Underground Construction articles from March 2003

Underground Construction archives from March 2003

MVP Award. (Editor's Log).
March 1, 2003... At the recently completed Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT), the Gulf Coast Trenchless Association and Underground Construction magazine were proud to honor industry stalwart Maynard Akkerman,...

DCCA's 12th Annual Symposium scheduled. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
March 1, 2003... The Directional Crossing Contractors Association's 12th Annual Spring Symposium has been scheduled for April 2-5 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, NV. The program will focus on technology and business in troubled times. Programs will be led by...

DCA members can sell used equipment online. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
March 1, 2003... The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) is now offering companies the opportunity to sell their used equipment on its new online database. The online database allows DCA members and non-members alike to post their used equipment for a...

Tunnel boring machine digs in Russia. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
March 1, 2003... After the 14.2-meter (46.86-feet) diameter tunnel boring machine (TBM) ended its 2.5-year Hamburg run in March 2000 to drive a highway tunnel under Germany's Elbe River, it went back to the Swchwanau base of builder Herrenknecht A.G., to be...

GCTA elects 2003 officers. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
March 1, 2003... At their annual meeting held in conjunction with the UCT Conference & Exhibition, the Gulf Coast Trenchless Association elected a new slate of officers for 2003. Pictured, left to right, are: Vice President Steve Henning of Avanti...

PPI to release HDPE, PE documents. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
March 1, 2003... The CD version of the Plastics Pipe Institute's corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe Design Manual is scheduled to be released in early 2003. The manual is organized into eight chapters and will cover the uses, structural design and...

Patent awarded for fiber-optic within natural gas pipelines. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
March 1, 2003... Sempra Fiber Links, a unit of Sempra Energy, has received notification from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office indicating the landmark technology that provides for the safe, efficient installation of fiber-optic cable within active natural...

PICG plans a joint industry project. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
March 1, 2003... The Pipeline Integrity Collaboration Group (PICG) is underwriting a Joint Industry Project (JIP). PICG was formed specifically to work for the benefit of pipeline operating companies in their efforts to comply with the new requirements as...

PRCI adds 10 new pipeline members. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
March 1, 2003... The Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) concludes its 50th Anniversary year with the addition of 10 new pipeline company members. The membership of these companies represents the single greatest infusion of members since the...

Water infrastructure. (Washington Watch).
March 1, 2003... As always seems to be the case, the start of a new Congress produces new hopes for legislative and EPA solutions to the growing gap between water infrastructure needs and available resources. In an effort to sharpen the focus on solutions, EPA...

Differences of opinion on OQ rule. (Washington Watch).
March 1, 2003... There are apparently a number of running battles between office of pipeline safety (OPS) inspectors and pipeline companies over interpretation of the operator qualification (OQ) rule. Inspections of pipeline compliance with that rule began Nov....

FERC report highlights natural gas industry problems. (Washington Watch).
March 1, 2003... On Jan. 30, FERC issued the first of what are expected to be a string of regular natural gas market assessments prepared by the year-old and much-touted FERC office of market oversight and investigations. Much of what the report contained...

Trenchless municipal sewer & water workshop slated for Tampa: Tampa, FL * April 22-23. (UCT Seminar Series).
March 1, 2003... The UCT Seminar Series kicks off its fifth year of outstanding educational programs with its Trenchless Municipal Sewer & Water Workshop scheduled for April 22-23, at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, in Tampa, FL. This will be the first of three...

Ditch Witch grows product line with mini-excavators. (First Look).
March 1, 2003... Ditch Witch has expanded its product line to include five mini-excavator models. The units range in size from 1,960 to 10,300 pounds and dig to maximum depths ranging from 4 feet, 11 inches for the smallest unit, to 13 feet with the...

APCA: celebrating 32 years.
March 1, 2003... The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) has come a long way from the days when seven merit shop pipeline contractors founded the Rocky Mountain Contractor's Protective Association in 1971 as a means of organizing to combat the...

Harris Technologies develops breakthrough in subsurface locating, imaging.
March 1, 2003... New from Harris Technologies LLC is a hyper-radar system that can detect and locate pipe and other utilities below grade that cannot be detected with traditional radar systems. Introduced at the Underground Construction Technology International...

UCT reflects industry turning point: top quality attendees, best industry educational sessions mirror unprecedented standards.
March 1, 2003... Despite troubled economy that continues to affect utility construction markets, the ninth annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exposition--popularly known as UCT--was rated an unqualified success by attendees...

