Underground Construction articles from October 2004

Underground Construction archives from October 2004

Leak-proof systems possible, practical.(Editor's Log)
October 1, 2004... Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink... Or at least that seems to be the inevitable path many utilities have ventured down as their sewer and water systems continue to leak severely--and even fail. Millions of hard-to-get...

Heavy equipment theft alliance.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... The Construction Industry Crime Prevention Program of the Pacific Northwest (CIGP) trod the National Equipment Register (NER) has partnered to help contractors prevent and recover from the growing problem of equipment theft. CICP members...

PLCA, U.A. reach agreement.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... The Pipe Line Contractors Association and the United Association reached an agreement in July on a new National Pipe Line Agreement. The term of the agreements will be effective from Aug. 1, 2004 to July 31 2005. Negotiations with the...

WKA builds fiber-in-sewer in Israel.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... WKA. (CableRunner Europe), a fiber optic infrastructure provider, and the Water, Sewer and Drainage Division for the city of Haifa, Israel, completed a project connecting the control center of the water, sewer and drainage division with the...

Affholder wins contract to bore sewer interceptor tunnels.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District has awarded Affholder Inc. a $44 million contract to bore tunnels at two points under the Sacramento River. The tunnels are part of the new Lower Northwest Interceptor, a 19-mile sewer...

GCTA welcomes Mayor Manlove of Pasadena, TX.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... More than 90 GCTA members and guests attended the Aug. 11 meeting of the Gulf Coast Trenchless Association (GCTA) at the H.E.S.S. Club in Houston. A presentation was delivered by city of Pasadena Mayor John Manlove regarding that city's capital...

Oil consortium quits China pipeline project.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... A consortium comprised of Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Gasprom have decided to pull out. of PetroChina Co.'s $5.25 billion West East natural gas project in China. The initial agreement with PetroChina outlined the three...

Billions to be spent on China's infrastructure.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... China National Petroleum Corp. and Sinopec Corp. are planning to spend about $3.4 billion over the next to two to tiptoe years laying an oil pipeline grid totaling about 6,000 miles to meet growing demand. The main projects include two...

In memorial.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... John Roberts, field administrative manager for Welded Construction, passed away Aug. 1. Roberts was born in 1932 in England and has been associated with Welded Construction for more than 85 years, retiring in 1997. He is survived by his wife...

OSHA clarifies video-monitoring equipment requirements.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... The Occupational Safely and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a memorandum to manufacturers to help clarify OSHA-approved requirements as they apply to video-monitoring equipment used in sewers. A more detailed description was...

InfraSource Services closes EnStructure acquisition.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2004... InfraSource Services Inc., one of the largest specially contractors servicing utility transmission and distribution infrastructure in the United States, announced that it completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets and certain...

Presidential election.(Washington watch)
October 1, 2004... As an issue, America's natural gas needs ain't Iraq and it ain't the economy. Don't expect to hear any public debate from George W. Bush and John Kerry over what needs to be done to increase natural gas production and transportation in the...

Dept. of Interior gives BLM leeway to slow gas leasing.(Washington watch)
October 1, 2004... With natural gas exploration and development on federal lands in the Rocky Mountain area a very big industry issue this year, some gas companies could be excused for taking pause from the policy directive issued in mid-August by Rebecca Watson,...

McLaughlin Mfg.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2004... McLaughlin Mfg. produces four Hole Hammer Piercing Tool models, 2 1/8inch, 2 5/8-inch, 3 1/8-inch, and 4 1/8inch boring diameters. Optional expanders increase the bore diameter of the 3 1/8-inch model to 4 3/4 inches and the 4 1/8-inch model to...

Footage tools.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2004... The "Big Shot" piercing tool line features quality, consistency, ruggedness and reliability--all at a great price. The three inch Big Shot accurately installs water service under a city street. All barrels are extremely durable, having been...

Earth Tool.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2004... Earth Tool announced the addition of "Fiber" line HammerHead Mole piercing tools to its product line. The new 2-inch and 3-inch piercing tools feature replaceable heads and patented quarter turn Power Port reverse. The overall lengths of the...

Allied Construction Products.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2004... Hole-Hogs open clean, compacted tunnels for pipe, cable, conduit or wiring at the lowest cost per foot, while the larger model 4000 is utilized in pushing steel easing raider roads and railroads. Manufactured as one moving part for easier...

