Innovative pipe laying solutions from Volvo

As Volvo increases its focus on providing tailored solutions to the on-shore Oil & Gas industry, the latest Volvo pipelayers represent the most significant innovation in the past 80 years.

The unique, patented-design, Volvo pipelayers represent a major step forward versus conventional pipelayers, the basic design of which originated in the 1920's and has changed little since.

With two models currently available - PL4608 and PL4611 - both developed around the renowned Volvo EC460C tracked excavator, the advantages of Volvo pipelayers are numerous and immediately apparent. The PL4608 has an operating weight of 57 475 kg and a tipping load of 80 000 kg; the PL4611 has an operating weight of 68 140 kg and a massive 110 000 kg tipping load.

Volvo pipelayers are designed and purpose-built to achieve the highest lifting standards in the market, maximising day to day productivity and safe operation in aggressive and demanding environments. Versatility, simplicity, safety and operator comfort features are all built in

Unlike conventional pipelayers, which are inherently unstable with the boom mounted outboard on a bulldozer side frame, Volvo pipelayers have the boom located inside the tracks, closer to the machine's centre of gravity. The result is greater stability, improved still further with the machines' broad based working platforms.

The asymmetric, open design of the boom provides a clear view to the work area, but also a clear view to the load block at all heights and into the trench. The length of the boom - 9.14 m on the PL4608, 11.6 m on the PL4611, compared with 6.1 m and 8.5 m on conventional side boom pipelayers - provides for a longer reach and hook height, so depending on ground conditions, where there may be a risk of sidewall collapse, the machines can sit back from the trench.

In addition, the heavily reinforced boom, allied with the machine's excavator-style counterweight; ensures excellent weight distribution and, therefore, stability, when working on steep slopes.

With machine tipping fairly common on pipeline sites, machine stability was a prerequisite in the design of these models.

Such stability allows for their best-in-class, tipping capacities. Both feature a unique, state-of-the art, Load Management System (LMS), enabling the operator to see what he can safely pick up. Utilising boom and base machine-mounted sensors to enable onboard computers to monitor boom angle, machine orientation and inclination; the computer uses this information to compute and display actual loads and related working loads in real time. The operator receives the information, together with graphical displays, on an in-cab monitor, together with visible and audible warning signals when the safe load limit is being reached.

Additional, standard safety features include an anti-two-block device, with auto kick-out at full lift, to prevent the winch blocks from coming into harsh contact, a flag block that pivots to 52° left and right, enabling load self-centering, and a mechanical, upper structure swing lock - useful when moving on a slope with pipe or in applications such as pipe welding where the pipe needs to be held in position.

But, perhaps the greatest benefit of the Volvo pipelayers is the cost saving versatility of their design.

Conventional pipe layers, traditionally built on a heavily modified bulldozer platform, cannot be adapted for other uses whilst the Volvo pipelayers, thanks to their excavator platform, are multi-purpose machines.

When not utilized for pipe laying, a Volvo pipelayer can be converted back, in under a day, to a high production excavator or, used in a wide variety of different applications where their heavy lift capability can come into play - truck loading, construction sites, uprighting derailed rail cars etc.. This was an important consideration in the development of these machines in order

to ensure maximum machine utilisation and, consequently, the best return on the customer's investment and good second life opportunities when sold on. Volvo Pipelayers exceed global design and safety requirements for pipelayers as well as cranes; most significant are OSHA regulations, ASME B30.14, ASME B30.5, ISO8813, and DIN 15018 and 15019. 

Rounding out the versatility of the Volvo pipelayers is their ease of transportation.

Innovation all the way

The PL4608 features a hydraulically variable undercarriage. Fully retracted, the overall machine width is 3.15 m, to facilitate machine transportation, expanding to 3.65 m to provide a wide working stance and excellent stability on site. With the undercarriage retracted, the machine is at an acceptable width for road transportation, and there is no need to remove the pipelayer boom,

The larger PL4611 features a huge, almost square working platform of 5.36 m total track length and 5.48 m width, with 762 mm shoes. No transportation issue, however, as, using its pipelayer boom, it can effectively self-disassemble for transportation. Featuring four, retractable outriggers, fitted with hydraulic jacks; these are used to raise the machine from the ground. The pipelayer boom is used to support the track frame assemblies - which engage / disengage hydraulically - whilst they be removed and lowered onto a trailer. The rear counterweight, which is lowered hydraulically to the ground, can be lifted and loaded in the same way and the unit can then be transported.

Finally, rather than providing a "perch", exposed to the elements, like the older designed, conventional, side boom pipelayers, Volvo pipelayers feature the Volvo "Care Cab", well known for its spaciousness, expansive glazed area - for excellent visibility - ergonomic controls and, of course, the best heating and ventilation system in the industry. Such factors ensure total comfort for the operator - never more important than on tough, demanding pipe line job sites, where conditions can be harsh in the extreme.

Recognition of the Volvo pipelayer concept was first demonstrated at the IPLOCA convention in Sydney back in 2007 when Volvo was awarded a special BP award for significant contribution to innovation - "for a product in its development stage" - related to cross-country, on-shore pipeline construction. This was for the PL4611 and at last year's convention, in San Francisco, Volvo was presented with a runner-up New Technologies Award for its latest PL4608 pipelayer.

In summary, Volvo pipelayers offer:

• Innovative, patented design

• Cost-effective versatility as a pipelayer, excavator or for other heavy lift applications - for 100% machine utilisation and return on investment

• State-of-the-art technology

• Proven reliability

• Built-in safety features, meeting the most exacting, industry standards

• Ease of transportation

All intended to meet the customer's primary objectives - increased productivity and safe, cost-effective operation, for the best return on investment.

The introduction of pipelayers to the Volvo Construction Equipment range has significantly strengthened the company's overall offer to on-shore pipeline contractors globally, familiar already with Volvo wheel loaders, excavators, articulated haulers and graders, all of which have their role to play between opening up the right of way and land reinstatement once the project is completed.

With the recent introduction of "transport solutions", however, the Volvo offer is further enhanced. With "transport solutions" the Volvo articulated hauler becomes a platform for a wide range of different retrofits. The concept consists of the basic tractor unit and a two-wheel or four-wheel trailer. The load body can be replaced with many different retrofits to meet different needs so, working with external bodybuilders, the customer can secure the type of vehicle he needs. The pipe hauler is just one example.

Volvo Pipelayers - modern machines for the toughest demands of Oil and Gas pipeline construction.