UCT field seminar proves beneficial. (UCT 2003 Review).
March 1, 2003... A field seminar on directional drilling and mud reclamation was held in conjunction with the ninth annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT), held in Houston in January. More than 120 UCT...

GCTA tourney draws record participants. (UCT 2003 Review).
March 1, 2003... Over 150 golfers participated in the 5th Annual Gulf Coast Trenchless Association UCT Golf Tournament on Monday, Jan. 13. The tourney, held in conjunction with Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition, included...

Stewart & Stevenson unveils new directional drills. (UCT 2003 Review).
March 1, 2003... UCT attendees had the opportunity to attend a post-show directional drilling demonstration at Stewart & Stevenson's Houston facility on Jan. 16. The 60-plus contractors, engineers and municipal representatives saw Stewart & Stevenson's DCT 800...

RehabZone sets new standard in industry education. (UCT 2003 Review).
March 1, 2003... Visitors to the RehabZone, a 5,000-square-foot show-within-a-show on the exhibit floor at UCT held Jan. 14-16 Houston, had no shortage of enthusiastic platitudes about the display: "Highly informative and interesting..." "An...

Industry support for UCT continues to grow. (UCT 2003 Review).
March 1, 2003... The 2003 UCT enjoyed its largest level of support to date from both professional associations and organizations combined with outstanding academic institutions from across North America. This year, 22 associations/organizations and 11...

Maynard Akkerman selected for annual MVP Award. (UCT 2003 Review).
March 1, 2003... What started out as a construction job during summers and holidays in the family-owned utility construction business, D.H. Akkerman Inc., has evolved into a long and fruitful career in the trenchless industry for Maynard Akkerman, president and...

Applied Felts'. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Applied Felts' seasoned expertise in textiles engineering helped to create the cured-in-place (CIPP) process, as well as its first liners, more than 25 years ago. Since then, over 16 million linear feet have been proven in installations around...

4" hex augers in sizes to 54" McLaughlin. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... 4" HEX AUGERS IN SIZES TO 54" McLAUGHLIN makes the ONLY 4" hex augers with both shanks and sockets of through hardened alloy steel. Heavy-duty flighting is 3/8" thick (1/2" also available) with overlapped joints and machine-welded flights for...

LETS. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Aries raises industry standard with the release of their updated LETS. Aries LETS inspects lateral lines up to 120" from main line sewerlines. A new Pan & Tilt Camera is provided to assist with mainline inspection and lateral launches. The...

Planning a river crossing or trenchless placement of your pipeline or OSP facility? (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Planning A River Crossing or Trenchless Placement of Your Pipeline or OSP Facility? Tie Into A Leader In Horizontal Directional Drilling! Michels Pipeline Construction, Inc. (920) 583-3132 * Fax (920) 583-3429 Circle No. 223 ...

Laney Machine, Inc. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Laney Machine, Inc. offers surface to surface bentonite mixing systems in a variety of sizes. From 300 to 1500 gallons. The 750 mixer uses a 4" pump that delivers 200 gpm., has a 4 point shearing mix, and a venturi jet hoper. Gas or diesel...

Godwin Dri-Prime[R] pumps. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... The Godwin Dri-Prime--a totally automatic self-priming centrifugal pumpset available in sizes from 2" to 16"--has been proven in many types of bypass pumping applications, general dewatering and other uses. With maximum flows to 10,000 gpm,...

ISCO Industries. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Work with it, not on it! Now take your unreliable and run-down fusion equipment and refurbish it to like-new condition at considerable savings. Besides being a leading supplier of HDPE pipe, fittings, and fusion equipment for sale and rent,...

We can dig it or we can drill it. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... We Can Dig It or We Can Drill It--InterCon has enjoyed over a decade of steady growth, performing hundreds of successful contracts from our Midwestern base. Our total package of services includes: Gas distribution; Small diameter pipeline...

Murphy Bros., Inc. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Murphy Bros., Inc. is a full service pipeline contractor. Pipeline Construction * Maintenance Crews * Compressor Station * Process Piping, Murphy Bros., Inc. 3150 5th Ave, East Moline, IL 61244. (309) 752-1227 Circle No. 228

Versatility & maneuverability. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Ring-O-Matic's 275 Jet Vac is available on a 14' trailer or as a skid mount easily slid into an 8' pickup bed. These units have a 34 HP liquid cooled gas engine and a 450 CFM blower. With a 21 "man-way and Pressurized Blow-Off, the spoils are...

Central mine equipment. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... The CME-50DD is a simple, rugged and reliable mid-size directional drill that provides 50,000 lbs. of thrust and retract and over 9,000 ft/lbs, of rotary torque. The CME-50DD features a rack and pinion, feed and retract system. Dual range...

