Desert water line project uses Mcelroy fusion machine to support drought mitigation

McElroy’s MegaMc® 1600 fusion machine was selected to fuse pipe in support of drought mitigation activities being undertaken by the U.S. As part of the project 48” high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe was fused to replace a failing 42” concrete pipeline.

R&B Company of San Jose, Calif., a utility supply solutions company, supplied the machine that would best fit the application along with 40,000 feet of pipe. The MegaMc 1600 wheeled fusion machines have been used on large-diameter pipe jobs in a variety of applications worldwide. They feature four-jaws with more than 80,000 lbs. of fusion force allowing operators to overcome heavier drag forces and fuse thicker-wall pipes. Standing 9-feet tall and stretching 15-feet in length, the 21,000-pound machine is hydraulically powered. When considering a pipe material, a multi-disciplinary team of engineers analysed many types, including steel and reinforced concrete, but selected JM Eagle’s PE 4710 SDR 17/IPS 125 recommended by R&B. The crew will eventually be performing a total of about 600 pipe fusions for the six-mile pipeline and are planning on being able to perform about 12 fusions a day. www.mcelroy.com