A company that specializes in the production of equipment to fuse polyethylene pipe plans to introduce a new hydraulic sidewall fusion machine for large diameter pipe at the Water Environment Federation Technical Conference and Exhibition.
McElroy Manufacturings new LD (Large Diameter) Sidewinder is capable of fusing PE pipe branch fittings with base diameters up to 18 inch OD onto any main size using any manufacturers PE pipe produced for the water utility market.
The LD Sidewinder carriage features the first and only patented Centerline Guidance System for perfect joints. Power is delivered through the TracStar? 500 chassis, a self-contained, self-propelled, all-terrain machine that fits in a conventional long box truck bed for transportation.
Joints are fused using The Coach, a patented fusion control system of McElroys invention which controls hydraulics, heater temperature and is programmable for multiple pressure set points. It also performs pressure calculations with drag compensation and other functions. Data logging is also provided as a standard feature.
To make pipe fusion easier in the field, McElroy designed a new heater that weighs only 30 pounds. Once the melt pattern is complete, a stripping mechanism takes over and easily removes the heater from the main and the branch saddle.
The LD Sidewinder was designed for in-the-field remote applications, but can be packaged on a stationary base for in-plant fabrication of reducing tees and mitered elbows.
With proper inserts and heaters, this setup can saddle-fuse reducing tees up to 18 inch O.D. base and make mitered elbows up to 18 inch IPS. The stationary version is delivered with the same Sidewinder carriage, Coach fusion control system, heater, hydraulic power unit (HPU) and mated with its stationary base.
The LD Sidewinder joins McElroys repertoire of manual and hydraulic saddle fusion machines, The Chain Clamp Sidewinder used for fusing 4-inch IPS and smaller branch saddles, tapping tees and service saddle fittings onto 11/4 inch IPS and larger main sizes and The Jaw Clamp Sidewinder capable of fusing 3-inch IPS and smaller fittings onto mains of up to 4 inches.
In addition, saddle fusion can be made on hydraulic equipment such as the No. 28 Combination Fusion Machine which offers saddle fusion capability of up to an 8 inch (200mm) branches on any size main.
