Abstract: The heat exchanger frame is mounted on arcuate cradles on longitudinal rails so it may be angularly rotated and longitudinally moved, and locked in position. Each baffle is supported, and by preference the tube sheets are vertically adjustably supported. Adjacent one end of the heat exchanger frame a vertical way system is provided. On it a generally horizontal tube rack, is vertically adjustably mounted, as are a horizontally laterally movable way system and a worker-support platform. On the horizontal way system is provided at least one feed roll head. The feed roll head preferably has an automatically adjustable nip, is vertically counterbalanced for slight vertical self-adjustment, is reversible and incorporates a pusher piston for automatically pushing the trailing end of a tube being inserted the last couple of inches so as to clear the feed roll head.

Abstract: Ways and means are disclosed for removing old tubes from a tube bundle, consisting mainly of an array of transversally spaced tubes with tube sheets at their ends and baffles supporting the tubes of intermediate sites. The tubes are cut and driven from the respective tube sheets, then pulled out of the baffles. The apparatus includes a hydraulically reciprocable gripper that feeds an automatic throw stacker for pulling out tubes even if they are deformed, and for propelling them away from the apparatus.