On pipeline projects, pipe supplies must be unloaded from trucks and each length or reel of pipe moved into position for placement in the ground. The conventional method for accomplishing this is to strap or chain pipe to an excavator boom or crane to move joints of pipe. Alternatively, using a powerful vacuum force, a vacuum lifter can unload and position most types of pipe used on underground utility construction projects.

Vacuum suction securely holds material, eliminating the need to strap or chain pipe to the lifting boom, preventing material or coating damage that can be caused by other lifting methods.

Vacuum lifting equipment has been routinely used on pipeline projects for more than a decade. Vacuworx, a primary supplier of vacuum lifters, introduced the MC Mini model at the 2009 Underground Construction Technology Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio, USA.

Vacuworx Director of Sales and Marketing Shawn Lowman said that sales of the MC Mini have been well-over initial projections.

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“Contractors have welcomed the Mini, especially on the distribution side of the industry. The staple for the Mini has been up to 12 m lengths of pipe up to 12 inches in diameter,” said Mr Lowman.

Vacuum operation

Vacuum lifts can be mounted on an excavator, back-hoe, wheel loader, forklift, boom truck, or other types of equipment routinely used on construction sites. For example, it can be pinned to an excavator; has fork pockets for forklifts and loaders; and, is available with a picking eye for a crane or knuckle boom type truck.

The vacuum unit is controlled from the host vehicle with a closed-frequency wireless remote. Host equipment must have the capacity to accommodate the approximately 360 kg weight of the lifter, plus the weight of the load.

Vacuworx manufactures five vacuum lifting units ranging from the MC, which can lift 3,000 kg, to the RC20 that has a lifting capacity of 20,000 kg.

Mr Lowman said that the benefits of vacuum lifting extend beyond moving steel pipe, as contractors in the utility and general construction industries are discovering that a growing number of applications are suited to the procedure.

“Any contractor utilising vacuum lifting versus traditional methods can expect numerous benefits,” Mr Lowman said. “We certainly focus on the safety aspect of the Vacuworx system but the efficiency benefits are hard to ignore.

“Contractors can increase load and unload cycles by 700 to 1,200 per cent, and do so with less people. Some contractors have reported that they have received a reduction in insurance rates due to having no one in harm’s way when lifting.”

When installing concrete, PVC and ductile iron pipe, Mr Lowman said a vacuum lifting system can be used to slip joints of pipe together in the trench, an important safety feature.

In addition, Vacuworx’ vacuum lifters are able to keep their suction, even if the host equipment loses power. A stored supply of vacuum prevents the load from dropping. Mr Lowman explains that every Vacuworx lifting system is equipped with a vacuum storage reservoir.

“Current safety standards require that the material must be able to be held secure under no power for 10 minutes. At Vacuworx we utilise a 3:1 safety ratio, and our systems store enough vacuum in the reservoir to suspend the material for as long as 30 minutes, depending on the type of material.”

Mr Lowman said that Vacuworx sets itself apart from others by being the only company that specialises in vacuum lifting equipment.