Vacmasters. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... VACMASTERS manufactures a complete family of VACUUM EXCAVATION SYSTEMS and DIRECTIONAL BORING MUD VACUUMS. Our SYSTEM3, SYSTEM 2000 and SUPER SYSTEM 2000 vacuum excavators enable operators to pothole using high pressure air 95% of the time,...

HCSS. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... HeavyJob job tracking software by Heavy Construction Systems Specialists (HCSS) makes recording daily jobsite information effortless with a handheld PDA, laptop or desktop PC. In minutes, timecard information and daily jobsite data can be...

LANSAS[R]--new Atlanta warehouse. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... LANSAS[R] has answered the needs of our customers once again! We now have a fully stocked warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia. Our stock includes plugs from 3/4" to the largest multi-size plug available, the 60" X 96" Domehead. We also have a full...

HOBAS. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... HOBAS fiberglass-reinforced, polymer mortar pipe provides inherent corrosion resistance, superior hydraulics and a long, maintenance-free life. Key applications are sanitary sewers, potable water and corrosive environments. It is ideal for...

Horizontal boring machine by Laney machine. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Horizontal Boring Machine by LANEY MACHINE--The Laney 3D-55 is self contained and powered by a 3 cylinder V M Diesel engine that makes 67 horsepower. Power is transferred through a 5 speed Eaton Fuller transmission, and the machine has 24,550...

HDPE pipeline rental program--nationwide service "pump smart--rent smart with Rain for Rent". (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Rain for Rent, one of the top rental equipment companies in the nation, combines its full line of rental pumps, pipe, liquid storage tanks, spill control, and filtration systems into creative SOLUTIONS for your temporary liquid/solids handling...

VaXcavator[R] keeps growing. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Vacuum Source[R] vacuum excavation systems offer a choice of positive displacement blowers with 500-850 cfm airflow, 30-59 hp water-cooled diesel engines, 3000-4000 psi @ 4 gpm high pressure water systems and 250/550/880/1200 gallon holding...

RootX--the root intrusion solution! (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... RootX foaming root control is engineered to be a simple yet effective method for eliminating damaging root growth in municipal & residential pipelines. By simply adding water, RootX creates a powerful root killing foam which will reach to the...

Distribution Construction Company. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Distribution Construction Company--We provide our customers with horizontal directional drilling systems that offer: Power and Speed; Fast, efficient setup; Broad range of pipe types and sizes; Quality on-site management; A skilled and...

60 minutes of restoration. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Completely clean, rehabilitate and protect a manhole in less than 60 minutes. Sauereisen makes it possible with proper materials, equipment staging and application methodology. The days of spending endless hours inside a manhole with prolonged...

World's most advanced solution for heavy duty roads and working surfaces. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... DURA-BASE[R] is a modular system of interlocking high-density polyethylene mats featuring quick and easy assembly, installation and clean-up. For rental or purchase information and a FREE VIDEO or CD-ROM, call 1-877-MAT-ROAD (1-877-628-7623) or...

Environmental Crossings. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Environmental Crossings has been an industry leader for over 12 years, supplying our clients with the most advanced drilling techniques, experienced personnel and HDD design in the industry. ECI has a wide range of drilling rigs to handle any...

McElroy Mfg. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Since 1969, McElroy Manufacturing has specialized in the design and manufacture of fusion equipment used to join polyethylene pipelines from 1/2" to 63" (20mm to 1,600mm). With the most comprehensive and robust line of fusion equipment in the...

Astec Underground. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... American Augers and Trencor, now known as Astec Underground, are industry-leading manufacturers of trenchers; horizontal directional drills, boring machines, mud systems and downhole tooling. Our equipment is in service all over the world...

When you're serious about vacuum excavating, either wet or dry. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... When You're Serious About Vacuum Excavating, Either Wet or Dry... Super Products' Mud Dog will let you excavate with either no assist from pressurized air or water, with air (only) from the optional Mud Dog onboard 185cfm air compressor or...

INSERTA TEE[R]. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... INSERTA TEE[R] is The Lateral Connection Solution[R] for sewer, heavy wall sewer, and IPS/Sch 40 pipe when connecting to corrugated polyethylene, profile pvc and concrete storm sewer mainlines. INSERTA FITTINGS Co. designs, and manufacturers, a...

INROCK[R] whether drilling soft to hard. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... INROCK[R] whether drilling soft to hard provides drilling tools, equipment and services to directional drilling contractors world wide with headquarters in Houston, TX. INROCK also has offices in Mexico, Canada and Europe. Products include: mud...

