38 PIPELINES INTERNATIONAL | DECEMBER 2013

PipeLine Machinery International’s PL61 pipelayer with a 18,144 kg lift capacity. The size, wall thickness and length of the pipe are just a few of the factors you should consider when choosing the right pipelayer.

PIPELINE EQUIPMENT – PIPELAYERS AND SIDEBOOMS

Prolonging the life of the machine

“If a pipelayer is well maintained, it can be in operation for as long as 30 years,” says PipeLine Machinery International (PLM) Product Support Manager Tayne Ivie. “Pipelayers have a low load cycle, so they idle more than traditional equipment, and can extend past normal life expectancy of traditional track type tractors (TTT) with proper maintenance.”

Paul Waanders, International Sales Manager of Maats Pipeline Equipment adds “This maintenance includes the cleaning of important parts of the machine. Especially the tracks, the engine, and the special (moveable) attachments (boom, winch, and counterweight) should be kept free of dirt and especially mud.”

“The mud, mixed with gravel, can turn hard and cause damage to intricate areas of the machine.”

“This is not only a maintenance issue, but machines should also be thoroughly cleaned before transport, as depositing large lumps of soil or mud during on-road transport can cause dangerous situations.”

Mr Ivie says that a more comprehensive wash is covered in the regular maintenance schedule, and prevents dirt and debris getting into the engine and undercarriage, but recommends that the machine be washed every 250 hours, including cleaning the undercarriage and belly pans (located under the engine compartment).

Surviving tough conditionsThe lifespan of the pipelayer is also

highly dependent on the terrain and weather conditions in which it operates.

“Sand will wear on the undercarriage faster because it is abrasive and deteriorates the components that have contact with each other, and a rocky under-footing puts more stress on the chassis and undercarriage,” says Mr Ivie.

Cold weather also puts more stress on the machine, explains Mr Ivie, because the pipelayer has to idle longer and frozen mud makes the machine work harder. Hot weather puts more strain on the engine and hydraulic components, making the engine run at a higher temperature. High temperatures also make it harder to cool so

the hydraulic seals and bearings have a shorter life expectancy in this climate.

Mr Waanders says that although pipelayers are engineered for most conditions, is it advisable to add special kits for either extreme cold or extreme hot (and dusty) conditions as this will extend

Pipelayers are an essential piece of machinery on any pipeline construction site. The maintenance of these machines, however, is crucial to their longevity. Maats Pipeline Equipment (representing Liebherr) and PipeLine Machinery International (representing Caterpillar), two leading suppliers of pipelayers, spoke to Pipelines International about their top tips on maintaining and extending the life of this integral pipelaying machinery.

Pipelayer TLC: the key to longevity

“Pipelayers have a low load cycle, so they idle more than traditional equipment, and can extend past normal life expectancy of traditional track type tractors (TTT) with proper maintenance.”

– TAYNE IVIE, PIPELINE MACHINERY INTERNATIONAL

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40 PIPELINES INTERNATIONAL | DECEMBER 2013

the lifetime of machines. “But by simply ensuring that maintenance is carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions, machines will operate to the maximum of their capabilities.”

Selecting the right machine for the job

“There are two significant factors that must be taken into account when opting for the right machine,” explains Mr Waanders.

“First consideration is of course the lift capacity, but a close second consideration on projects nowadays is the cost factor. As project pricing is under pressure around the world, machines should require low maintenance costs and should be frugal. This however can and should never compromise the safety for both operators and people working around the machines.”

Other factors to consider include:• Length of pipe sections and the length of

project spreads;• Terrain (dictating how close you can get

to the ditch);• The diameter and wall thickness of pipe

being installed; and,• Local laws for transportation.

Developing the sector“The generation of operators that can

work with pipelayers with many handles and pedals are slowly replaced by a generation that grew-up with joysticks,” says Mr Waanders. “That is why machines with single joystick operation have become a must.”

Further to a number of developments regarding safety, like ROPS and load-monitoring systems, the use of enclosed cabins with heaters, air conditioning, and dust control have made life for pipelayer operators a lot more comfortable.

For the near future the most important changes will be regarding the emission standards, as all construction machinery has to be equipped with Tier 4 engines.

“Tier 4 final emissions requirements will have a very large impact on the pipelayer industry, and we can expect to see machines that comply with this,” says Mr Ivie.

Both PLM/Caterpillar and Maats/Liebherr will keep developing and improving their products over the coming years and predict that machines will develop to have fully electronic integrated controls and improved safety features including improved cab visibility, cleaner air filtration, improved steering, and safer operator access.

PIPELINE EQUIPMENT – PIPELAYERS AND SIDEBOOMS

“As project pricing is under pressure around the world, machines should require low maintenance costs and should be frugal. This however can and should never compromise the safety for both operators and people working around the machines.”

– PAUL WAANDERS, MAATS PIPELINE EQUIPMENT

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PipeLine Machinery International’s 72H pipelayer with a 41 kg lift capacity, which has an engine Tier 4 Interim/EU Stage IIIB complaint for highly regulated countries.