TPI July 2014

products & developments

Pipe handling system for directional drilling markets

America, Australia, Europe and Africa, Vacuworx offers on-site maintenance and repairs, and stocks a full line of parts available for shipping 365 days a year.

All Vacuworx lifting systems are CE certified, OSHA compliant and manufactured to meet or exceed ASME/ ANSI safety standards. The systems are customisable for various applications and lift capacities.

Vacuworx, a manufacturer of vacuum lifting technology and heavy-duty material handling equipment, has launched a lightweight pipe handling system to lift and position drill stem in horizontal and directional drilling operations. The HDD Pipe Handling System utilises wireless remote controller operation and the latest vacuum-lifting technology to tilt and place drill stem at angles between 0° and 30° without the use of ropes or slings. Suitable for use with Vacuworx MC Series lifters, the HDD unit is claimed to be significantly lighter in weight than competing technologies and requires only one worker to lift drill stem and transfer the pipe into a drilling rig, reducing exposure to risk of injury in a pipe yard or on a jobsite. The unit is compact yet highly durable, to meet the rigorous demands of contractors or municipalities looking for ways to decrease load times and bolster safety during the course of trenchless HDD applications. The equipment features a 360° hydraulic rotator that gives operators complete control over drill stem and allows for the precise placement of pipe joints with fewer workers on the ground. The HDD Pipe Handling System handles single joints of steel pipe from 76 to 457mm (3" to 18") in diameter, with lift capacities ranging from 771 to 2,449kg (1,700 to 5,400lb), depending on the size and configuration of vacuum pads. The HDD unit is suitable for smaller excavators and host equipment such as forklifts, cranes, wheel loaders and boom trucks. The MC Series lifter is powered by a self- contained engine and includes audible and visible alarms, adding an additional layer of safety and performance in the field. The HDD Pipe Handling System’s integrated safety control valve also ensures pipe is never dropped.

Vacuworx – USA requests@vacuworx.com www.vacuworx.com

With a growing base of distribution points in the USA, Canada, Latin

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July 2014 Tube Products International