Drillers Supply. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Drillers Supply is now able to meet the Contractors downhole tooling needs across the complete range of drilling conditions from the softest soils to the hardest rock. 1-866-466-7711 toll free. Circle No. 248

Pig Tracker Sensor (PTS). (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... The Pig Tracker Sensor (PTS) mounts onto the pipeline, either permanently or temporarily, to sense and signal the passage of the pig through the line. The device is non-intrusive and is housed in a NEMA 7 enclosure. The PTS is powered by a...

Enduro. (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... The Enduro Digital Data Logger[TM] (DDL[TM]) offers advancements in pipeline geometry pigging technology. The DDL[TM] establishes a new world standard in data collection. We are logging bend direction and angle, mapping the pipeline, performing...

Don't bury that leak! (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Your men can test each pipe joint as it's laid in less than 30 seconds and tell whether it's going to leak or not, before it's buried without pressure. An ultrasonic transmitter is used in coordination with an ultrasonic detector. The detector...

"Pump smart--rent smart with Rain for Rent". (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... "PUMP SMART--RENT SMART WITH RAIN FOR RENT" Rain for Rent, one of the top rental equipment companies in the nation, combines its full line of rental pumps, pipe, liquid storage tanks, spill control, and filtration systems into creative...

Horizontal Rig & Equipment, Inc. (HRE). (Product showcase).
March 1, 2003... Horizontal Rig & Equipment, Inc. (HRE) manufactures midi and maxi Horizontal directional drills, power packs, downhole tooling, and pipe rollers, HRE provides wrench/vise sets and other rebuilding/repair services for any make rig. Backed by...

Sewer siphon installation pushes HDD envelope. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... In the early days of directional drilling, every job was an adventure. Horizontal directional drilling was a new and unproven technology. Operating procedures had to be developed and refined on the job. There were no electronic HDD guidance...

On-grade technology makes HDD for sewers a reality. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... For many struggling horizontal directional drilling (HDD) contractors, water and sewer construction appears to offer great potential. After all, the duct that drillers put in the ground during the telecommunications boom of the '90s is...

DCCA to hold annual symposium April 2-5. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... The Directional Crossing Contractors Association's 12th Annual Spring Symposium has been scheduled for April 2-5, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The theme of this year's symposium is "Emerging, Expanding & Defining The Future Of HDD."...

Ditch Witch. (Downhole Directional Drilling Tools).
March 1, 2003... The Ditch Witch Fluted Cone Backreamer is a versatile downhole tool for enlarging diameter of pilot holes made with horizontal directional drilling equipment. Tool design provides the option of a fluted-style backreamer in larger-diameter...

Melfred Borzall. (Downhole Directional Drilling Tools).
March 1, 2003... Melfred Borzall's Terminator is the ultimate weapon for backreaming. It has proven itself in the widest variety of destructive soil conditions including shale, cobble, sand, and clay. The Terminator combines an aggressive cutting with an...

Numa. (Downhole Directional Drilling Tools).
March 1, 2003... The Impact Ring Bit System product line can drill and case holes from 5-1/4-inch to 48-inch in diameter. The system consists of a downhole hammer, and a unique two-piece bit design incorporating a center and ring bit combination. In horizontal...

Sharewell directional drilling systems. (Downhole Directional Drilling Tools).
March 1, 2003... Sharewell's Shielded Reamer prevents cave-ins during the pullback phase of a directional bore. This unique tool has an enclosed swivel and connection area that protects the pulling system from borehole environments. Cobble, gravel and others...

INROCK drilling systems. (Downhole Directional Drilling Tools).
March 1, 2003... INROCK provides drilling tools, equipment and services to directional drilling contractors worldwide with offices in Houston, Mexico, Canada and Europe. Products include: mud motors, bits, hole openers, swivels, drilling fluid products and...

Ballantine. (Downhole Directional Drilling Tools).
March 1, 2003... Ballantine Inc. is growing hand-in-hand with the underground construction industry with the design and manufacture of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) bits. Ballantine offers many different styles and sizes of HDD pilot bits for the...

Sandvik Smith. (Downhole Directional Drilling Tools).
March 1, 2003... Achieve the utmost in penetration rates and operating hours with CHARGER HDX Ultra-Premium Bits and Reamers. These high-performance rock drilling tools are designed exclusively for the rigors of HDD. The many patented features deliver...

Railhead Underground Products. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... The EXTReam from Railhead Underground Products is designed with no moving parts at the end of a backream you simply replace any worn teeth and the EXTReam is ready to go again. Although the EXTReam will work in other conditions, it performs...

