Vermeer has introduced a new horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rock drilling system employing rotating magnets that generate a high-frequency percussive action to drill through rock formations.
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Upcoming changes to diesel engine-driven welders have become a subject of recent discussion throughout the welding industry in light of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As part of the Clean Air Rules of 2004, the EPA has adopted a national program to reduce emissions from future off-road diesel engines – the heart of an engine-driven welder – by requiring engine manufacturers to integrate controls into their systems to reduce exhaust emissions to new tighter standards.

The initiative, introduced in stages known as “Tiers,” is in the Tier 4i (Interim) emissions standards phase until the end of this year. While a number of engine horsepower ranges are covered by the EPA legislation, the range that affects the welding industry the most is the Tier 4 Final (Tier 4 F) emissions standard for 25- to 74-HP off-road diesel engines. Beginning in 2013, the EPA will require that particulate emissions (PM) be reduced by an additional 90 percent. Diesel engines manufactured starting on January 1, 2013 for use in off-road products to be sold in the United States must meet these tighter compliance standards.

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Pipe bursting is a reliable and proven method of replacement of deteriorated or under capacity utility lines. The IPBA has developed a recurring series of technical articles and this article is written with the understanding that the reader has an advanced knowledge of pipe bursting and risk management associated with a pipe bursting project.

In the July 2011 article titled :Geotechnical Conditions And How They Relate To Pipe Bursting, we discussed the three forces that must be overcome to ensure a successful pipe bursting project. Those forces for both static and pneumatic pipe bursting are:
• The force required to "split" or "burst" the existing pipe, plus;
• The force required to expand the existing soil to accommodate the new pipe, plus;
• The "drag" or friction that is being caused by the soil relaxing back on the outside of the newly installed pipe as it is pulled in place; therefore
• Burst + Expand + Drag = Total force required.

This article will focus on managing the "drag" or friction on the pipe and some of the lessons learned by IPBA members. In many pipe bursting designs the length of the pipe that is to be installed is determined by the anticipated combination of the three burst forces. By limiting the amount of drag that is placed on the pipe, the installation lengths can increase. This increases productivity and reduces impact and cost. Although there is no "rule," it is generally accepted that lubrication is used on pipe bursting projects where the new pipe size is larger than +/- 15-inches and for lengths where the anticipated pipe drag may approach safe pulling limits.

Lubrication mixtures can be used in two ways to reduce or manage the effects of drag. By lubricating the pipe as it is installed the friction is reduced, and by stabilizing the hole it is kept in the expansion state for a longer period of time prior to relaxing back onto the pipe. A common mistake made is to use a basic bentonite mix for all installations regardless of pipe size, type, geotechnical conditions or groundwater levels. Lubrication design should be just that – a design as to what it is going to do and how the ground will react to it.

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The Lifespan System, manufactured by Hamilton Kent, is a watertight, corrosion-proof, non-conductive, locking rubber manhole frame and lid system that prevents rain derived inflow from entering sanitary sewers through the top of the manhole. And it retains the hydraulic, water-tight and structural integrity of the underlying concrete structure; thereby delivering a longer service life.

Made of ultra-high-performance elastomers, the Lifespan System also has the added benefit of minimizing road noise because there are no rattling covers.

The Lifespan System has been field-proven for over six years in some of the harshest city road environments in North America where temperatures can range from -25 degrees F to +104 degrees F; and where, in addition to bus and truck traffic, the system is subject to attack from freeze/thaw cycles, corrosive road salts and snow-plow blades.

Weighing only 96 pounds, the Lifespan System is easy to handle and its ergonomically-friendly design makes for quick and easy installation. 800.268.8479, hamiltonkent.com

If you have come to the realization that you need a mud recycler, now what? Where do you start? What do you need to know to make the best informed decision?

With so many manufacturers, sizes, makes, models and options, it’s like trying to choose a car. First and foremost, you need to decide what size recycler would be most beneficial to your business. Units generally range from 80 to 2,000 gallons per minutes (gpm).

The simplest way to determine the size is to base it on 1½ to two times the amount you are pumping. In other words, if you are pumping 200 gpm, you will need a recycler that would be able to pump at least 300-400 gpm.

Once you have determined the size, there are several other aspects that you will want to consider.

Shakers – There are three types of shakers on a recycler: orbital, elliptical and linear. While each type has its place, the preferred is the linear shaker.

Screen surface – Screen surface is one place where “bigger is better.” The larger the screen surface, the more volume you can clean.

Screens – Screen sizes can range from 10 to 350 or more. The mesh size is calculated by the number of openings in a square inch. The larger the mesh size, the finer the screen. You never know what type of conditions you may be drilling in so it is best to be offered a wide variety of mesh sizes.

Cones – Cone size will vary depending on the size of the unit you choose. You will either have four- or five-inch cones on the smaller units which will operate at 30 to 40 psi, or 10- to 12-inch cones on the larger units which operate on 23 to 35 psi.

Trailer or skid mounted – Mud systems can be trailer mounted or skid mounted. Skid-mounted units can be easily removed and will, in turn, free-up your trailer. But you will also need to have a way of loading and unloading the unit on the jobsite.

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