pipelayers feature a four bar cab riser system, which – with the cab
in the elevated position – retains a feeling of cab rigidity, ensuring
operator comfort and confidence.
In the unlikely event of tipping, roll over protection (ROPS)
is now a standard feature, with all new Volvo pipelayers being
ROPS certified. The requirement for ROPS is a factor increasingly
in demand to ensure operator safety and even a legal requirement
now in some markets where machines will not be granted site
access unless they are ROPS compliant.
Tougher climbs ahead
Under way since autumn 2014, the 32 in. Southern Peru Gas Pipeline
project (Gasoducto Sur Peruano – GSP), will be the second pipeline
to carry natural gas from the abundant Camisea fields in the jungle
region. Given Peru’s geographical diversity, this 1000 km (620 miles)
pipeline will need to traverse both rainforest and, at the other
extreme, the high Andes to reach its Pacific coast destination where
it will provide natural gas to the future Quillabamba thermal station.
More than 80% of this pipeline will be constructed at altitudes
of more than 3000 m above sea level, and even up to 4400 m.
Some challenging slope work will certainly present itself and
five Volvo PL3005D pipelayers are supporting this project, so yet
another opportunity for these unique machines to demonstrate
again their agility and flexibility in what will be extremely difficult
and challenging conditions.
Even moving equipment on rough roads is a challenge, but the
Volvo pipelayers can be transported with ease, as there is no need
to dismantle the boom. The larger PL4611 is the one exception,
where, using a system of hydraulic jacks, it raises itself from the
ground, dismantles the track frames using the pipelayer boom and
a truck can then slide under the raised machine onto which it is
then lowered. The boom remains on the machine and the entire
disassembly process takes less than one hour.
More slopes to tackle
In Mexico, contractor SICIM is using Volvo PL4611’s on the Ramones
Phase II South pipeline, a segment of the Ramones natural gas
pipeline system, which is one of the largest energy infrastructure
projects in Mexico’s history, extending from the Texas border to
central Mexico. Spanning 291 km (180 miles) the Ramones II South
pipeline will have the capacity to deliver 1.4 billion ft
3
/d of natural
gas. Here too, with sections over 2500 m altitude, some tough
slopes and rocky underfoot conditions present their respective
challenges.
With a track length of 5.37 m (17 ft, 8 in.) and a maximum
machine width of 6.58 m (21 ft, 7 in.) on 900 mm (36 in.) track shoes,
the PL4611s footprint is huge and provides outstanding stability to
tackle whatever conditions it faces.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, six PL3005Ds will soon be fully
operational, with three more on the way. Two units were shipped
by contractor EVSDA to support a project in the ‘fire land’, in the
most southern part of the country.
Whatever challenges may ultimately await them, these
machines have already been used for unloading pipes from trucks
and have carried out a lot of different jobs on this pipeline project.
Sold with the additional digging equipment, enabling pipelayer
to excavator conversion, in addition to their other capabilities,
the PL3005Ds provide the typical ‘all-rounders’ that any pipeline
construction site needs.
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