BICO drilling tools. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... The newest series of HDD motors added to the BICO Flex Drill product line have increased bearing capacity to allow forward and backward reaming with a motor instead of transmitting the torque through the drill pipe. By reaming with a motor,...

Case construction equipment. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... The new Case Impeller line of reamers are designed for cutting in heavy clay and gravel-filled soils. The reamer has a staggered, V-shaped carbide cutter for the most complete coverage and aggressive cutting in tougher than normal soil...

DCD Design & Manufacturing. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... DCD Design & Manufacturing products include a line of Pullback Swivels from 2-1/2 tons to 500 tons, even replacement types for other OEM swivels. Duct Pullers include the simple screw-in puller to versions that totally seal the duct during the...

Vermeer Manufacturing. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... A new Universal Transmitter Housing from Vermeer covers virtually all HDD requirements, and its side-load design provides easy access to electronics--there is no need to break joints to change batteries. The Universal Transmitter Housing can be...

Inrock. (Mud Systems).
March 1, 2003... The MUD MIZZER 60 is a self-contained mud processing package. It is totally engineered and designed to recover, clean, reuse and mix drilling fluids; all in a compact, light-weight unit. The MUD MIZZER 60 features four-step cleaning for 10 to...

Case construction. (Mud Systems).
March 1, 2003... Case has developed two polyethylene fluid-mixing tanks, the BPM-500 and the BPM-750 offering 500- and 750-gallon capacity, respectively. Those tanks augment Case's 335-gallon tank, the BPM-335. Two new mixing systems are available--the BPE-13...

Tri-Flo International. (Mud Systems).
March 1, 2003... Tri-Flo has developed a Micro Fluid System (MFS) specifically for the trenchless industry to help keep the environment clean. Tri-Flo manufactures several size systems. The standard 670 gallon Micro Fluid System consists of a 113 Shaker, a 2-4"...

Kem-Tron. (Mud Systems).
March 1, 2003... Kem-Tron's Tango 1000T Mud Recycling and Mixing Unit is one of the first systems of its kind in the trenchless industry. This unique unit is a complete mobile mud recycling system mounted on a 56-foot trailer. The 1,000-gpm mud recycling unit...

Derrick equipment. (Mud Systems).
March 1, 2003... The Derrick Mini Separation System is designed to meet the compact needs of the HDD industry. The system incorporates a combination shaker and mud cleaner, all in one unit. Feed slurry is fed to the lower deck of the double deck unit, which...

Vermeer Mfg. (Mud Systems).
March 1, 2003... In an expansion of its efficient drilling fluid supply systems for horizontal directional drilling operations, Vermeer has introduced the MX125 Modular Drilling Fluid Mixing System. The MX125 is designed for efficient mixing of drilling fluid...

Ditch Witch. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... The model FM50 is the largest of four stand alone, modular fluid systems for mixing drilling fluid additives with water and delivering the drilling fluid to directional drilling units. The unit is powered by a 50-horsepower Kubota diesel engine...

Sharewell directional drilling systems. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... The trailer-mounted SWC150 Mud Cleaning Unit from Sharewell has a 100 to 175 gpm mud cleaning capacity in the 2,000 gallon, two-compartment tank. Cleaning specifications include: three desanding hydro cyclones; a high sheer, low pressure mixing...

American Augers. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... American Augers introduces the latest additions to its line of drilling fluid mixing, cleaning, pumping and recycling systems--the MCM-9000 and P-600. The MCM-9000 Drilling Fluid Cleaning System offers three large tanks with 9,000 gallons total...

Parchem. (Horizontal Directional Drilling).
March 1, 2003... Parchem's P-300 Tri-Plex Mud Pump Unit (Kerr-5500) 300 gpm skidded with 75 feet of remote controls is powered by a Deutz water-cooled diesel engine. It is coupled with an Allison automatic transmission. This unit is matched to Parchem's 300 gpm...

Wyo-Ben. (Drilling Fluids).
March 1, 2003... Wyo-Ben's Plugz-It will fill voids and swells to prevent mud loss and restore circulation. Plugz-It materials are mixed with clean drilling fluid and pumped through the bit and pushed into fractures, cobbles and cavities. After a few minutes,...

Baroid Industrial Drilling Products. (Drilling Fluids).
March 1, 2003... Baroid IDP developed BORE-GEL, a premium grade bentonite which combines superior gel strengths, filtercake development and filtration control with a lower resultant viscosity. The primary focus of suspension of drill cuttings combined with...