Solutions for right-of-way

clearing and levelling for

pipeline projects

René Albert

Senior Applications Engineer

Outline

• Vermeer Corporation

• Novelty

• Right-of-way (Row) clearing– Onsite

– Offsite

– Grinding/Chipping

– Biomass market trends

– In action

• ROW levelling (soil/rock, rock)– Surface mining

– Grade control and site positioning

– From design to execution

– Applications

– In action

Vermeer corporation

• Industrial and agricultural equipment

manufacturer

• Pella, Iowa - USA

• Founded 1948

• Family-owned

business– Third generation

– 2,500 employees

• Dealer network– Independent

– More than 600

locations globally

There has to be a better way

Markets served

• Agriculture

• Tree care

• Forestry management

• Recycling

• Utility installation

• Pipeline

• Surface mining

Theory?When we are able to explain everything while

nothing is working!

Practice?When everything works but nobody is able to

explain why!

• Definition: the quality of being new and unusual

• Theory and or practice– Sometimes discovered by accident

• Learn and assess from other industries– Forestry & Recycling

– Surface mining

ROW clearing

• Target– Clear flora from the right of way

• Flora– Trees

• Roots, trunks, slash

– Brush

• Technologies – Track mulching

– Grinders and chippers

• Environmental considerations– Natural recourse

– Local regulations and traditions

Flora processing

• Onsite• Mulch/Grind in place

• Condition with surface material

• Offsite• Grind/Chip/Screen in place or remotely

• End product

• Biomass

• Composting

• Fuel• Woodchips

• Pellets

• End product usage

• Compost

• Private and public heat and power generation

Grinding/Chipping• Principle

• Shredder, grinder: Non-uniform random-sized particles as a result

from ripping and shredding action

• Chipper: Uniform-sized material as a result from chipping action

Biomass market trends

• Rising demand– Everything, even slash, to be

processed

– Growing demand for pellets

• EU 20.5 million tons/year

– Importing from US

• Power plants– Processed

• Slash

• Trunk

• Root

Equipment suppliers

• Trend• Increased understanding and knowledge on the application and

equipment

• Conscience on the importance of: costs, equipment reliability,

durability and local service support

• Assess and communicate

• Cost of operation

• Cost of ownership

Onsite• Track mulching

• Use for clearing and maintenance

• Track undercarriage

• Grip at limited ground pressure

• 360-degree turning on the spot

• Grinding in place

Onsite and offsite• Grinders

• Horizontal

• Tub

• Chippers

• Screens• Trommel screens

Example

• WC2500XL

• Specifications• Dimensions

• Length: 3.9m

• Width: 249cm

• Height: 3.3m

• Weight: 14800kg

• Engine

• CAT C13: 330Kw

• Infeed opening

• Width: 86.4cm

• Height: 68.6cm

• Performance

ROW or Terrain levelling

• Target• Level ROW or work area

• ROW

• Work area (civil construction)

• Supply roads

• Camp areas

• Compressor stations

• Levelling

• Remove cut material above levelled plane

• Condition cut material• No need for foreign material

• Inclination control for drainage

• Surface• Soil and shallow rock

• Rock

• Technology• Surface excavation machine (SEM)

SEM

• Trencher tractor with cutting drum style attachment• Vermeer Terrain leveler® surface excavation machine

• 6 models

– Cutting width range: 259cm, 457cm

– Cutting depth range: 50cm, 81cm

– Engine power range: 260 kW, 900kW

• Cutting technology• Down cut

• Point load and scraping

• Onboard controllers• Automation SmartTEC

– Coach the operator

• Remote control

Drum levelling

• Two directions• Up or down

• Side tilt

Grade control and site positioning• Options

• Onboard tilt sensors

• Laser

• GPS

• Single antenna

• Double antenna

From design to execution • 3D CAD

• Design transferred to control box on SEM

• Control box compares actual position with

design and automatically moves the drum in

the correct position– Precision (RTK)

• Elevation

• Location

Design

Solutions calculator

• Production estimates:• Rock properties

• Dedicated lab at factory

• UCS

• Tensile strength

• Energy index

– Vermeer

• Estimated cost

of operation

• Estimated cost

of ownership

LevellingRemove cut material

• Example: Limestone quarry Switzerland• 30 cm cut

• 2-degree slope for drainage

LevellingCondition cut material

• Example: Haul road Boke, West Africa• Surface (overburden and rock) cut up to 30 cm deep

• Cut material left in place

• Surface graded and compacted using traditional methods

Vermeer, the Vermeer logo and Equipped to Do More are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries.

© 2016 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.