Going Under: HDD Rigs Allow Pipelines to Get Below Difficult Terrain
Whether crossing a river or navigating environmentally sensitive areas, HDD rigs allow contractors to install pipelines below the surface without disturbing what’s aboveground. These machines continue to rack up longer and longer crossings as the technology and capabilities improve. Many contractors have brand favorites but this guide gives the reader a well-rounded view.
American Augers
135 State Route 42 • West Salem, OH 44287 • (330) 869-7107 • americanaugers.com
About the Company: The American Augers line of underground construction equipment consists of: auger boring machines, maxi rig and mid-size directional drills, mud pump and cleaning systems and tooling and accessories. The products are manufactured at the company’s 241,000-sq ft facility in West Salem, Ohio. Since the founding of American Augers in 1970, there has never been a change in the company’s core value: having products developed by a can-do work force that focuses on mechanical, technological and customer-based design improvements. American Augers was the first HDD manufacturer to use a rack-and-pinion carriage design, which is now the industry standard.
Barbco Inc.
315 Pekin Dr. • Canton, OH 44730 • (800) 448-8934 • barbco.com
About the Company: Barbco’s machines are utilized throughout the world on a daily basis with a proven track record of long durability in the field for performance, reliability, better quality construction and a simple design for easy maintenance and operation. We start with quality components that have stronger duty cycles and couple them to a higher flywheel horsepower thus creating unmatched performance that the operator can actually feel when on a tough pull.
Ditch Witch
1959 West Fir St. • P.O. Box 66 • Perry, OK 73077 • (800) 654-6481 • ditchwitch.com
About the Company: Since its founding in 1949, the Ditch Witch organization has grown from inventing the first mechanized, compact service-line trencher to being a one-stop source for underground construction equipment. With a complete range of equipment for installing utilities underground, the Ditch Witch product line includes trenchers, vibratory plows, backhoes, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) systems, drill pipe, downhole tools, chain, teeth and sprockets, vacuum excavation systems and mini skid steers. All of these products are recognized around the world for their advanced design, rugged construction, long-term durability, ease of use and reliability. In addition to its line of quality equipment, the Ditch Witch name is trusted for assisting with financial needs. Ditch Witch Financial Services (DWFS) is a full-service provider, offering a wide variety of finance and lease options to meet individual requirements.
Herrenknecht
1613 132nd Avenue East, Suite 200 • Summer, WA 98390 • utility@herrenknecht.de • herrenknecht.com
About the Company: With almost 40 years of experience, Herrenknecht is a technology and market leader in the area of mechanized tunnelling systems.
After more than 15 years of experience in design and manufacturing of maxi HDD rigs, Herrenknecht releases its first 250T (562,000 lbs) pullforce HDD rig on tracks with a high torque rotary option to the U.S. market. With the high torque version of HDD rigs, Herrenknecht is following and setting new standards in the capacity range of rigs. Increasing the available torque by more than 30 percent from 90,000 Nm (66,000 ft-lbf) to 120,000 Nm (89.000 ft-lbf) shows the importance of the rotary drive on HDD rigs. Now, even larger drill pipes (6 5/8 in. and 7 5/8 in.) can be used with smaller maxi and mega rigs. This latest smart rig evolution includes ´remote area diagnostics` and ´easy to operate´ software.
Prime drilling LlC/Prime drilling GMBH
Ludwig Erhard Straße 4 • 57482 Wenden • Germany • +49 4489 935 100 • kiesow@prime-drilling.de • prime-drilling.de
About the Company: Prime Drilling (distributed in North America through TT Technologies, Inc.) is a global leader in the design, development and production of advanced horizontal directional drilling rigs and allied equipment located in Wenden, Germany since 1999. We understand that a successful crossing is particularly dependent on the reliability of the equipment involved. For this reason, it is not enough for us to focus on superior technical characteristics. We are driven to deliver robust, low-maintenance drill rigs that bring top performance in the most demanding environments. Today, there are more than 150 Prime Drilling HDD rigs in successful operation around the world.
Universal HDD
1221 Flex Ct. • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (847) 955-0050 • unihdd.com
Company History: With leading position in engineering and production of custom horizontal directional drills and equipment, we are continuing our growth strategy with the new models and product lines at the new state-of-the-art facility. The great demand from the global market of our equipment, our old Ohio facility has reached the limit of its capacity with regards to the production capacities and technological innovation. It was therefore clear that it would not be possible to continue expanding our product line in Ohio. A new production site which would meet the requirements of the brand name Universal HDD had to be found. For Universal HDD the philosophy of creating highest quality equipment and services is not enough. We must continue to push the limits of the industry.
Vermeer
1210 E. Vermeer Rd. • Pella, IA 50219 • (641) 628-3141 or 888-Vermeer • vermeer.com
Company History: Founded in Pella, Iowa, with the invention of a mechanical hoist to help farmers unload grain, Vermeer today serves customers in more than 60 countries with a full line of underground construction, surface mining, landscaping, tree care, environmental and agricultural equipment. Customers are at the core of the business, and they can expect reliable, local service and support from independent authorized dealers in more than 60 nations. Vermeer introduced its first horizontal directional drill in 1991. By the end of the decade, the Navigator HDD lineup had become a market share leader worldwide. Today’s S3 generation of drills has enhanced speed, simplicity and sound reduction. Vermeer manufactures machines that make a real impact in a progressing world, and the company’s HDD line is a significant part of that mission.
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