Telecom/Electric

Melfred Borzall FastBack

Melfred Borzall’s one-of-a-kind patent-pending FastBackTM system is changing the way contractors handle HDD boring. FastBackTM is Borzall’s new system for direct pullbacks without removing the drill head or installing a backreamer. This unique system includes the FastReamTM housing – used in place ..

Choose the right tool for the job

Total-solution HammerHead®/RS Lining Systems collaboration keeps pace with rapidly evolving noninvasive techniques Today’s pipe repair specialists can take a lesson from Maslow’s “law of the hammer,” revising it slightly to make a similar point: “To the contractor with a sledge, every bid includes ..

LMK Technologies Continues to Lead the Way in Trenchless Rehabilitation

LMK Technologies Continues to Lead the Way in Trenchless Rehabilitation of Main to Lateral Connections with the Addition of Man Entry Lapel Liner Located in Ottawa, Illinois, LMK Technologies has been a leader in trenchless Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining since 1993. LMK is recognized by many mun..

Vactor’s New DigRight™ Technology Benefits Vacuum Excavation of Utilities

According to hydroexcavation best practices, there are set pressure limits based on the depth of the excavation. For example, when excavating 18 inches below the surface, the water pressure limit is 1,500 psi. The maximum water pressure allowed in any situation with a straight jet nozzle is 2,500 ps..

New productivity tools help HDD contractors work smarter, not harder.

The world’s aging infrastructure, expanding population and growing energy demands create an environment that will keep horizontal directional drilling contractors in high demand. At the same time, HDD contractors face new challenges, as project owners demand more information and detailed documentati..

Trenchless Pipe Replacement

HammerHead Trenchless Equipment HammerHead pneumatic pipe-bursting systems are being used by underground contractors around the world as an effective method to replace failing, outdated or under sized sewer, water and gas lines. Pipe bursting follows the path of the existing utilities, reducing uti..

A Small HDD Mud Recycler Built for Big Success

Some of the best new product ideas come from customer conversations. Equipment manufacturers often talk with underground construction contractors about their ever-changing equipment needs on horizontal directional drilling (HDD) job sites. When utility contractors talk about their biggest HDD pain p..

American Augers Introduces Mid-Range Rig, Fluid Recycling System

American Augers has introduced two new horizontal directional drilling (HDD) products – the DD-110 directional drill and M200D drilling fluid recycling system. The 110,000-pound pullback DD-110 represents the “low” end of the company’s mid-range directional drill lineup. The M200D fluid recycling s..

Directional Drilling: Reamers & Hole Openers

Century Products Century Products introduces a new line of Fly Cutters engineered for maximum performance and reliability.  Incorporating a robust square tube design to ensure longevity with superior strength, this new design features the ability to pull or push ream due to strategically placed cut..

TTC Seeks Applicants For Eminent Scholar Chair In Civil Engineering

Louisiana Tech University is now accepting applications and nominations to fill an Eminent Scholar Chair Professorship endowed by the T. L. James family and the Louisiana Board of Regents through an initial investment of $1 million. The James Chair will provide leadership in expanding the research ..

Kerite Completes Installation of Two Newly Constructed Substations

Kerite, the U.S.-based manufacturer of medium- and high-voltage high-quality insulated power cable products, completed the installation of 69kV underground transmission cable circuits at two newly constructed substations 30 miles north of Denver, CO. The installation projects for rural electric coo..

Underground Construction Drilling Fluids Guide 2015

Bentonite Baroid Industrial Drilling Products (281) 871-4613, www.baroididp.com Aquagel: Premium grade Wyoming sodium bentonite used as viscosifier and filtrate reducer in freshwater drilling fluids. Meets the requirements of API Specification 13A, Section 9. NSF/ANSI Standard 60 certified. Bore-..

Thunder Products Introduces Large HDD Recycling System

Thunder Products is introducing a new Thunderstorm drilling fluid recycling system at the 2015 ICUEE show in Louisville, KY, in late September. The Thunderstorm III becomes the largest of three fluid recycling system models in the Thunder Products lineup, said company President Dan Sharpe. It is de..

Fiber Optic Reel Handling Accessories Make Cable Deployment Safe, Productive

General Machine Products Company (GMP) introduces two new reel handling accessories to its line of underground cable placement tools and equipment. These components – the Reel Buck and the Reel Caddy – are uniquely engineered to make fiber optic cable deployment safer and more productive. All of the..