Ditch Witch.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2004... Ditch Witch piercing tools are a reliable, productive, low-maintenance line of reversible pneumatic tools designed for short-to-medium range compaction boring projects, pipe ramming and pipe pushing. Available in three sizes ranging from two to...

TT Technologies.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2004... The Grundomat piercing tool is ideal for water, sewer, landscape and irrigation, gas, electrical and plumbing contractors. Twelve models, ranging in diameter from 1 3/4 inches to 7 inches, are available for horizontal boring up to 150 feet. The...

John Deere.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... Competing in the under-100-horsepower-loader class, the 304H four wheel-drive loader provides stereo steering that combines articulation with rear axle steering for the shortest turn radius in its class. An integral hydraulic coupler is...

Case.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... Case extends its 21 Series compact wheel loader line to include the 21D, 221D and 321D, ranging in engine power from 53 to 71 net horsepower and maximum bucket capacity from 1.0 yd (3) to 1.44 yd (3). A Z-bar loader linkage delivers high...

New Holland construction.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... New Holland's LW50.B compact wheel loader's fully redesigned cab features increased visibility and functionality; improved suspension seating; diverter pedal allows the operator to "inch" machine and divert power to the hydraulics; improved...

Terex.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... At 7,390 pounds and 50 horsepower, the SCL515 compact wheel loader provides the perfect combination of transportability, maneuverability and power. With features like the universal skid steer coupler, auxiliary hydraulics, 4-wheel drive and the...

Volvo construction equipment.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... The Volvo compact wheel loader's versatility is found in the quick change bracket and a selection of more than 60 attachments that come standard. Articulating-oscillating steering creates high maneuverability and efficient loader linkage...

Caterpillar.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... The Caterpillar 902 compact wheel loader is built to the same high standards as larger Caterpillar wheel loaders. Ergonomically designed, world class cab offers unmatched comfort and ease of operation. Excellent viewing in all directions is...

Bobcat.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... Go from a four-wheel steer to skid-steer mode with the flip of a switch. The new Bobcat all-wheel steer loader is a revolutionary compact loader with four steerable axles. That means less tire wear, less ground disturbance and less operator...

Kubota tractor.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... Kubota's fully articulated 4WD, multi-functional wheel loaders, models R420 and R520, provide a small turning radius for exceptional maneuverability for working inside existing structures or confined spaces and offer excellent performance on...

Komatsu America.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2004... The WA 30 and WA 50 compact wheel loaders offer the versatility of a skid steer loader while the WA 65, WA 75, and WA 95 combine advanced features. Features such as standard, hydraulic quick coupler, and a true parallel lift, allow the loaders...

Jump start your GIS mapping with the Enduro DdL[TM].(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... A new era in pipeline inspection has begun. Enduro Pipeline Services, Inc. has developed and now offers a pipeline inspection tool which not only allows the user the ability to determine the size and location of anomalies, but a multitude of...

Performance Pipe.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Performance Pipe, a division of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, succeeds Plexco[R] piping and Driscopipe[R] piping as North America's largest producer of polyethylene piping products for natural gas, industrial, municipal, mining,...

Hobas Pipe USA, Inc.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... (IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN) The Name On the Pipe Spells the Difference In the Pipe Can you pronounce "centrifugally cast, fiberglass reinforced, polymer mortar pipe?" Just say "HOBAS." This unique pipe, manufactured in a...

The largest product line of HDD Rod in the world ... period. Any machine ... any ground ... anywhere.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Premier Drill Pipe was founded in June of 2003 by Maximo Tejeda Sr. Two key goals were set for the company at that time. Firstly to establish a marketing and engineering entity that would focus solely on the HDD industry and its evolving needs...

Quality & service that lasts a lifetime.(2004 Capabilities Guide)
October 1, 2004... NEW WEBSITE: Reed's website offers a wide range of information about its products and company. The electronic product catalog is searchable by key word. A "where to buy" section is offered, along with tool instruction manuals, new...

DigiTrak[R] Eclipse[R]--the Swiss Army knife of HDD locators.(2004 Capabilities Guide)
October 1, 2004... The DigiTrak[R] Eclipse[R] inGround Positioning System (iGPS) is a revolutionary tracking system for the HDD industry. A focus on accuracy, along with ease of use and flexibility, were the primary design criteria for the Eclipse, according to...

Deliver a line you can count on: marking products for every application.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Krylon[R] Industrial Quik-Mark[TM] Inverted Marking Paints and Chalk A locator's work is literally "on the line" for marking and identifying various utilities, excavation sites, construction sites, and surveying results, and the quality of...

