August 2010 Vol. 65 No. 8
New Products
Ditch Witch Offers OnGrade System For HDD
Install new gravity-flow sewer systems using horizontal directional drilling more accurately with Ditch Witch’s new OnGrade.
The patented OnGrade system utilizes laser technology and advanced Ditch Witch electronics to help sewer-installation contractors efficiently drill accurate grade bores.
With OnGrade, a grade laser is used to create the desired grade line. From this fixed reference, all depth measurements are taken. For the drill operator, it’s a matter of maintaining a constant distance between the drill string and the laser line, and making steering corrections as necessary all the way to the exit pit.
OnGrade differs from the conventional grade-drilling method, which requires a full survey to establish the bore line, and calculation of depths at predetermined points along the bore path. Readings at each point require recalculating the depth to maintain grade.
This is not necessary with OnGrade, which makes it easier to establish and maintain the grade with the help of advanced electronics, including the Ditch Witch 8500TK tracker, an advanced Ditch Witch 850BG beacon, and a rotating grade laser plane. The 8500TK tracker is mounted on a specialized grade pole with laser detectors, a configuration designed to take the effect of surface topography out of the calculation for required depth at any given point.
Other components of the OnGrade system include a grade drill housing that is specially designed to provide consistent beacon signal strength in all roll positions; a calibration fixture for precise beacon depth and pitch calibration in the housing; an inspection trolley with a video camera that can be pulled through the service pipe after installation to verify the grade; and bore-plotting software for providing as-built documentation.
All components of the OnGrade system (except downhole tooling) are contained in a convenient job box for easy transport to the site. 800.654.6481, www.ditchwitch.com
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