Abstract: A pipe slitter comprises a base for fixing the slitter to a pipe to be slit thereby. The base includes a pair of end plates for mounting transversely of the pipe and a carriage guide for coupling the end plates to each other. The carriage guide extends longitudinally of the pipe. The carriage guide movably supports a first carriage. A second carriage movably supports a slitter blade. The second carriage is movably supported on the first carriage for movement of the slitter blade longitudinally and transversely of the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for handling a pipe to be used in a pipeline replacement operation or the like. The apparatus includes upper and lower semicircular pipe-gripping sections slidably received on a base and drive pistons connected to the lower pipe-gripping section for moving the pipe-gripping sections from a pipe-releasing position to a pipe-gripping position and then to extended positions in which the gripped pipe has been moved axially with respect to the base. The apparatus also includes a collar affixed to the base for receiving a pipe from the pipe-gripping sections. The collar includes offset cams movable between a first position allowing axial movement of the pipe in an axially forward direction and an axially rearward direction and a second position allowing movement only in the axially forward direction.