April 2019 Vol. 74 No. 4
New Products
Kobus KPP400 Series Increases Pipe Replacement Efficiency
Kobus Services Ltd., launched the new KPP400 excavator-mounted model in its Pipe Puller trenchless utility repair and replacement system. Pipe pulling removes old pipework from the ground, eliminating the potential environmental pollution, as well as enabling the recycling and scrap value recovery of the old pipe.
The state-of-the-art 400 Series system requires two excavation holes, no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet depending on depth of service, to extract an old pipe while towing in the new replacement. Up to 85 feet of steel, copper, lead or plastic pipe can be easily replaced in a single pull (for diameters up to 1¼ inches), and a new copper or PE pipe drawn in at the same time.
Mounted on a compact excavator, the 400 Series Pipe Puller operates from the auxiliary hydraulics. It provides greater pulling power and efficiency improvements for contractors. The unique spool design makes removal of the pipe after extraction quicker and easier, while the rotatable foot means the puller can be positioned in any direction to suit excavator access.
Already used in the UK and United States, the 400 Series can replace all types of service pipes and combinations of pipe materials with fittings, much faster than more traditional methods. It is ideal for cross road applications and replacement programs.
“In the United States, the problem is acute. It is estimated there are around 7 million lead pipes, totaling 65,000 miles of lead,” said Simon Drain, Kobus Services managing director. “With just one foot of lead pipe weighing 11 pounds and being an average 50 feet in length, this equates to an astronomical 3.8 billion pounds of lead.”
At an average scrap value of approximately $0.75 per pound, Drain continued, the total value of lead pipe to U.S. contractors is $2.5 billion to $3 billion.
Kobus Services Ltd. is a United Kingdom company with a strong engineering background to offer innovative trenchless technology. •
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Kobus Service Ltd, +44 (0) 1827 33 88 55, kobuspipepuller.com
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