Caterpillar’s global pipeline equipment dealer PipeLine Machinery International (PLM) will act as distributor for the Pipelayer System, which consists of a load pin, boom angle indicator, four-axis slope indicator and optional anti-two block function.

Information is relayed from wireless transmitters to an easy-to-read, cab-mounted display panel. The display panel shows boom overhang, load on the hook, percentage of permissible rated load and maximum rated load. When operating in out-of-level ground conditions, the display indicates the slope in degrees and can be programmed to provide tipping alarms. At the push of a button the system also provides information on tip height, boom angle, boom length, parts-of-line and detailed four-axis ground slope indication.

PLM Equipment Services Manager Lindley Imeson said “We are pleased to provide this state-of-the-art load monitoring system for the pipeline industry.

“Safety is our customers’ highest priority and Cranesmart’s Pipelayer System meets these needs head-on. Until now, operators have had to trust their gut feeling on challenging lift and lower-in operations. The Pipelayer System eliminates the guesswork while enhancing their skill, providing them with the immediate, accurate information needed to perform safely and efficiently.”

Jobsite safety

The Pipelayer System will enable contractors to manage a safer and more efficient job site. With precise load management details available to operators at all times, the system significantly reduces the potential for costly and dangerous overloading, tip-overs, roll-overs and other job site accidents. The use of these operator aids will also enhance safer working conditions for ground personnel and reduce equipment damage due to overloading and extremely steep slope operations.

“Best practices in the industry include a Job Safety Analysis before each shift,” said Mr Imeson. “For the lowering-in crew, this will mean a review of the slope and ground conditions in the area of work for the day. Knowing the ground slope angle will guide the decision for either standard operating or anchoring to another tractor for stability on the slope.

“Ground conditions come into play as well. Whether the working pad is stable, compacted soil or loose rolling rock can make a big difference in tight tolerance situations. With the Pipelayer System, the operator immediately knows if his machine track has changed the operating angle so he can make the necessary adjustments before trouble begins.”

The Pipelayer System also offers optional anti-two block protection. This feature includes a simple, wireless anti-two block switch, which swivels freely to travel in the direction of the wire rope, utilising a chain and trigger weight to sense block position.

“During intricate tie-in and valve setting operations, the boom operator is concentrating on lining up the pipe ends for welders working on the pipe,” said Mr Imeson.

“With their focus completely on the pipe, the proximity of the two blocks can go unnoticed. If the blocks hit, abrupt movement of the pipe may occur, causing safety concerns and equipment damage.”

The anti-two block function provides audible and visual alarms on the display panel just before the two hanging blocks come together, helping eliminate unnecessary damage to blocks and boom, wire rope and winches. The anti-two block system is also an important safety aid, protecting personnel working below the hook from dangerously abrupt mid-air load movements.

Reliability

“Pipeliners are often working in some of the most challenging conditions of any major construction project,” said Mr Imeson. “As equipment services providers, we have to do all we can to keep the construction process going. Reliability and serviceability are paramount. That’s why we chose the Cranesmart Pipelayer System as our recommended load monitoring system.”

The Pipelayer System has been engineered specifically for pipelayers and the pipeline environment. Electronics are temperature tested to perform accurately from -40 to +60° Celsius, and the glass-filled nylon and high-grade stainless steel components are rugged enough to withstand the demands of heavy equipment and continual outdoor use.

With no exposed wires or other mechanical relays, the Pipelayer System’s solid construction and no moving parts ensures increased reliability over other load monitoring indicator (LMI) systems, which can be bulky, difficult to install, hard to manage and less accurate.

Because the system is wireless, it can be serviced remotely 24 hours, seven days a week, thorough Cranesmart’s phone system. If service issues require replacement parts, the company can usually resolve the malfunction within 24 to 48 hours, minimising downtime. Cranesmart also offers free lifetime replacement of the system’s five-year batteries.

Compliance

There has been recent speculation that LMI systems will become mandatory on pipelaying equipment in the near future. The Pipelayer System has been designed for the simplest adaptation to LMI compliance as possible.

“With this new arrangement, all future-dated pipelayer machine orders will be coming out of the Caterpillar factory ‘Cranesmart ready’ for installation,” said Mr Imeson. “PLM is also standing by and ready to arrange installation of the Pipelayer System on existing machines as customers require.”

Systems are shipped complete with simple instructions and all the mounting hardware required for quick installation. Most installs can be completed in as little as two hours, without the assistance of specialised tools or service technicians, minimising installation costs. The RAM display mounting kit can be installed in the most convenient and visible location on any pipelayer. The Pipelayer System can easily be retrofitted to pipelaying equipment, with original equipment manufacturer load chart information programmed to each model of pipelayer.

Caterpillar and its dealer network are committed to providing customers with the technology platforms needed to improve job safety and efficiency. PLM’s new Cranesmart Pipelayer System can assist with equipping pipeline spreads with the right technology to ensure construction companies have a leading reputation for quality and safety.