Which machine to choose?
We select a pressing machine depending on the diameter of the pressing performed and/or the types and diameters of the pipes we are installing. The numerical value in the name of the machine is also its diameter, i.e. MAX K130S has a diameter of 130 mm. And this is the diameter of the hole that can be made with this machine, without using additional accessories.
Each machine has dedicated accessory groups that increase its functionality. By going to the next tabs of the subpage PRESSING MACHINES, we can check what installations can be made and what accessories can be used to equip a given machine. At this point we also encourage you to familiarize yourself with the material in the section WHAT IS A MOLE USED FOR? and HOW TO MAKE A PRESSURE.
The pressing machine can be equipped with, among other things, an expander, also known as a calibrator. It allows for pressing with a diameter much larger than the diameter of the machine itself. The table below illustrates the pressing diameters that can be obtained using individual moles. It should be assumed and remembered that the final diameter of the pressing, after the mole has passed, will decrease slightly due to the expansion of the soil, compacted as a result of the mole passing, and depends on the type of soil and the degree of compaction.
When choosing the most suitable machine, we need to assess what diameters we will be making most often. If, for example, it will most often be a diameter of around 130 mm, and occasionally larger diameters, the most economically justified choice will be MAX K130S together with the appropriate reamer. We must remember that making a widened hole involves the need to do double the work. This means that first you have to make the push using the mole itself, and then run the machine armed with the reamer along the same track. This extends the time it takes to do the work, but reduces the costs we would have to incur if we decided to buy a larger mole.
If, however, in the future, there will be more and more work related to the execution of larger diameters of pressing, the purchase of a larger machine becomes economically justified. The larger machine will allow for faster execution (in one operation) of pressings of larger diameter, of which we will have more and more. On the other hand, the smaller, previously purchased K130S, will be used only for smaller pressings.
It is similar when choosing a machine for direct pulling of PE/PVC pipes. The table below shows typical diameters of PE/PVC pipes and machines dedicated to a given diameter.
In color RED indicates the pipe diameters that can be installed using only the appropriate pipe insertion sleeve mounted in place of the standard screw.
In color GRAY the diameters of the pipes are marked, for which we will need not only the pulling sleeve itself or a special towing screw mounted in place of the standard screw, but also an appropriate calibrator.
PE/PVC pipes with diameters from 25 to 40 mm can be pulled in manually, after having previously performed a push. The Manual Pipe Puller is used to pull in such diameters.
Moles are universal ramming devices. This means that they can be used to install PE/PVC pipes and drive steel pipes. The table below shows the capabilities of individual machines for driving steel pipes.
As you can see, the larger the machine, the greater the possibilities. However, it should be remembered that larger machines mean greater difficulty in maneuvering a heavier machine during work. To make it easier to perform the push, you should use a machine of a size adapted to the size of the given installation. It is also worth considering the type of soil and the length of the pipe being driven. In one case, the K130S will perfectly cope with driving a pipe with a diameter of 323 mm and a length of 20 meters. And in another place, when we are dealing with exceptionally difficult ground conditions, only a larger caliber machine will allow for the efficient implementation of a similar task. A smaller machine will also cope with this installation, but the driving process will take a bit longer. However, remember that in the implementation of any work using the push method, the most important thing is the accuracy of the machine itself (in the case of pulling PE/PVC or independent pushing) and proper preparation related to aiming and giving direction to the machine and/or the driven steel pipe.
The table below shows the technical data of the moles from our offer.
The growing popularity of trenchless techniques and the tightening criteria for selecting this method as the most appropriate in an increasing number of cases mean that the demand for trenchless installations is growing rapidly. This in turn means that the ramming machine is becoming an indispensable, even standard tool for an increasing number of installers and construction companies, just like a hammer drill or an angle grinder. We observe that more and more companies decide to have more moles of different sizes in order to carry out individual orders more effectively and efficiently. We therefore assume that it is economically justified and profitable to invest in ramming machinery, along with the increase in the number and size of the installations being implemented.