ASCE to Recognize Dr. Tom Iseley as Distinguished Member

In October, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) will recognize David Thomas (Tom) Iseley, Ph.D., P.E., Dist.M.ASCE for his contributions to the trenchless technology industry at ASCE’s 2015 Distinguished Member Induction Ceremony held during their Annual Convention, Oct. 11-14, in New Yo..

Equipment Spotlight: Drilling Fluids/Polymers

Drilling fluids/polymers by CETCO Drilling Products, M-I SWACO, Baroid Industrial Drilling Products and Wyo-Ben.

Equipment Spotlight: Downhole Directional Drilling Tools

Downhole directional drilling tools by Hunting Trenchless, HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, Sharewell HDD, Railhead Underground Products, INROCK, Ditch Witch, Vermeer, American Augers, Radius HDD Tools, Melfred Borzall, StraightlineHDD and Horizontal Technology.

Power Dynamics Completes HDD Rig For Harding Directional Drilling

Power Dynamics LLC (PDI) announces completion of a custom designed and manufactured maxi-rig for Harding Directional Drilling of Bryan, TX.

Updated AEM Safety Manuals Outline Directional Drilling Best Practices

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has produced a new Directional Drilling safety manual and updated its Directional Drilling Tracking Equipment safety manual to reflect the latest industry best practices for drilling safely.

Equipment Spotlight: Downhole Directional Drilling Tools

Downhole directional drilling tools by Armadrillco, HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, Railhead Underground Products, INROCK, Ditch Witch, Vermeer, American Augers, Radius HDD Direct, Melfred Borzall, Sharewell HDD Services, Horizontal Technology, Ballantine, Hunting Trenchless and Straightline.

U.S. Drilling Products - Directional Underground Boring Bit

Manufactured in the United States from the toughest wear-resistant tungsten carbide, U.S. Drilling Products’ new Directional Underground Boring Bit is gaining attention for its rock-busting capabilities.

Despite Higher Costs, Electric Utilities Increasingly Favor Undergrounding

The question invariably is asked after severe weather or other disasters knocks out electrical power and communications services: “Why don’t they put those overhead lines underground where they’re protected?” That question has been asked many times in many places over the past few years as heavy winter storms, tornadoes and hurricanes have affected much of the country, knocking out power, communications and other vital services.

School District Goes Underground To Enhance Internet Connectivity

When USD 233 – more commonly known as the Olathe, KS, Public School District – was formed in 1965 by consolidating five smaller districts, enrollment totaled 3,687 students. Since then, it has grown every year and is now the second largest of all the school districts in Kansas. The 2013 school year began with more than 29,000 students attending classes at the four high schools, nine middle schools and 35 elementary school buildings that compose the district.

2013 Large Directional Drilling Rig Census

<em>Underground Construction</em>’s 2013 census of large horizontal directional drilling contractors is an effective tool when selecting the right size of drill rig to fit specific project needs in managing a successful HDD operation.

Underground Construction's 2013 Drilling Fluids Guide

A listing of both bentonite and polymer drilling fluids, divided by type and company.

2012 Large Directional Drilling Rig Census

Underground Construction’s 2012 census of large horizontal directional drilling contractors is an effective tool when selecting the right size of drill rig to fit specific project needs in managing a successful HDD operation.

15th Annual Horizontal Directional Drilling Survey

Despite pockets of negativity, the majority of horizontal directional drilling contractors continue to enjoy a robust business atmosphere for 2013, and most expect that environment to continue for the foreseeable future.

Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Equipment Spotlight

Downhole directional drilling tools from Hunting Trenchless, American Augers, Radius HDD Tools, Melfred Borzall, Horizontal Technology, INROCK, Ballantine, Vermeer, Railhead Underground Products, Sharewell HDD Services, HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, Straightline, Condux Intl. and Ditch Witch.

Editor's Log: Best Guesses & Fingers Crossed

The November elections are over and the nation has survived. But the question remains: when will the much ballyhooed economic recovery begin in earnest? It looks like 2013 is going to be another interesting and challenging year in which the underground infrastructure market must endeavor to persevere. And we will.

Maryland Broadband Network Promises Major Rewards

As the new year began, construction was nearing completion for 800 miles of fiber optic cable that will comprise the central segment of the state of Maryland’s One Maryland Broadband Network (OMBN) project. Ultimately, this project will create a comprehensive high-speed broadband fiber-optic network to connect more than 1,000 institutional and community facilities throughout the state.