49
april 2015
international
construction
From the development of horizontal directional drills for
pipe laying through to advanced computer equipment,
technology is playing an increasing role in the utilities
sector.
Neill Barston
reports.
For example, DitchWitch has released the JT60 and the JT60
All Terrain. Both offer 60,000 lbs (27,215 kg) of thrust and
pullback, andarepoweredbyeither a190hp (142kW)or200hp
(149 kW) engine.The All Terrainmodel has a two-pipe drilling
systemwhichDitchWitch saysdelivers class-leadingpower to the
bit, increasing productivity.
The company has also released its MR90 mud recycler, which
is a self-contained unit capable of mixing and recycling drilling
fluid, in addition tohandling spoils.DitchWitch says reclaiming,
recycling and reusingdrillingfluidsmakes for savings ondisposal
and transportation costs.
Toro has released its newDD4045 horizontal directional drill
model.This has 40,000 lbs (18,134 kg) of thrust and pullback,
and features a 160 hp (119 kW), Cummins QSB4.5 diesel
engine.The multi-function colour LCD display provides a view
of the drill’s performance and functions.
For hard rock drilling conditions, an air hammer can be
integrated and controlled from the DD4045 display. Also, an
optional enclosed cabkeeps operators comfortable.
Vermeer has also released a new direction drill, the D100x140
S3Navigator,whichhas a275hp (205kW)Tier4Final/EUStage
IVengine.Oneof itskey features isan InSitemanagement system,
which actively monitors real-time data of machine performance
tohelp improve overall site productivity.
Aside fromhorizontal directional drilling, othernew technology
has also been developed to boost productivity in the trenchless
sector.
Sacpro, for instance, is a producer of tools and materials for
lining sewer systemswithout requiringopencut construction.The
company’s new three-phase, 6 kW steam generator is designed
to streamline the curing process when lining underground pipes,
togetherwith anew gauge to allow temperatures tobemonitored
during curing.
CEO Jan-ErikSvedlund said“Theapproach thathasdominated
C
onstructionmay sometimes seem a conservative industry,
but the utilities sector is one area where new technology
and techniques are having an impact on the way work is
done.
Among the biggest developments in the sector was the
emergence of trenchless systems in the 1980s, which meant
pipes and other underground services could be installedwithout
the disruption of digging a trench. This remains an area of
technological development, with plenty of new products coming
onto themarket.
Technology
is key
UTILITIES
Technology is key
An American Augers
T1360 in use on a
pipelaying project in
Australia.
DitchWitch has
released two new
products in this
segment – the
JT60 and the
JT60 All Terrain.
