Published July 2007

Bursting on the Scene

By Scottie Dayton (page 36)

Pipe bursting tools gain in size, power and versatility as tools for rehabilitating anything from sewer laterals and mains to water lines.

Pipe bursting started as a low-impact way to rehabilitate sewer laterals. In time, it has become a great deal more.

Today, bursting systems from various manufacturers can repair not just laterals but sewer mains — including some larger sizes — and water lines. It’s even possible to burst water mains and pull in a prechlorinated pipe behind the bursting head. Gas lines, too, can be replaced by bursting.

One advantage of pipe bursting is that in some instances it can be used to upsize a line to increase capacity. Here is a look at some of the latest bursting tools and technologies for the municipal and utility sectors.

Crack and burst

Grundocrack pneumatic pipe bursting tools from TT Technologies rehabilitate water, sewer and gas mains, and electrical or telephone conduits. Models include 15 rear-expander, high-production tools and six straight-barrel, auto-reverse special application tools.

A constant-tension, variable-speed Grundowinch pulls the tool through the failing pipe. Twin capstans protect the cable and cable drum from extreme stress. The tool’s percussive action breaks the pipe, displaces the fragments in the surrounding soil, and simultaneously pulls in new pipe of the same diameter or larger.

The Grundoburst static pipe bursting system bursts ductile iron and steel pipe using a special bladed cutter head. Pulled by a hydraulic bursting unit, the head has cutting wheels that split the host pipe. An attached expander spreads and displaces the split pipe into the surrounding soil, while pulling in the new pipe.

QuickLock bursting rods link together to save time, prevent twisting, and extend cutter head life. Rods are removed one at a time at the exit pit, or installed into the next run as the first run is being completed. Eight Grundoburst models have 60,000 to 650,000 pounds of pullback force and burst 4- to 48-inch pipes or larger. For information: 800/533-2078; www.tttechnologies.com.

Compact design

Anaconda trenchless systems from Gorlitz Sewer & Drain Inc. split and replace 2- to 6-inch pipes in extremely confined conditions and without digging a trench. They bore under landscaping, driveways, sidewalks, roadways, and concrete slabs, breaking apart Orangeburg, PVC, ABS, clay, and cast-iron pipes. Hydraulic units with 30 to 40 and 60 tons of pullback force are tested and certified up to 131,400 pounds by Metallurgical Testing Corp., City of Industry, Calif.

The hydraulic pulling unit has a chain or wire rope, allowing flexibility for demanding projects. One person can assemble or disassemble the entire machine at the jobsite. The system comes with the hydraulic power pack, 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-inch pipe fusion fixture, facing tool, and iron. For information: 877/446-7548; www.gorlitz.com.

Minimize disturbance

The HammerHead line of static and pneumatic pipe bursting systems from Earth Tool Company LLC replaces pipe up to 24 inches. Compact hydraulically operated HydroBurst systems burst fracturable pipes and slit ductile iron and steel pipes. Systems are simple to set up and have 38, 50, 80, or 125 tons of pullback force.

The HydroBurst HB12 has hydraulic leveling jacks at each corner to save pit prep time and adjust for changes during the burst. The system also has a hydraulic stabilizer brace that extends for shoring during rod push-out, and a powered rod threader.

Heat-treated alloy rods weighing 52 pounds push into host pipes in 2.8 seconds, shortening rod insertion time. Rods have 800 foot-pounds of rotational torque to drill through collapsed lines and avoid exiting the host pipe. Pullback is driven entirely through torqued API-threaded joints.

HammerHead Mole pneumatic pipe bursting systems are configured to suit specific job conditions. Bursting heads have a clamped tailbolt design that allows quick and simple maintenance in the field, air reverse capability for manhole exiting applications, and internal wear rings that eliminate metal-to-metal contact and wear. For information: 800/331-6653; www.hammerheadmole.com.

Precision incisions

Pipe Genie bursting systems from Pipe Genie Tools and Systems convert in minutes to pull with cable or chain at a top speed of 5 feet per minute. Units have 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 240 tons of pullback force and burst 4- to 30-inch pipes even through 45-degree bends. Systems include 100 feet of swaged cable or chain (with a positive non-slip latch), breaking cones and adapter for 4-inch polyethylene, hydraulic hose and actuator, and 1-inch push pipe and 1/4-inch cable.

The 80-ton Pipe Genie system replaces 6- to 20-inch pipe. With its 3- by 4-foot footprint, it pulls through the front when working in pits, or through the bottom when working over manholes.

When coupled with the 40-square-inch PowerCage, power is increased by adding 80-ton pulling cylinders. The included adapter supplies simultaneous power to one, two, or three cylinders from one power supply. The unit’s open architecture allows in-pit conversions as additional cylinders are required.

Two special tools deal with increased soil compaction. The oval cone fractures old pipe into two pieces. The Shark Fin irrigating splitter, made for upsizing pipe in highly compacted soils, slices a 1-inch gap in the old line. A high-pressure waterjet in the tip of each fin loosens the soil behind, making it easier to pull the replacement pipe. For information: 877/411-7473; www.trenchlessamerica.com.

Compact, lightweight

The Pow-r Mole thrust-boring Model PD-8 pipe burster from Pow-r Devices achieves 75 tons of force at 3,000 psi and advances at up to 6 feet per minute through sand, hard clay, sticky clay, gravel, fill areas, and most difficult soil conditions. The machine uses 2.5-foot-long, 2-inch-diameter solid chrome alloy steel rods with tapered internal/external thread.

Designed to split 3- to 16-inch pipes, the unit top-loads to fit into pits as small as 3 by 6 feet. Its low-pressure system (3,000 psi/32 gpm) operates with a 58-hp diesel-engine-driven hydraulic power unit or from an auxiliary circuit on a backhoe. Transportation is as close as the back of a pickup truck. Pow-r Devices: 800/344-6653; www.powrmole.com.

Versatile systems

Pipe bursting systems from TRIC Tools Inc. replace 3/4-inch water pipes to 20-inch sewer mains with hydraulic pullers generating 20 to 160 tons of pullback force. The Lafayette series, for municipalities and contractors who have backhoes or other low- pressure hydraulic power sources, also operates with a dedicated power source. Units come with one 75- and one 150-foot cable, a 5,000-psi inline pressure gauge, and a hydraulic hose with solenoid-operated directional valve and controller pendant.

The 45-ton Lafayette WC22 pulls 14 feet per minute at 36 gpm with a pulling force of 50 tons at 4,000 psi. It includes 7/8-inch grippers for pulling 8-inch pipe and a 30-inch hydraulic hose.

The 90-ton WC44 pulls 9.7 feet per minute at 57 gpm with a pulling force of 88 tons at 4,000 psi. Features include 1.25-inch grippers for pulling 12-inch pipe and a 20-inch hydraulic hose. The 160-ton WC88 pulls 7.1 feet per minute at 57 gpm with a pulling force of 173 tons at 4,500 psi. Features include 1.5-inch grippers for pulling 14-inch pipe and a 20-inch hydraulic hose.

Unified-Force bursting heads from TRIC and Footage Tools of Canada combine static and impact power to drive waterproof moles. The 8-inch model has an 8-inch head with standard 4-inch diameter Footage piercing tool and 30-ton TRIC puller. Models are available with 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-inch heads.

A new water service accessory kit from TRIC and Footage pushes galvanized pipe out of the ground while simultaneously installing PE or copper lines using a simplified soft copper attachment. Splitters and pushers come in 0.75-, 1-, 1.5-, and 2-inch sizes. TRIC Tools Inc.: 888/883-8742; www.trictrenchless.com.