Supply Chain - Construction Plant & Equipment -

Van Voskuilen, who act as SVI’s sole agent in the Netherlands, inserted 4.5km of 90mm PE into a 4” asbestos main in Hardenberg in the east of the country. To aid safety and efficiency during the project, the company used the SVI Mini Pipe Handler and the Hexi pipe coil Trailer. Reduced pipe wastage The Hexi Trailer is capable of dispensing coiled pipe with diameters of 63mm to 125mm. A major advantage of the trailer is that by taking a 500 metre coil (63 – 90mm) rather than the usual 100 or 120 metres, it allows operators to save money by reducing pipe wastage when used over several projects, as the quantity of unused ‘ends’ of pipe is minimised. With its hexagonal drum, which is raised and lowered hydraulically, the Hexi Trailer allows pipe to be pulled off smoothly, quickly and in a controlled manner. The trouble-free operation allows one operative to dispense the pipe compared with other trailers on the market which require two or even three people. With safety a key consideration in the design of the Hexi Trailer, all loading and dispensing procedures are carried out from ground level and both ends of the pipe are secured until the moment of dispensing to prevent the PE ‘springing away’ thus avoiding an injury hazard. Insertion controlled from digger cab To speed up the insertion process, Voskuilen used the Mini Pipe Handler. SVI’s range of Pipe Handlers attach to the quick hitch or standard bucket pins of most common hydraulic excavators to make the process of inserting plastic pipe easier, safer and faster. There are five models available to accommodate pipe diameters from 40mm right up to 630mm. Loading, manoeuvring and inserting operations are easily controlled from the safety of the excavator cab meaning that operators do not have to enter the trench. Asked why slip lining was chosen as the replacement method, Van Voskuilen Director, Albèr van Ee, said:

“There was considerable damage to the old main which needed to be replaced. As there were many trees on the course of the main there was insufficient space to lay a new pipe so insertion was the preferred option”.

Active throughout the Netherlands, Van Voskuilen designs, installs and maintains pipes, ducts and cables including gas and water mains and electricity cables. The company is the sole agent in the Netherlands for all SVI products and techniques for the trenchless repair, renovation and decommissioning of pipes. Vitens supplies 5.6 million customers and manages 49,000 km of water mains in the Netherlands.   For more information: Steve Vick International Ltd | +44 (0)1225 864864 | www.stevevick.com    

The regional water and sewerage company, which serves 2.8 million customers across the south west of England, purchased six Hexi Trailers in 2013. The trailers have been put to good use ever since, and are currently employed on 70% of water main replacement projects. This recent project took place in Calne, Wiltshire and involved replacing 800m of cast iron water main originally laid in the 1920s. The main had reached the end of its life, and Wessex Water wanted to ensure that customers were provided with a reliable and clean water supply by replacing it with plastic pipe. The new plastic pipe was inserted into the old cast iron main using another SVI product – the Pipe Handler. By using this method, Wessex Water were able reduce the number of ground excavations and speed up the replacement process. 500m of pipe inserted in one push The high capacity Hexi Trailer, loaded with a 500 metre coil of 63mm diameter PE, allowed operatives to insert 800m of pipe in just two pushes, one of 500m and the second of 300m. The coils of pipe were manoeuvred on site and the pipe accurately inserted into the old water main by the SVI Pipe Handler attached to an excavator; an insertion rate of 300m per hour was achieved. Only one excavation was needed, leading to minimum disruption and reinstatement costs. Alternative methods of replacement would have involved digging down every 100m. Using a high capacity trailer and mechanised pipe handling equipment helped ensure this replacement project was completed within two days. New Design The Hexi trailer was a completely new design for SVI when it was introduced in 2012. It is capable of dispensing coiled pipe with diameters of 63mm-90mm and has a number of key advantages. Firstly, by taking a 500 metre coil rather than the usual 100 or 120 metres, it allows operators to save money by reducing pipe wastage. Secondly, due to the hydraulically powered raised hexagonal drum, the pipe is dispensed smoothly and quickly. The easy operation allows one operative to dispense the pipe compared with other trailers on the market which require two or even three people. Safety was a key consideration when developing the Hexi trailer, with the result that all loading and dispensing procedures are carried out from ground level and both ends of the pipe are secured until the moment of dispensing to prevent the PE ‘springing away’ thus avoiding an injury hazard. Insertion made faster and safer SVI developed their Pipe Handlers to make the process of inserting plastic pipe easier, safer and faster. There are five models in the range accommodating pipe diameters from 40mm to 630mm. All models attach to a quick hitch or standard bucket pins of most common hydraulic excavators. Loading, manoeuvring and inserting operations are easily controlled from the safety of the excavator cab.   For more information: Steve Vick International Ltd | +44 (0)1225 864864 | www.stevevick.com