One problem with lifting and shifting pipelines during the installation and maintenance of water, wastewater, and industrial pipeline networks can be restricted space or soft conditions in which to do the work safely.
This challenge is expanding as new pipeline infrastructure is installed to serve an Australian population that has doubled in the last 50 years. This comes as ageing infrastructure is upgraded to handle demands by households and industry of an average of 13.5 GL a year (enough to fill Sydney Harbour 25 times).
Especially in muddy, soft or sandy locations – including trenches – it can be challenging to provide crane access overhead or to obtain sufficient clearance and a firm foundation for a lift from underneath or horizontal alignment.
One way to provide an easy, safe, and predictable lift is to use seamless Pronal inflatable lifting cushions from Australian national distributor Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd. Pronal is famous for providing the enormously strong lifting bags that raised artefacts from the ocean liner Titanic, 4 km down on the Atlantic Ocean floor.
Pronal’s CLT 8-bar ranges (complemented by low pressure, MAXI-Lift and customised types) offer:
- Up to 65-tonne lifting capacity.
- Ultra-thin bags (just 20mm thick deflated)
- Aramid reinforcement (Kevlar)
- Non-slip surface providing maximum friction when stacking cushions for vertical or horizontal movement.
- Interlocking surfaces deliver stronger gripping when bags are stacked to increase their lifting range beyond individual bags’ strokes of 85-500mm, depending on the range chosen.
- Ease of handling and use with inflation either by compressors found on worksites or simple air cylinders. Removeable inflation connectors can also be fitted for remote actuation safety.
- High durability and power with gentle, precisely controlled lifting that spreads the load over broader surfaces of the object being lifted rather than focusing the power on point loads.
Versatile Pronal lifting cushions delicately handle loads ranging from pipelines to trucks, tracked vehicles, beams, bridge components, building components, machinery, and infrastructure development structures.
For more information about Air Springs Supply’s national distribution and technical support network, please contact Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd, Unit 18, 38-46 South St, Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, ph (02) 8877 5500, fax (02) 9807 6979, sales@airsprings.com.au or visit www.pronal.com.au.
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