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Bore machine/Trenchless Excavation

11K views 22 replies 14 participants last post by  Baselinenxc89  
#1 ·
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.
 
#3 ·
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.
 
#5 ·
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.
 
#10 ·
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?
 
#12 ·
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.
 
#11 ·
.

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.
 
#13 ·
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.
 
#15 ·
Pipe Bursting

We bought a Hammerhead Portaburst Lightning and a small McElroy fusion machine. We are just getting our feet wet into the trenchless arena. It bursts 2-6" lines and does an amazing job. I would like to go trenchless all day long if we had the work for it!! I made a video of us pulling 160' of HDPE pipe under 4 mobile homes. Check it out, i got a shot of the pipe "exploding" lol. :thumbsup: --> Rochester Excavating <-- Let me know if you like the video!
 
#17 ·
We bought a Hammerhead Portaburst Lightning and a small McElroy fusion machine. We are just getting our feet wet into the trenchless arena. It bursts 2-6" lines and does an amazing job. I would like to go trenchless all day long if we had the work for it!! I made a video of us pulling 160' of HDPE pipe under 4 mobile homes. Check it out, i got a shot of the pipe "exploding" lol. :thumbsup: --> Rochester Excavating <-- Let me know if you like the video!
How about a little info on your fusion machine. What is the initial purchase cost, and which model? Also, have any pictures?
 
#16 ·
I have been directionally drilling for about 10 years. The largest pipe I have been involve with is 18" HDPE. I have been around a 72" tunnel and many bore and jacks. I have also do e some pipe ramming and also a little bit of bursting. There is a alot of risk but with experience it can be limited. Preparation is key. Plan for the worst and pray for the best. Personally if you want to get into bursting or ramming give TT technologies a call. They are great people to work with.