Installing sewer laterals and other utilities in congested, urban areas is sometimes very difficult with a traditional surface horizontal directional drill. You might not have the space to reach your target depth. However, a pit launch drill can be a solution: They are lowered into a pit and can drill from point to point without the setback angle needed for surface units.
TT Technologies recently redesigned the Grundopit pit-launched mini directional drill to make it even a better fit for difficult fiber-to-the-home and utility service line installations in tight working conditions. The unit is a compact 54 inches long, 43 inches wide and 57 inches tall, and it delivers 13,489 pounds of thrust and pullback and 553 ft-lbs of torque with bore length up to 150 feet. According to Mark Dorn, regional manager for TT Technologies, the Grundopit is an ideal entry-level system for utilities, cable industries or as a supplement to larger units.
“Several areas around the country are pushing new water services within municipal lead replacement programs,” says Dorn. “The Grundopit has received a lot of attention in that market and is a workhorse, installing water services in older communities with lead pipe, … which is ideal because those neighborhoods have tight working conditions and narrow streets.”
The unit features an instant plug-in lock that holds the drill stem in place. The system allows new drill stems to be added easily by engaging the new drill stem at the rotational motor. This means that drill stems are only screwed into the lead stem and not the rotational motor, cutting the time it takes to add a stem in half. Components include a two-part bore rig, 30 drill stems, bore head with angled steering surface, backreamer and swivel coupling, hose package and power pack.
“Bores over 100 feet long are no problem for this machine,” says Dorn. “That gives contractors the versatility to bore in water and gas services one day and do a 120-foot road bore the following day pulling in 8-inch PVC. All while maintaining a specific grade with the same rig.”
According to Dorn, the feedback from those using it in the field has been encouraging. “We hear that the overall power and accuracy in drilling with this machine paired up with DCI locating equipment is great,” he says. “The durability and reliability, even when used all day, every day of the week, continues to impress.”
800-533-2078; www.tttechnologies.com
