Working Off-Road

Manufacturers offer a range of special-purpose vehicles that enable pipe inspection, cleaning and other tasks on undeveloped terrain

Self-propelled Machine

Designed to work with any combination truck, jet truck or trailer, the EMPS self-propelled hydraulic 4-wheel/track drive, variable-speed easement machine from SRECO Flexible Inc. handles cleaning projects in remote-access areas and rugged environments. Its compact, sleek shape maneuvers through standard 36-inch gates. During operation, its low center of gravity and outriggers provide extra stability. Controls, within easy reach of the operator, are ergonomically arranged for optimum safety.

Standard features include choice of tracks or pneumatic wheels, 600 feet of 1-inch hose with a narrow design for easy level-wind operation, forward-neutral-reverse hydraulic controls, and 20-hp air-cooled engine. Options include 4-track drive, single-lever control, dual pneumatic tires, footage counter, easement rollers, articulating reel, automatic level-wind, and various sewer-cleaning tools and nozzles. 800/421-6536; www.srecoflexible.com.

Versatile Excavator

Powered by a 60-hp Cummins 3.3-liter diesel engine, the Ditch Witch FX60 vacuum excavator handles large cleanup jobs and unwanted fluids and spills. Its soft excavation capabilities include digging postholes, exposing lines, cleaning utility boxes and street repair.

The belt-driven system has a 5.2-gpm water pump with electric clutch, 900 cfm of airflow, and a 300-, 800- or 1,200-gallon debris tank. At 82 dbA, the machines meet industrial noise regulations. Less noise and vibration also decrease operator fatigue. All units have a user-friendly control panel and a hydraulic power source and are available in trailer-mounted or loose configuration. The 1,200-gallon jetter also has a hose reel. 800/654-6481; www.ditchwitch.com.

Ready to Travel

The weatherproof OutPost portable video inspection unit from Envirosight LLC protects and organizes pipe-inspection equipment, including crawler and cable reel. A drawer holds up to 500 pounds of accessories, and a partitioned video compartment accommodates crawler controls, multimedia computer and flat-screen monitor. A flat-black interior and fold-down blinders block ambient light for monitor viewing.

The 4- by 3.5- by 3.5-foot welded and gasketed unit has a 15-gallon washdown system and an isolated gasoline-fueled generator that powers all onboard equipment. Integral fork skids and recessed lifting hooks facilitate hoisting and tie-down.

The unit is optimized for the company’s ROVVER crawlers. Modular design allows quick reconfiguration for any combination of pipe size, material and condition. Three chassis sizes address 4- to 60-inch pipelines. An automatic cable reel controls tension to reduce pulling burden and prevent tangled cables. 866/936-8476; www.envirosight.com.

All-wheel-drive Truck

The 4018-600 diesel-powered truck from US Jetting LLC has a 4,000-psi/18-gpm pump and 600-gallon water tank mounted on an all-wheel-drive open cab and chassis design. An optional 4,000-psi/25-gpm pump and dual hydraulic hose reels are available. Trucks have a centrally located control panel for operator convenience and a nozzle storage rack inside a locked toolbox. The high-pressure jetting units are just as powerful and efficient as trailer-mounted units with the same engine and pump set. 800/538-8464; www.usjetting.com

Complete System

The K2-CCTV pipeline inspection system from CUES Inc. operates in remote areas and difficult-to-reach easements. Mounted in various off-road and amphibious vehicles, the system operates all CUES wheeled and tracked transporters and pan-and-tilt zoom cameras to inspect 6- to 200-inch pipelines. Camera options include a built-in inclinometer, sonde or laser diode system to measure cracks and offsets. A reel holds 1,200 feet of high-strength video cable. 800/327-7791; www.cuesinc.com.

Sewer-cleaning Unit

The Hurricane 3010 trailer jetter from Triple R Specialty has a 200-gallon water tank and 3,000-psi/10-gpm Triplex pump to clean stoppages while flushing sewer lines. Units come with 400 feet of 1/2-inch jetter hose on an electric auto-rewind reel, 100 feet of 5/8-inch supply hose on a manual reel, as well as a stainless steel penetrator nozzle, flusher nozzle and rotating nozzle. It also includes a pressure-washing gun with four heads. Units can be customized. 800/356-9661; www.tripler specialty.com.

Entry Level

The portable, entry-level Mini-Mainline video inspection system from Ratech Electronics Ltd. reaches hard-to-access areas such as easements and ravines. Operators simply unload the unit and roll it to the work site to inspect 4-inch to 4-foot pipes. The 26- by 30- by 44-inch-high cart also mounts in a standard cargo van or trailer for offloading as required, or breaks down to fit in a minivan or the trunk of a large car.

The system, with 500 feet of cable, operates pan-and-tilt or straight-view inspection cameras and stores data on DVD or VCR. An optional remov-able monitor tray table enables operators to watch inspections comfortably in any off-road situation. 800/461-9200; www.ratech-electronics.com.

Compact Versatility

The Model JAJ-600TH off-road easement machine from Sewer Equipment Co. of America brings the power of a truck jet or combination sewer cleaner to areas impossible to reach by truck or trailer. The unit enables operators to use the water and pressure from a truck jet or combination rig, haul the hose to the jobsite, then use an auxiliary reel to clean the line. The track-driven machine has traction superior to wheeled models. A ground pressure of 4 psi protects lawns from damage. It fits through a 36-inch gate. 800/323-1604; www. sewerequipment.com.

Agile and Amphibious

An all-terrain Argo off-road inspection vehicle from RapidView IBAK North America lets users conduct pipe inspections from almost any location. The eight-wheeled, amphibious vehicle can climb over logs, through creeks and even cross open water.

The vehicle has zero-radius turning for high maneuverability in tight spaces. Large tires provide a low-impact footprint for environmentally sensitive areas. Unloaded, the unit can carry six passengers. Available accessories include a soft top to protect the operator and equipment from the elements. 800/656-4225; www.rapidview.com.

High Functionality

The off-road specialty inspection system from Cobra Technologies mounts on 4x4 trucks, SUVs and ATVs for inspecting pipelines in remote terrain. The components, integrated into a compact self-contained unit, also fit in pickup trucks and trailers. The unit has all the functionality of a truck-mounted system.

Systems have a crawler, video reel with cable, rack-mounted controls, monitor, and the CobraTouch CDL 9000 Series Data Logger with PACP-certified data collection software. The flat touch screen monitor, with optional sunlight-readable screen, alternates between full-screen video and the inspection interface. Slide-out storage drawers, storage areas with a washdown system, and a generator complete the unit. Fork lift rails or lifting hooks are optional.

The 8-inch Cobra crawler inspects pipes up to 72 inches using wheels and remote elevator add-ons. Operating on the Cobra PTZ camera’s power, the Luxeon cold-lighting system automatically illuminates at full brightness. Other features include a video reel interlocking electronic brake system, level-wind screw, and a remote crawler pendant control for one-person operation. 800/443-3761; www.cobratec.com.

Easement Machine

Powered by a 24-hp Honda gasoline engine, the Jet Eye SideKick off-road easement machine from PipeHunter Inc. cleans and inspects simultaneously. Its camera system works in tandem with the 3/4- by 1/2-inch dual-bonded hose system. The hose reel holds 400 feet of 1-inch jetter hose or 800 feet of 1/2-inch hose. The unit is simple to operate, as a truck or trailer jet provides water and pressure. It has a daylight sunshield and stores recorded video to a thumb drive for review on any PC with QuickTime player. 800/373-1318; www.pipehunter.com.



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