Abstract: A portable winch suitable for use in underground pipe bursting and replacement includes a mounting frame positionable at a top opening of a hole such as a receiving pit or manhole. A telescoping mast having a series of nested, top and bottom mast sections is mounted on the frame. A powered winch unit, also mounted on the frame, includes a drive unit and a cable. A guide assembly includes a sheave that guides the cable from the drive unit to the bottom mast section. Suitable means are connected to the frame for mechanically raising and lowering the mast into and out of the hole. As such, the mast according to the invention does not require assembly or disassembly at the beginning and end of each job. The mechanical means for raising and lowering the mast is preferably the powered winch unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved rod pushing and pulling machine suited for use in underground pipe bursting and replacement with a rod string wherein each rod has at least one radially enlarged upset thereon. The machine includes a housing or frame having a pair of side walls and a front wall with an access opening therein through which a rod string can extend. At least one main thrust cylinder is mounted on the housing. A ratchet block mechanism driven by the main thrust cylinder includes a pivoting pawl and a reversible stop mechanism that permits the pawl to swing out of the way of an upset on a rod as the ratchet block mechanism moves along the rod in one direction, but forces the pawl to engage the upset to drive the rod string when the ratchet block mechanism moves along the rod in the other direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a lining from a pipe includes a collapsible stripping tool having a plurality of extensible arms with an abrading tool mounted on each arm that is deployed by inserting the apparatus into the pipeline, supplying pressurized fluid to a cylinder to extend the arms and force the abrading tools into engagement with the lining and rotating and pulling the tool down the pipe without destroying the pipe.

Abstract: A rod pushing and pulling machine includes at least one hydraulic cylinder having a front end thereof engagable with a reaction surface at an entry opening of a existing pipeline or borehole, a spindle assembly, and a dual vise assembly. The spindle assembly includes a frame, a spindle shaft rotatably mounted in the frame, a distal end of the spindle shaft being threaded for engagement with a mating thread of a rod, a drive system for rotating the spindle shaft in threading and unthreading directions, the spindle frame being secured to a rear end of the hydraulic cylinder for pushing or pulling of a rod string engaged to the spindle shaft upon extension or retraction of the hydraulic cylinder, and a support assembly for the spindle shaft.

Abstract: A cyclic cable pulling machine includes a reaction plate having a flat front face, a frame secured to the reaction plate and a cable pulling mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder and a cable gripping mechanism, the cable gripping mechanism having jaws positioned to engage the cable during a pulling stroke, the hydraulic cylinder having an end abutting the reaction plate and an opposite end secured to the cable gripping mechanism for movement of the cable gripping mechanism away from the reaction plate during a pulling stroke and a powered clamping device attached to the frame which holds the cable during return movement of the cable pulling mechanism.

Abstract: A method for installation of an underground pipe includes an initial step of boring a pilot hole through the ground at a predetermined grade angle by extending a drill string having a steerable boring bit mounted thereon through the ground. Upon reaching an end location for the pilot hole, the bit is removed from the drill string, and an expander having a diameter greater than the pilot hole is attached to the drill string, which expander is backed by an impact device such as a pneumatic impactor including a striker that delivers repeated impacts to a rearwardly facing surface of the expander, and by a pipe drawn along behind the expander. The expander is pulled back through the pilot hole at the grade angle while the impactor is operated to aid progress of the expander through the ground and pull the pipe into place behind the expander.

Abstract: A portable winch suitable for use in underground pipe bursting and replacement includes a mounting frame positionable at a top opening of a hole such as a receiving pit or manhole. A telescoping mast having a series of nested, top and bottom mast sections is mounted on the frame. A powered winch unit, also mounted on the frame, includes a drive unit and a cable. A guide assembly includes a sheave that guides the cable from the drive unit to the bottom mast section. Suitable means are connected to the frame for mechanically raising and lowering the mast into and out of the hole. As such, the mast according to the invention does not require assembly or disassembly at the beginning and end of each job. The mechanical means for raising and lowering the mast is preferably the powered winch unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved rod pushing and pulling machine suited for use in underground pipe bursting and replacement with a rod string wherein each rod has at least one radially enlarged upset thereon. The machine includes a housing or frame having a front wall with an access opening therein through which a rod string can extend. At least one main thrust cylinder is mounted on the housing. A movable carriage connected to the thrust cylinder engages the rod, drives it in a pushing or pulling direction, and then releases it for another stroke. Between strokes, a “bungee” vise holds the rod string so that it does not slip back in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A method for the removal of a ductile pipe includes passing a strand through the ductile pipe, crimping the ductile pipe in at least one location so that it is secured in a crimp about the strand and pulling the strand from an end of the ductile pipe with a winch or hydraulic puller. Preferably, the strand is a solid wire or wire rope and may be pushed through the pipe with a power wire feeding apparatus. As the strand and ductile pipe are pulled, segments of the pipe and strand are cut at the end of the pipe proximate the winch or puller.

Abstract: A rod pushing and pulling machine includes at least one hydraulic cylinder having a front end thereof engagable with a reaction surface at an entry opening of a existing pipeline or borehole, a spindle assembly, and a dual vise assembly. The spindle assembly includes a frame, a spindle shaft rotatably mounted in the frame, a distal end of the spindle shaft being threaded for engagement with a mating thread of a rod, a drive system for rotating the spindle shaft in threading and unthreading directions, the spindle frame being secured to a rear end of the hydraulic cylinder for pushing or pulling of a rod string engaged to the spindle shaft upon extension or retraction of the hydraulic cylinder, and a support assembly for the spindle shaft.

Abstract: An impactor for use with a directional boring machine for replacement of underground pipes includes a bursting head having a rearwardly opening recess and a front end opening that communicates with the recess. An inlet pipe is connected at its front end to a distal end of the drill string and extends into the recess of the bursting head through the front end opening. A striker is mounted for sliding movement along the inlet pipe, and a distributing mechanism responsive to pressure fluid supplied through the drill string and inlet pipe causes the striker to reciprocate in the rearwardly opening recess of the head to deliver forward impacts against the bursting head. The striker and distributing mechanism are mounted in a tubular housing, and a pulling connection is provided by which the impactor can be pulled by the drill string while the striker is delivering impacts against the head in the same direction as a pulling force exerted by the drill string.

Abstract: A method according to the invention for installing an underground pipe uses a ground piercing tool having an elongated tubular tool body, a striker disposed for reciprocation within an internal chamber of the body to impart impacts to an impact surface for driving the tool forwardly through the ground, and an expander having a diameter greater than that of the tool body. The method includes the steps of securing a tubular shroud to the expander so that the ground piercing tool is disposed inside of the shroud, operating the tool in forward mode over a run so that the impact tool and shroud move forward, fitting a front end of a replacement pipe into sliding engagement with a rear end of the shroud, and pushing the replacement pipe from a rear end portion thereof in a manner sufficient to insure that a front end of the replacement pipe remains in sliding contact with the shroud as the tool moves forward.

Abstract: A portable winch suitable for use in underground pipe bursting and replacement includes a mounting frame positionable at a top opening of a hole such as a receiving pit or manhole. A telescoping mast having a series of nested, top and bottom mast sections is mounted on the frame. A powered winch unit, also mounted on the frame, includes a drive unit and a cable. A guide assembly includes a sheave that guides the cable from the drive unit to the bottom mast section. Suitable means are connected to the frame for mechanically raising and lowering the mast into and out of the hole. As such, the mast according to the invention does not require assembly or disassembly at the beginning and end of each job. The mechanical means for raising and lowering the mast is preferably the powered winch unit.