Pipe Reinstatement Made Simple

Robotic Trydent 80 pipe cutter easily opens laterals in small-diameter piping.
Pipe Reinstatement Made Simple
Troy Miller, left, a senior engineer with TRY TEK and the designer of the Trydent 80 small-pipe cutting system, explains the operation of the unit to two attendees at the 2015 WWETT Show. The portable, robotic unit reinstates interior or exterior relined pipes from 3 to 6 inches in diameter. (Photo by Craig Mandli)

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Relining small pipelines can be an efficient solution for the rehabilitation of plumbing systems. However, opening the lateral connections on those pipelines can sometimes be difficult, especially in hard-to-reach areas that provide limited access.

The completely robotic Trydent 80 small-pipe cutting system from TRY TEK Machine Works solves that issue. The unit garnered plenty of attention among representatives from several industries at the 2015 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show.

“We believe that the small-pipe and relining market is still emerging,” says Troy Miller, a senior engineer with TRY TEK and the designer of the Trydent 80.

“We’re convinced that this product can meet the needs of that market.”

The unit reinstates interior or exterior relined pipes from 3 to 6 inches in diameter. Operators can access pipe systems through clean-out ports or rooftop vent pipes in buildings where tenants are present or utility operations that cannot be disturbed. It can be used to reinstate an entire vertical waste pipe from a single access point, as its small, powerful cutting head can maneuver around 90- and 45-degree elbows and navigate multiple bends and turns. Its reach extends up to 100 feet, and its narrow 23-inch width enables easy access through doorways and easy transport on rough or difficult-to-reach terrain. It can be used to reinstate lateral pipes connected to the sewer or utility main at ground or basement level.  

“The system was designed with versatility in mind,” Miller says. “We believe that it’s a fit across a lot of different markets, including several that we really haven’t explored a great deal.”

It has a powerful hydraulic cutting head and clamping mechanism, dual video outputs that permit digital recording, and an onboard color camera with self-cleaning lens connected to a weather-resistant, sunlight-readable video monitor. Water-powered hydraulics eliminate the potential for environmental hazards. An optional tripod carries the weight of the hose during vertical reinstatement. It has simple and quick setup and operation, and operates with either 120 or 240 volt, and 50 or 60 Hz electric service.

“Half of the battle when you are reinstating small pipelines is getting the unit into the proper position to cut,” Miller says. “Then you need to have enough power to make the cut. This unit provides that.”

While the portability and efficiency of the unit makes it a fit for all small-pipe systems, the option to reinstate lateral connections from a single access point inside a building sets it apart, according to Miller.

“The idea of relining a vertical stack in a building has actually kept contractors from bidding on jobs because of the difficulty reinstating it after,” he says. “That’s the type of problem this unit was made for.”

TRY TEK decided to debut the Trydent 80 at the WWETT Show because it, Miller says, “gives us the most bang for our buck.”

“This is the show we were really aiming for rolling this out, and the timing fell nicely into place,” he says. “Not only do we talk to a lot of plumbers at this show, but also municipalities, general contractors and utility service companies. All those have a place for the Trydent 80. No one else has what this offers in one package.” 717/428-1477; www.trytek.com.



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