Linde’s Tesmec 1475 Trencher Handles All of Pennsylvania’s Varied Terrain

“Trenching fits the work we’re doing,” says Linde Corporation Vice President Bob McGraw while describing Linde’s latest acquisition, the 1475 Tesmec Trencher.  This is a 100-ton machine, with trenching capacity of 8-16 feet.  “The Marcellus region is ribbons of pipeline running across the landscape and the trencher lets us manage space, time and money more efficiently.”

Linde's Tesmec Trencher at Work from Linde Corporation on Vimeo.

 
 

 

Linde Corporation has laid hundreds of miles of pipeline in the Marcellus region.  Trenching allows us to eliminate some steps from the traditional approach of blast, hammer and excavate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trenching also lets us streamline other steps in the process while reducing liability and environmental concerns. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trenching vs. Blasting/Excavating

 

“It’s much more economical to trench,” says Linde Vice President Fred Ostroski.  “Even though the costs may seem similar, trenching combines processes which must be handled separately, and paid for separately, if you blast.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

For instance, after blasting the land must be flattened, the ditches must be precisely dug and the filler aggregate crushed to a useable size (usually 2” minus) before covering the pipeline.  The rock which results from traditional digging/blasting often takes the form of large stones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Larger stones are reduced to a useable size, where possible, with an Allu bucket.  However, larger stones are not always suitable for crushing and larger stones create more wear and tear on the Allu bucket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trenching results in smaller stones (90% 4” minus).  When it comes to replacing the aggregate in the ditch, the Allu bucket can operate more efficiently and quickly with less wear on the bucket itself as it grinds the rock which will cover the pipeline.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trenching has the effect of streamlining or even eliminating some extra steps.  In sum, trenching can result in a safer, cleaner, faster and cheaper process from beginning to end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Right Stuff

 

“The ground in the Marcellus region is conducive to trenching,” says Bob McGraw.  “The land we’re working is mostly tight hard pan or sandstone/bluestone.  That means the trencher can make tight cuts so that the walls will hold well and not require as much maintenance.  The trencher might not work everywhere, but here it is a major help to our efforts.”

 

 

 

 

Less is More

 

Linde’s 1475 Tesmec Trencher brings several advantages to the pipeline business:

 1. Lower running costs compared to traditional blasting/jacking and excavating.
2. One trencher replaces several excavators and attachments.
3. Less overall machine maintenance, less transport, less machine down time and less diesel and lubricant consumption.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For contract/rental options, please contact

Fred Ostroski(fostroski@lindeco.com) or

Chris Langel(clangel@lindeco.com) at Linde Corporation