Ploughing is a unique system and is capable of laying pipes and cables while also installing sand bedding, padding and warning tape simultaneously if required.
The trenchless technology uses a specially designed vibratory plough blade that is pulled through the ground at a pre-set depth of up to 2 metres and installs cables or pipes of up to 355 millimetres in external diameter.
Cable or pipe is laid immediately behind the ploughing blade with an automatic sanding hopper installing sand under, over and around the cable or conduit as it moves along.
The plough produces installation rates of up to 1,000 metres per hour, depending on terrain, depth and diameter, and delivers a quality installation with significant reduction in construction costs and time.
Underground Services Australia Business Development Manager Peter Rowles said that the plough method is ideally suited to a wide range of utility installations including gas, water, irrigation and sewer pressure mains of up to 355 mm outside diameter.
“The plough method operates at its best in low density areas. Ideally, plough runs starting at 1 km and above provide optimal production results and cost effective solutions, with rates for ploughing as low as $10 per lineal metre based on runs in excess of 5 km,”? Mr Rowles said.
The machine has an onboard GPS displaying the proposed route line, as well as mapping the depth and positioning of the cable or pipe being installed.
There is no dewatering required and minimal disruption to the top soil, enabling installation of the cable or pipe without the extra cost of grading the top soils before and after the trenching and backfilling takes place.
The vibratory pipe and cable ploughing method has minimal livestock disturbance; clearing of bush land, top soil and crops; and, no groundwater or acid sulfate issues.
The GPS also significantly reduces survey costs with as-constructed drawings produced at the end of each run if required.
Mr Rowles said “There are reduced safety hazards with ploughing compared to open trench methods with less machinery and onsite personnel. The general public and animals can also safely cross the installation immediately after the plough has passed through.”?