Trenchless techniques are optimal for urban zones

Horizontal directional drills are fast becoming a mainstay for larger-scale trenchless applications, where machines like the powerful Ditch Witch JT 10 are being used to drill under obstacles

HammerHead piercing tools are commonly used in fibre installations and are increasingly being used to minimise disruptions in the installation of electricity and water infrastructureTrenchless technologies represent among the safest and easiest means of installing utilities such as water, electricity and data infrastructure in urban areas. This is especially the case where blueprints are inaccurate, in sensitive areas, or where high volumes of surface traffic are encountered.

Keith Smith, national sales manager: Ditch Witch, ELB Equipment, says his company has the technical expertise to assist municipalities and contractors to find viable trenchless solutions for most infrastructure delivery headaches.

“Commonly purchased equipment includes our range of HammerHead piercing tools – or moles, as they are referred to in the industry – which are used in fibre installations and increasingly to minimise disruptions in the installation of electricity and water infrastructure,” he explains.

These tools are mainly used under roads, driveways and other obstacles, and range from 50 mm to 145 mm in diameter. Smith says models with reciprocating heads and no moving parts are becoming the tools of choice due to their efficiency and reliability. He adds that ageing water and sewerage infrastructure has also given rise to the popularity of pipe-bursting equipment. The HammerHead range is employed to burst ageing pipes and pull new HDPE piping in behind it.

With the addition of specific fittings, the HammerHead range is easily able to deal with steel, clay, concrete, asbestos and other pipe types. Both static and pneumatic models are available and depend on individual contractor requirements.

Precise work

“Similarly, among larger contractors, horizontal directional drills are fast becoming a mainstay for larger-scale applications, where drills like our powerful Ditch Witch JT 10 and 20 are being used to drill under obstacles – whether it be a large road, building, dam or river. The ability to guide the drilling head around other buried infrastructure is also invaluable,” Smith adds.

Ground-penetrating radar and locators from Subsite Electronics, as well as other equipment to assist trenchless contractors, are also available from ELB Equipment.