Increasing pipe handling safety and efficiency using LaValley Industries' DECKHAND® and TONGHAND®
Whether stringing pipe along the right of way, unloading trucks, or working in the pipe yard, pipe handling has historically been performed by work crews utilising straps and chains or through the use of excavators equipped with vacuum lifts. Both these methods result in a free-swinging load requiring workers to guide pipe into place by hand or by using tag lines. This manual process often places workers in danger zones. Additionally, these methods do not offer a continuous positive grip on the pipe during lifting. LaValley Industries' DECKHAND® pipe handler is the next generation mechanical grapple that is bringing a new level of safety to the pipe handling process. As the Deckhand is not a free-swinging device, it allows for total control and precise placement of pipe without the need of additional personnel or tag lines; thereby removing workers from danger zones and reducing overall labour costs during pipe handling operations. Its positive mechanical grip also ensures that pipe can never be dropped, regardless of hydraulic pressure.
The TONGHAND® exit side wrench represents a significant technological step forward in the large bore Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) work that is often completed as part of the pipeline construction process. The Tonghand has been specifically designed and created to solve the safety, precision and efficiency issues that the industry has faced with regards to exit side HDD operations. Historically, exit side operations have been conducted by manual labourers using chain or gear wrenches, working in tandem with the drill rig positioned at the entry side of the bore to accomplish the torqueing and un-torqueing of joint connections as tooling such as hole openers (reamers) are added or removed from the drill string. This manual process has often led to over torqued and under torqued connections, causing a variety of issues while simultaneously placing workers in danger zones resulting in injuries. The Tonghand automates HDD exit side operations and allows for all exit side connections to be accomplished with precision by a single operator from the safety and comfort of the excavator cab. The Tonghand’s automation allows connection joints to be torqued and un-torqued to precise torque values measured at the tool joint, removes manual laborers from the process, and speeds up overall operations. These combined benefits improve the bottom line while increasing overall job-site safety.
The goal of this presentation is to highlight the safety and operational benefits of using the DECKHAND® and TONGHAND® versus other existing methods, with a focus on contractor case studies.