Vactor[R] HXX Hydro-Excavator[R] starts up contractor.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... The productive, easy-to-use Vactor HXX Hydro-Excavator is specifically designed for hydro-excavation, which utilizes pressurized water to break up soil while a vacuum removes the soil and small rocks. Unlike mechanical excavation, there's...

Increase equipment utilization & maximize control over resources.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... HCSS, the well-known provider of HeavyBid Estimating Software and Heavy Job Field Management Software, now offers The Dispatcher to streamline construction dispatching operations. The Dispatcher was designed to help contractors increase...

Double duty fusion technicians play piggyback.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Eureka, Utah--Brian Shields squints his eyes and stares into the wavy heat-blurred mirage floating over the twin polyethylene pipelines stretching into the Utah desert. A pair of McElroy fusion machines is spitting out 80 feet of new pipeline...

Nu Flow--the right solution for lateral pipe lining.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Lateral Lining Company in 1998 after working in the family sewer repair business for several years. Cameron recognized the tremendous potential in repairing the lateral line and the lateral connection at the main sewer. Using proven techniques...

Connectra fuses 50 years of experience with back-to-basics approach.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... "If you're looking for a high-end, complex track fusion machine, we recommend McElroy Manufacturing. But if you're looking for a simple, cost effective solution for your fusion needs, Connectra is your choice." It's a bold statement, but...

The Robbins Company.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... The Robbins Company has a full line of utility construction equipment. Machines offered include Auger Boring Machines (ABMs), Small Boring Units (SBUs), Horizontal Directional Drills (HDDs), IIDD Tooling, and small diameter TBMs. Recently the...

Coatings for underground protection.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Raven Lining Systems has been delivering high performance protective coatings and grouts to the infrastructure rehabilitation and protection market for over 20 years. Raven[TM] and AquataPoxy[TM] moisture tolerant and environmentally friendly...

Plastic Trends is setting the pace for the plastic pipe fitting industry.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Plastic Trends is setting the pace for the plastic pipe fitting industry by continually offering new and innovative products. Their new line of STI[TM] Gasketed SDR 35 Sewer fittings were introduced to the marketplace in May 2003 and are...

Inliner Technologies files patent for steam-cure process.(2004 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Inliner Technologies LLC has filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its particular method of using a combination of steam and compressed air to cure the resin in cured-in-place pipe (CIPP). The...

Leak-proof: sewer/water systems become a reality.
October 1, 2004... Most people would be shocked to learn how much of their drinking water is lost through the leaking and porous infrastructure that derivers purified water to homes and businesses in their city; or the volume of raw sewage their aging sanitary...

Complicated construction.
October 1, 2004... Any underground job is made much tougher when companies are required by contract to excavate and build without getting in the way of ordinary citizens going about their daily business. But consider the Port of Prince Rupert and the challenge it...

UCT 2005 program details announced, registration now open: industrys #1 educational program offers mix of new, established programs.
October 1, 2004... The industry's top learning experience of the year for the underground infrastructure market has released its first brochure outlining the 2005 program. The Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition will be...

HDPE pipe important tool in solving water/wastewater woes.(Plastic Pipe)
October 1, 2004... I push my way through the mass of people gathered in the pipe warehouse in search of Ryan Harrington. I find him surrounded by a group of 120-some odd men who are shouting answers to pipe fusion questions with the enthusiasm of Ron Popeil's...

Thermoplastics at work: a comprehensive review of municipal PVC piping products.(Underground technology: cutting edge technical information for utility construction & rehabilitation)
October 1, 2004... Technological advances in the piping industry over the course of a century have made wooden pipes and brick sewers a concept of the past, while opening the door to better engineered piping products which provide the user with more...

Quick reaction turns major problem into routine repair.(Rehabilitation Technology)
October 1, 2004... Country clubs are known for their impeccable landscaping, pristine grounds and perfectly manicured golf courses, so when a sewer line running through a heavy traffic area of the Prestonwood Country Club threatened to overflow, it was...

Bursting around the bend.
October 1, 2004... New Town, ND, is, by many standards, a relatively new town. Established in 1952, the town was created as a result of the building of the Garrison Dam and the creation of Lake Sakakawea. While the town may be young in terms of age, it is still...

