The US DOT reports that there are more than 1.5 million of bare steel services still in operation in the US and the lack of a protective coating can cause the steel to corrode and deteriorate faster than other materials. Having efficient and cost-effective replacement methods for these kinds of pipes is critical. Operators across the country have benefitted from the cost savings and benefits of trenchless construction methods so HammerHead is proud to introduce a new trenchless technology that facilitates rapid replacement of at-risk steel gas pipes.

Pipe Extraction Process

The pipe extraction process requires two access points: a machine pit located where the service connects to the main, and an access point opposite the machine from which to pull in the new pipe. A cable is fed from the machine through the pipe and attached to the new pipe at the other end. The machine’s jaws clamp the steel pipe and the cable within it, and the machine is then engaged to pull the pipe from the ground. The jaws release and the machine cycles forward to clamp and pull another segment.  The pipe shear located behind the machine’s clamping jaw can be engaged at the operator’s discretion to segment the extracted pipe in any length as space allows.