing teeth. This design proved
effective in drilling shales and soft formations. Reed’s cross
rolling cutter bit was improved about this same time and drag bits
had real competition for the first time ever.
In the early 1930s both Reed and Hughes went back to short
sport model bits which were utilized with much smaller bodies and
were leased as a unit. The Hughes bit was a tricone roller bearing
(Fig. 6.2) whereas the Reed bit retained the cross roller
arrangement.
Figure 6.2 – Cutaway of Hughes Tool Co tricone bit
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