A Quick Guide on the Uses and Benefits of Pipelayers

The importance of pipelayers cannot be stressed enough because of their critical use for ensuring access to adequate sanitation and clean water. If a city has proper infrastructure development concerning the management of wastewater and sewage, it’s because of the contribution of pipelayer.

A pipelayer is a heavy construction machine used in laying and installation of pipes underground. It is further used for transporting and laying huge pipes in trenches or over complex terrain. It can also be used for lifting, moving, and lowering pipes with precision.

This blog will take you through the various uses and benefits of pipelayers so you can make an informed decision before buying this machine.

The Different Components and Uses of the Pipelayer

Pipelayers have different components built into their design to ensure the proper installation of pipes wherever needed. Let’s explore these components to understand the significance of this unique construction equipment.

• Crawler tracks: Pipelayers are not built with wheels, rather they are built with crawler tracks for enhanced manoeuvrability and traction on challenging terrains.
• Load line block: Pipelayers have load line blocks which act as pulley systems through which ropes and cables are passed to distribute the load during lifting operations.
• Load link winch: The load link winch ensures controlled lifting and accurate placement of pipes in the trenches. It is a powerful drum that uses cables or ropes to lift and lower the pipes.
• Counterweight: Lifting, lowering, and placing pipes is no easy feat. For instance, a 20-foot iron rectangular pipe may weigh approximately 15 Kg depending on its thickness and width. Therefore, a counterweight is added at the rear of the pipelayer machine to provide balance and stability when handling heavy pipes.
• Boom: The boom lifts and positions pipes during installation. They are a crane-like structure mounted on the pipelayer.
• Pipe handling attachment: The pipe handling attachment includes clamps, hooks, or spreader bars and is used for gripping, lifting, and placing pipes in their intended position during installation. These attachments are connected to the boom that supports this activity.
• Operator cab: The operator cab provides controls, visibility features, and instrumentation for the operator to control the pipelayer’s movements and operations.

The Applications of Pipelayer Include:

• Construction of pipelines for transporting gas, water, oil, and other materials.
• Pipeline maintenance and repair operations.
• Installation of water supply lines, drainage systems, and sewage pipelines.
• Mining and quarrying operations for positioning large pipes to transport slurry, minerals, and waste materials.
• Handling and installing pipes for tunnels, bridges, underground structures, and civil engineering projects.
• Handling and positioning pipes for soil stabilisation, drainage systems, and sediment transport in reclamation projects and dredging operations.

Benefits of using Pipelayers

Pipelayers come in various sizes and configurations which make them extremely accommodative for installing varied pipes of different diameters. Let’s explore the advantages that pipelayers have to offer:

1. Pipelayers can operate in various complex terrains from rough to uneven surfaces. Due to the crawler tracks the machine offers incredible traction and stability over steep inclines and even soft soil grounds.
2. Due to the increased stability of this machine, operators can easily handle the controls and prevent accidents from taking place. 
3. As mentioned earlier, the pipelayer has to grip, lift, and lower massively huge pipes for installation in trenches and other above-surface terrains. This is why the pipelayer has been designed to accommodate heavy load capacity and several tons.
4. With pipelayers, manual labour of positioning of pipes is reduced while the installation process is accelerated.
5. Due to the additional pipe handling attachments like hooks, buckets, rippers or trenchers, it becomes easier for the operator to prepare the ground for pipe installation.
6. The machine is also fixed with alarm systems, cameras, and proximity sensors to ensure that all nearby workers and operators are safe during pipe installations. 
7. The pipelayer can also manage and install pipes of various sizes and weights, including types such as concrete, plastic, and steel.

Therefore, if you are looking for pipelayers to carry out pipe installation, feel free to learn more about the equipment we offer at Hexco.