Bore machine/Trenchless Excavation - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Marcus · 02-06-2009, 09:53 PM

Hey guys. Do any of you know or are familiar with the bore machines, or moles as some call them. There are a couple of guys in my area who have them and they are slammed all the time. Even now.

Im very interested in finding out more.

Brock · 02-06-2009, 09:58 PM

Oh yeah. Buy a couple of them and you will get to see the entire USA and get insane money to do it.

threaderman · 02-06-2009, 10:07 PM

A friend of mine is a salesman for powr mole.His name is Darren.
dbishop@shieldmfg.com. .Tell him you got the info. from Joe with
"A Perfect Fit " Plumbing & gas in Oklahoma City.You can also call 800-488-7874. Try wsutok.com for there web site.

Marcus · 02-06-2009, 10:22 PM

Brock, how big of a machine are we talking. If you can shoot me a link that shows a similair machine that your aware of. Thanks man

rino1494 · 02-06-2009, 10:39 PM

A friend on mine is a underground utility contractor. They have a boring machine and they get contracted out quite a bit to do borings under streets. Not sure if there is good money in it, but IMO, I would stay away.

Brock · 02-06-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus

Brock, how big of a machine are we talking. If you can shoot me a link that shows a similair machine that your aware of. Thanks man

rbsremodeling · 02-06-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Brock · 02-06-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus

Brock, how big of a machine are we talking. If you can shoot me a link that shows a similair machine that your aware of. Thanks man

Seriously though I work in the rural areas from time to time and have run into these boring opertor guys at the only lunch stop around for miles. I always make a point to ask a billion questions if they let me. All I can tell you is that it is a specialized trade that involves serious and extensive travel. Having said that one can only assume
(due to the supply and demand theory) that these guys make a ton of money. I'm in KS and have met guys from Tenn.,Ala., Kentucky, and Boston the three or four times I've run across them.

Marcus · 02-06-2009, 11:43 PM

Rino why would you shy away. You obviously know what you are talking about so i am curious why you say that.

**denick** · 02-07-2009, 08:48 AM

Marcus,

There are different types of machines for different applications. The biggest difference is wether they are directional or not. Directionals you steer and non directional have no control over the machine once started.

We got into boring 15 years ago with a partner. It was a constant headache. The successful (profitable) bores were few. The partner went on his own as a 1 man operation with 3 nondirectional tools and made a living for several years. Traveled most of the east coast. He got out once the technology caught on and every contractor started getting their own.

Imagine getting a tool stuck under the middle of a concrete highway. And you bid $60 a linear foot to go across an 80' section pulling a 4" pipe. The machine is worth $12,000.00. The cost to retrieve is, permit, bond, traffic control, cutting highway(8" asphalt and 12" concrete) excavate and (hope tool is where you think it is)find tool, backfill, compact, Drill and dowel concrete repair, pour concrete, asphalt highway, Return in 1 year to make any repairs to patch.

If you'd like a free tool to start out I can show you where it is.

That story aside boring can all be about where you are from. If you live where there is all dirt or sand it is much easier and very common place. If your in Most of New England where there is a lot of rock and very mixed soils it's a very different situation

There are sites on the internet for "underground boring contractors" and have a lot of information.

So who are you, where are you from, and what kind of work are you doing now Marcus?

Marcus · 02-07-2009, 09:27 AM

We are in Washington. We are small company, just twon of us. We do residential site prep. Clearing, foundation cuts, septic install etc. While not new, it should be looked into around here.

Funny you say that anout losing the mole. I remember now a few years back getting hired ro find one that was under a codesac.

I think its worth looking into at least.

rino1494 · 02-07-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denick

Marcus,

There are different types of machines for different applications. The biggest difference is wether they are directional or not. Directionals you steer and non directional have no control over the machine once started.

We got into boring 15 years ago with a partner. It was a constant headache. The successful (profitable) bores were few. The partner went on his own as a 1 man operation with 3 nondirectional tools and made a living for several years. Traveled most of the east coast. He got out once the technology caught on and every contractor started getting their own.

Imagine getting a tool stuck under the middle of a concrete highway. And you bid $60 a linear foot to go across an 80' section pulling a 4" pipe. The machine is worth $12,000.00. The cost to retrieve is, permit, bond, traffic control, cutting highway(8" asphalt and 12" concrete) excavate and (hope tool is where you think it is)find tool, backfill, compact, Drill and dowel concrete repair, pour concrete, asphalt highway, Return in 1 year to make any repairs to patch.

If you'd like a free tool to start out I can show you where it is.

That story aside boring can all be about where you are from. If you live where there is all dirt or sand it is much easier and very common place. If your in Most of New England where there is a lot of rock and very mixed soils it's a very different situation

There are sites on the internet for "underground boring contractors" and have a lot of information.

So who are you, where are you from, and what kind of work are you doing now Marcus?

Couldn't have said it better. There are very few contractors in my area that do big bores. IMO, it may be profitable, but for the risk you take, I say that it isn't worth it. Since most of the time, you will be a sub-contractor, I think the biggest problem will be getting paid.

Noodle · 02-07-2009, 07:55 PM

We have a directional machine. Vermeer 16x20 and pretty much right now we use it on some of our jobs to let the paving contractor go ahead and pour if we are really busy and just come back and bore it. I have also been around the "moles" and i agree with whats said about loosing it under the highway or popping up in the middle of the highway(asphalt). They have their place though.

mrghm · 02-07-2009, 08:38 PM

the job where we are working the borer hit something in the ground broke through and the guys kept on borering.

they borded through the front of there mack truck, took at the front bar and pushed it down the drive way.