Auger Boring Goes Automatic
Auger boring, a trenchless method for installing underground pipelines, revolutionized the construction industry from the 1950s well into the 1990s with minimal technological changes. Auger boring minimizes surface disruption and reduces environmental impact.
While the auger boring method has changed regarding the size and scope of projects, the basic components of the drive line remain the same: a diesel engine to a manual transmission coupled to a planetary gearbox.
Michael Byrne Mfg. worked extensively with product development teams from Allison Transmission and John Deere to develop a new drive line integrating an Allison automatic transmission with John Deere power pack. The Byrne B-Series planetary gearbox continues to be the only gearbox designed specifically for the auger boring application.
The addition of the Allison transmission contributes efficiency, precision, and reliability. Allison Transmission is a global leader in propulsion solutions renowned for its robust and efficient transmissions designed for various heavy-duty applications. In the context of auger boring machines, Allison Transmission provides several key advantages:
Power and Torque Management: Auger boring machines require significant power and torque to drive the auger and overcome soil resistance. Allison transmissions are engineered to efficiently manage and deliver high torque at low speeds, which is essential for effective drilling through different soil conditions without stalling.
Smooth Operation: The seamless gear shifts and precise control of Allison transmissions contribute to smooth and uninterrupted drilling operations. This smooth operation is crucial for maintaining accuracy and preventing damage to the equipment or the pipeline being installed.
Durability and Reliability: Auger boring operations often occur in challenging environments, including rocky soils or areas with high groundwater levels. Allison transmissions are built to withstand these conditions, offering durability and reliability that ensure continuous operation with minimal downtime.
Shift on the Fly: Operators can operate the auger bore machine remotely and shift gears from the remote control. Ability to operate the machine and connect auger with your remote is safer and saves time. Gauges to monitor critical machine functions are available on the remote control.
The new Michael Byrne Mfg. D72-1.5 Auger Bore Machine featuring the Allison Transmission drive train was recently in action at a Fredericksburg, Virginia, jobsite for Ron Merzlak and his team at Rising Sun Inc. The bore had challenging conditions with a tight area for the launch pit and crossed 455 ft under one of the busiest highways in the country, Interstate 95.
Rising Sun Inc. used an Akkerman 240A Guided Bore Machine that was powered by the direct connect power pack of Michael Byrne Mfg. auger bore machine. The pilot bore was successfully completed in less than two days. Rising Sun Inc. found the direct connect power pack to the GBM extremely valuable on this set up due to the tight confines of the launch pit.
The weld on the reamer method of opening the pilot bore to the 42-in. casing diameter was chosen by Rising Sun Inc. after evaluating the soils on both sides of the bore and feedback from the pilot bore. A 24-in. reamer followed the pilot bore for 10 ft then connected to a 42-in. reamer, the final casing diameter. The bore was completed over the next 10 days as weather and lane closure restrictions resulted in some lost production days.
“We were training a new bore crew and chose to do it on this bore. The crew foreman had never done a bore, this was his first try at it,” says Merzlak. “The MBM 72/1.5 with the Allison automatic transmission and the integrated Akkerman guided bore machine did an outstanding job on this project. Not only did the MBM machine bore without any hesitation for changing soil conditions but the fact that we were able to use the MBM integrated power pack for the Akkerman GBM system which saved us space in our very limited work area, not to mention the significant cost savings.
“Our new bore foreman had no difficulty in selecting the correct speed/power setting but only needed to select a general range of power, the Allison transmission with the torque converter selected and operated the system at the correct speed/power for the existing and changing soil conditions. All of this was performed using the remote control which was also part of the MBM bore machine system. The equipment that MBM provided along with the integrated Akkerman GBM we were able to meet our target point for the 452-ft bore, within 2 in.
“Auger boring with Allison Transmission represents a synergy of advanced engineering and practical application in the construction industry. By enhancing power delivery, ensuring smooth operation, and improving reliability, Allison Transmission will contribute significantly to the success of trenchless installation projects worldwide. As infrastructure demands grow and environmental awareness increases, the partnership between Michael Byrne Mfg. auger bore machines and Allison Transmission will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of underground utility installations.”
Jim Wiest is owner of Michael J. Byrne Mfg.
