TPT July 2011

T echnology U pdate

McElroy introduces the MegaMc ® PolyHorse

MCELROY, the pipe fusion experts, recently introduced the MegaMc ® PolyHorse™. The device is a pipe-handling system designed to boost productivity on 20ft to 48ft IPS (500mm to 1,200mm) diameter polyethylene pipe jobsites. The MegaMc PolyHorse consists of a series of pipe racks and powered pipe stands that hold enough pipe lengths for a day’s worth of work. With the pipe stored in a single location and ready for use, the MegaMc PolyHorse allows heavy machinery to work other places on-site. A single operator can manoeuvre pipe onto the pipe stands and into the pipe fusion machine with the use of a remote control. “Five years ago, we introduced the PolyHorse for use on smaller diameter jobsites,” said Chip McElroy, president and chief executive officer of McElroy. “After the success of the PolyHorse, it became obvious that contractors wanted the same efficiency boosts and to reduce the risk of injury on larger diameter jobs.” After setting up the MegaMc PolyHorse, lengths of pipe are loaded onto the pipe

racks that are purposefully designed with an incline, which lets gravity feed the pipes to the dispenser. The dispenser, when activated by remote control, gently drops a single length of pipe into a tracked pipe stand and roller pipe stand at the end of the racks. The user then engages the tracked pipe stand and roller pipe stand to move the pipe up to 24" laterally and 34" vertically. The powered tracks of the tracked pipe stand feed the pipe into the fusion machine. Instead of dedicating a piece of heavy equipment to hold a length of pipe in place for fusion operations, the MegaMc PolyHorse does all of the work. Most jobsites would use a piece of heavy machinery to hoist a length of pipe from a single contact point. This poses risks to the operators and to the fusion equipment from the uncontrolled movement of the pipe. The MegaMc PolyHorse has a maximum capacity of 70,000lb (154,324kg), with a maximum pipe length weight of 10,500lb (23,149kg). The new device can be paired with any of McElroy’s MegaMc ® line of fusion machines, as well as the TracStar ®

500, 630 and 900 fusion machines. The MegaMc PolyHorse is available for order from June 2011 through McElroy’s international network of distributors. Pipe fusion, also known as butt fusion, is a widely accepted process that joins two pieces of thermoplastic pipe together with heat and pressure. Commonly associated with high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE), the butt fusion process starts by “facing” or shaving the pipe ends simultaneously so that they can be joined together with heat to create a continuous, sealed pipeline. The welding of the pipes is accomplished by using a hot plate in contact with the pipe ends, which heats the plastic to a molten state. Then, after its removal, the ends are pressed together under a controlled force to form a weld that is stronger than the pipe itself. Third-party industry research indicates that HDPE pipe and joints can have a lifespan of more than 100 years. McElroy – USA Website: www.mcelroy.com

75

www.read-tpt.com

J uly 2011

›