international
construction
may 2014
46
Intelligent tools
UTILITIES
to follow this in the coming weeks with the launch of a new 5
tonne ECR50D.
“We are closing the gaps in our compact offering,” said Mr
Leis. “The utility sector puts varied demands onmachines and
it is therefore imperative that we offer the type of flexibility
required by end users.”
Philippi-Hagenbuch, meanwhile, has focussed on
increasing the options available to contractors on
trenching jobs. It has introduced a new cutter for
trenchingoperations – a tool that it claims uses up to -70%
less energy during trenching than traditional trench
saws, breakers, or other cutting devices.
The company said the Rolling Wedge
Cutter caused less disruption to the
Philippi-Hagenbuch’s newRollingWedge Cutter is
said to use up to -70% less energy during trenching
than traditional trench saws, jackhammers, or
other cutting devices.
McCloskey International has launched a new trenchless
equipment division to supply HDD rigs.
McElroy has released a new pipe
fusion tool for plastic pipes – the
Spider 125, which features universal
clamping for different sizes of pipe or
coupling. Themanufacturer said one
technicianwas needed to align, heat,
fuse and cool the pipe.
ground, and could also be used on frozen earthwithout having
to wait for it to thaw. It said the tool, which is available in
diameters from 0.75 in to 9 in (19 mm to 229 mm) could be
adapted to many makes and models of trenchers and mining
equipment, with a host of optional tips. Philippi-Hagenbuch is
now developing cutters for specific cutting applications – the
widthof the trenchdictates the total number of cutters required.
On the larger end of the trenching scale, Murphy Pipe &
Civil has further developed new plough technology for the
installation of high-density polyethylene pipelines in the oil and
gas andmining sectors inAustralia.
The company’s research & development team have been
expanding the flexibility of Föckersperger Spiderploughs –
machinesmanufactured byGermany-basedFöckersperger.
John Stack, Murphy CEO, said, “During its research of the
German manufacturer’s technology in 2009, MPC identified
a unique opportunity for the 450 mm machines to be
adapted for the Australianmarket. Extensive modifications
were made in order to deliver economic, safety and
environmental benefits through its operation, resulting
in last summer’s achievement of the successful
installation of 630mmHDPE pipeline at a field
day demonstration.”
Installation rate
With an installation rate of up to five times
higher than conventional methods,
Murphy said theSpiderplough is able to
regularly install up to 10 km ofHDPE
pipeline in a single day in trench
corridors as narrow as 12m, delivering
significant cost savings.
Indeed,
while
each
pipeline
installation contract varies, Murphy
said the technology was generally seen as
saving clients between 30% and 50% in
costs through reduced crew sizes, reduced
fleet requirements and shorter installation
time leading to reduced contract periods.
Murphy itself has already installed over
3,000kmofpipelineusing the technology.
The underground utilities sector
is developing rapidly, and it will be
interesting to see how quickly the
advanced technology currently in use
across mature markets spreads and
adapts into emerging economies in the
coming year.
iC
Modular hydraulic supports and
real-time loadmonitoring supplied
by Groundforce are in use in Oslo,
Norway, on a redevelopment project.
A series of high-rise buildings
will share a common, three-level
basement covering 35,000m
2
.
