TRACTO Australia has strengthened its relationship with one of Melbourne’s leading horizontal directional drilling contractors. Multipipe, which is focused on energy and communications installations for leading asset owners, recently acquired its second TRACTO GRUNDODRILL 18 ACS designed to cut through the challenging hard rock geology found throughout the city.
Founded by managing director Scott Dale in 1994 and incorporated to Multipipe in 1996 has worked across power telecommunications, gas, water infrastructure, working for the likes of Zinfra, Jemena, CitiPower, ServiceStream, Telstra, Yarra Trams and CBRE.
“Most of our projects are asset relocation projects or new feeder works,” he said.
“We’ve done some power feeder works where people need new supply. We’ve got those major projects, they don’t come often, and then there’s the day-to-day type projects as well.”
“We’ve been working with TRACTO for a long time now,” Scott said.
Multipipe established the relationship with TRACTO in the early 2000 and 2019 acquired its first GRUNDODRILL 18ACS machine.
“Since then, Multipipe has built a nice Range of TRACTO machines from PS 60 Directional Bed Bore, 4X Directional Drill and a second GRUNDODRILL 18ACS Drill in 2023 of trenchless systems we use consistently.”
Known as the ‘King of Rock’, the GRUNDODRILL 18ACS has a stepless adjustment of torque and speed for maximum rotational power and productivity. The machine’s fully automatic operation ensures minimal downtime and relief for the machine operator, while the rotation of drill rods within the rod box is possible during normal operation, resulting in consistent use and wear on the drill rods.
The machine can also be converted for cable-guided bores when drilling in challenging terrain – like what is found across most of Melbourne – and at great depths. Scott said the necessity to navigate the challenging geologies the contractor encounters played was a determining factor in acquiring another TRACTO machine.
“We really went to TRACTO because their machines are capable in both rock and clay which is really our field. Especially because we do a lot of our work on the western side of the town where this geology is common,” he said.
“The 18ACS is also a compact machine and a pretty good size for getting into some tighter urban areas. It’s also got the power and the capability of easily completing projects over 100m in length up to 500mm diameter in Basalt with ease.
Paired with the two multi-function joysticks for all functions in bore and driving mode, the 18ACS is a user-friendly machine for all kinds of operators.
Multipipe operations manager Brodie Dale said it was so easy to use. He said the machine looks a bit daunting, but is really user-friendly.
Brodie has been able to train three new staff that came from outside the construction industry, that had no previous experience, at the art of HDD. They picked up the drill really easily.” he said.
In addition to supplying these industry leading trenchless solutions, all TRACTO machines are backed-up by training, service and spare parts. It’s something the supplier has focused on in recent years, making significant investments in those areas.
“As the industry would be aware, we have dedicated the past few years positioning TRACTO Australia as more than a supplier,” TRACTO Australia sales manager Daniel Toms said.
“The sale is only the first step in a long process and partnership, and the real work starts when the drill is delivered.
“At TRACTO, we continue to aim to provide the best class after sales support, training, spare parts and servicing.”
Brodie said the training, access to an extensive range of spare parts and the employment of local technicians, is an important aspect to the partnership between the two companies.
“We’ll have technicians call us every couple of weeks just to make sure everything is going okay with the machine,” he said.
“They’re always around if we need anything so it’s a good support system. They’ve also had a German technician based here for six months to support Australian customers as well.”
He said working with TRACTO machines has helped the company complete several complex civil infrastructure projects, which might have challenged or defeated other machines.
“Here at Multipipe we mainly do turnkey, end to end projects, Brodie said.
“We’re really happy with the support and products from TRACTO. It’s definitely the machine to buy for these difficult shots and difficult ground conditions.
This article featured in the October edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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