March 2015, Vol. 70, No. 3
Equipment Spotlight
UCT Is Premier Venue For Cutting-Edge Products
Manufacturers once again took the opportunity to display innovative products at the 2015 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT).
With standing-room-only audiences in the new technology education sessions and cutting-edge products on display in the exhibit hall, attendees learned about the best products and technologies the industry has to offer at this premier event.
Here is a sample of some of the major new product introductions displayed at UCT:
Ditch Witch
The Ditch Witch organization announced the release of the MV800 – a low-cost, compact and durable vacuum excavator designed specifically for cleanup on horizontal directional drilling (HDD) jobsites.
Featuring a high-efficiency filtration system and the heavy-duty, field-proven components that keep all Ditch Witch vacuum excavators performing strong year after year, the MV800 is built for the punishing conditions common to HDD jobsites.
Key features include:
A 31-hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard gas engine features an electric start and high-capacity remote air intake filter;
A 800-gallon spoils tank for HDD drilling fluid cleanup jobs;
A filtration system includes an integrated carryover chamber that eliminates contaminants before they reach the blower, increasing uptime;
DC power pack with thermal switch provides protection in overload conditions;
Standard curbside controls promote jobsite safety and allow one-person control of all unit functions; and
The 14,000-pound GVWR trailer is FMVSS-compliant, complete with high-visibility marking and impact guard.
Standard safety features include a strobe light, belt guards and mechanical locks on all lift cylinders.
Optional features include: a reverse flow to simplify spoils removal and improve productivity; a hydraulic opening door designed for easy spoils removal and maintenance; and a 100-gallon high-pressure water tank with 3,000-psi pressure for soft excavation tasks such as potholing utilities. 800.654.6481, www.ditchwitch.com
KEMTRON Technologies
KEMTRON Technologies introduced its new and improved Tango 600HD2 packaged mud recycling system for the trenchless and underground construction industry.
Designed for today’s HDD drilling contractor with 80k to 150k pullback rigs in the trenchless, waterwell or geothermal industry, the Tango 600HD2 is capable of processing 600 gallons per minute of drilling fluid. This unit also is a high performing recycling system with a compact user-friendly design.
Featuring an industry-first touch screen control panel with Wi-Fi capabilities, the Tango 600HD2 allows the operator to run the system from a smart phone, tablet or laptop. In addition, the Tango 600HD2 features the new Hyper-G six-panel linear motion shaker with increased G-force output and single-point leveling jack, Firestone single-piece vibration isolation system, independent centrifugal pump pockets for direct maintenance access and eight 4-inch desilter hydrocyclone manifold capable of cleaning fluid down to 25 microns.
Trailer mounted systems feature a Dexter rated heavy-duty dual-axel configuration and hydraulic leveling jacks for efficient unit placement at rig site. The Tango 600HD2 tank has been significantly increased from 3,000 gallons to an impressive 4,000 gallon capacity with new fold out/walk up ladder and increased working deck space. Combine all this with a sound-attenuated 100kw generator package, and the Tango 600HD2 packaged mud recycling is the perfect solution for your solids control needs. 888.536.8766, www.kemtron.com
Geneva Polymers
Armorock is a non-corrodible precast polymer concrete manhole that is impervious to the sulfuric acid found in today’s sewer systems. This rigid load bearing product is available in standard diameter sizes from 48 inches to 120 inches. With a 50-year corrosion warranty, Armorock is the leader in sustainable structures. 702.479.1772, www.genevapolymer.com
Tiger Industrial
Tiger Industrial exhibited ECOmats that are ideal for all your hard surfacing needs. Weighing 2,850 pounds, ECOmats are made of 3-ply, 8 feet by 16 feet, (128 square feet coverage) laminated synthetic material with UV inhibitors. The mats are lighter than oak which translates into increased freight savings. ECOmats boast galvanized three-channel runners and a proprietary traction grain pattern.
The mats are easy to assemble – the surface is bolted together, not nailed. This guarantees that ECOmats won’t float. And they are easy to wash since there is no liquid absorption.
Safety is assured with ECOmats’ high traction surface and safe lifting design that doesn’t require cable loops or chains. The mats load, off load, lay and move easily with a fork truck or D rings for easy lifting. 855.338.4913, www.tigerindustrialrentals.com
Reachmaster
Reachmaster, a new UCT exhibitor, took the opportunity to showcase the Mighty Crane CR285D for which ReachMaster is the exclusive distributor of in the United States and Canada.
The Mighty Crane CR285D is 9-feet, 7-inches long and will fit through a single standard doorway. It weighs 4,388 pounds, has a lifting capacity of 6,172 pounds and working radius of 28 feet, 6 inches. The larger model, the Mighty Crane CR335D features lifting capacity in excess of 6,500 pounds, 41-foot outreach and pick and carry options.
The mini crane category has grown in the U.S. over the past few years, thanks to its compact format and ability to access areas that typical cranes cannot enter. The Mighty Crane is track-based and sets up with the use of spider-like outriggers. Lifting objects from one place to another is a simple and efficient task with the Mighty Crane’s 5-section telescoping boom and turret which swings 360 degrees continuously.
During the tradeshow the Mighty Crane got the attention of many attendees and later was awarded the “Showstopper Award.” Professionals from utility companies, government municipalities, rental companies, pipeline companies and more stopped by to learn how the Mighty Crane could assist them in their day-to-day operations.
The general consensus was that the Mighty Crane would be a great solution in a multitude of applications including water/sewer plant maintenance and repair, pipeline repair, gas pipe and pipe station use to name a few. The current use of big truck mounted cranes being stationed far away from the actual lifting sight is very common but comes with many complications (booming over with risk of damage). The Mighty Crane presents a new solution to this with the ability to bring the crane into the actual lifting site to work more safely and efficiently. 866.358.7088, www.reachmaster.com
Sharewell HDD Drilling Products
A new, patented product from Sharewell HDD – Pipe Dispatch – can hold about 2,000 feet of drill pipe, depending on the size of the drill stem.
Pipe Dispatch is essentially a container that will arrive at a horizontal directional drill jobsite and parked next to the rig. It can be set at the same angle as the rig and two mechanical arms load pipe joints so the operator can continuously make up the drill pipe. When exiting the hole, the Pipe Dispatch reloads the pipe back into its storage rack.
The unit will include a microprocessor making it compatible with virtually any rig and it can be operated from the driller’s cabin. 281.288.2560, www.sharewellhdd.com
TT Technologies
TT Technologies, Aurora, IL, offers a wide range of plastic pipe splitting heads developed by working directly with gas utilities to create optimum splitting head configurations. The designs are capable of splitting and replacing plastic gas service and main lines from ½ inch to 4 inches in diameter. The hardened heat-treated steel cutting blades are available in various designs and sizes to best match the type of plastic host pipe, as well as soil conditions. For service line splitting, the splitting heads are paired with a Mini Grundotugger winch or pulled with a backhoe. For main line splitting, a larger Grundowinch cable pulling system is used.
During the process, small launch and exit pits are dug at either end of the service or main line being replaced. A winch cable is rodded from the exit pit, through the existing line, to the launch pit. The splitting head configuration is attached and then pulled through the exiting line. An expander forces the split pipe into the surrounding soil. 800.533.2078, www.tttechnologies.com
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