Lametti & Sons completes wastewater pipe renewal.(News Update)
October 1, 2004... Lametti & Sons, a licensee of Inliner Technologies, has completed the renewal of more than 7,000 feet of residential wastewater pipe under an approximately $1.47 million contract with the city of St. Paul, MN, Department of Public Works. ...

Hydrolytic stability achieved with polyurea coating.(News Update)
October 1, 2004... Iraseal 200 is a 100 percent solids, sprayable polyurea coating system that provides hydrolytic stability in long-term immersion conditions and resistance to moderately concentrated acid and alkali slurries and aqueous solutions. Iraseal 200's...

Sprayroq names president.(News Update)
October 1, 2004... Sprayroq Inc. has hired Jerry Gordon as the president of the Birmingham, Al-based company. Prior to joining Sprayroq, Gordon was the vice president of Insituform Technologies Inc. based in Chesterfield, MO. In his position for the North...

Tenbusch--push technology.(Trenchless Pipe Replacement)
October 1, 2004... Tenbusch Inc. manufactures a line of trenchless equipment that allows the local contractor or city crew to replace or upsize existing old pipe (water or sewer). The TIM system utilizes several rigid pipe materials including--clay, ductile iron,...

Miller pipeline.(Trenchless Pipe Replacement)
October 1, 2004... Miller's XPANDIT trenchless pipe replacement system is used to replace deteriorated gas, water, wastewater and industrial process pipelines including vitrified clay: cast iron. concrete, reinforced concrete, asbestos cement and PVC with...

Earth Tool Co.--winch system.(Trenchless Pipe Replacement)
October 1, 2004... The new HammerHead HydroGuide HG12 winch features at industry-first self-deploying hydraulic downrigger. The HydroGuide HG12 winch puts advanced design to practical use: no more heavy lifting or positioning of cumbersome pieces in constricted...

Nowak Pipe Reaming--pipe reaming.(Trenchless Pipe Replacement)
October 1, 2004... InneReam is a simple and effective system of trenchless pipe replacement. Patented by Nowak Pipe Reaming Inc., the system was developed to utilize a directional drilling unit, specialized tooling and techniques to grind and remove the existing...

TT Technologies: static system.(Trenchless Pipe Replacement)
October 1, 2004... The Grundoburst 2500G static bursting is designed for steel and ductile iron pipes ranging in diameter from 24 through 48 inches. Specially designed cutter heads are available for these large diameter pipes. At 625,000 pounds of pull, the...

Mini system.(Trenchless Pipe Replacement)
October 1, 2004... The Grundotugger static pipebursting system bursts and replaces service laterals up to 150 feet quickly and easily, without costly restoration or social disruption. The lightweight Grundotugger includes bursting heads for 4-to 6-inch laterals,...

Winch system.(Trenchless Pipe Replacement)
October 1, 2004... The All-Terrain Grundowinch RW 10 constant tension winch is track-mounted for enhanced mobility. The rubber padded steel track is operated with a simple remote control and allows the winch to be used in all types Of conditions and locations....

Mini skid steers finding rapidly growing market.(Rental Update)
October 1, 2004... Mini skid-steer loaders are becoming popular additions to rental fleets with many general rental centers and equipment rental specialists. Both wheel and track versions are available with some walk-behind models while others have a small...

HammerHead rental fleet expansion.(Rental News)
October 1, 2004... Earth Tool Company LLC, manufacturer of HammerHead trenchless products, recently increased its equipment rental fleet in pipebursting and pipe ramming sectors to meet increased demand. "Quick response and reduced delivery time and expense...

Godwin Pumps names new branch managers.(Rental News)
October 1, 2004... Godwin Pumps recently named new branch managers to three of its southeast rental offices: Webb "Dee" Jones, Jr., Floyd Baker and Jack Hams. Jones was promoted to branch manager, Godwin Pumps, Virginia Beach, VA. Previously, Jones held the...

NES Rentals Holdings' revenues exceed forecast.(Rental News)
October 1, 2004... NES Rentals Holdings Inc., a Midwest heavy equipment rental and traffic safety company, has completed a $300 million, five-year, asset-based senior credit facility and a $275 million, six-year, second-lien term loan. The new financing plan...

Earth Tool Company.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Earth Tool Company recently announced the promotion of Eric Nicholson to East Coast business manager covering the eastern seaboard from Maine to Florida. Nicholson brings more than 14 years of construction equipment experience to the position....

PW Eagle.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... PW Eagle Inc. announced that its 70 percent owned subsidiary, PWPoly Corp., had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the business of Uponor Aldyl Company (UAC). UAC, a subsidiary of the Finnish company, Uponor Corporation, is a...

