Abstract: An improved method for moving a large, heavy, fragile, freshly-made concrete pipe section, with top and bottom pallets but without jacket protection, out of a casting machine, and directly into a kiln, for curing; moving the cured pipe section from the kiln to an unloading station, automatically removing the top pallet, removing the pipe section from the bottom pallet, cleaning the top pallet and then placing the top pallet on a reinforcing cage that has been set on the bottom pallet, ready for the next cycle. The cycle is continuously intermittant.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for forming hollow cylindrical pipes of reinforced concrete wherein the pipe is formed in a vertical position and the principle components for forming the pipe comprise a bottom pallet and saddle, an outer jacket, a core positioned concentrically in spaced relationship within the outer jacket and a reinforcing cage positioned between the center core and the jacket and sealing means are provided for sealing the relationship between the bottom pallet, the outer jacket and the inner core. Use is made of movable elastic seals on the lower ends of the outer jacket and the core. The seals can be expanded inwardly toward the pallet by means of a positive pressure until the concrete has been poured into the form and compacted by vibration. Negative pressure is then utilized to withdraw the elastic seals from the formed pipe and the inner core and outer jacket are subsequently removed from the green pipe.