WL Plastics.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... WL Plastics Corporation has opened a new 35,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Cedar City, UT. It is equipped with state-of-the-art extrusion equipment and is capable of manufacturing High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe in diameters from...

Amitech USA.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Amitech's Flowtite fiberglass reinforced pipe product has received NSF certification for water transmission systems. Available in diameters from 12 inches to 96 inches, Flowtite is a strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant product that is...

Steel Plate Fabricators Association.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... The Steel Plate Fabricators Association (SPFA) completed its 2003-04 certification quality audit program for fabricators of large-capacity steel water pipe. The following companies have been certified by SPFA: Mid America Pipe, Scammon,...

John Deere receives "Manufacturer of the Year" award.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc., one of America's largest construction, engineering and mining contractors, recently announced the selection of John Deere Construction & Forestry Company for their "Manufacturer of the Year" award. John Deere was chosen...

Otis Eastern Service relocates.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Otis Eastern Service Inc., a leading pipeline contractor in the U.S., has moved to new facilities. The new location is 2971 Route 417 East, Wellsville, NY. 14895. Contact the company via tel: (585) 593-4760 or e-mail: info@otiseastern.com. Otis...

Contech Construction Products.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Contech Construction Products has announced it will raise prices 8 percent effective Sept. 1, 2004 for its corrugated steel pipe products. The price increase is due to continued material increases and surcharges from its steel suppliers....

Bass-Trigon.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Denver-based Bass-Trigon, a provider of oil and gas pipeline integrity engineering and software solutions, has announced the opening of a new office in Calgary, Alberta. The Calgary office will support ongoing work in Western Canada and will be...

Volvo CE.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced the sale of its LB Smith dealership in New York State to Vantage Equipment LLC, Syracuse, NY. The appointment of Vantage Equipment as an authorized Volvo CE dealer was effective August...

Chemline.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Chemline Inc. has relocated its production and management offices to Union 70 Business Park in St. Louis, MO. The company chose to relocate after outgrowing their current facility in the same city. The site was once occupied by the Chevrolet...

Vermeer and Ring-O-Matic announce strategic alliance.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Vermeer Manufacturing, an underground equipment manufacturer, has entered into an exclusive strategic alliance with Ring-O-Matic Manufacturing, a producer of vacuum excavation equipment, to distribute vacuum excavation units through the Vermeer...

McLaughlin & Vacuum Source consolidate.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2004... Vacuum Source Inc., Greenville, SC, will be consolidated into its parent company, McLaughlin Boring Systems, effective immediately, according to an announcement made by Dave Gasmovic, president and CEO of McLaughlin Boring Systems. Vacuum...

Topcon Positioning Systems.(New products: the latest product developments)
October 1, 2004... Topcon's HiPer Lite+ is a completely cable-free RTK GPS+ system that adds dual-constellation tracking to the convenience and simplicity of cable-free RTK operation. GPS+ is Topcon's advanced dual-constellation satellite tracking--UPS plus...

Connectra Fusion Technologies.(New products: the latest product developments)
October 1, 2004... Connectra's new Socket Fusion Kits economically package a heating tool, socket faces, chamfer tool/depth gauge, cold ring, cutter, timer, holder and other accessories into one convenient toolbox. Select from four different kits, 1/2-inch...

EarthPro/Astec underground.(New products: the latest product developments)
October 1, 2004... The Clay Whip Reamer is patented design for use exclusively in heavy clay soils. This design of the cutters and mixing wings prevents clay balling down in the hole and the reamer spins relative to the clay cuttings to effectively blend them...

Rain for Rent.(New products: the latest product developments)
October 1, 2004... Rain for Rent, an equipment rental provider, has a new line of galvanized by-pass pumps. With the new line of Rain for Rent galvanized by-pass pumps, there is no need to worry about corrosion or rust because galvanized steel provides the best...

Komatsu.(New products: the latest product developments)
October 1, 2004... The CD110R-2 crawler carrier with 360-degree rotation for efficient loading and dumping is upgraded version with increased draw-bar pull and an improved operator's compartment. Controls have been designed so that the operator does not need to...

John Deere.(New products: the latest product developments)
October 1, 2004... John Deere's Ultra Clean System is a less invasive, mobile solution to hydraulic contamination that can help keep machines clean and working. Ultra Clean removes contamination by using a pneumatic launcher to shoot a projectile through...